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March 9th, 2010

Are There Human Benefits in Smart Grid?


Complements of GE

Complements of GE


Companies and their stance on communicating the human benefits of smart grid

Learning how smart grid technology works is important but even more significant is figuring out what the technology will do for people. As a way to monitor power demands and reallocate resources there are many companies adopting smart grid technology. The recent buzz around this technology is not only about preventing blackouts and blowouts but also about the human benefits that comes from smart grid. With the evolution of the smart grid, companies have been creating a channel of communication, clearly highlighting the positive aspects of smart grid. Considering the current influx of interactive microsites, YouTube videos and pricey commercials, companies have become highly invested in communicating to the consumer that the smart grid, is a good thing.

As a prime example, Google has partnered with several utility companies and has been heavily involved in dialogue advocating for smart grid technology. The internet giant’s smart meter project called, Google PowerMeter is meant to organize and track energy consumption in homes and/or businesses. In efforts to support the program, Google has developed a free Web service, which allows consumers to view their electricity consumption on a daily basis. As the developers of the PowerMeter, Google.org (the philanthropic arm of the giant) has taken a deep dive in focusing on the positive impact this system will have on societies everyday use of energy.

From Google.org

From Google.org

By having information about your energy consumption, Google believes consumers will be in a better position to make smarter choices. Monitoring and having access to information about your daily energy intake will allow consumers to make informed decisions on how and when to cut back. This notion of access to information is a consistent message resonating within Google’s push for smart grid technology. Check out the video on Google.org’s Youtube channel, which gives a deeper look on how they are communicating the human benefit of smart grid technology.

GE, another company that has publicly support smart grid technology has been a heavy investor in updating the national power grid. As a part of their communication efforts GE paid $100,000 per second for a commercial that aired during this years Super Bowl. GE’s microsite provides an interactive inside look on how smart grid works. Additionally, The commercial and the microsite coupled with GE’s strong partnerships with Google and other companies like California’s PG&E and American Electric Power are clear initiatives in educating the public about smart grid. As the company continues to develop commercials and partnerships, GE has been a key player in communicating the positive impact smart grid will have on consumers.

Other major companies, like Microsoft, Seimans, Johnson Controls (client) and IBM have also been key players in advocating for smart grid technology and emphasizing its benefits.

Are there any risks in highlighting and communicating the human benefits of smart grid? Yes, there are. In the February 17th issue of USA Today the cover story of the Money section highlighted several cases in which homeowners have been unhappy with the smart grid. Instead of saving money some homeowners had seen their electricity bills skyrocket. Given this article and others, there are clear pros and cons to smart grid.

Nevertheless, this blow back and any others that follow will not put a damper to the next phase of smart grid technology. Current data shows that by the end of 2010 nearly 35% of houses and businesses will have smart meters - a clear representation that consumers do believe there is a human benefit in smart grid.



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February 18th, 2010

If You Build It, You Can Recycle It: Job Site Waste Part 2

Earlier this month, we highlighted the importance of reducing job site waste, and one of the most effective ways to do so is by recycling building materials from construction projects. According to The Construction Materials and Recycling Association (CMRA), approximately 350 tons of construction and demolition debris is generated and disposed of in the United States each year. What does this shocking statistic mean to building professionals and the greater sustainability movement? Aside from the obvious detrimental effects on the environment, construction waste disposal leads to the loss of useful property, resources and energy. To make matters worse, this cycle repeats itself as new building materials are produced, causing greater environmental stress. By implementing job site recycling programs, builders have the ability to slow the rate of construction waste generation.

Not sure where to start? Though the thought of recycling building materials may be a daunting for some, fortunately there are several associations and organizations in place to help builders and manufacturers recycle their unwanted (yet salvageable) materials. Following are three reputable organizations currently advocating for job site recycling while providing the resources to help us do so.

· Construction Materials and Recycling Association (CMRA) – The mission of the CMRA is to provide positive support and representation to the building industry in all matters impacting the recycling business. This non-profit organization acts as an advocate to promote construction recycling and to serve as a liaison between its members and legislators as well as member recycling companies and agencies. As a member, you’re able to interact with groups that touch the recycling at every stage in the process from waste generators, haulers and even end users of recycled products. With the CMRA, you have access to an unlimited network of groups whose end-recycling goal mirrors your own.

· Whole Building Design Guide (WBDG) – The WBDG’s Construction Waste Management Database (http://www.wbdg.org/tools/cwm.php) is a national, online network of companies that haul, collect and process recyclable building materials from construction sites. This database allows free and unlimited online searches for construction recycling companies by state, zip code and even down to the materials you would like to be recycled. In addition, the site offers a construction waste management resource page with best practices and considerations for implementing your own effective construction recycling program.

· The Building Materials Reuse Association (BMRA) – The BMRA is another non-profit whose goal is to facilitate the reuse of recycled building materials in a manner that is financially and sustainably sound. The organization firmly believes that through recycling and reusing building materials, not only will we benefit the environment but stimulate the economy through new markets and job creation.

We put these tools to the test, in search of organizations across the country doing innovative work in recycling. Here’s what we found:

logoevergreenrecycling If You Build It, You Can Recycle It: Job Site Waste Part 2

· Evergreen Recycling is a full service recycling company based out of Las Vegas, Nevada, whose services include construction waste planning, post construction recycling for new and existing buildings and recycling management plans to fit your needs. An innovative feature of the company is its roll off bin service for all recyclable materials. No need to sort and separate building materials on site, Evergreen Recycling does the work for you and processes everything from concrete to carpeting. For more information visit http://evergreenlv.com/ContactUs.asp

logo If You Build It, You Can Recycle It: Job Site Waste Part 2

· We’re all aware of the tremendous work Habitat for Humanity has done to provide shelter for countless deserving individuals over the years, but the organization also contributes to our recycling efforts through the Habitat for Humanity ReStore Network. Organizations are encouraged to donate recycled building materials that are then sold to the public at a fraction of the price. Through their efforts, ReStores keep reusable materials out of landfills and into the construction of Habitat homes. To find a Habitat ReStore in your area visit http://www.habitat.org/env/restores.aspx.

logo If You Build It, You Can Recycle It: Job Site Waste Part 2


· The Loading Dock in Baltimore, MD is an example of an organization using recycled materials not only to benefit the environment, but the community as a whole. The company obtains usable building materials from contractors, retailers, manufacturers, and even directly from landfills. Through its efforts, The Loading Dock has been able to rehabilitate low-income housing in Baltimore City using materials that would otherwise be thrown away. Visit http://www.loadingdock.org/stock/feature/index.html for a glimpse at some of the items available at The Loading Dock.


Based on our findings, we at Build Intel see great opportunity in recycling for builders and manufacturers alike. As the green building movement continues to grow, so does the need for better recycling practices. For example, under the LEED program, projects earn construction waste points by developing a waste management plan, establishing quantifiable recycling goals. With LEED standards and other building certification programs as a top priority among the industry, building professionals must implement and live up to their recycling claims. With the desire to be green, recycling is sure to follow.

 

greenintel imre If You Build It, You Can Recycle It: Job Site Waste Part 2

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February 11th, 2010

IPD: The Answer to Our Sustainable Building Prayers?

 

Complements of The American Institute of Architects

Complements of The American Institute of Architects

You’ve heard the old saying “There’s no “I” in team”, but for owners, architects, designers and builders, approaching project teams with “I” in mind (as in Integrated Project Delivery) may be the key to increasing sustainability in buildings today.

Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) does just as its name suggests, it assembles all parties involved in the building process at an early stage creating a highly collaborative environment at the inception of a project and throughout its entire life cycle. The holistic approach behind IPD allows owners, architects, construction managers, engineers, and subcontractors to contribute their individual expertise while looking at the whole picture, rather than just focusing on their individual role in the construction process. Driven by collective risk, IPD creates a mutual understanding of an owner’s goals, and is therefore able to meet and exceed these goals in a shorter period of time. Other benefits of this early collaboration and communication among all building parties? Increased efficiency, productivity and better value for the owner – just to name a few.

0805ms7 IPD: The Answer to Our Sustainable Building Prayers?

So what does IPD suggest for the future of sustainability? Here are three ways we at BuildIntel see IPD playing an integral role in the greater sustainable building movement:


  1. Facilitating efficient design through technology – Building Information Modeling (BIM) largely supports IPD by laying out a virtual model and strategy for a project, allowing all parties to collaborate on every element of the process at a much earlier stage. According to the American Institute of Architects (an IMRE client), BIM makes sure the building is cost effective by providing quantification metrics, reducing errors and unknown design conditions and resolving construction conflicts, thus reducing waste and fostering better management of a building’s overall energy consumption.
  2. The ability to use prefabricated building methods – Because of the deep collaboration and communication involved in IPD, contractors have the freedom to work independently as well, through prefabrication. This results in less waste and expenses as well as a more efficient installation.
  3. Controlling costs saves in more ways than one – The cost controlling capabilities established through Integrated Project Delivery has a direct affect on the likelihood that sustainable goals will be met. Early collaboration leads to greater efficiency and discussion of project options, which in turn leads to an increase in the probability of sustainability.


For more information on IPD or to begin setting up your own contractual agreements, organizations such as AIA Contract Documents (an IMRE client) are streamlining the process even further by providing the necessary contract agreements needed to fully implement the IPD approach. Visit http://www.aiacontractdocuments.org/ipd/ to find out what type of agreement best suites your project needs.

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February 10th, 2010

A Brick-Stainable Future

With all the talk of sustainable building and green products, why is brick always left out of the discussion? It’s easy to get lost among the vast products and materials that dominate our day-to-day lives. But after all, brick is the original, sustainable building material. Archaeologists have found manmade bricks dating back 10,000 years. Mixing together materials taken from the earth with moisture and then drying the shaped forms with fire is still the general formula for producing bricks. The abundance of brick-making materials and the durability of the finished product are as true today as they were thousands of years ago.

Brick provides an energy-efficient envelope for a building that reduces the amount of energy necessary to heat or cool the interior. Because of its durability, brick all but eliminates the need for exterior maintenance and outlasts most exterior cladding products on the market today, avoiding the energy usage, and costs, involved in upkeep and replacement.

To drive this sustainability message, Potomac Valley Brick, with the help of premier sponsor Boral Bricks (an IMRE client), created the first international sustainable architectural design competition: Brick-Stainable. The competition sought innovative solutions for a building using brick as a primary material. The contest was designed for entrants to explore the potential of brick construction in the creation of an energy efficient building and challenged design teams to maximize the physical characteristics of this construction in the creation of integrated design solutions.

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The results were astounding. The competition received 95 entries from over 17 countries. The winners were selected by a prestigious panel of jurors, including Carnegie Mellon Architecture Professor Vivian Loftness, University of Maryland School of Architecture Dean and Professor Garth Rockcastle, IDEO Practice Lead and Material Scientist Kara Johnson, and AXIM Director of Marketing Martin Vachon. Winners were from the U.S., Mexico, Cyprus, and Qatar.

We had the opportunity to attend the awards ceremony at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. And a suitable spot for such a ceremony it was. The National Building Museum defines sustainable building. Made with over 15 million bricks, the design of the roof to the ingenious ventilation system creates a continuous flow of fresh air throughout the building. A practical system of windows, vents, and open archways allows the Great Hall to function as a reservoir for light and air. It’s a beautiful building. If you ever have a chance to visit, be sure to take advantage. It’s an easy walk from Union Station.

National Building Museum

With more competitions like Brick-Stainable in the future, the dialogue should continue to grow. The brick message is beginning to make its rounds in the sustainability movement. Make brick a foundation of your next sustainable building conversation.

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February 4th, 2010

The Rewards of Reducing Job Site Waste

A recent survey from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reveals that approximately 8,000 pounds of waste is generated in the construction of a 2,000 square foot home, and removal of this job site waste can cost builders over $500. Almost all of this waste eventually ends up in our overflowing landfills, and to make matters worst, much of this material could have been reused or recycled.

resourceyard 300x225 The Rewards of Reducing Job Site WasteWhat can builders do to tackle the daunting challenge of reducing job site waste? The answer is actually quite simple –reduce the amount of amount of materials used in the first place, reuse and recycle. Following are some tips and strategies in place on how to reduce the environmental impact on any construction site. Not only will you be doing your part to conserve our natural resources, but also cutting job costs and future material expenses at the same time. It’s a win-win situation for all.

  • Reduce – Eliminate waste on your construction site before it starts. New design techniques, such as Optimum Value Engineering (OVE) or Advanced Framing, use innovative engineering principles to minimize material use and improve energy performance. For example, wall and framing spacing can be widened using these techniques resulting in faster construction, reduced lumber use and lower labor costs. Another initiative in place to reduce the amount of waste on a construction site is the WasteWise Challenge, which encourages members to reduce construction and demolition debris. By pledging to the WasteWise Challenge, participants can receive assistance and earn recognition as environmental leaders in a network of over 2000 members.
  • Reuse – By reevaluating “waste”, you may find that many of these materials can be repurposed. Building products such as fiberglass, vinyl flooring, concrete and insulation are commonly disposed of but can be reused regardless of the amount you have left. Another option may be to donate slightly damaged, but reusable items to salvage companies that accept building materials. Visit the EPA’s website for additional resources on salvaging unused building materials.
  • Recycle – Believe it or not, a majority of construction waste is recyclable. Following is a list of common construction and building materials that can and should be recycled or salvaged: wood, asphalt, concrete, metals such as steel brass and copper, carpet, plumbing fixtures and equipment, ceiling tiles, lighting fixtures, yard waste and select appliances. Contact your local recycling facility or visit http://www.cdrecycling.org/find to find a recycler in your area.

greenintel2 The Rewards of Reducing Job Site Waste





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January 28th, 2010

Green Building: Where Are We Going and How Will We Get There?

1013 45 banner build industryinsider Green Building: Where Are We Going and How Will We Get There?

Last year was the biggest year so far for green building. This is especially true in the commercial sector, where for the first time Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) registered floor area is expected to exceed the total floor area of new construction starts. 2009 was also the year where the House of Representatives passed H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, which includes a National Building Code. Already, more than a dozen Federal departments, over 30 states and well over a 100 cities require LEED certification for publically funded projects, with many of those providing incentives for private developers to pursue green building. The conversation surrounding green building is now moving to “Net Zero” and a few smaller buildings have already achieved this impressive accomplishment. These and many other trends indicate that green building is now a priority that requires consideration in all decision making processes related to the design, construction and operations of buildings.

So now that the green building movement has arrived, where is it going? What will a final National Building Code look like once the Senate takes up the vote? How quickly will the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) raise the performance bar moving forward with subsequent revisions and improvements to LEED?

IIDA Student Blog

IIDA Student Blog

While a very few still believe that green building or LEED is nothing more than a trend or a fad, the rest of us are starting to understand that what has been accomplished so far is only the beginning. The business case demonstrating the positive impacts to the bottom line related to pursuing LEED certification and overall utility use reduction strategies is well documented. But consider the fact that the use of a truly holistic and integrated design or decision making approach is rarely utilized. The process of design and construction is still pretty much the same as it has been for decades. The true potential of green building cannot be reached until the delivery of new buildings includes an approach where sustainability is one of the first programming decisions made and all stake holders in the design and construction of a building are included in the initial meeting to kick-off the project.

Voluntary and mandatory pursuits of LEED and the application of codes and standards have created broad multidimensional benefits for those who have embraced these concepts thus far. But what will it take to truly improve the process of design and construction so that no opportunity to reduce energy and materials use is overlooked or missed? Will an even greener building future come out of code requirements or mandates? Or will the change be more generational as younger architects and engineers take the lead on the projects of the future?

The tools we have at our disposal today have generated landmark results and a great deal of benefits that many might not have thought possible just a few years ago. But everything we have accomplished so far still pales in comparison to where the future of green building might take us if current trends continue. While LEED is destined to raise the bar further and codes are certain to become more widely required, we still have a long way to go before the eco-impact of our built environment is neutralized, not to mention regenerative. Technology and software that can aide in making the best choices in this process are on the way as Building Information Modeling (BIM), energy modeling software and Lifecycle Cost Analysis (LCA) is more broadly and proficiently used by project teams. A universally understood and utilized integrated design and construction approach is the next step we can strive to achieve. And who knows, we may even get to a point someday where LEED certification is no longer necessary to know if a building is green - they’ll all be green.

 

jqsm 150x150 Green Building: Where Are We Going and How Will We Get There? Jamie Qualk is a vice president at SSRCx, LLC and team leader of the Sustainable Solutions Group. He lectures in the Civil Engineering department of Vanderbilt University regarding sustainability and construction and also at Lipscomb University in the Institute for Sustainable Practice regarding renewable energy.

 

You can read more from Jamie at the environmental design + construction Enviro-Blog and follow him on Twitter.

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December 16th, 2009

TFF Unveils New Interactive Website

Tropical Forest Foundation Web Site

The Tropical Forest Foundation (TFF) (IMRE client) just launched a renovated, state-of-the-art website. The interactive format is more accessible and educational for its current supporters, prospective participants, contributors and media. The resources and robust research contained within the site will allow TFF to support its mission to increase sustainable forest management and conservation in tropical regions across the globe.

Tropical Forest Foundation’s work often goes unknown in the US because much of the change TFF makes happens in tropical forests across the world. As demand for environmentally responsible products and services rapidly increases in the building sector organizations like TFF will become more and more vital to manufacturers across the industry. Training in reduced impact logging and third-party certification such as TFF’s is critical for assuring both manufacturers and consumers that natural resources have been harvested using sound, sustainable practices. TFF’s new website takes into consideration that consumers and manufacturers need easily obtainable and reliable information, thus, it has positioned itself as the first step in forest sustainability, and with its new website, provides faster access to this information.

get verified TFF Unveils New Interactive Website

 

The website’s updated on-site project section helps bring TFF’s work to life, with interactive tools that allow viewers to learn about projects in South America (Brazil and Guyana), the Congo Basin (Gabon), and in the Asia Pacific (Indonesia) through a multimedia format.

picture 2 TFF Unveils New Interactive Website

“In order to play an active role in conserving one of our most precious natural resources, tropical forests, we feel it is pertinent to be, not only, a service provider but a source of knowledge for our supporters and contributors,” remarked TFF President, Keister Evans. “We are proud to unveil our new website. We encourage current supporters to re-visit the site for updates and organizations considering involvement or sponsorship opportunities to visit the site to learn about how they can play a larger role in this critical issue.”

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December 3rd, 2009

Introducing the Living Building Challenge 2.0

2ilbi logo Introducing the Living Building Challenge 2.0Attention all design professionals, contractors, architects and building owners – Cascadia Region Green Building Council and International Living Building Institute recently released a new version of its building certification program, Living Building Challenge 2.0. Through its seven performance areas, or “Petals”, Cascadia is raising the bar for the greater sustainability movement by challenging builders to ask the question: What if every single act of design and construction made the world a better place?

Since the program’s introduction in 2006, there are more than 60 projects in the process of becoming certified Living Buildings. The reason none are currently certified is because of the unique structure requiring 12 months of operation under the standards to ensure that a building is the “greenest” it can be.

So how does it work? The Living Building Challenge takes its seven petals, or performance areas: site, water, energy, health, materials, equity and beauty, and subdivides them into a total of twenty imperatives that can be applied to any type of building or living community. This includes buildings, landscapes, infrastructures, streets and even entire neighborhoods. No matter what the size of your project, Living Building Challenge 2.0 tailors a framework for design and construction to fit your specific needs. These imperatives are not meant to serve as a checklist, but are performance-based indicators of success.

Once a building’s imperatives have been assigned, two simple guiding principles must be followed:

  • All imperatives assigned to a structure are mandatory though not all imperatives apply to every building type
  • Living Building Challenge certification is based on actual, rather than modeled or anticipated performance meaning projects must operate under these standards for at least twelve consecutive months prior to evaluation

lbc21 Introducing the Living Building Challenge 2.0

Equity is the newest category of imperatives added in Version 2.0, a component that many thought leaders in the green building movement feel has been missing from green standards thus far. The driving force behind the equity petal is to ensure that all levels of design and development foster a sense of community, dignity and equal access for all members of society. For example, projects must provide access to individuals with physical handicaps and allow for unrestricted access to natural elements such as lakes and shorelines. In this way, The Living Building Challenge not only examines a structure’s physical elements of sustainability, but its social and economic impact as well.

While we have made great strides in constructing more efficient buildings and reducing footprints, Cascadia believes these small changes may no longer be enough. With these trends in mind, manufacturers may need to consider focusing on the importance of a building’s impact on the people in the building, in addition to its environment, when marketing and communicating the benefits of their products to better fit this emerging movement.

The ILBI stresses that the new standard is on no way meant to replace the LEED Green Building Rating System, but views the Challenge as an additional outlet to promote the longstanding goals set forth by the USGBC. As a standing chapter of both the US Green Building Council and the Canada Green Building Council, The Living Building Challenge hopes to work with these organizations to build a truly sustainable built environment in all countries around the world.

To learn more visit the International Living Building Institute’s website where you’ll find additional resources and registration information to get started on your own Living Building project today. Check back with us in the near future as we take a closer look at specific projects in the process of Living Green.

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November 11th, 2009

Enjoy the View from Greenbuild 2009

The images from our trip to Greenbuild 2009. Follow us on Twitter for updates @GreenIntel.

bT*xJmx*PTEyNTc5MTc*NDIzMzAmcHQ9MTI1NzkxNzU5NTE*OCZwPUNlbGxibG9jayZkPSZnPTEmbz*5ZDAxMWQ*ZDk2MmQ*Mzc1YTI2ZjgwYjQ5N2M2NWI*ZiZvZj*w Enjoy the View from Greenbuild 2009

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November 9th, 2009

Countdown: Reporting Live From Greenbuild

 

Complements of USGBC

Complements of USGBC

GreenIntel is less than 48 hours away from reporting live from Greenbuild 2009. Be sure to follow us on Twitter at @GreenIntel (#Greenbuild) where we’ll be posting the stats and info you’ll want to know about our rapidly changing industry.

Here’s some of the sessions and events we’ll be tweeting from:

  • Keynote address, former Vice President, Al Gore
  • A view of sustainability from the C-Suite of Corporate America
  • The value of Energy Star
  • The latest era of Greenwash
  • How historic preservation goes green
  • …and more.

    • greenintel1 Countdown: Reporting Live From GreenbuildWe will also be posting images throughout the event here on Build Intel – so check back frequently and enjoy the view from Greenbuild without even leaving your office.



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