Destiny USA to Build Green, Create Clean Energy (S2)

You may have heard about a huge mall, entertainment, tourist project in central New York called Destiny USA.  It's quite the scheme that's been in planning for many years.  I just caught news of some of their phase I and II plans for green building and energy.  For the 1.3 million sf Phase I, they retained Tangarie Energy to place sixteen, 5 kW drill-bit shaped wind turbines in the parking lot, which will produce roughly 64,000 - 84,000 kW hours of clean energy.  They also want to be 100% fossil fuel free and energy efficient, so we'll probably hear more specific details in the future.  The turbines are designed to work well in lower wind speeds and should provide about 30% of their energy needs.   

Phase II will start in 2009.  For that, they're planning a 1,300+ key hotel tower and conference facility, which will be built to LEED Platinum certification.  The unique looking hotel project, shaped almost like blades of grass, will generate electricity from its solar panel facade and hydro-electric turbines (using rainwater collected on the roof).  Once finished in 2012, it is planned to be the tallest building in upstate New York. 

Via Green PR and The Post-Standard.

(S2) = Skyscraper Sunday, a weekly article on green skyscrapers.