Several years ago, Adobe made business news by sharing how their green building initiatives saved the company big money. Its San Jose headquarters facility includes three office towers that have received three LEED Platinum certifications. Over time, the company has reduced indoor water use by 22%, landscape water use by 76%, electricity by 35%, and natural gas by 41%. Now Adobe generates on-site energy with 20 Windspire small wind turbines by Mariah Power.
We all know design will do a lot of the work in making a building green, but technology is important, too. Over the past year, we've seen some interesting innovation in a broad category of articles we call building-related green technology. Solar innovation is hot, and small wind — albeit heavily scrutinized — is doing some things also. So, check out this retrospective on green technology in the built environment (click the text links for more images and information).
We’re starting to see a number of interesting products in the building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) area of solar innovation. A company out of Grass Valley, California – Sun Energy Engineering Co. – has developed a low-profile solar shingle, or Sun Energy Shingle, to be used instead of roofing shingles or over existing shingles. It’s available in custom colors, too, depending on what kind of look you’re trying to get on the rooftop.
In July, we mentioned a small wind turbine from Earthtronics and Honeywell and want to provide an update. We also have some newer images of what the actual turbine may end up looking like. The WT6500 Wind Turbine, referred to as the Honeywell Wind Turbine Gearless Blade Tip Power System, will be priced at $5,995, with early units available in select Ace Hardware Stores starting in February 2010.
According to a recent press release, a sustainable energy company called Beautiful Earth Group just unveiled this containerized electric vehicle (EV) charging station in Red Hook, Brooklyn. With a soaring array of photovoltaic panels, the BMW Mini E pictured runs exclusively on fresh, green power generated by the off-grid, modular station. You’ll note that the station just so happens to be built with recycled shipping containers, too.
Project Profiles
