The building is also highly water efficient, and features a grey water system created by Gennaro Brooks-Church. The building also features a rainwater catchment system. The filtration system used to treat this water is made up of plexiglass, rocks, plants and soil and also acts as landscaping. The roof is equipped with a hot tub and a small space for container gardens where vegetables and herbs can be grown.
Also, the building was constructed on an old brownfield, from which the hazardous levels of lead were first removed. The site also recently received a Green Site Award given by New York City Mayor’s Office of Environmental Remediation.
Question: When a building has an electricity bill of minus $6,000 does that mean the electric company owes them that money since they are basically generating energy? Or is there no bill? Does that energy go back into the grid or is it recycled and saved for that particular building?
It depends on how it’s set up. A building can store its own energy in batteries for times when the sun is not shinning (expensive), or it can be connected to the main grid (ideal). If it’s connected to the grid, the owner usually has 1 of 2 options. First, the home owner sends all energy into the grid directly, it is metered up and then sent a check. The home owner then buys all of their needs from the energy supplier. (not so great). End of transaction.
Second, they could be compensated for the use delta. They supply 1000 watts, but use 800 watts, therefore the electricity supplier provides a check for 200 watts. Additionally, if they use 1200 watts, they are charged for the 200 watts they used in excess of what they provided.