Click here to peruse the most recent issue of Greenspeak, which is issued quarterly.
Wisconsin Green Building News
Wisconsin Public Service Corporation’s (WPS) new service center in Rhinelander has received LEED® Gold certification!
JULY 21, Appleton, Wis. — Wisconsin Public Service Corporation’s (WPS) new service center in Rhinelander, Wisconsin, has been awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Gold certification by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), the nation’s foremost authority on the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings. The facility, which is WPS’ first green service center, earned 47 points under LEED-New Construction v2.2 to receive the Gold designation.
The Rhinelander service center, which opened in August of 2009, was designed by Hoffman LLC, an Appleton-based planning, architectural, and construction management firm experienced in sustainable design and project delivery.
The green service center was delivered at less cost than the conventional budget that had been developed for the project. “WPS’ LEED Gold certification validates that sustainable design and construction can be done at or below conventional costs,” stated Mark Hanson, Hoffman’s Director of Sustainable Services. “It’s the right thing to do, and there is no reason not to design and build green.”
WPS, a wholly owned subsidiary of Integrys Energy Group, Inc. and based in Green Bay, Wisconsin, is an electric and natural gas utility that has served homes and businesses in northeastern and central Wisconsin and Upper Michigan for more than a century. With the development of their latest service center, which consolidates functions previously performed in multiple buildings at two different sites, WPS was adamant that the center be environmentally friendly.
“WPS strives to be environmentally conscious and we believe LEED certification of our new Rhinelander Service Center is an excellent means to advance our environmentally conscious efforts,” explained Glenn Buntin, WPS Project Manager. “We were very confident in working with Hoffman from the beginning and now that the new Rhinelander Service Center project is complete, we truly believe Hoffman’s design experience and LEED expertise is second to none.”
ESI Flips Switch on New Roof-Top Photovoltaic Array
Overall building energy efficiency reaches 41 percent better than code
BROOKFIELD, Wis.– July 12, 2010–Environmental Systems, Inc. (ESI) announced today it completed installation of a new photovoltaic (PV) array atop its corporate headquarters. Located in Brookfield’s Gateway West Commerce Center, the building is known as Gateway West Sustainable 1.
“As a viable alternative energy source, the PV system will reduce the cost of operating the building,” ESI President Paul Oswald says, “and contribute to overall sustainability by generating about 8 percent of the building’s electrical load.”
The PV array on the south side of the building produces 8 percent of the overall energy supply. Overall building energy efficiency now runs 41 percent better than baseline standards. ESI worked with Stephen Perry Smith Architects and Hunzinger Construction to design the building to evolve with advances in technology and efficiency, which is demonstrated with the recent PV array installation.
“While the payback on PV systems remains lengthy, the combination of actual electrical cost reduction and the educational opportunity this presents to our employees, customers and the community, enhances the ROI for our business,” Oswald says.
Fast Facts: ESI Photovoltaic Array
- Number of panels: 78
- Rated output: 18 kW
- Annual output: 22,000 kWh
- Projected life cycle savings: $65,603
- CO2 emission reduction: 24 tons per year
- Roof area used: 5,300 square feet
- Solar panel manufacturer: SolarWorld
- PV system design and installation: Lemberg Electric
Environmental Systems, Inc. provides performance-building solutions for control and automation, systems integration, security, life safety, advanced software applications, energy services and building operations. ESI’s solutions reduce operating costs, improve sustainability and provide a positive return on investment. Visit ThinkESI.com for more information.
March 26: Holy Wisdom Monastery sets LEED Platinum Record!
MAR 26, APPLETON: The U.S. Green Building Council has awarded the Benedictine Women of Madison’s Holy Wisdom Monastery a Platinum rating – the highest level of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) certification available. The monastery earned 63 out of a possible 69 points under LEED-NC version 2.2, the most of any certified building in the United States to date. Located at 4200 County Highway M in Middleton, Wisconsin, the monastery is a 30,000 square foot, two-story structure with a detached, 4,000 square foot remodeled maintenance building on 130 acres overlooking Lake Mendota. Partnering with Hoffman LLC, a Wisconsin-based planning, design, and construction management firm, the Sisters spent two years exploring and defining their vision for the monastery. (Read the remainder of the press release).
Madison Fire Station #12 Earns LEED Platinum
MADISON, WI - The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has recently announced that the new Madison Fire Station #12 has achieved LEED® Platinum certification. This is only the second fire station in the world to receive this certification to date. The project was designed by Plunkett Raysich Architects.
Commissioning its second new fire station in three years, the City of Madison sought a design of exemplary energy and environmental performance. The new Fire Station #12, on the far west side, features ground source heat pumps, a green roof, solar hot water collectors, pervious pavement and rainwater harvesting. (Read the full press release)
