Archive for the ‘Greencon Design Update’ Category
November 26th, 2008 | 
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Trends in the US and Europe seem to be pointing towards greater awareness in Building built on a more sustainable methodology. Read this report from “Build Design and Construction Magazine” :
If New York City’s environmentally-daring Mayor Michael Bloomberg gets his way, Manhattan’s illustrious skyscrapers could soon be topped with wind turbines. Generating energy renewably is part of the mayor’s ambitious plan to harness the power of wind via skyscraper-mounted propellers and offshore wind farms.
New York’s climate and topography are quite different from those of Texas and California, both highly conducive to wind-generated power. Still, dynamic winds blowing at skyscraper altitudes might just be powerful enough to propel the rooftop turbines. In the current absence of tangible plans Bloomberg has asked renewable tech innovators to garner “their best ideas for creating both small- and large-scale projects serving New Yorkers.” “When it comes to producing clean power, we’re determined to make New York the number one city in the nation,” he said.
According to CNN, for offshore sites “the city is looking at the windy coast off Queens, Brooklyn and Long Island for turbines that could generate 10 percent of the city’s electricity needs within 10 years.”
I know a few ‘wind cities’ in our country that could be used for power generation. Think of turning Coega into a Green Industrial park, where all manufactured goods were made from energy harness from renewable generation.
Keep it Green
Posted in Greencon, Greencon Design Update | 
Tags: Greencon, Wind Power, Wind Turbines | 
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We at Greencon realise that our biggest task at the moment is to get the message out to the public at large about their impact on the planet. Buildings an there existence are by far the largest carbon sources on the planet. Many organizations such as the green building council exist to help regulate and inform industry and the public about the need to reduce there impact on the planet. Have a look at what some recent research in the states has shown about general public knowledge and the actual stats about costs for buildings that are investing in greener technologies.
Press Release on November 16, 2008 from:
Building Design and Construction Online
“Autodesk and Other Green Building Leaders Gather at 2008 Greenbuild Expo to Raise Awareness and Address Innovations for Global Sustainability
SAN RAFAEL, Calif., November 12, 2008—According to the American Institute of Architects (AIA), buildings are the leading source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, but in a new poll conducted by Harris Interactive and commissioned by Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK), only 4 percent of U.S. adults were aware of this fact. Autodesk, a leader of design innovation software and technologies, is one of more than 1,000 companies coming together in Boston at the 2008 Greenbuild International Conference and Expo to raise awareness about this important issue and present solutions to help the building industry decrease carbon emissions.
“The results of the survey reveal an urgent need to raise awareness with the American public about the role of buildings in climate change,” said Jay Bhatt, senior vice president, Autodesk AEC Solutions. “This is especially important given that half the buildings in which Americans will live, play and work by 2030 have yet to be built. We believe that the building industry has a responsibility to do all we can to promote the creation of, and generate increased demand for, much more cost-effective and energy-efficient buildings—which we’ll be doing next week at the Greenbuild Conference and Expo.”
About the Green Building Awareness Survey
The Green Building Awareness survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of Autodesk between September 30 and October 6, 2008, among 2,682 adults ages 18 and older. A key finding of the multi-question survey is that only 4 percent of U.S. adults were aware that buildings such as offices, educational facilities and private residences are the leading sources of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. In fact, according to estimates in the AIA’s Architects and Climate Change report, buildings represent 48 percent of carbon dioxide emissions, with transportation and industry representing 27 percent and 25 percent respectively. The Autodesk survey also revealed that 77 percent believe that constructing a green or highly energy-efficient building costs more than constructing a typical building, with 35 percent believing it costs a lot more. However, according to The Costs and Financial Benefits of Green Buildings, a study funded by the state of California’s Sustainable Building Task Force, spending as little as about 2 percent to support green design up-front would, on average, result in life cycle savings of 20 percent of total construction costs—an average of 10 times the initial investment. Full results of the Green Building Awareness survey will be available at www.autodesk.com/greenbuild08.
“Most people don’t realize that our homes, schools, and offices are sources of tremendous opportunities – to save energy, save money, create jobs, and ultimately help preserve our climate,” said Michelle Moore, senior vice-president, policy and public affairs for the U.S. Green Building Council. “This new survey underscores how much good work can be done to raise awareness and create the kind of change we need to improve our economy and protect our quality of life on Earth.””
So, with new developments and especially with old revamped structures, it is really vital to include the large array of renewable products into the development to not only reduce there impact but also save running costs going forward.
Regards,