Construction Zone: Sustainability

Northeastern University science facility receives LEED Platinum

EXP, Northeastern University’s eight-story center for science, engineering, and computational research in Boston, has received LEED Platinum certification for its environmentally friendly design.

The building, which opened in fall 2023, has achieved a 50.6% reduction in energy use over baseline models through energy-saving features and on-site renewable energy from solar panels at Snell Library.

The building also has reduced its natural gas site energy use by 73.5%, contributing to a total energy savings of 49.6% over a baseline lab building.  

Some of the features that have enabled EXP to achieve LEED Platinum certification:

• Triple-glazed windows and exterior shading fins to reduce heat gain.  
• A heat recovery chiller that generates hot water by reusing heat rejected during the chilled water generation process.  
• An enthalpy wheel for general office ventilation and a high-efficiency 2-stage run-around coil energy recovery system for lab exhaust to significantly reduce energy use.  
• Chilled beams in offices and labs, reducing the need for outdoor air heating and cooling.  
• A digital lighting control system that automatically dims or powers down lights based on occupancy and natural daylight, further conserving energy.
• Seventy-seven ductless filtered fume hoods that use advanced carbon filters and significantly reduce the need for additional heating and cooling.
• Rainwater harvesting for irrigation of planting beds on the eighth-floor roof deck and make-up water for the cooling tower, combined with low-flow plumbing fixtures to optimize water savings.  

The building envelope also plays a crucial role in sustainability efforts: curtain wall systems featuring high-performance insulation and minimized thermal bridging, and envelope commissioning to ensure the building performs as designed regarding energy and water use.  

Solar panels installed at 72 New York City schools

New York City has completed installation of solar panels atop 72 public schools in the city.

City officials and students from PS 58 in Brooklyn cut a ribbon to mark completion of the project, which brings the total number of schools with solar panels up to 104.

“Today’s ribbon cutting represents an incredible milestone in our city’s clean energy and sustainability efforts: over 100 solar panels on our schools, bringing renewable power to the city and augmenting the robust sustainability work happening inside our buildings,” said Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos. “I am eager to see how this work continues, inside and outside of the classroom."

Of the new 72 solar arrays, 55% have been installed in disadvantaged communities. With solar arrays covering roughly 70% of existing school roof surface, the project sites were chosen based on their roof feasibility and condition. This analysis included roof warranty checks and water tightness inspections of the buildings to avoid future capital project conflicts.

The panels were installed through a Power Purchase Agreement with an investment subsidiary of Generate Capital, which is responsible for the costs of installation, operation, and maintenance of the systems. The city's Department of Citywide Administrative Services has agreed to buy the solar power produced by the panels over the next two decades. The $85 million dollar portfolio cost estimate is the total cost for the clean power over the next 20 years; through this agreement, the city has saved an estimated $120 million in capital costs, and millions more in annual operations and maintenance costs over the panels’ lifetimes.

Net zero energy elementary under construction in Amherst, Massachusetts

The Town of Amherst, Massachusetts, is building a $97.5 million net zero energy elementary school that will replace two existing campuses.

The Daily Hampshire Gazette reports that the new Fort River Elementary will replace the existing Wildwood and Fort River Elementary Schools. The 575-student, K-5 campus will have five classrooms per grade level.

To achieve its net zero energy status, the building will utilize ground source heat pumps and photovoltaic panels to provide 100% of its energy needs.  

The new elementary school is expected to open in fall 2026. Demolition of the existing structures will follow, and all remaining site work is expected to conclude by June 15, 2027. 

The architect is DiNisco Design.

Weber State covers campus parking lot with solar panels

Weber State University has outfitted a second covered parking lot on its Ogden campus with s solar array.

The university says more than 1,000 solar panels have been installed on top of the new covered structure over an existing public pay lot near the Student Services Center, Shepherd Union and Val A. Browning Center. 

Weber State opened its first solar covered parking lot, W10, in 2020. It generates 550 kilowatts of power; the pay lot’s larger array is expected to generate up to 900 kilowatts, which will be used to feed the nearby Student Services Center and Kimball Visual Arts Center. 

The solar arrays are part of Weber State’s continued work to become a sustainable, carbon-neutral campus by 2040. Between the Ogden and Davis campuses, Weber State now has 9,527 solar panels; approximately 25% of its power is solar.

Through its sustainability efforts, Weber State has reduced electricity consumption by 25%, natural gas consumption by 46% and has saved $27.3 million in utility costs since 2007.