Posts tagged energy star

Wisconsin Apartments Gain ENERGY STAR certification

Wisconsin is home to one of ENERGY STAR’s 17 qualified multifamily high-rise buildings in the nation. Focus on Energy, Wisconsin’s program to promote alternative energy use supported Stone House Development Inc. to attain the ENERGY STAR distinction. The apartment complex integrates various energy efficiency standards into its 83 units. City Row Apartments, heavily funded by the Wisconsin Housing and Development Authority is expected to set a standard for clean energy in the Madison community. “When you consider the housing sector accounts for more than one-third of all energy consumed in the United States on a daily basis, it becomes important to remember the environmental impact of where we live,” said Mike Plunkett, program manager for Focus on Energy. The EPA has approved a number of multifamily high-rise projects to meet ENERGY STAR standards in several states. To qualify, a building must be 20 percent more energy efficient than a building constructed to normal specifications.

Pennsylvania’s Largest Solar Energy Farm

Snyder’s of Hanover (known more for its crunchy pretzels) will begin construction on Pennsylvania’s largest ground-based solar energy farm that will span 20 acres and house 16,000 solar panels. The farm has garnered support from the Penn Township Planning and Zoning Board to begin construction this month. “We’re incredibly eager to take the next step in reducing our carbon footprint.  This is an exciting event for our company, community, and environment,” said Jim Butt, vice president of technical services at Snyder’s of Hanover and project manager for the solar project. The farm is expected to reduce emissions equivalent to removing 111 million miles driven by a medium-sized car.  “It demonstrates that we can still be passionate about pretzels and better-for-you snack foods while caring for our environment,” said Carl E. Lee, Jr., president and CEO of Snyder’s of Hanover.

Rhode Island State House Embraces Clean Energy

Rhode Island State House is going green during the Rhode Island Manufacturer’s Association’s ninth annual fundraising gala. Renewable energy certificates from wind energy facilities will be distributed to match the total amount of electricity used at the event. Such donations buttress funding for wind energy initiatives. The certificates will avoid about 2,200 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions by displacing grid electricity and replacing it with renewable sources. Certificates are granted to alternative energy company owners for every megawatt-hour of electricity they generate. “Our renewable energy portfolio includes approximately 1,000 MWs of renewable power generation owned or under contract from sources, including utility-scale solar, hydro, wind, and biomass power plants,” said Emily Neill, vice president of sales for Constellation Energy.

Companies Join together to Promote Energy Efficiency

Alternative Energy Partners Inc.  (AEGY) has linked up with Renewable Energy and Water (REW) to support their pending development contracts with their engineering services. REW develops renewable energy and water reclamation projects from Irvine, California. They offer their clients solutions that combine various modern technologies and methods to serve each client’s customized needs. AEGY will combine the power of its own solar thermal processes, energy management controls, and mechanical contracting among its other assets into REW’s various projects. One such project is REW’s current surveying for a Drainage District Project in California’s Central Valley. They will allow wastewater to be cleaned using biological and chemical treatments that would enable the water to be recycled to reduce pollution and improve water quality.

FuelCell Energy Inc. Selling Power Plants to San Diego Locations

FuelCell Energy Inc., premier manufacturer of energy efficient power plants, is going to sell 4.5 megawatts of power plants to a California renewable energy company, BioFuels Fuel Cells LLC. The sold plants will be installed in various parts of San Diego, California and one of the plants will be used to purify biogas from the Point Loma wastewater treatment plan. The biogas project is not only a source of revenue, but also an excellent solution for renewable energy production. Biogas will be purified and then directed into a gas pipeline to supply fuel cells. Electricity will be generated more efficiently without combustion; this will reduce a large amount of air pollution. Another plant will go to University of California- San Diego to supply power to the campus’s electrical grid. Finally, the third plant will go to the South Bay Water Reclamation Plant to replace power currently purchased from a grid.