Woods Hole Research Center Leads by Example with Energy Efficiency
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Company/Organization Highlights:The Woods Hole Research Center (http://www.whrc.org) is a private, non-profit research organization that focuses on environmental sciences. Working on a local, regional, and global scale, the organization conducts scientific and economic studies to determine the best courses of action for preserving Earth’s natural resources for generations to come. Its focus on the future is complemented by an awareness of its environmental duty in the present. Lead by Example Initiatives: The Woods Hole Research Center has made great inroads to act sustainably and foster environmental sustainability. The Research Center is “walking the talk” by utilizing materials and processes to maximize efficiency while minimizing impact. #1: Waste Removal – Recycling: YES #2: Climate Control – Programmable Thermostats: YES + heat recovery ventilation, ground source heating, cooling for HVAC loads #3: Illumination – Light Emitting Diode (LED) technology: NOT YET, but the Center incorporates natural lighting #4: Renewable Power – Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Panels: WIND vs. SOLAR - 100kW wind turbine called the Northwind 100 + 26.4kWp rooftop photovoltaic power system which provides ~30,000 kWh of electrical power annually #5: Other Measures: The Research Center’s website goes into great detail about the conservation and renewable strategies at its campus (www.whrc.org/about/greencampus.html). The efforts of the Center include a tight building envelope, high performance windows glazing and doors, emphasis on natural lighting, operable windows, heat recovery ventilation, ground source heating, cooling for HVAC loads, and renewable power from a wind turbine. Efforts also extend to the methods of transportation used by employees, and the Center hosts a Bike to Work Week every year. Please note that for #3: Illumination, organizations are now beginning to review the savings benefits of LED tubes and fixtures over traditional fluorescent tubes and other types of lighting. Challenges to date have included the reliability of imported products, and some U.S. LED manufacturers, such as Independence LED (www.IndependenceLED.com), have proactively developed educational “LED Boot Camp” programs and provided samples and cost-effective financing programs. Overall, the “Green” mantra of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle holds true after multiple decades, and new trends towards “Buy Local” are also gaining traction. Domestic and regional purchasing helps reduce the carbon footprint of transportation and also helps create more American jobs. Learn more through the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies - BALLE - (www.bealocalist.org)