New Technology Supports San Jose’s Green Vision
SAN JOSE, Calif. — The city of San Jose has transformed its processing of organic wastes with the opening of the world’s largest dry fermentation anaerobic digestion facility.
UN Secretary General Encourages Low-Tech Sustainable Technology
TALLIN, Estonia — In a speech delivered at Tallin University, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon described how technologies are changing the world’s vision of sustainability and how to achieve it.
Sustainable development goals should use the best science, but also have the simplest design and farthest-reaching impact, Ki-moon said.
Iowa Nature Center Aims for Living Building Challenge
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — The Indian Creek Nature Center, slated for completion in 2016, will attempt to achieve the Living Building Challenge, only four other buildings in the world have achieved Living Building status.
Locally based Solum Lang Architects will design the 11,600-square-foot nature center. In order to meet the Living Building Challenge, the new nature center must be a net-zero building and meet the challenges 20 of categories of measurable sustainability features.
New Technology to Convert Heat Energy into Electricity
WASHINGTON — New advancements in the research of thermionic conversion have allowed physicists to develop a new technology that converts heat energy, such as sunlight or heat burned from fossil fuels, into electricity.
Solar Solutions
Draper Inc., a manufacturer of window coverings, introduced a new line of solar solutions at Greenbuild 2013. The new line includes venetian blinds for exterior, interior and double façade applications; rack arm louvers; tensioned fabric systems; stainless steel roller shades and shutters; and custom solutions designed to best utilize daylight while controlling heat and glare. The new product line has garnered support from industry veterans such as Frits Nijs, founder of Nysan Shading Systems, and Richard Wilson, former director of sales with Nysan.
Perkins+Will Leads Sustainable Health Care Design Movement
NEW YORK — Perkins+Will is making strides to create green, healthy health care facilities to promote the healing of patients and pave a new path for sustainable hospital design.
San Diego Middle School Strives for LEED Platinum
SAN DIEGO — The new $20.7 million addition to Montgomery Middle School in San Diego is set to be California’s first LEED for Schools Platinum public school building with a design that is also expected to achieve net-zero energy. The project includes 18 classrooms, a counseling center, library, cafeteria and covered lunch area.
World’s Largest Dry Fermentation Anaerobic Digestion Facility Opens
SAN JOSE, Calif. — The world’s largest dry fermentation anaerobic digestion facility opened in San Jose, Calif., on Nov. 22. It is built to process an estimated 90,000 tons of commercial organic waste that would have been directed to the landfill.
First LEED-ND Platinum Housing Development Debuts
PHILADELPHIA — The city of Philadelphia yesterday celebrated the completion of the $47 million mixed-use, transit-oriented housing development.
Solar Heater
Dunster House Ltd. has introduced the wall-mounted Solar Air Heater. Providing heating and ventilation, the eco-friendly Solar Air Heater can warm external air and bring positive air pressure into a building to help reduce costs, humidity and absorb moisture, according to the company. The heater can be retrofitted to a building’s exterior wall and can help reduce carbon emissions in a variety of commercial or domestic buildings.