Goal For The Green

Congratulations to Benenson’s Continuing Commitment to Sustainable Design!

On February 14, 2012 an announcement was made by Richard A. Kessler, Chief Operating Officer of Benenson Capital Partners LLC. They are one of the nation’s oldest privately-held real estate investment and development companies. The announcement was made at their  five acre campus located at 1600 Summer Street, in Stamford, CT. The highlight of the announcement was the installation of their state-of-the-art rooftop solar energy equipment and paneling at the six-story, 260,000-square-foot, technologically-advanced  property.

Benenson commissioned energy leader Elliot Isban of American Solar and Alternative Power, to oversee the project at 1600 Summer Street. The site is one of Stamford’s premium office properties, which is currently leased to GE Asset Management, Philips Electronics, North American Corporation and Aon Corporation.

“Over the years, we have transformed the property at 1600 Summer Street to meet the needs of the most innovative and successful businesses,” said Mr. Kessler. “From the newly designed lobby and Euro Café to the Wi-Fi connected public areas and the fully equipped conference center.  Every effort has gone into fostering creative interactions. Providing an efficient energy source for the building was a natural next step, which reflects the Benenson tradition of caring for our communities and standing at the forefront of innovative fossil fuel-free environmental technology progresses.”

The building at 1600 Summer Street is one of only a handful of properties in Stamford to boast rooftop solar panels,while it reflects Benenson’s long-term commitment to supporting environmentally sensitive projects, which benefit not only the building’s tenants but also the larger community.

American Solar and Alternative Power, which has been in the energy conservation business for 25 years. They provided Benenson with an integrated offering of solar solutions, with the ultimate goal of maximizing the potential of the solar array to reduce the property’s reliance on non-renewable resources.

The positive environmental impact of the solar project is extensive, including a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions to the tune of 113,147 pounds per year. Also noted, are reductions in sulfur dioxide (479 pounds per year) and nitrous oxide emissions (189 pounds per year). These savings are equivalent to a passenger car reducing its annual mileage by 139,808. The building features premier Sun Power solar panels, which are the most efficient in the nation, which features a system that tracks the solar power produced and the consequent benefits to the environment.

“Benenson Capital Partners is part of a very elite group of companies that have had the foresight to take such a bold step forward toward sustainability,” said Mr. Isban, CEO of ASAP. “The commitment that the firm has made to utilize solar energy offers tenants yet another example of Benenson’s pledge to consistently provide a best-in-class work environment.”

The Benenson group of companies is still owned and controlled by the Benenson family, and it dates back to 1905 . Benenson Capital Partners, is a leader among privately held operating companies in real estate investment, development and asset management. BCP manages 150 properties, including retail, office, industrial, multifamily, hospitality and land throughout the United States, Canada and Europe on behalf of the Benenson group of companies. The company focuses on core, value-add, and opportunistic investments across all major property sectors, as well as its historic leadership in the ownership of single-tenant triple-net leased properties occupied by major corporate tenants.

American Solar and Alternative Power was founded in 1988.  They provide a range of commercial solar energy solutions for a a variety of companies.  ASAP has also built its success through trusted, long-term partnerships,while working with the best renewable industry professional organizations. Through strong business partnerships, they are able to offer their clients the best solutions and support in today’s market and meet a reasonable budget. Together they are working toward better and greener tomorrows for everyone.

For more than 40 years, General Kinematics equipment solutions, has pioneered the application of vibratory separation through products such as their FINGER-SCREEN™ and DE-STONER® Air Classifier, both which efficiently sort and separate recyclables using low energy and low labor requirements.

English: A schematic of a sorting machine for domestic waste, based on an image in the book “Energie en grondstoffen in de toekomst” by Robbin Kerrod. The machine can be used in countries where non-organicly degradable, unsorted (at the source) domestic waste is placed in trash bags and picked up by the local garbage men. Permission was granted by Robin Kerrod for the use of the image. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

General Kinematics can help you get started in efficiently recovering recyclable materials through their proven vibratory, mechanical, optical, and manual sorting systems.  Their equipment is superior and is designed to quickly divert valuable material from waste. GK is available around the world, so no matter which markets your company serves, they can provide the highest level of support and know-how available.

GK uses the latest technology combined with the most knowledgeable applications and technical engineers in the industry to create new products and solutions for solving your processing issues. They also  design complete systems for material recovery, or they will work with your system provider to supply their proven vibratory sorting solutions to best increase your sorting efficiency.

You may be asking-  What do you do once you collect all this material?

As more and more counties, cities, corporations, and individuals are finding the value in the collection and recovery of renewable resources through recycling, new processing and environmental challenges emerge. General Kinematics, is uniquely positioned to help you create new solutions to solve the most difficult processing problems, and increase your overall recovery rate and profits.

There is no need to look any further than GK Recycling, for the best in recycling recovery equipment. General Kinematics, combines innovative technologies with the production process insight and creativity to deliver engineered solutions that enhance your production processes. They strive to  provide their customers a competitive advantage. You can be assured that, General Kinematics has the expertise and knowledge to respond to your objectives for efficient, dependable processing packages, and for processing bulk materials. GK solutions takes pride in the fact that they can heat, cool, coat, convey, feed, elevate, agglomerate, grind, and so much more.  Best of all, they can do all of this while reducing energy consumption, maintenance, and downtime for their customers.

Look to General Kinematics for all your vibrating equipment and machinery.  They offer the best there is in Foundry equipment, Recycling equipment, Mining equipment, Bulk Processing equipment, and Part and Services.  They take pride in helping you turn your investments into profits, while offering you superior quality products. They are working toward creating many more green tomorrows for everyone.

Guest Post by Amanda Green

There are lots of factors that contribute to the changes in the cost of energy by region. Some of them are basic: homes in temperate climates require less energy for heating and cooling their homes and offices. Others are more complicated, like the lines have to be run through hard to reach areas. Usually, the first 500 feet of line is allowed, after that you are charged by the foot of additional line needed to connect to your power source. Across the board, though, both the federal government and the state government are getting involved and finding ways to reduce the near astronomical costs of energy.

The Northeast

In the Northeast, many states are jumping on the natural gas bandwagon. The federal government is giving homeowners tax breaks if they switch from fuel based energy to natural gas. Natural gas is also less regulated than traditional power supplies which mean that people have more choices as far as which companies they’d like to do business with. Websites like www.ohiogascompanies.com and others like it have been built to help consumers figure out which company and energy option is right for their homes and companies.

The South

The south is a particularly problematic area. It looks fine on the outside—mostly flat lands, it’s easy to get around, and the cost of living is cheap. Unfortunately the weather systems in the south make keeping energy flow consistent difficult. Hot and humid temperatures force families and businesses alike to spend lots of money on the cooling of their homes.

This part of the country is also famous for its residents’ denial of the existence of climate change so energy consumption is at an all time high. This has led to the development of the Southern States Energy Board, which is made up of government officials from across sixteen different southern states and is working on finding efficient and environmentally sound ways to get power to the states in this region.

The West

The west coast has earned a reputation for being “super green”. With Hoover Dam in Nevada, massive wind farms in Washington, Oregon, California and the formation of the Western Governors Association (which is working to find environmentally safe and friendly energy sources for nineteen states as well as three US island territories). The reputation for being “green,” has been well earned. In 2009 the group used US stimulus funds to develop and expand on alternative energy futures and the creation of “Western Renewable Energy Zones.”

A lot is being done all over the country to slowly but surely reduce the country’s need for oil and petroleum based electricity, while bringing renewable and alternative energy sources into areas that have traditionally shunned them. It’s slow work but it’s steady. Every day, thanks to efforts like these, we are working toward many better tomorrows, as the country gets greener and greener.