Goal For The Green

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Archive for the ‘Renewable Energy’ Category

Growing plants indoors can be a lot of fun, and it enables people with no land to grow their favorite flower or plant. Traditionally, it has been the fluorescent light bulb that has been the choice for indoor growing, but the lights made with light emitting diodes offer several advantages.

Photograph of a Fluorescent tube light reflect...

Photograph of a Fluorescent tube light reflected in a CD, showing distinct bands of colour. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

They are safer to use than fluorescent bulbs
Fluorescent bulbs utilize mercury inside of a vacuum. When one of these bulbs breaks, you must be careful not to inhale the vapor. Mercury vapor is poisonous. You also need to be concerned about the vapors when you are disposing of the bad tubes. Even when they break, when throwing them inside a dumpster, the fumes can still be inhaled accidentally. LED lights have no chemicals to be concerned about.

They operate using less electricity
An LED light will cost less than a fluorescent bulb, and if you are using several of them, this can represent a significant savings on your electric bill.

The cost of ownership is lower
Although LED lights cost more money, they last longer than fluorescent bulbs. The cost per hour of usage is lower than with fluorescent lighting.

They are quiet when operating
When using fluorescent bulbs, the ballast inside the lamp will often create an irritating buzzing noise. LED lights are quiet. You never notice they are in operation.

LED grow lights for your indoor plants are available in panels. They can be purchased from several companies online and delivered right to your door. Dorm Grow is one example of an LED panel lighting company.

Benenson Showcases Sustainable Design

Feb-28-2013 By Barbara Zak

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.
1600 Summer Street

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.

 

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When Hines Sight is Foresight!

Dec-23-2012 By Barbara Zak

I recently received this important ground-breaking information and wanted to be sure and share it with you before the New Year!

HINES ANNOUNCES LARGEST NET-ZERO ENERGY COMMERCIAL OFFICE BUILDING IN U.S.

 LPL Financial at La Jolla Commons to

Produce More Energy on Site Than it Uses

Deutsch: La Jolla aus der Luft, Aufnahme Richt...

Deutsch: La Jolla aus der Luft, Aufnahme Richtung Nord-Osten (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Recently in San Diego, Hines-the international real estate firm, and equity partner  with J.P. Morgan Asset Management, announced that the 13-story, 415,000-square-foot building under construction at La Jolla Commons in San Diego will become the nation’s largest carbon-neutral office building to date. The new building will achieve carbon neutrality on an annual basis through a combination of high-performance building design, directed bio-gas and on-site fuel cells that annually will generate more electricity than the building and tenant will use.  While there are other small net-zero buildings in the U.S., LPL Financial at La Jolla Commons will be the largest and most ambitious net-zero office building in the U.S. developed for lease.

The building will be fully leased and occupied by LPL Financial, LLC, the nation’s largest independent broker-dealer*, a leading RIA custodian, institutional service provider and a wholly owned subsidiary of LPL Financial Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: LPLA).  It is being developed and will be owned by a partnership of Hines and institutional investors advised by J.P. Morgan Asset Management.  Construction began in April 2012 and completion is scheduled for mid-2014.

The building design incorporates a highly efficient under-floor air system, advanced curtain wall materials and many other features that reduce the energy required to operate the building.  The fuel cells, acquired from Bloom Energy, will generate approximately 5.0 million KWh of electricity annually, which is above what the building will consume.  Total on-site energy production will be roughly equivalent to generating the electricity required to power 1,000 San Diego homes.  The fuel cells convert methane into electricity in a non-combustion process.  Sufficient methane for the system will be acquired from carbon-neutral sources, such as landfills and waste-water plants, and placed into the national natural gas pipeline system. This system will contribute to California’s ambitious goal of deriving a third of its electricity from renewable sources by 2020.

About Hines:

Hines is a privately owned real estate firm involved in real estate investment, development and property management worldwide. The firm’s historical and current portfolio of projects that are underway, completed, acquired and managed for third parties includes 1,208 properties representing more than 488 million square feet of office, residential, mixed-use, industrial, hotel, medical and sports facilities, as well as large, master-planned communities and land developments.  With offices in 104 cities in 18 countries, and controlled assets valued at approximately $23.8 billion, Hines is one of the largest real estate organizations in the world. Hines is also a world leader in sustainable real estate strategies, with extensive experience in LEED, ENERGY STAR, BREEAM, Haute Qualité Environnementale and DGNB green building rating systems.  Visit www.hines.com for more information.
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