2.650/10.291/22.081/22.811  Sustainable Energy and Intro to Sustainable Energy

Dear SE Class,

As a follow-up to your strong request, the tour of the Genzyme Center (close to Kendall Sq.) will take place on Jan 29, 2013 at 2pm. Please sign up to the tour by this Wednesday, using the following form:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dDh4b0MyUHJlMHVlNmttTTdrbmtOMEE6MQ

Thanks, and happy Holiday season!

The SE Team

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Some info on the building:

Designed by the award-winning German architectural firm Behnisch, Behnisch and Partner, Genzyme Center is a twelve-story, 350,000 square foot office building that combines innovative design and cutting-edge technology to create an exciting, healthy and productive workplace for more than 900 Genzyme employees. With a striking all-glass exterior and a soaring internal atrium, the building is the anchor of an urban revitalization project in the Kendall Square neighborhood of Cambridge, Massachusetts, and is one of the most environmentally responsible office buildings ever built in the United States.

BUILDING FEATURES Genzyme Center combines sophisticated technology and innovative design to meet or exceed the requirements set forth by the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design System (LEEDS). Some of the environmentally-friendly design elements implemented at Genzyme Center are as follows: Temperature and Air Light Water Renewable Resources Temperature and Air Airflow Genzyme Center employs a sophisticated air monitoring system to ensure that the air quality in the building is optimal. Vegetative Roof  Plantings on the roof reduce storm water runoff and absorb heat. These arid succulent plants are hearty and require little water. Loggia The building is enveloped in a double façade of glass, called the loggia, which covers over 32 percent of the building exterior. The loggia provides thermal benefits by providing a tempered space using solar heat radiation and ventilation flaps.

Operable Windows The exterior facade includes operable windows and several terraces. Operable windows allow for use of natural ventilation, therefore reducing the reliance on the building's heating and cooling system. Prismatic Louvers The prismatic louvers deflect heat-generating direct sunlight, allowing only diffuse light through the skylight into the atrium.  Light Heliostats Heliostats are the large mirrors located on the roof. They follow the path of the sun throughout the day, reflecting sunlight onto a set of fixed mirrors which then direct light down into the atrium. Skylights The skylight allows the sunlight to enter the atrium. Reflecting Pool A water feature on the first floor enhances the natural environment, provides humidity during the dry winter months, and reflects natural light.  Light Wall The light wall is made of polished aluminum strips that help distribute daylight within the building. Chandelier A central component in the light enhancement system, the chandelier consists of 768 animated prismatic plates that distribute light from the skylight into interior spaces throughout the building. Reflective Ceiling Panels Reflective ceiling panels help direct light deeper into the building.  Perforated Blinds Along the glass exterior, computer-controlled blinds automatically track the sun’s position and open to desired angles to let light in while deflecting heat. All of the blinds close automatically at night to prevent light pollution in the surrounding neighborhood. Water Water Sensors Moisture sensors in the landscaping reduce unnecessary watering. Vegetative Roof A green living roof absorbs heat and reduces storm water runoff.  Smart Plumbing Highly efficient plumbing including low-flow fixtures, waterless urinals and dual-flush toilets substantially reduces water use. Renewable Resources Heating and Cooling – Power Plant Steam from a nearby power plant is used to heat and cool the building. Photovoltaic Panels To utilize renewable energy technology, The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative funded 1,650 square feet of Photovoltaic panels on the roof to generate power, helping reduce electricity usage.  Building Materials Materials used in the building such as carpets and paints meet or exceed the highest standards for the emission of volatile organic compounds, creating a healthier workplace for people. Seventy-five percent of all materials came from local sources within 500 miles. Most of the wood used in the project comes from renewable forests. More than 90 percent of all waste from the Genzyme Center construction site was recycled or reused. Transportation The building is within walking distance to multiple modes of public transportation. To encourage alternative transportation, bicycle storage and shower facilities are available on the ground floor. Preferred spaces for vanpool and carpool vehicles and electric recharging stations for hybrid vehicles are located in an underground garage. Energy Conservation Energy costs at Genzyme Center are significantly less than those of a conventional office building. This energy efficiency results from the building's concrete construction, solar panels, use of waste steam from a nearby plant for cooling and heating, extensive use of natural light and an insulating second layer of glass covering much of the exterior.

The following message by Dr. Stoner is a follow-up to one of your questions from yesterday. GL

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One of the students at the end of our session yesterday asked about the possible impact of reduced deforestation and expanded Afforestation on the model calculations. I didn't have time to change the input parameters at the time, but attach the result of stopping deforestation and maximizing afforestation rates in all regions immediately. As a practical matter most of the effect comes from "other developing countries" which includes Amazonia and South East Asia (Indonesia).

Dear SE Class,

You might find the following event useful.

Best,
The SE Team
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DOE-EFRC S3TEC SEMINAR SERIES
  Wednesday, December 19th, 2012
    2-3 PM – Room 3-333
Concentrating Solar Power: the Other Solar Electric Technology
 

Dr. Chuck Kutscher

Principal Engineer and Manager of the Thermal Systems Group

               National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden Colorado
 
Abstract
Most people are familiar with photovoltaic (PV) modules, which convert sunlight directly to electricity. Alternatively, concentrated sunlight can be used to achieve the high temperatures needed to efficiently run a thermodynamic power cycle. Thus a field of concentrating solar collectors can replace the coal or natural gas used in a conventional power plant. The advantage of this type of solar power plant is that excess sunlight can be collected to charge relatively low-cost thermal storage, which can then be used to provide power in the evening hours. This ability to provide dispatchable electricity can help integrate variable forms of renewable energy like PV and wind into the electric grid. Dr. Chuck Kutscher of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado will describe the potential for concentrating solar power, the different types of approaches, and the research underway to bring down costs.
 
Bio Sketch
Chuck Kutscher is a Principal Engineer and Manager of the Thermal Systems Group at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colorado where he also leads the research on parabolic trough solar collectors. He is a Past Chair and a Fellow of the American Solar Energy Society (ASES), and he led the production of the 200-page ASES report, Tackling Climate Change in the U.S., which details how energy efficiency and six renewable technologies can greatly reduce U.S carbon emissions by 2030. He is an adjunct professor at the University of Colorado at Boulder (UCB), where he developed the course "Climate Change Solutions" and is a Founding Fellow of the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute, which is a joint institute of the university and NREL. Chuck is also the Chair of the World Renewable Energy Forum, to be held at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver from May 13 to 17, 2012. He has a B.S. in physics from the State University of New York at Albany, an M.S. in nuclear engineering from the University of Illinois, and Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from the University of Colorado.