EBN Vol. 18, No.12 – December 2009

16 Pages·2009·0.67 MB·English

Environmental Building NewsTM
The Leading Newsletter on Environmentally Responsible Design & Construction
A Publication of BuildingGreen, LLC www.BuildingGreen.com Volume 18, Number 12 · December 2009
In This Issue
Will I Get Sued?
Managing Risk in Green Building Feature Article ............1
(cid:129) Will I Get Sued?:
by Allyson Wendt
Managing Risk in Green
Building
BUILDINGS ARE BIG, EXPENSIVE include “sick building syndrome” from an
mail@BuildingGreen ..2
investments, so if something goes interaction between carpet and adhesive
horribly wrong, it can be fi nancially in the Watergate Offi ce Building in Wash- (cid:129) A Wider View of Social
catastrophic. Buildings also have occu- ington, D.C., and severe mold problems Justice
pants, and if anything happens that might leading to the demolition of a newly com-
What’s Happening......3
harm them, the risks get even bigger. As a pleted courthouse in Polk County, Florida.
result, managing risk is central to the role (cid:129) T wo Studies Analyze Green
Reducing risk isn’t just about using health-
of every designer, contractor, and building Building Performance
ier and greener products—a much more
owner. That’s why the fi rst question for
(cid:129) Newsbriefs
important strategy is the collaborative,
many building professionals when they
integrated design process that can lead
encounter green technologies, strategies, Product News
to smarter designs and better anticipa- & Reviews ............6
and performance expectations is: “Does
tion of problems that might arise during
this increase my risk of getting sued?” (cid:129) BuildingGreen Announces
construction. Unfortunately, not all green
2009 Top-10 Green Products
The answer—as is almost always the buildings are designed and built using an
case—is “it depends.” Green buildings integrated approach, and those that aren’t (cid:129) Lego Blocks from Straw
lead to increased risks in two ways. First, face higher risk of problems that can result (cid:129) Pentadyne GTX: Backup
they often use new materials, technologies, in litigation. Power from a Flywheel
or design approaches that don’t have a (continued on p. 10)
(cid:129) Product Briefs
long track record of
performance. Second, BackPage Primer ......16
they come with per-
(cid:129) Recycled Content in Steel
formance expectations
tied to certifi cation, en-
ergy savings, occupant
satisfaction and health,
financial returns, or
Quote of the month:
other factors. These
expectations might “Do research, rely on past
be explicitly stated in successes, and always
contracts and propos- apply judgement to
als, or they may be im- whether that particular
plicit—either way, they building product or
can lead to dissatisfac- method makes sense
tion and legal action. in this particular
project.”
But green buildings
also mitigate risks and – Peter Pfeiffer, FAIA,
on mitigating risk
are in some ways a
in green buildings
response to dramatic
Thermal comfort and glare issues at the George H. W. Bush Federal Build-
failures in conventional ing in San Francisco were resolved by collaboration between the owner and (page 13)
buildings. Past failures architect—litigation was not required. Photo: General Services Administration
mail@BuildingGreen
Environmental Building News
Executive Editor · Alex Wilson
mail@BuildingGreen
Managing Editor · Allyson Wendt
Senior Editor · Tristan Roberts
Associate Editor · Andrea Ward
Contributing Editor · Brent Ehrlich A Wider View of Social rights. That the article failed to men-
Contributing Editor · Martin Holladay
tion the efforts of groups such as the
Justice
Contributing Editor · Mark Piepkorn
Association for Community Design
Editorial Intern · Emily Bragonier
Art Director · Amie Walter Your October feature on “Integrating (or any of the 100+ community de-
Research Director · Jennifer Atlee Social Justice into Green Design” sign centers that are its members),
contains some good fi rst steps for de- Design Corps, Public Architecture,
President · Nadav Malin
signers who may be unfamiliar with Architects / Designers / Planners
Marketing Director · Susan Way
Outreach Director · Jerelyn Wilson the issue but leaves the most impor- for Social Responsibility, or other
Director of Online Services · Jim Newman tant topics in this area undiscussed. like-minded groups does a real dis-
Providing healthy interior spaces service to your readership. Members
Advisory Board
Bob Berkebile, FAIA, Kansas City, MO and shared community amenities of these organizations constitute the
Arlene Blum, Ph.D., Berkeley, CA are a good start, but “social justice” largest base of expertise within the
John Boecker, AIA, Harrisburg, PA generally refers to redressing the profession in dealing with social
Terry Brennan, Rome, NY
Bill Browning, Hon. AIA, Washington, DC major inequities in society today, justice issues. I urge EBN to continue
Nancy Clanton, P.E., Boulder, CO especially socio-economic disparity to learn about, and educate readers
Raymond Cole, Ph.D., Vancouver, BC
and discrimination against minority about, the larger questions of social
David Eisenberg, Tucson, AZ
Drew George, P.E., San Diego, CA groups. The ongoing failure of our justice as they are part of green
Harry Gordon, FAIA, Washington, DC country to provide dignifi ed hous- building, and of making the world a
John L. Knott, Jr., Charleston, SC
ing, school facilities, and other basics better place in general. I hope future
Malcolm Lewis, Ph.D., P.E., Irvine, CA
Sandra Mendler, AIA, San Francisco, CA of community life to all its residents efforts will include more voices,
Greg Norris, Ph.D., N. Berwick, ME is a major social justice issue with including those who have taken the
Russell Perry, AIA, Washington, DC
Peter Pfeiffer, FAIA, Austin, TX clear implications for the planners issue to heart for the longest time.
Bill Reed, AIA, Arlington, MA of physical facilities. The injustices
Raphael Sperry, AIA
Jonathan Rose, Katonah, NY
exposed around hurricane Katrina
Marc Rosenbaum, P.E., Meriden, NH National Board Member
John Straube, Ph.D., P.Eng., Waterloo, ON and the foreclosure crisis gripping
Architects / Designers / Planners
Michael Totten, Denver, CO the country are only two manifesta-
Gail Vittori, Austin, TX for Social Responsibility
tions of the major failures in social
ENVIRONMENTAL BUILDING NEWS (ISSN 1062- justice we continue to experience. Editors’ Response:
3957) is published monthly by BuildingGreen, LLC.
EBN does not accept advertising. Subscriptions are
$99/year. Outside North America add $30. Periodicals To leave readers with the impression You’re right that a proper discussion of
postage paid at Brattleboro, Vt. and at additional that social justice can be approached social justice and the built environment
mto aEilninvgir oonffim ceenst.a Pl OBSuTilMdinAgS NTEewRs: ,S 1en22d Badirdgree sSst .c, hSatne g3e0s, on the basis of design details without includes much larger inequities than
Brattleboro, VT 05301. looking at the hard facts of inequal- any single building can fi x. Some build-
Copyright ©2009, BuildingGreen, LLC. All rights ity in our society does not give a ings, like schools and affordable housing
reserved. No material in this newsletter may be
photocopied, electronically transmitted, or otherwise realistic understanding of the issue. projects, lend themselves to discussions
reproduced by any means without written permission As green building evolves to address of social justice (see EBN Nov. 2002 and
from the Publisher. However, license to photocopy
items for internal use or by institutions of higher educ- social justice, more of our practition- Mar. 2005 for more on these topics).
tion as part of collective works is granted, provided ers and more of our projects will But designers have an opportunity to
that the appropriate fee is paid directly to Copyright have to address the un-sustainability make a difference with every building
Clearance Center, Inc., 222 Rosewood Dr., Danvers,
MA 01923, USA; 978-750-8400. of having our built environment and they touch, not just the ones with social
Disclaimer its planned development owned and goals. Our goal with this article was to
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information controlled by a small, wealthy elite expand the discussion of social justice
presented in EBN is accurate and that design and construction whose interests do not overlap with to all building types and give designers
details meet generally accepted standards. However, the infor-
mation presented in EBN, by itself, should not be relied on for that of society as a whole. some practical guidance on where to
fi nal design, engineering, or building decisions. start. It’s not the end of the discussion—
Fortunately, architects and planners
Editorial & Subscription Offi ce it’s the beginning. We invite anyone
have experience working to further
122 Birge St., Suite 30, Brattleboro, VT 05301 who is interested to visit www.building
802-257-7300 · 802-257-7304 (fax) social justice through building af-
green.com/socialjustice or contact us
[email protected] · www.BuildingGreen.com fordable housing, practicing com-
at [email protected] so we can
munity design, and advocating for
Printed on New Leaf Opaque100: 100% post-consumer foster communication around this very
content. Chlorine-free process using Green-e certifi ed greater economic equality and civil
renewable energy. important issue.
2 Environmental Building News · December 2009
What’s Happening
occupants unintentionally misused
the systems.
What’s Happening
Both studies highlight the miscon-
ception that energy modeling done
to document compliance with a code
Two Studies Analyze Green wishing to assess its performance.
or standard can predict future en-
No two buildings are the same, so
Building Performance ergy use and emphasize the need for
comparisons between buildings are
better assessment of energy perfor-
Two post-occupancy energy studies not always useful. Instead of relying
mance over time. They call attention
are shedding some light on energy solely on inter-building comparisons
to the importance of advances like
effi ciency in certifi ed green build- and model predictions (common
the USGBC’s new Building Perfor-
ings. Both studies found that priori- practice in the industry and the
mance Initiative (see EBN Oct. 2009),
tizing energy effi ciency in the design method required by LEED), a build-
which seeks to collect energy and
process led to better performance ing’s patterns of use, occupancy,
water-use data on the approximately
and highlighted the inaccuracy of systems improvements, operations,
4,000 LEED-certifi ed buildings and,
energy modeling. and maintenance over time should
eventually, to benefi t from the LEED
also be investigated, as these data
2009 requirement that projects share
The fi rst, the Regional Green Building
provide the awareness necessary
their data with USGBC. Better com-
Case Study Project, conducted by the
to make significant performance
munication surrounding predictive
Center for Neighborhood Technol-
improvements.
uncertainties and improvements
ogy (CNT) and published by the U.S.
to green lease provisions is also
Green Building Council’s (USGBC) A second study conducted in 2007
needed. Essential to any solution
Chicago Chapter, examined 25 by the Energy Engineering Program
is that owners and project teams
LEED-certified commercial build- at the University of Massachusetts–
examine their performance data on
ings in Illinois, measuring not only Lowell assessed six LEED-certifi ed
an ongoing basis and use that infor-
energy performance but also water buildings, as well as 13 schools that
mation to improve post-occupancy
use, greenhouse gas emissions, com- were certifi ed under the LEED-based
performance.
mute transportation, operating costs, Massachusetts Collaborative for
and occupant comfort. The research High Performance Schools (CHPS) —Emily Bragonier
stressed regular tracking of energy, criteria. Researchers compared en-
For more information:
water, and other quantifiable re- ergy use predicted by modeling with
sources as a way of assessing opera- measured post-occupancy energy Center for Neighborhood Technology
www.cnt.org
tions and maintenance practices and consumption.
improving performance. “The fi rst University of Massachusetts–Lowell
Researchers found that although
step in making a building more ef- www.uml.edu
all 19 buildings outperformed
fi cient is to understand how it uses
Massachusetts building energy
energy today. That baseline gives
codes, they were consuming an
owners and operators the informa-
average of 40% more energy
tion to set and meet goals and to
than predicted. A number of
identify areas for improvement,”
factors could explain the dis-
said Anne Evens, director of CNT
parity between energy use pre-
Energy.
dictions and post-occupancy
The study found that prioritizing reality, according to the study.
energy effi ciency above other LEED Those discovered by the study
criteria results in better energy per- included energy models’ fail-
formance. CNT also concluded that ure to predict building owner
changes in performance over time and occupant behavior regard-
offer the best framework for a project ing plug loads, occupancy lev-
els, and operating hours; and
budget constraints that lead to
Correction
changes in design and materi-
The tables of solar potential and energy
als during the construction
budgets in our November feature article
phase. Improper commission-
on onsite renewable energy contained
errors. Corrected versions are available ing was to blame in some of the The Eco-Industrial Park on Chicago’s west side
in the online version of the article at buildings, in which contractors was one of 25 LEED commercial buildings used in
www.buildinggreen.com. incorrectly set the systems and CNT’s study. Photo: Alan Shortall Photography
Volume 18, Number 12 · Environmental Building News 3
Newsbriefs
Newsbriefs environmental and social issues at dated with recent data. Case studies
a larger scale. More information is offer ideas and show how other proj-
Perkins + Will Lists Chemicals available at www.ilbi.org. ect teams have used Green Footstep.
to Avoid—With over 1,000 design The tool is online at www.greenfoot
professionals and many high-profi le step.org.
green projects to its name, Perkins
Rumsey Engineers Joins The
+ Will is recognized as a leader in
Integral Group—Based in Oakland,
the green building industry. Now it
California, Rumsey Engineers is Study Shows Green Construction
is using that leadership position to
known for its commitment to green Creates Jobs—The U.S. Green Build-
infl uence the way designers think
building. Now, it has joined a group ing Council (USGBC) has released a
about chemicals in building materi-
of fi rms, The Integral Group, that study, performed by consulting fi rm
als with the launch of the Perkins
shares that commitment. Led by Booz Allen Hamilton, that estimates
+ Will Precautionary List. Avail-
Kevin Hydes, this collaborative the number of jobs that will be cre-
able free online, the list assembles
group brings engineering fi rms into ated by the green building industry
pertinent facts about chemicals that
a business arrangement that allows by 2013. According to the study,
the fi rm wishes to avoid because of
them to work collaboratively on green buildings were responsible for
health and environmental concerns.
deep-green projects. The Integral 2.4 million jobs worth $123 billion
Chemical names, health impacts,
Group focuses primarily on high- in labor earnings from 2000 to 2008.
prevalence in building products, and
performance buildings, pursuing By 2013, the industry will support
regulatory actions worldwide are
net-zero-energy and regenerative 7.9 million jobs worth $396 billion in
available for each chemical and orga-
buildings whenever possible. Man- labor earnings. USGBC also asked
nized alphabetically, by CSI division,
aging principal Peter Rumsey, P.E., Booz Allen Hamilton to calculate
by health effects, and by category
will continue to lead his California- how much of the job market LEED
(such as indoor air quality or ozone
based fi rm while also working on buildings support. Between 2000
depletion). The list is available at projects with The Integral Group. and 2008, LEED buildings supported
transparency.perkinswill.com. More information is available at 15,000 jobs worth $703 million; by
www.integral-group.net. 2013, the LEED building industry
will support 230,000 jobs worth $10.7
Living Building Challenge 2.0 billion in earnings.
Released—The International Living
RMI Releases Carbon Foot-
Buildings Institute and Cascadia
print Tool for Buildings—
Green Building Council have over-
Although many carbon-footprint USGBC Announces LEED Pilot
hauled the Living Building Chal-
calculators exist, none account for Credit Library—Prospective LEED
lenge (LBC), releasing version 2.0 at
a building’s emissions over time, projects will now have the opportu-
the U.S. Green Building Council’s
according to the Rocky Mountain nity to earn an Innovation in Design
Greenbuild conference in Phoenix.
Institute (RMI). The organization’s point by pilot-testing credits listed
LBC is known for its unbending
new online tool, Green Footstep, is in the U.S. Green Building Council’s
principles and all-prerequisite struc-
designed to do just that. Meant for (USGBC) new LEED Pilot Credit
ture (see EBN June 2009). The new
use from early in the design process, Library. Launched in October 2009,
version consolidates some of the
the tool helps project teams set goals the credit library is meant to encour-
old prerequisites (now called “im-
for carbon emis-
peratives”) and adds six new ones:
sions reductions
urban agriculture, car-free living,
and offers ba-
biophilia, human scale and humane
sic design prin-
places, democracy and social justice,
ciples to work
and rights to nature. The last three
from. Teams can
imperatives form a new section that
then use the tool
deals with equity issues; the intent
throughout the
behind the section is to foster com-
design process
munities “that allow equitable access
to see how their
to all people regardless of physi-
decisions affect
cal abilities, age, or socioeconomic
carbon emissions
status,” according to the LBC docu-
and how designs
ment. In general, the changes to LBC
stack up against
refl ect a desire to extend the system Image: www.greenfootstep.org
base-case build-
RMI’s Green Footstep website allows teams to measure progress
beyond single buildings to address
ings that are up- against carbon emissions goals they set for projects.
4 Environmental Building News · December 2009
Newsbriefs
age project teams to provide feed- tunities for under-resourced institu- content in composite wood products
back on credits still in development tions to share experiences and learn to roughly 0.09 ppm, varying slight-
and to enable USGBC to incorporate best practices. It furnishes users with ly by product type. The proposed
field-tested credits into the LEED links to green building resources and standard is based on the limits en-
rating systems on an ongoing basis. grant opportunities, green build- acted by the California Air Resourc-
Six proposed credits, including one ing expert directories, case studies, es Board (see EBN June 2007), and
on life-cycle assessment (LCA), have announcements of campus sustain- would make U.S. formaldehyde reg-
been listed in the credit library and ability events, and peer-to-peer blog- ulations the strongest in the world,
are currently open for pilot testing. ging. Second Nature’s mission is “to according to a statement by Senator
For more information, visit www. accelerate movement toward a sus- Klobuchar. Organizations offering
usgbc.org. tainable future by serving and sup- their support of the national formal-
porting senior college and university dehyde standard include the Kitchen
leaders in making healthy, just, and Cabinet Manufacturers Association,
California Delays Energy Cost Dis- sustainable living the foundation of the Sierra Club, the Composite Panel
closure Requirements—California all learning and practice in higher Association, the steelworkers’ union,
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger education.” For more information, and a variety of other industry and
signed a bill in October 2009 post- visit www.campusgreenbuilder.org. housing organizations. S-1660 has
poning the deadline for been referred to the Senate
building owners to re- Committee on Environment
port energy information and Public Works.
when they sell or lease a
property. The bill delays
the implementation of AB FSC, USGBC Accused of
1103, passed in 2007 and Deception, Anti-Competi-
scheduled for full imple- tive Practices—A group of
mentation on January 1, forestry industry entities
2010 (see EBN Oct. 2008). has fi led a complaint with
The new bill, AB 531, has the Federal Trade Commis-
not done away with the sion (FTC) against the Forest
requirements but put Stewardship Council (FSC)
them on a delayed sched- alleging unfair and decep-
ule yet to be determined tive trade practices and
by the California Energy asking the commission to
Resources Conservation investigate. The complaint,
Commission. For more submitted by the law fi rm
information, visit www. Collins Pine FreeForm particleboard meets stringent CARB standards Steptoe & Johnson on be-
for formaldehyde levels; pending legislation would make those stan-
legislature.ca.gov. half of a group calling itself
dards applicable nationwide. Photo: Collins Companies
the Coalition for Fair Forest
Certifi cation, also points a
Website Promotes Green Building finger at the U.S. Green Building
for Campuses—Massachusetts non- Council (USGBC) for what it calls
profi t Second Nature has introduced Diverse Interest Groups Support “anticompetitive behavior”—name-
a free website, the Campus Green National Formaldehyde Standard— ly, awarding LEED credits for wood
Builder (CGB), to provide online A bill recently introduced in the U.S. certifi ed by FSC but not other cer-
green building resources for colleges Senate proposing a national stan- tifying bodies. The fi rm would not
and universities. CGB’s primary tar- dard for formaldehyde in composite disclose (nor could EBN confirm)
get is higher education institutions wood products has garnered sup- identities of the coalition members,
that lack resources for green build- port from a variety of organizations but it is believed that many are also
ing and renovation. Such institu- that may not be very accustomed members of the Sustainable Forestry
tions face numerous impediments to one another’s company. The bill Initiative, which has sought equal
to green building, including lack of (S-1660), sponsored by Senators Amy treatment under LEED but which
funding and knowledge about green Klobuchar of Minnesota and Mike offers certifi cations that many see
building. Seeking to provide a level Crapo of Idaho, would amend the as less rigorous than those offered
playing fi eld for all colleges and uni- federal Toxic Substances Control Act by FSC.
versities, the portal provides oppor- to limit the allowable formaldehyde
Volume 18, Number 12 · Environmental Building News 5
Product News & Reviews
Product News & Reviews
BuildingGreen Announces to state-of-the-art, net-zero-energy,
LEED Platinum classrooms. Project
2009 Top-10 Green
FROG’s modular buildings can be
Products
assembled quickly with almost no
construction waste yet are sturdy
BuildingGreen, LLC, publisher of
enough for Zone 4 seismic areas and
the GreenSpec Directory and Envi-
110 mph winds. See www.project
ronmental Building News (EBN), an-
frog.com for more information.
nounced its eighth annual Top-10 Photo: Thermafi ber
Green Building Products during Pozzotive Plus concrete masonry Thermafi ber mineral wool insulation
the 2009 Greenbuild conference in units (CMUs) and concrete brick
Phoenix. The list recognizes the most from Kingston Block are manufac- Thermafiber mineral wool insu-
exciting products drawn from recent tured using up to 30% post-con- lation products are derived from
additions to GreenSpec and coverage sumer recycled glass as a portland 90% pre-consumer recycled iron-ore
in EBN. cement substitute and an average slag for commercial and residential
of 50% post-consumer recycled ma- thermal, sound attenuation, and fi re-
Project FROG modular green class-
sonry aggregate from local sources resistant construction applications.
rooms feature high-performance
in the Northeast. The recycled glass Thermafi ber products, according to
envelopes, natural daylighting,
pozzolan (with the trade name Poz- the manufacturer, are noncombus-
high-effi ciency mechanical systems,
zotive) is ground to about 15 microns tible without fl ame retardants, are
healthy materials, and green compo-
and used in place of the cement, sav- odor-free, will not absorb moisture
nents. Built using central “spines,”
ing about one ton of CO for every or support mildew or fungus, and
different-shaped wings, porches, 2
ton of cement replaced. For more in- will not rot or decay. For more infor-
and mechanical rooms, the basic
confi guration is about 1,200 ft2 (110 formation, see www.kingstonblock. mation, see www.thermafi ber.com
m2) but the sections can be joined com or EBN Nov. 2009. or EBN Oct. 2009.
together into structures larger than Invelope integrated wall insulation Baltix recycled- and biobased-con-
5,000 ft2 (460 m2). Designed as a and rainscreen system creates a tent offi ce furniture is made with
green alternative to conventional weather-tight backup wall system for a wide range of green materials,
portable classrooms and usable as metal-framed commercial buildings. including waste-agricultural-fiber
well for other commercial space, Invelope provides a moisture and particleboard; FSC-certified wood
Project FROG units come in a wide vapor barrier, drainage plane, and veneers, MDF, and bamboo; and
range of price points, from rela- insulation—as well as a mounting recycled plastics, metals, and paper.
tively affordable trailer alternatives system for brick veneer or terra cot- The company’s stock and custom
ta cladding—all in workstations, tables, seating, and
one panel system. accessories (including bookshelves,
Made from corro- files, cabinets, and partitions) are
sion-resistant steel available with low-emitting, UV-
wrapped around a cured clear coatings or surfaces made
polyisocyanurate from natural linoleum or a new bio-
foam core, Invelope based laminate, Biosurf. Baltix uses
comes in 32"-wide biobased polylactic acid (PLA) edge
interlocking panels
banding instead of PVC or ABS, and
and is available in
frames are constructed of anodized
12' and 20' lengths
aluminum (75% recycled content) or
and in 2" (R-14) and
steel and available with a powder-
3" (R-21) thickness-
coat fi nish free of volatile organic
es. For more infor-
compounds (VOCs). The company
mation, see www.
also has an end-of-life recycling
buildbetterwalls.
program. For more information, see
com or EBN Sept.
www.baltix.com.
Project FROG modular green classroom Photo: Project Frog 2009.
6 Environmental Building News · December 2009
Product News & Reviews
The Rheem HP-50 heat-pump water a workstation. See
heater has an integral 50-gallon tank www.convia.com
and is Energy Star-listed. Intended or EBN July 2009
primarily for residential use, the HP- for more details.
50 operates in three modes: Energy
Pentadyne GTX
Saver mode uses the heat pump only
flywheel energy
(energy factor 2.0); Normal mode, for
storage is a short-
higher hot-water demand, uses the
duration energy
heat pump and one of two electric-
storage product
resistance elements (energy factor
used to replace bat-
1.5); and Electric Heat Only mode
teries in uninter-
relies solely on the electric elements,
ruptible power sup-
functioning like a conventional
ply (UPS) systems
water heater for particularly high
for data centers,
demand. Among heat-pump water
healthcare, manu-
heaters on the market, the HP-50
has the longest warranty and is the facturing, and Baltix recycled- and biobased-content offi ce furniture Photo: Baltix
other commercial
quietest. For more information, see
applications. Pen-
www.rheem.com or EBN Oct. 2009. can Association of State Highway
tadyne uses a graphite-composite
and Transportation H-20 standards
Convia energy-management infra- fl ywheel magnetically levitated in an
for highway loading, so the system
structure, the product of a partner- argon-fi lled, vacuum-sealed unit to
can be used under most paved sur-
ship between Convia (a Herman store kinetic energy for use when the
faces, from parking lots to plazas
Miller company) and wiring race- normal power supply is disrupted
and streetscapes. For more informa-
way leader Wiremold, is a modular and before a backup generator starts
tion, see www.deeproot.com or EBN
energy-management platform that or power is restored. Not only do
Nov. 2009.
integrates lighting, switches, occu- these units obviate the need for lead-
pancy sensors, timers, and other de- acid batteries (which have a wide Mobile solar power generators
vices and links them to sophisticated range of life-cycle problems), but integrate photovoltaic (PV) panels,
controls and dashboards capable of they can operate over a much wider inverters, charge controllers, and
monitoring and adjusting a build- set of climate conditions, so can lead-acid storage batteries into self-
ing’s overall energy performance. reduce HVAC energy use. For more contained trailers that keep all com-
Convia’s infrastructure uses plug- information, see www.pentadyne. ponents other than the PV modules
and-play components that can be com or product review on page 9. fully protected and out of the ele-
linked together to form larger zones ments. Used as a silent, more envi-
Silva Cell subsurface tree protec-
or be pre-set to specific levels as ronmentally responsible replace-
tion and stormwater infiltration
needed. A radio-frequency “wand” ment for portable diesel or gasoline
system is a modular system that
allows individualized control from generators, these units are available
holds soil for
in multiple models with maximum
tree growth and
energy storage ranging from 9.3 to
stormwater man-
45 kWh (390 to 1880 amp-hours) and
agement while
daily power production up to 18.7
supporting paved
kWh, with rated output of 9.5–90
surfaces. The sys-
amps. Inputs are provided for AC
tem creates a void
power and conventional generators.
space that holds
When a backup generator is needed
10 ft3 (0.3 m3) of
(in the case of extended low-sun pe-
soil per unit, pro-
riods or higher-than-planned energy
tecting tree roots
draw), the system can be operated at
from compaction
full power with maximum effi ciency
and providing
to recharge batteries, then shut off,
room for storm-
rather than being operated through-
water infiltration
out the day. See www.mobilesolar
and surrounding
power.net for more information.
utilities. Silva Cell
meets the Ameri- —The Editors
Mobile solar power generator Photo: Mobile Solar Power
Volume 18, Number 12 · Environmental Building News 7
Product News & Reviews
Lego Blocks from Straw molded bumps and dim-
ples (think Lego), leaving
For those who loved playing with a channel that is used for
Lego blocks as kids, Stak Block, from a threaded rod to secure
the Goleta, California, company the top plate to the foun-
Oryzatech, may be a dream come dation. The cavities could
true. The company is still looking also be fi lled with re-bar
for funding to build a factory but has and concrete to create a
developed and tested its product: a sort of insulated concrete
straw-composite, structural build- form, though the diameter
ing block made from 96% rice straw. of the concrete columns
An underutilized waste agricultural would be fairly small.
product, rice straw has become a dis-
Thermal (R-value) perfor-
posal problem since burning straw
mance was measured by Photo: Oryzatech
in fi elds was banned in California Stak Blocks, not yet in production, are approximately
Justin Monell, a student
and elsewhere. According to the Oc- twice the density of straw bales, and the molded bumps
tober 2006 issue of Ethanol Producer at California Polytechnic and dimples allow the blocks to be stacked like Legos.
State University (Cal Poly),
magazine, California produces 1.35
as a class assignment in
million tons of rice straw annually As for structural properties, early
the materials engineering depart-
from the 600,000 acres (240,000 ha) testing shows that Stak Block walls
ment. He used a guarded hot box to
in rice production, and only 3%–4% outperform 2x4 stud walls in shear
measure the steady-state heat fl ux
of that straw is used commercially. and lateral strength, according to
(R-value per inch) of prototype Stak
Ruskey. Due to the binder and straw
Stak Blocks are 12" x 12" x 24" (305 x Blocks with various densities, rang-
density, the blocks also provide rela-
305 x 610 mm) and weigh 30 pounds ing from 10 to 15 lbs/ft3 (160–240
tively good screw-withdraw proper-
(14 kg), with a density of 15 lbs/ft3 kg/m3). The measured R-values per
ties, allowing interior walls to be
(240 kg/m3)—about twice that of typ- inch ranged from 3.89 per inch to
fi nished with drywall, and exterior
ical straw bales. The straw fi bers are 4.14 per inch. Oryzatech has used
walls to be sheathed and fi nished
held together with a polyurethane the 15 lbs/ft3 block data to arrive at
like frame walls. In addition, the
binder (MDI), used at a concentration an insulating value of R-48 for the
walls “are extremely fi re resistant,
of about 2% by weight, according to 12-inch-thick, 30-pound blocks. This
even better than strawbale” accord-
company president Jay Ruskey. The is roughly three times the R-value of
ing to Ben Korman, the cofounder
blocks have a high enough density to a 2x6 wood-frame wall.
and chief technology offi cer at Ory-
create load-bearing walls with sim-
Structural engineer Bruce King, P.E., zatech. The high level of silica in rice
ple stacking. (With strawbale con-
who has worked with Oryzatech on straw (up to 14%) contributes to the
struction, load-bearing applications
product development and sits on excellent fi re resistance.
require special measures to prevent
its board, was surprised that the R-
cracking of plaster as bales compress Korman told EBN that the company
value came out as high as it did and
over time.) Stak Blocks interlock with is seeking about $4 million in fund-
said that some colleagues
ing to build a fi rst plant. Based on its
in the strawbale world have
fi nancial models, the company ex-
questioned the results. He
pects that blocks would sell for $7.50
told EBN that a top priority
to $8.50, resulting in walls with cost
of the company will be to
per square foot similar to that of 2x6
carry out more comprehen-
frame walls with insulation.
sive thermal testing at Oak
Ridge National Laboratory The company is also promoting Stak
or another accredited test- Block construction as a way to off-
ing facility. But he’s con- set carbon emissions. Each of the
vinced that the bottom-line 30-pound (14 kg) blocks sequesters
conclusions will be strong. about nine pounds (4 kg) of carbon
“Even if we really only have directly (the carbon contained in the
(say) R-30, that is huge and straw). But indirectly, if used in de-
puts our thermal perfor- veloping countries (a major market
mance among the very best for the technology) each Stak Block
Photo: Oryzatech
Interior walls are designed to be fi nished with drywall, wall systems that are in offsets signifi cantly more, according
but some builders may want to leave them exposed. widespread use.” to Korman. Some of that additional
8 Environmental Building News · December 2009
Product News & Reviews
benefi t assumes that the straw being 4,000 rpm. Newer steel fl ywheels are and an estimated lifespan of over
used to produce the block would lighter and spin faster but still re- 20 years. If power is completely lost,
otherwise be burned in the fi elds quire special installation and regular the fl ywheel provides the power to
(common practice in China, India, maintenance, consume a lot of pow- the magnetic fi eld, keeping the disk
and elsewhere). The technology also er, and generate a lot of heat. Pen- spinning until it can slow down
reduces energy that would be used tadyne fl ywheel systems, however, enough to come to rest without dam-
to heat conventional (poorly insu- store power using a lightweight hub aging the unit.
lated) homes. and carbon-fi ber fl ywheel weighing
Though reliability and performance
just 58 pounds (26 kg) and spinning
EBN rarely reviews products that are vital to a backup system, Penta-
at up to 52,000 rpm.
are not in production, but we made dyne can also claim an impressive en-
an exception in this case because of “Kinetic energy is equal to mass vironmental payoff. A 200-kilowatt
the unique properties and poten- times velocity squared,” said Jeff battery system (roughly equivalent
tial of Oryzatech’s Stak Block. King Colton, senior vice-president of sales to the GTX) contains 80 103-pound
believes that Stak Block is in many and marketing at Pentadyne, “so (47 kg) lead-acid batteries (60% lead
ways an ideal building material. “I doubling the rotational speed qua- and 20% sulphuric acid) that are
think we’ve succeeded in taking the druples energy storage.” Using high- made from virgin (not recycled)
benefi ts of strawbale construction speed rotation, the GTX can supply lead to improve reliability. The lead
and turning it into something that’s 200 kilowatts of continuous power is mined overseas and shipped to
relevant to home builders, big and for over 12 seconds and recharges in the U.S., and the batteries need to be
small,” he told EBN. less than 15 seconds; the units can replaced about every four years. Ac-
also be linked in parallel for larger cording to Colton, a battery system
– Alex Wilson
kilowatt demands or run time. This can generate 33,000 pounds (15,000
For more information: may not seem like a useful amount kg) of waste lead and sulphuric acid
of coverage, but 98% of all power over a 20-year span; all that waste
Oryzatech, Inc.
Goleta, California anomalies last less than ten sec- must be contained and disposed of.
800-950-5493 onds, according to the Electric Power
www.oryzatech.com Research Institute. Further, battery banks require spe-
cially constructed rooms and energy-
Pentadyne’s high speeds are possible
Pentadyne GTX: Backup because the fl ywheel is suspended
Power from a Flywheel using magnetic levitation and spins
in a vacuum. The vacuum is unique
In a power outage, facilities such because it doesn’t require a pump,
as data centers, factories, and hos- and with no friction from bearings
pitals use generators, or gensets, and no pump, the system uses only
when the power goes out, but gas- 250 watts of standby energy—far
and diesel-powered generators don’t less than the 2000–3000 watts used
come online immediately, so short- by competing steel fl ywheel systems.
term backup power is required. This
The energy consumption of the Pen-
is the function of uninterruptible
tadyne GTX is roughly the same as
power supply (UPS) systems, most
a comparable battery backup system,
of which use lead-acid batteries. Un-
but the company claims that its fl y-
fortunately, these lead-acid battery
wheel system is far more reliable,
systems pose serious environmental
with over 6 million hours of op-
problems. There is a more respon-
eration since 2004. “When a backup
sible alternative: the Pentadyne GTX
power system fails, 40% of the time
fl ywheel.
it’s because a battery failed to hold
Flywheels are spinning disks that the load,” according to Colton. He
store kinetic energy for use as a claims that the GTX is at least 20
short-duration power supply. These times more reliable than a battery
systems have been around since the backup system, which is comprised
1960s, but older units used heavy of hundreds of 2-volt cells in series, Photo: Keith Field
steel discs weighing as much as so it only takes a problem in one cell The Pentadyne GTX supplies backup power
without the use of lead-acid batteries and is
6,000 pounds (2,700 kg) that spun for the entire system to fail. The GTX
small and light enough that it can be moved
at relatively low speeds of less than comes with a five-year warranty
on casters.
Volume 18, Number 12 · Environmental Building News 9
Product News & Reviews – Product Briefs – Feature Article: Managing Risk in Green Building
intensive HVAC systems because Product Briefs Managing Risk in Green
fully-charged batteries can emit ex- Building (from page 1)
plosive hydrogen gas and need to EnOcean Alliance Disseminates
be held at 77ºF (25ºC). The GTX can Wireless Control Technology for
operate at temperatures up to 122ºF Hotel Use—Several companies are How Green Buildings
(50°C) and, at 33" x 25" x 71" (83 x 63 now incorporating the EnOcean
Increase Risk
x 180 cm) and 1,300 pounds (590 kg), wireless control system for
the system can be moved on casters automating energy conservation
Green buildings pose risks both
and installed without additional in unoccupied hotel rooms (see
because of new methods and mate-
fl oor support or ventilation. EBN Dec. 2007). Magnum Energy
rials and because of raised expecta-
Solutions’ Verde energy control
tions. Delays cost money, materials
The Pentadyne GTX does not come system uses a hotel room’s keycard
and technologies can fail, moisture
cheap. Sold through Emerson/ access switch to determine whether
and indoor-air-quality problems can
Liebert, Toshiba, and General Elec- the room is vacant or occupied
arise, and a building can fail either
tric, a GTX costs around $65,000, and sends a radio signal to adjust
to achieve the expected (or required)
whereas a comparable battery back- lights, electronics, and heating
level of certification or to qualify
up system is about $25,000. But a bat- or cooling accordingly. A similar
for tax credits or incentives. John
tery system requires regular main- system, Illumra’s Key Card Reader,
tenance and battery replacement, so generates power when a key card is Straube, P.Eng., of the University
over a 20-year lifespan, the cost of employed and converts it to wireless of Waterloo and Building Science
the Pentadyne fl ywheel should be control signals. The company also Corporation, says, “There are real
signifi cantly lower. The only regular manufactures another EnOcean- risks, because trying something new,
maintenance for the GTX includes based energy-saving product—the something not done before, is always
recharging the vacuum once after six 24VAC wireless thermostat—that riskier.”
communicates via transmitters
months of use, followed by a yearly
In late 2008, risk-management com-
and receivers to determine room
checkup as part of regular servicing.
pany Marsh held a series of discus-
occupancy status and correspond-
sion forums with architects, con-
Jon Harris, electric/electronic super- ingly adjust temperature controls.
tractors, owners, and developers in
visor at Sparrow Hospital in East Finally, Echofl ex Solutions produces
four cities. Participants were asked
Lansing, Michigan, switched the not only a hotel key card switch but
to list project-related risks to their
building from battery backup to also a door and window sensor that
Pentadyne in 2007. Patient safety is adjusts HVAC systems to changing businesses and then rank them in
critical, as is maintaining power to conditions. All of these systems can order of likelihood and potential
electronic medical records and sen- be used in new construction or retro- cost. Marsh found that the costs of
sitive medical equipment. “By code, fi tted into existing buildings. green building—from higher fi rst
costs to higher property insurance
hospitals are required to have power
premiums—worried participants
back within ten seconds,” said Har-
most. The next four on the list were
ris. “We don’t need our CAT scan go-
EPA’s WaterSense Label Enters
legal risks, performance concerns,
ing down in the middle of a trauma.” Commercial Building Market—
issues with contractors and subcon-
He mentioned that after installation, The U.S. Environmental Protection
tractors, and regulatory risks. Many
one of Sparrow Hospital’s fl ywheels Agency (EPA) has announced its
participants voiced concerns about
had a problem with its vacuum, but WaterSense specifi cation for fl ush-
the cost and legal issues associated
the unit’s monitoring software de- ing urinals. In order to meet Water-
with third-party certifi cation, espe-
tected the problem and Pentadyne Sense criteria, urinals must use
cially when it is required by a city or
fi xed it promptly. “Pentadyne stands 0.5 gallons of water per fl ush (1.9
state. Some of the risks noted in the
behind its products,” he stated. “We lpf) or less. Urinals must also meet
forums pointed to a lack of education
now have 16 of these fl ywheels on performance requirements, guar-
our systems. They work great.” anteeing that they work at least as well in all parts of the industry.
as their conventional counterparts.
– Brent Ehrlich Technology failures
Of the roughly 12 million urinals in
For more information: the U.S., nearly 8 million are older, Like all buildings, green buildings
ineffi cient models that exceed the are subject to catastrophic failures;
Pentadyne Power Corporation
1-gallon-per-fl ush (3.8-lpf) federal leaks, structural damage, and system
Chatsworth, California
818-350-0370 standard. EPA’s estimates indicate malfunctions can happen anywhere.
www.pentadyne.com that WaterSense urinals will save Eric Grasberger, a lawyer with Stoel
roughly 4,000 gallons of water (15,000 Rives in Portland, Oregon, argues
l) annually per unit installed. that the risk of material failure “may
1 0 Environmental Building News · December 2009