TOLUCA — Not often does road work being done in a lonesome corner of a largely rural county imply encouraging financial news for a school district facing the challenge of making multi-million dollar upgrades to two of its buildings.

But the work being done now in the far southeast corner of Marshall County is literally paving the way for one of the wind farms under development that Fieldcrest School District officials see as key factors in financing up to $35 million in improvements to the high school in Minonk and the middle school in Wenona.

The district is banking heavily on future income from at least two of those projects to hold down the taxpayer cost of the upgrades. That point that was underscored when a parent asked at a recent public hearing here how much it was going to cost taxpayers to pay back the bonds that the district tentatively plans to issue for the wide-ranging repairs, renovations, alterations, and additions slated for the two buildings.

District Superintendent Kari Rockwell couched her answer in terms of the two wind energy projects that are farthest along in development. The one in Marshall County, which has received zoning approval, has been projected to generate some $12 million in tax revenue for Fieldcrest over its 25-year life, while the estimate for one in Woodford County at an earlier stage of development is about $30 million.

“If we get (those) two wind farms,” taxpayers would be seeing an increase of about $26 or $27 a year on a $100,000 home, Rockwell indicated.

“That is not a final number,” she quickly emphasized. “Obviously, it will depend on what our final bond amounts are, and on how many of (four possible) wind farms actually come to fruition and become revenue sources for us. But that is our hope at this point.”

To put that in perspective, a $29 million referendum that the district floated two years ago to pay for new schools in both locations would have added some $390 a year to the taxes on that home. That plan was rejected by about 70% of voters.

Wind farms began to appear on the district’s horizon soon after that, as a largely different school board with Rockwell as a new superintendent began to consider alternatives. They now promise to transform the financial landscape of the district just as they alter the physical landscape of the countryside.

“We’re in a good spot with our wind farms,” board member Jordan Meyer said at the public hearing. “That takes a lot of the burden off our taxpayers.”

The current plan, which entails $21 million in Health Life Safety bonds and up to $14.5 million for general obligation bonds, does not require a referendum because it doesn’t involve new construction, board President Mykin Bernardi explained. Citizens could force a “back-door referendum” on the GO bonds with petition signatures, but there have been no indications of that; only five people attended the hearing, and none objected to the plans.

“This project is long overdue,” Rockwell noted in an email. “In talking with (community members), it seems apparent that our residents want to see the work done, along with a solid future maintenance plan so we don’t have many of these same issues in the future. Deferred maintenance has been a consistent theme and sticking point for many of those I’ve spoken with.”

Board member Joe Stasell said maintenance issues were a key factor when he ran for office about 18 months ago. But the buildings now need major work to be restored to safe and solid condition, he added.

“We’ve got to get this done. We’ve got to stop putting Band-Aids on stuff and get it done,” he said. “It sucks, it’s going to hurt, but we’ve got to do it.”

The Marshall County wind farm, called Bennington Wind, is to have 33 turbines in the township for which it’s named. Plans call for installing the turbines next spring and operation to begin in the fall, a developer representative told the County Board when the permit was granted.

The road work being done now is part of a road use agreement that is typically required of developers to ensure that the rural roads can accommodate the large loads without additional cost to the county or township. The upgrades are probably costing the developer $800,000 to $900,000, county engineer and zoning administrator Patrick Sloan estimated.

Author: Gary L. Smith, Peoria Journal Star

A new green patch has recently been planted in Downtown Binghamton, only it’s not on the ground. It’s on the roof of Binghamton City Hall and the City Council Chambers.

The completed green roof was unveiled on Sept. 22, after construction began this past March. In a statement on March 11, Mayor Richard David said the vegetated 22,500 square-foot roof will catch approximately 325,000 gallons of stormwater runoff annually, with eight stormwater catchers and water intake from plants.

“Binghamton’s green roof will be a symbol of ongoing progress in sustainability, resiliency and innovation,” David said. “We continue to lead the region by embracing and securing funding for smart green [projects] as we face the environmental challenges of the 21st century.”

$1.6 million of the $2.1 million project was funded by the Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC), a New York state company which provides financial assistance to infrastructure projects related to water quality. The funding came through its Green Innovation Grant Program, a grant from the EFC for regional stormwater infrastructure.

The project, which was originally announced in David’s 2017 State of the City address, is expected to decrease the strain on the sewage system which catches water runoff, oftentimes polluted from substances on the street. According to Robert Holahan, associate professor of environmental studies and political science at Binghamton University, the roof will put rain into more productive use.

“In the combined sewer system areas of the city, this means less volumetric flow during heavy rain events that would otherwise trigger a combined sewer overflow into the Susquehanna River, in the municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4) areas of the city,” Holahan wrote in an email. “This means less volumetric flow picking up garbage and petroleum residue flowing directly into the river.”

In addition, green roofs help alleviate the urban heat island effect, a human-caused phenomenon that shows warmer temperatures in urban areas compared to their nearby rural areas. Because of the positive effect green roofs can have on urban heat, Gabriella Vallario, a junior majoring in geography, supports the green roof initiative.

“This project will reduce urban heat, thus contributing to aid [the fight against] global warming,” Vallario wrote. “Any projects that help reduce human interference with the environment is valid and should be promoted.”

The green roof can also provide a habitat for birds, bees and other animals, according to Holahan. Saheel Raut, a second-year graduate student studying computer science, said he believes green roofs are a good move by the city and advocates for more solar projects.

“[For] buildings where green roofs are difficult to implement, solar roofs would be a perfect replacement,” Raut wrote. “I heavily support the green roof [initiative], as it clearly shows how it would not only have financial benefits over time but also environmental benefits. Green roofs would be a stride in the right direction.”

Although green roofs provide benefits, they are not without their potential downsides, Holahan wrote.

“Because these are designed to store water, there is a lot of engineering that goes into making sure that water doesn’t seep into the roofs [and] leak into the building,” Holahan wrote. “To maintain that over time requires regular, costly maintenance. Unfortunately, quite often a green roof is built, and, then, everyone moves on without spending the resources to make sure it is still effective in the long term.”

As the city continues to push for ways to become sustainable and cooperative with the environment, Holahan wrote that flooding should be the main issue on the table when it comes to considering green infrastructure projects. In 2005, 2006 and 2011, the city experienced catastrophic floods that damaged already dilapidated buildings. The 2011 flood displaced nearly 20,000 Binghamton residents. In response to the flood, there were many buyback programs which has increased the green space in the floodplains, Holahan wrote.

“The most important thing in Binghamton’s case is simply to recognize that we are at the confluence of two rivers and that the floodplain zones of the city should not be rebuilt up,” Holahan wrote. “Leaving the floodplain zones as unconstructed areas is the single, simplest and best thing we can do to prevent future flooding.”

Raut wrote that the city should be producing more sustainable projects similar to the green roof.

“Climate change is not a hoax, whether or not people acknowledge it,” Raut wrote. “Project like these will reap rich dividends over time.”

Vallario shared similar sentiments about the environment.

“Our world [and our environment] is what we rely on and right now it is being compromised,” Vallario wrote. “Global warming is an immediate threat, and any project that helps reverse its effects should be in motion.”

Author: Kimberly Gonzalez , PIPE DREAM

GE Renewable Energy says its Haliade-X prototype, one of the world’s most powerful wind turbines operating to date, has been optimized and is now operating at a 13 MW power output. During the following months, this prototype will undergo a series of tests to perform different types of measurements and obtain its type certificate.

The Haliade-X 13 MW, which is an upgraded version of the prototype that has been successfully operating in Rotterdam since November 2019, recently secured its provisional type certificates and set a new world record by generating 288 MWh in a single day.

This uprated 13 MW Haliade-X version will continue to feature 107-meter long blades and a 220-meter rotor and will be able to generate 4% more annual energy production (AEP) than the previous 12 MW version of the prototype

“With three years in the making, the Haliade-X platform has proven to be a successful story,” says Vincent Schellings, CTO of offshore wind at GE Renewable Energy. “Combined with almost 5 GW of customer commitments and an international testing and R&D program, the 13 MW uprated version is a true testament of how we continue to innovate and develop our Haliade-X technology to address our customers’ needs.”

The Haliade-X 13 MW offshore wind turbine will be used in the first two phases of the U.K.’s Dogger Bank Wind Farm, with a total of 190 units to be installed starting in 2023.  This will mark the first installation of the world’s most powerful wind turbine in operation to date at what will be the world’s biggest offshore wind farm.

The Haliade-X technology has also been selected as the preferred wind turbine for the 120 MW Skipjack and 1,100 MW Ocean Wind projects in the U.S.

Launched in 2018, GE’s Haliade-X offshore wind platform is helping to drive down offshore wind’s levelized cost of energy (LCOE) and is making offshore wind energy a more affordable source of renewable energy, notes the company.

Author: Michael Bates, North American Wind Power, October 22, 2020

There are no official competition beginning or ending dates on the competition schedule.  The SMART Competition has made the schedule completely flexible.  The actual dates and specific deliverable dates are subject to the decisions made by each individual team.  Each team has the flexibility to create their own project plan and schedule. 

 “While we believe the Competition can be completed in 1-2 months, we want each team to control the time they spend on the competition”.  According to Michael Andrews, one of the SMART Competition leadership team, “providing flexibility and emphasizing team decision making is one essential element of success.”  

 One of the first activities each team completes is their schedule using the project management system within Bentley ProjectWise.

 The Competition is an excellent educational program that compliments studies in sustainability, LEED design issues, and renewable power generation.

The SMART Competition (www.smartcompetition.org) is a global STEM and Career and Technology Education (CTE) education program.  The competition is open to all high school and university students.  The competition is designed to attract all students without regard or bias of gender, race, socio-economic or academic performance level.

For additional information, contact Mike Andrews, m.andrews@smartcompetition.org

The heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) innovations and advancements continue to reshape 2020, with many new trends across the industry set to impact businesses in the coming months and years ahead, according to LG Electronics.

A specialist in quality HVAC product, LG Electronics strives to continuously innovate and deliver solutions that make life easier, greener, and more efficient.

As the industry continues to grow at a remarkable rate, Suraj Kumar, Technical Manager – Air Solutions, LG Electronics Gulf shares the top HVAC trends influencing innovations in air solution technology.  These include:

A Push for Greener Solutions

Environmental awareness and the need for more eco-friendly solutions and services continues to be a top priority across all facets of the industry. Consumers and business are each expressing greater willingness and desire to invest in greener and more sustainable HVAC solutions.

Industry providers are responding with the creation of more sustainable and efficient products which enable customers to reduce their carbon footprint. LG Inverter air conditioning systems are designed to minimize efficiency losses found in conventional HVAC systems and provide sustainable energy savings contributing to lower lifecycle costs.

They can be easily integrated with other Energy Management Solutions and also with its own Centralized Controls to further reduce their carbon footprint.

Enhanced Efficiencies and Reduced Costs with Geothermal Heat Pumps

Geothermal heat pumps have quickly proven themselves to be an ideal alternative energy source, offering both warming and cooling capabilities.

While not yet receiving as much widespread attention as solar panels the geothermal heat pumps are a highly effective and renewable energy source that can transfer heat from the ground to cool and heat buildings – making them an efficient and money-saving renewable energy source.

Catering to Millennials with Customization and Sustainability

Each generation reshapes industry trends and values services differently. As millennials emerge as a significant segment of the housing market audience, their priorities and behaviors are also influencing how companies design new air solutions.

Millennials typically value sustainable solutions that reduce their environmental impact, in addition to more personalized and convenient experiences, alongside enhanced customer service support.

LG said it has prioritized these elements to ensure its HVAC systems cater with this generations personalized and ecological mindset.

With Wi-Fi Enabled Indoor units and LG Smart ThinQ application, users have the freedom of controlling their home’s precise comfort from their fingertips. This capability enhances the efficiency and convenience, giving unprecedented control to create a truly connected home.

Minimizing Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Some consumers are also exploring the avenue of connecting their HVAC to the electrical grid, which is highlighting the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Air-to-water heat pumps and other solutions can generate cooling and heating from one unit.

This will help with the transition from depending on natural gas, fuel oil or coal to electrical solutions.

Attracting More Employees and HVAC Techs

The HVAC job force is growing as the market is continuing to expand. The industry is recruiting professionals and building the next generation of HVAC engineers and technicians, which requires training programs.

LG Air Conditioning Academies are providing training and skill programs around the world to empower the new generation of HVAC professionals. Regionally the state-of-the-art training academy is located in Jebel Ali.

The COVID-19 Impact

The pandemic is creating the need for greater safety precautions within the HVAC industry. Remote working trends and additional precautions are believed to continue affecting the industry even post-pandemic.

In healthcare, where facilities need to operate 24 hours a day, maximizing energy efficiency with quality air circulation is imperative to maintaining a hygienic environment. LG HVAC systems are evolving to better aid the road to recovery and prepare for the new normal with optimal solutions for today’s ever-changing challenges.

DUBAI, October 20, 2020

Design tools and digital applications are on the rise to support risk planning and scenario analysis during the pandemic and beyond.

Bentley’s OpenBuildings Station Designer enables surveyors, planners, architects, and structural, mechanical, and electrical engineers, to collaborate from the early stages of a building’s design through construction and operations. The application incorporates performance simulations, including people movement and energy consumption, into the design. With LEGION Simulator, which replicates the movement of people in crowded spaces like arenas and train stations, users can predict the safety, efficiency,  and commercial viability of projects before construction begins. For safety, users can model evacuation times, emergency services access, safety routes, and other movement-related features of buildings.

OpenBuildings can test the efficiency of any object, such as stairs, escalators, ticket machines, and turnstiles; activity spots, such as shops, queueing spaces, and security check areas; and other interactions, including passenger communication systems, staff guidance, and wayfinding signage. Simulations can also evaluate the design of commercial spaces and activities, including advertising, shops, or vending machines.

Users around the world have turned to movement simulation to test social distancing operational plans and measures such as flow separation, queuing distribution, and safe passenger numbers in public spaces. For example, London Underground, part of Transport for London, has used OpenBuildings and LEGION for years. Station capacity managers use real-life validated digital models of the majority of central stations in London to test the implementation of multiple social distancing guidelines and plans.

LEGION Simulator can test different applications of infrastructure as the world reopens. Atkins, a member of the SNC-Lavalin Group and one of the world’s most respected design, engineering, and project management consultancies, is providing guidance for COVID-19 recovery to clients around the world. They recently produced a COVID-19 safer public place plan for the UK government that includes a staged process of reopening, recovering, and reimagining urban centers with social distancing in mind.

Analyzing proximity breaches and visualizing clashes among proximity circles can reveal how normal behavior increases the risk of operations. Simulations of how people respond to visual cues helps reimagine how people wait for and board trains. They are also determining how other large public spaces, such as stadiums, will welcome back the public. How will seating be allocated to ensure social distancing? Where will temperature checks prior to entry be located? How will the stadium be managed after the game?

Cities of the Future – How will They Change?

It is difficult to predict how long social distancing requirements will be necessary. However, urbanization, public transport demand, and technological disruption accelerated even before the pandemic. These trends have driven the need for efficient, resilient, and cost-effective infrastructure. Cities around the world are going digital to enable the exponential growth of simulation-led enhancements and operations improvements. We cannot predict what type of changes will happen as a result of societal change, technological change, or disruptive events like COVID-19, but people simulation can help us become more resilient, from readiness through response to and recovery from disruptions.

The New Normal…Designing for People

Owner-operators of infrastructure assets around the world are using simulations to test cost-effective operations while guaranteeing adherence to social distancing guidelines. Once models are developed in LEGION, users can test multiple “what-if” scenarios by varying demand, instituting operational measures such as staff communications, signage, and one-directional flows, or changing infrastructure with new entrances, separation barriers, and security checks. Users such as AREP, London Underground, and Santiago Metro can also test future demand, the number of trains in service, and potential service disruptions, guaranteeing that every station and public space is ready for a wide range of scenarios, including response strategies that guarantee faster recovery times.

Bentley users around the world, including owner-operators and consultants, are already using our digital twin solutions to plan, design, and simulate possible future scenarios. We are consistently helping organizations going digital by providing applications and workflows that enable collaboration when working remotely and more-efficient processes in each step of an asset’s lifecycle.

There are no official competition beginning or ending dates on the competition schedule.  The SMART Competition has made the schedule completely flexible.  The actual dates and specific deliverable dates are subject to the decisions made by each individual team.  Each team has the flexibility to create their own project plan and schedule. 

 “While we believe the Competition can be completed in 1-2 months, we want each team to control the time they spend on the competition”.  According to Michael Andrews, one of the SMART Competition leadership team, “providing flexibility and emphasizing team decision making is one essential element of success.”  

 One of the first activities each team completes is their schedule using the project management system within Bentley ProjectWise.

 The Competition is an excellent educational program that compliments studies in sustainability, LEED design issues, and renewable power generation.

The SMART Competition (www.smartcompetition.org) is a global STEM and Career and Technology Education (CTE) education program.  The competition is open to all high school and university students.  The competition is designed to attract all students without regard or bias of gender, race, socio-economic or academic performance level.

For additional information, contact Mike Andrews, m.andrews@smartcompetition.org