INSIDE ECNew Energy Efficient Clark College Building
E C Company and Todd Construction are in the final stages of completing the new Clark College satellite facility located at Columbia Tech Center. This project includes 18 classrooms, 8 science and computer labs, a large multipurpose area for conferences, offices for faculty and staff, and parking for 393 vehicles.
E C Company completed power distribution, lighting, LV lighting control, photovoltaic arrays, wind turbines, voice/data, and audio visual system. This 70,000 square foot building will focus on biology, chemistry, physics, electronics and renewable energy sciences.
Project Features include:
Smart Classrooms
All classrooms have an instructor station equipped with computer and audiovisual equipment, allowing the instructor to teach using a wide variety of media and automation.
Energy Conserving Parking Lot Lighting
Specially designed fixtures and light bulbs emit high pressure sodium light. They are innovative in that they combine high pressure sodium light, known for its efficiency of 50–140 lumens per watt, with timed dimming. The lights will work at 100% capacity during the designated operating hours and reduce to 50% capacity during off-hours. This system is tied to the security system and in the event of a security issue the lights will run at 100% capacity.
Renewable Energy Lab
The lab has one fixed mounted solar array, one self-adjusting solar array, and two vertical access wind turbines. Vertical access wind turbines have a spiral formation and produce less noise and are able to withstand more severe weather conditions than a traditional wind turbine. The self-adjusting solar array tilts and moves automatically according to the direction where it can receive more sun exposure. Students will be able to compare this energy production to that of the fixed solar array. Each piece was installed on a separate electrical feed so that precise data can be tracked along with the weather station. Easy access to the roof where students will be able to see these structures up close will make for an exceptional learning experience.
Once completed this project is aimed at achieving LEED Platinum status, the highest rating for environmentally friendly building certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
Click to reat article by The Columbian newspaper