I'm anxious to hear from the building designers about the energy (E) and HVAC (heat/ventilate/air cond) innovations incorporated into the new library design-- plenty of options, all at an increased first cost, that would provide operational cost savings over time. I'd be interested in hearing about what criteria were/or will be used to determine if a particular methodology/technology for achieving increased E-efficiency and lower operating costs will be used. How do expected increases in the cost of conventional E supplies compare with expected rates of increase in the library operating budgets under various scenarios over time? Are simple pay-backs used or is the time value of money considered in such life-cycle cost calculations?
A large commercial urban structure located in the center of the city presents many challenges in terms of 'green design.' Wind-electric turbines on the roof are not realistic for several reasons- poor wind characteristics due to nearby buildings and safety being principal. Active and passive solar applications could be possibilities if good sun angles are available for significant portions of the day-- not just now but over the life of the building, meaning solar easements/rights become an issue and would likely influence what could or more importantly, could not, get developed on surrounding lands- on E, S and W sides. Heat pump technology is interesting but the logistics of urban development (available space) and the large space conditioning needs would present problems. District heating- I don't believe there is a loop nearby. Distributed energy system for gas/electric supply, using a turbine/and/or fuel cell technology, in cooperation with County and/or others for instance? Was that considered/investigated? Use of recycled materials-- plenty of opportunities... lets here about the innovation in this area. I'd love to see some usable roof space... a pocket park six-stories up in the middle of town with some small evergreen wind breaks, light deciduous for shade in summer, flowers, wind chimes and moving water, tables and chairs... Like others, I too am anxious to hear the story. Michael Hohmann Linden Hills > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of > Mike McAneney > Sent: Thursday, October 03, 2002 1:06 PM > To: Becker; [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: [Mpls] green library > > > I'm also really interested in seeing our fair city make the new library a > masterpiece from an environmental angle. Solar panels could be great > (especially given the large percentage of differently > colored/tinted glasses > being used, maybe this could be more seamless than many solar panel > installations); but what really excites me is the idea of using a > heat pump > system for heating and cooling. The way I understand it, the big upfront > cost is laying enough underground tubing to provide adequate heat exchange > capacity for the size of the building. After that, the stable temperature > of the Earth provides the heat in the winter and the cooling in > the summer. > We considered doing it for our duplex, but lots of energy folks said it > would be cost prohibitive on a small city lot. With a very large > commercial > building, perhaps it's a better deal, since you're already digging a huge > hole for footings and such anyway. Does anyone have any info on > use of heat > exchange/heat pumps in similar situations? > > Another way to be green is from the furnishings angle. St. Joan of Arc at > 45th and 3rd recently finished a parish center expansion using > LOTS of green > furnishings (recycled tire, milk carton etc. products), even cabinets made > from discarded sunflower hulls. If the library could integrate these > features as well, we'd be helping to close the loop on recyclable > materials. > > Mike McAneney > Tangletown > > Carol Becker wrote: > The windows themselves are > > partially clear glass and partially opaque, giving the > impression of books > > on a shelf. The opaque windows are more prevalent on the south side, > > cutting down the direct light on that side, with more clear > windows on the > > other sides of the building to let in indirect light. > > > > Regarding the energy environmental aspects, we are having the architects > > looking at alternatives but the budget will determine how aggressive we > can > > be. The budget is very tight and we would have to look at the > > cost-benefits of these systems. > > > > Carol Becker > > Longfellow > > > > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________ > > Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn > E-Democracy > > Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: > > http://e-democracy.org/mpls > > > > _______________________________________ > Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy > Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: > http://e-democracy.org/mpls _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
