Integrated Building Technology for Net-Zero Energy Schools
In 2008, Congressman Benjamin Chandler (D, KY) introduced to Congress the "21st Century Green High Performing School Facilities Act", which appropriates $14 billion to improve the safety, health, energy efficiency, and learning environments of the country's aging public schools.
President Obama's Stimulus Bill contains $41 billion to be allocated for applying integrated building technology to the nation's schools.
At the present time there are about a thousand schools, located in all fifty states, which have earned or applied for LEED certification.
Additionally, ten states and the District of Columbia require some level of green school construction, and many local school districts have been boosting net-zero energy goals on their own.
One of the best examples is the Warren County Kentucky Public School System, which won the Andromeda Star of Energy Efficiency Award in 2009 for its commitment to promoting energy efficiency in its schools; and also for educating the students on its benefits.
Over the past four years the Warren County schools have achieved a 28% reduction in their use of energy representing savings of over $4 million and fourteen school buildings have won Energy Star ratings.
The centerpiece of Warren County's program was the opening last year of Richardsville Elementary School, the nations first zero-energy public school.
Some of the most important features of this zero-energy school are insulated concrete form construction, a geothermal HVAC system with carbon dioxide monitoring, light shelves and Solatubes for daylighting, a thin film, roof adhered photovoltaic system, energy efficient lighting, reduced computer plug loads, solar water heating, bioswales, and reduced kitchen energy use.
The design of the school was laid out in such a way as to maximize the use of renewable energy resources like the wind and sun.
It is estimated that Richardsville Elementary school will produce enough energy to cover all of its own needs; moreover, the building will reduce the consumption of energy by 75%.
But the Warren County schools' idea is not just to save energy in their physical plant.
Another important goal is to educate the students in the importance of energy efficiency.
Richardsville Elementary school has a solar hallway in which the students can see how much energy is coming from the solar panels.
A geothermal hallway has temperature gauges and colored pipes so students can understand the innards of the HVAC system and the benefits of insulation concrete forms.
A recycling hallway exhibits the school's recycling projects.
A water conservation hallway shows students how much rainwater has been collected for the school's bathrooms and kitchen.
There is even a weather station on the school patio.
The Warren County Kentucky Public School System is on the cutting edge of a nationwide movement to raise students' and the community's awareness of how energy works, why energy efficiency is important, and how everyone can contribute to making a sustainable society.
President Obama's Stimulus Bill contains $41 billion to be allocated for applying integrated building technology to the nation's schools.
At the present time there are about a thousand schools, located in all fifty states, which have earned or applied for LEED certification.
Additionally, ten states and the District of Columbia require some level of green school construction, and many local school districts have been boosting net-zero energy goals on their own.
One of the best examples is the Warren County Kentucky Public School System, which won the Andromeda Star of Energy Efficiency Award in 2009 for its commitment to promoting energy efficiency in its schools; and also for educating the students on its benefits.
Over the past four years the Warren County schools have achieved a 28% reduction in their use of energy representing savings of over $4 million and fourteen school buildings have won Energy Star ratings.
The centerpiece of Warren County's program was the opening last year of Richardsville Elementary School, the nations first zero-energy public school.
Some of the most important features of this zero-energy school are insulated concrete form construction, a geothermal HVAC system with carbon dioxide monitoring, light shelves and Solatubes for daylighting, a thin film, roof adhered photovoltaic system, energy efficient lighting, reduced computer plug loads, solar water heating, bioswales, and reduced kitchen energy use.
The design of the school was laid out in such a way as to maximize the use of renewable energy resources like the wind and sun.
It is estimated that Richardsville Elementary school will produce enough energy to cover all of its own needs; moreover, the building will reduce the consumption of energy by 75%.
But the Warren County schools' idea is not just to save energy in their physical plant.
Another important goal is to educate the students in the importance of energy efficiency.
Richardsville Elementary school has a solar hallway in which the students can see how much energy is coming from the solar panels.
A geothermal hallway has temperature gauges and colored pipes so students can understand the innards of the HVAC system and the benefits of insulation concrete forms.
A recycling hallway exhibits the school's recycling projects.
A water conservation hallway shows students how much rainwater has been collected for the school's bathrooms and kitchen.
There is even a weather station on the school patio.
The Warren County Kentucky Public School System is on the cutting edge of a nationwide movement to raise students' and the community's awareness of how energy works, why energy efficiency is important, and how everyone can contribute to making a sustainable society.