Sustainable structure – new BG city building designed to save energy and lessen expenses

Energy Efficiency and Sustainability in Bowling Green’s New City Administration Building

By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN

BG Independent News

The old city building in Bowling Green was notorious for being consistently inconsistent in its temperature settings.

On summer days, the air conditioning would be cranking to keep the south side of the building cool, and the heat would be warming the north side to keep staff from shivering.

In the winter, Bowling Green Utilities Director Brian O’Connell often arrived at work to find little piles of snow on the window sills – inside his office.

So energy efficiency and sustainability were big goals for city officials in the new city administration building.

Many of the features are commonplace, like LED lighting. But some involve systems not used anywhere else in Bowling Green, according to O’Connell.

Ice Storage System

• An ice storage system has been installed to save energy and reduce electric costs. The large insulated tank makes ice throughout the night, then during the peak hot afternoons the ice is used to cool the city building.
• This will help us save on energy during the peak times of day,” O’Connell said.
• It cuts down on our costs,” he said, noting the ice storage unit should pay for itself in a decade.

Localized Control

• A high efficiency boiler and chiller have been installed to provide more localized control.
• Temperatures inside the new city building should be far more consistent with the installation of floor heating tubes in the two-story main hallway and council chambers.
• Heating tubes under the sidewalk by the building entrance will keep the walkway clear of snow and ice in the winter for city employees and citizens visiting the building.

LED Lighting

• LED lights have been installed throughout the building and will be added to the parking lot once that is paved.
• The lights are dimmable, and operate with motion sensors so they go off automatically if the room is not in use, O’Connell said.

Stormwater Detention System

• An underground stormwater detention system will be installed once the old city building is demolished.
• The system will collect runoff water from the parking lot and allow it to soak into the sandy soil with gravel areas under the lot.

Green Space and Impervious Area Reduction

• With green space being added and West Court Street being eliminated between the new city building and the library, the site now has less impervious area, O’Connell said.

Other Sustainability Items

1. Energy efficient exterior windows, walls and roof. Shades on exterior windows help control temperature from direct sunlight.
2. Energy efficient heating and cooling systems (boiler, chiller and air handling units) will use less energy and have longer lifespans. They will provide better climate control in more localized areas of the building, and healthier air quality with proper air changes.
3. Bike rack near front entrance.
4. Elimination of two older buildings owned by the city (city building and senior center) that were in poor condition, did not serve the public well, and were not energy efficient. The old city building was one of the city’s largest greenhouse gas emitting facilities.
5. Interior glass walls allow natural light into the central part of the building. Windows in the upper story north side allow natural light into the central hallway.
6. Buried power lines and communication lines throughout the property.
7. Installed emergency generator for backup power.

Conclusion

“We looked for cost effective, sustainable measures that would help us and benefit the community,” O’Connell said.

With the implementation of various energy-efficient and sustainable features, the new city administration building in Bowling Green aims to contribute towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These goals include affordable and clean energy (SDG 7), sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11), and climate action (SDG 13).

Posted by: Jan Larson McLaughlin on July 22, 2023.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

   • Target 7.3: By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency
   • Indicator 7.3.1: Energy intensity measured in terms of primary energy and GDP

   The installation of energy-efficient systems, such as LED lighting, ice storage system, high-efficiency boiler and chiller, and dimmable lights with motion sensors, contribute to the goal of affordable and clean energy.

2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.4: Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage
   • Indicator 11.4.1: Total expenditure (public and private) per capita spent on the preservation, protection, and conservation of all cultural and natural heritage

   The sustainable measures taken in the new city administration building, such as energy-efficient windows, walls, and roof, elimination of older buildings, and green space addition, contribute to creating sustainable cities and communities.

3. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning
   • Indicator 13.2.1: Number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning into primary, secondary, and tertiary curricula

   The installation of energy-efficient systems, such as LED lighting, ice storage system, and high-efficiency boiler and chiller, contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and taking climate action.

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Source: bgindependentmedia.org

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