Renewable Energy in Construction

This article discusses various ways of saving energy in new construction. A new elementary school in Portland as well as a recently built Habitat for Humanity house use solar panels to save energy. These panels will save electricity and offset 1,400 pounds CO2 a year. In addition, Rosa Parks Elementary School is providing hands-on classes to educate students on why solar energy is so beneficial.

The article also informs us about the Kelley engineering Center, here at Oregon State University. This building was awarded with a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification. The 153,000 square foot structure recycles rainwater into the urinals, reducing around 372,000 gallons of water usage annually. Along with the solar water panels, the university purchases part of its electricity from renewable wind, solar and biomass sources. The state-of-the-art building has since received multiple awards.

Down in Medford an Oregon botanist, Paul Kay has recently received a grant to install his new product, which he calls the Botanical Burrito. The product is a mixture of soil, rush mat, dirt and plant materials. This new system is going to be studied on how it effects wetland areas, the stabilization of banks, and erosion control. The purpose of this new product is to add value to these areas of land by increasing the quality on the surface.

In my opinion green energy is the only way to go. Are there any downsides to reusing energy, or the use of solar energy? Should we be more informed on the benefits of renewable energy use? If everything is going green I feel that people should have a better understanding of how it works, and why it is so valuable.

http://northwest.construction.com/news/greenbuild/archive/0611.asp