Greenbuild 2010: Companies Turn to Fuel Cell Power, Release Product Lifecycle Data

Published November 18, 2010

CHICAGO, IL — Heading into the second day of Greenbuild, there's no shortage to the announcements coming out of companies taking part in the building industry's largest green conference and expo.

Diversey Adds Fuel Cell to Headquarters

Commercial cleaning services company Diversey will install a UTC Power 400-kilowatt fuel cell at its headquarters in Sturtevant, Wis. The fuel cell will provide about 40 percent of its main HQ building's electricity and 75 percent of its heat. Diversey estimates that will reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by 3,365 metric tons a year.

Expected to be up and running in early 2011, the fuel cell is designed so it doesn't consume or discharge water during normal operations.

Diversey also calculated the savings it's achieved at its main HQ building and campus since the main building earned LEED-Existing Buildings in 2004. Since then, it has reduced water use at its campus by 15.6 million gallons. And since 2006 it has cut natural gas by 28 percent, electricity by 15 percent and carbon emissions by 16 percent.

The company's distribution center in Mount Pleasant, Wis., has also received its third LEED Gold certification. When it was built it earned LEED-New Construction in 2007, then earned LEED-Existing Buildings in June this year, and just earned LEED-Commercial Interiors.

Solar Gard Releases Lifecycle Data on Energy-Saving Window Films

Solar Gard released the results of its environmental product declaration (EPD) on more than 30 architectural solar control window films.

EPDs are rigorous assessments of products, based on lifecycle analysis of them from raw material extraction to disposal, and they are based on a global standard.

Solar Gard says its window films can help buildings use up to 30 percent less energy for cooling by keeping indoor temperatures stable. In addition, with data from the EPD, Solar Gard says the environmental impacts of its window film production and distribution are offset by the energy saved from using them. [More coverage of Solar Gard's EPD is available here.]

Global Alliance Seeks Partners To Push For Sustainable Buildings Worldwide

A coalition of more than 30 organizations active around the world is seeking partners for an international alliance that will advocate for sustainable building practices as a key way to fight climate change.

The Global Leadership in Our Built Environment (GLOBE) Alliance will educate, raise awareness and gather support for investment in sustainable buildings practices by working with policymakers, financial institutions and United Nations bodies.

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Greenbuild 2010: Companies Turn to Fuel Cell Power, Release Product Lifecycle Data

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