The
The ORC has many unique and energy efficient facets. They are as follows:
Sustainable Design:
Significant energy savings will occur at the ORC just by the efficient
use of siting and passive design considerations:
Solar orientation, Wind direction orientation, and building
shape/exposure.
Green Electricity: In
total concept, Green Electricity is acquired from passive resources such as
windmills, passive solar gains and chemically responsive systems. The ORC photovoltaic solar array is a
chemically active response to the sun’s rays. On a sunny summer day, this solar
array system at ORC can easily produce 80% of its rated output of 13,500 watts,
much more than is required to run the power requirements. There is no air
conditioning. Any extra benefit of the
solar photovoltaic system is during cloudy months when heat loss is the
determinant energy issue. During the most cloudy day, the ORC photovoltaic panel system should
operate at approximately 25% capacity. This is enough to handle one half of the
lighting load. Because of daylighting efficiencies, approximately one tenth of the
lights will be turned on at any one time. It may be possible with proper
monitoring and usage that only mechanical equipment will draw on PUD
electricity. It is through accurate monitoring that Clark County PUD can
cooperate with WSSB on an energy buy-back program, which will be fine-tuned
over a period of time. Also, accurate
monitoring will help WSSB regulate energy usage, set thermostat controls and
evaluate life cycle potential for similar installations elsewhere on campus. The campus may perform as its own energy lab
and provide valuable data for WSSB, architects and engineers application and
implementation of photovoltaic systems in a typically non-sunny region of the
country.
Daylighting: The ORC’s 100% daylighting design may be the key to total energy
efficiency. All glazing and light
monitors have been designed to accept the maximum amount of diffuse light.
Modular Earthroof: ORC
has used wild strawberries as the plant of choice. The ORC has an 8 inch earth
roof. Incalculable advantages of this
system are its O2 green return; protection of roof membrane from UV rays, CO2
absorption and aesthetics. Terra Architecture included this earth roof feature
in the design as another important energy savings issue.
Stormwater Management:
Because the soils at ORC are so permeable, all storm water can be
directed to bioswales and drywells. Runoff from parking lots is collected and
filtered through oil separation catch basins.
Runoff from the roof is first routed through the modular earthroof system then drained into a small planter
retention area then to a drywell. These collection processes return clean water
to the aquifier and avoid a more energy intensive
process of centralized treatment.
For more information, please contact either Clinton Ellinger, Architect at Terra Architecture (503) 233-8604 or
Dr. Dean Stenehjem at WSSB at (360) 696-6321, ext. 130.