By Mark Gunderman, Communications Specialist, CVTC
The new Energy Education Center at Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) was recently recognized for its energy efficiency and green environmental features.
Focus on Energy has selected the Center as a 2016 Energy Efficiency Excellence Award Winner, while the U.S. Green Building Council has awarded it LEED Gold certification. The Center is the first LEED Gold Certified building in the Eau Claire area.
The awards were announced at the Center on April 21 during CVTC’s Earth Day celebration.
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) recognizes buildings, homes and communities that are designed, constructed, maintained and operated for improved environmental and human health performance. There are four levels of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification: Platinum, Gold, Silver and Certified.
“With each new LEED-certified building, we get one step closer to USGBC’s vision of a sustainable built environment within a generation,” said Rick Fedrizzi, CEO and founding chairman of USGBC. “As the newest member of the LEED family of green buildings, the Energy Education Center is an important addition to the growing strength of the green building movement.”
According to the USGBC website, there are 121 LEED Gold Certified buildings in Wisconsin. The closest to Eau Claire is the Fairmont Minerals facility in Menomonie. There are two LEED Gold facilities in Hudson, one at River Falls and several in La Crosse.
The USGBC and Focus on Energy, Wisconsin utilities’ statewide energy efficiency and renewable resource program, both recognized the new building’s commitment to energy efficient practices. CVTC worked with the Focus on Energy Design Assistance Program in formulating plans for it in 2015.
The building is primarily heated and cooled by a renewable geothermal system, but with wind and solar energy units also in use to help meet its overall energy needs. Extensive use of windows make maximum use of natural light to supplement the high-efficiency LED lighting. Chilled beams in the high ceiling and in-floor heating produce a natural air circulation system.
Building materials were also selected with green principles in mind. Even the carpet was produced from recycled fibers. The building also has increased insulation and window glazing systems to reduce the cooling load by lowering the solar heat gain.
“We’re trying to be efficient, with low environmental impact, and make common-sense decisions on the ways we approach things,” said Associate Dean of Energy and Agriculture Adam Wehling. “It’s representative of where the industries are going.”
The Center houses seven CVTC programs which focus on energy technology in the generation, distribution, and efficient utilization and conservation of energy.
“Not only are our programs housed in this building, the building is part of the programs and the programs are part of the building,” said CVTC President Bruce Barker.
At the award presentation, Focus on Energy also recognized two private contractors, B&B Electric and C&M Home Builders for their energy efficiency efforts.
“It’s so encouraging to see so many participants in the programs,” said Maria Redmond, a member of the state Public Service Commission, which oversees Focus on Energy. “Energy savings leads to economic activity in the state.”