Greening the Empire State Building

Yesterday I visited the Empire State Building and while waiting in the extremely long lines (day after Christmas) I got to read about the sustainability and energy efficiency project that was set up throughout the building over the past few years. It's a project that, if it works, will be expanded to many of the buildings in New York City (and if other cities are smart around the entire world). For the most part there's nothing scientifically ground-breaking about the project. It just uses modern technology to set up a more efficient and intelligent use of power. I'll outline the parts of the project. I think it's a pretty amazing and awesome project.

All the windows were rebuilt (using most of the original glass in the new windows) by adding thin films and a gaseous mixture between the two panes of glass for each window to reduce heat loss and gain. Sensors and new light control systems were installed to reduce power usage for lights and outlets in areas that aren't occupied. "Radiative barriers" were installed behind all radiators to make sure no or little heat would be lost to the outside. Air handling units (big fans as far as I can tell) were replaced with newer and fewer ones to handle air flow more efficiently. Chillers (air conditioners) were updated by replacing the internals with up to date parts but leaving the shells making cooling more efficient and doing some reuse in the process. A monitoring program was set up so tenants could see their power consumption and that of others to better manage how they use power. Sensors to measure CO2 concentrations were installed to limit the amount of fresh air brought in from outside to a (healthy) minimum. And finally new monitors, sensors, and controls were installed all throughout the building allowing for easier and faster control of heating, cooling, and electric usage.

Overall, the project reduces total energy usage by 38%, reduce costs by $4.4 million annually, and reduce carbon emissions by 105,000 metric tons over the next 15 years. The cost for the project was about $20 million. Imagine the savings in energy, money, and carbon emission if this was done to every large building in NYC, or, even better, to every large building in the world. Hopefully this project convinces others to do the same.