ABSTRACTINTRODUCTIONSmith College’s Science Center LEED Applied to SmithMETHODS LectureRESULTSDISCUSSIONRenewable Energy Source, 5%Measurement and Verification Green PowerRECOMMENDATIONS11. McCullough, Bob. Personal contact. Smith College, Northampton, MA. April 12, 2004.Building a Sustainable Science Center The Monitoring and Use of Renewable and Efficient Energy Jessica Hill Assisted by: Allison Crosby Amanda Wenczel Smith College May 6, 2004 EVS 300ABSTRACT Smith College has committed to building a LEED certified science center. The Engineering and Chemistry Building, the first of three buildings, is being designed for basic green certification. With the combination of Allison Crosby and Amanda Wenczel’s research, it is proposed that a silver certification is financially viable and therefore must be realized. This paper is focused on the application of renewable and efficient energy use, as well as the need to properly monitor and record all aspects of energy and water flow. It is recommended that Smith implement fluorescent light bulbs, efficient hand driers, proper window and wall insulation, solar panels and adequate energy and emission monitors. Recently, the college has signed onto a Campus Sustainability Pledge. Creating an energy efficient, environmentally friendly building is the first major step taken towards supporting this agreement. INTRODUCTION Scientists, activists and everyday people around New England are trying to make the urgent problem we face known, recognized and resolved. The dramatic rise in climatic temperature over the last few decades has caused increasing alarm as greenhouse gas emissions have risen steadily. Limited natural resources have also been recklessly used, without concern for what the future may bring or require. Many people are trying to change these fundamental aspects of the unsustainable lifestyle that is thriving in society today. Liberal Arts colleges have often been looked at as role models for instilling dramatic social change. Since the people present on a campus, both students and professors alike, are there to learn, it seems a logical progression that schools would lead the way in presenting different and new lifestyles. Awareness of the environmental problem that the world is facing has increased as more students realize the repercussions even the smallest of actions has. For this reason, the growing number of universities that are actively creating sustainable campuses is not surprising. As the world becomes increasingly environmentally aware, green technology has become more accessible and economically feasible. Though, in general, there is a higher upfront cost than “regular” building techniques, usually within five years the renewable 2technology has paid for itself and is, essentially, creating a profit. There are different government incentives available to help, support and encourage companies, schools and even homes to use renewable energy sources. Since the demand for green sources has only started to substantially grow recently, the development of more efficient, longer-lasting, and cheaper technology is rising as well. All of these advancements demand attention as it becomes more apparent that a drastic change in lifestyle must occur from the use of less-efficient limited resources to less-polluting renewable ones. Smith College’s Science Center Smith College, Northampton, MA, is one of many institutions that has recognized the environmental problem of today, and is acting accordingly. In 2002-3, a new campus center was built with green concepts underlying the design. Though no green accreditation was attempted at the time, it was created with this as a future probability. In the spring of 2004, Smith signed onto the Clean Air, Cool Planet Campus Sustainability Pledge, agreeing to create a more environmentally friendly campus and to comply with the regulations set by the 1997 Kyoto Protocol. The college is now in the process of designing and building a new science center. At the end of the development, there will be three new buildings added to the campus, in addition to a new, large green space where a parking lot and street now lie. The first step in this project is the creation of the Engineering and Chemistry Building, with the intentions of breaking ground in the spring of 2006. This 75,000 sq ft building will house all engineering, computer science, chemistry, biochemistry and molecular biology. The LEED certified architects, Bohlin, Cywinski and Jackson, chosen specifically for their experience with environmentally friendly projects, were given a $45 million budget to 3design a certifiably green building that contains all of the necessary chemistry and biology laboratories. A Sustainability Committee, made up of students, faculty and staff, is involved in the development of the design. Once the design is approved, a smaller subcommittee will be formed and remain active throughout the development of the building. LEED certification1 With the continuous awareness and demand for sustainable living, the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) set a national standard: LEED certification. Recognition from Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) involves registering a project when it is first being developed, and maintaining contact with a LEED certified member throughout its construction so that the best, and most feasible options for the building are always being considered. Once a project is complete, the points awarded towards the certification are divided into six components: Sustainable Sites: Choosing a location that has minimal environmental impact, including protection of open space, local access to public transportation, bicycle storage. Water Efficiency: Reducing water use, minimizing or removing the use of potable water for irrigation and wastewater Energy and Atmosphere: Using efficient, renewable energy sources and green power, monitoring gas emissions, water and air circulation Materials and Resources: Reusing and recycling building materials, using locally grown or manufactured materials Indoor Environmental Quality: Monitoring effectiveness of air circulation, temperature control, use of low-emission materials, use of daylight Innovational Design: Additional points can be obtained for using a new, environmentally friendly design or technology Different levels of certification (certified, silver, gold, platinum) are awarded