New WTC Greenest Skyscraper, Tallest in Lower Manhattan
- Posted on September 9, 2011 at 9:47pm by
Liz Klimas
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Originally posted on Gizmodo by Andrew Tarantola.
On September 11, 2001, the World Trade Center transformed from a pair of gleaming towers into a carcinogenic pile of smoldering rubble that’s still killing people. Currently rising out of that rubble, though, is a skyscraper with the most environmentally advanced technologies ever attempted at the scale.
Live at LEEDs
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certification is an internationally-recognized third-party verification system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council to confirm that a building—or community, for that matter—was designed and constructed with the aim of improving energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions, indoor environmental quality, and intelligent resource management.
For the new WTC complex to qualify for the LEED Gold Certification—the second highest attainable below Platinum status—it must meet a number of requirements, among which include acheiving a Net Zero CO2 footprint for all base building electricity consumption and reduction of the complex‘s energy consumption to 20 percent below New York State’s energy code requirements.
“The building is designed to achieve a gold level certification. Which, for a project of its size, would be a first of its kind, Eduardo Del Valle, Director of Design Management at 1 World Trade Center, told us. “Now, there are some other projects in New York City that have achieved a Platinum certification, which is the highest—but not on this scale.”
(Photo: WTC Progress)
Energy Conservation and Production
One means of achieving these goals is “Daylighting”—which thankfully involves neither Bruce Willis nor Cybill Shepherd. Instead, as Del Valle points out, “if enough daylight is coming into the window it automatically dims the interior lights. It’s all about reducing energy consumption. Every space within 15 feet of the facade will be equipped with dimming devices.”
This practice not only benefits the WTC’s energy consumption, but the occupants of the towers as well, increasing productivity and reducing the rate of minor illnesses, as well as promoting bone health and increase the activity of natural killer cells simply by improving the quality of light. Because humans require exposure to UVB light in order to synthesize Vitamin D, the dimming of artificial lights and use of ultra-clear glass to allow more natural light in.
When the sun isn’t shining, the WTC employs hydrogen fuel cells to provide approximately 1.2 megawatts of power and steam turbines which, according to DelValle, “take the wasted steam that happens during steam generation and converts that into electricity.”
Breathing Easier in and around the WTC
During construction, the WTC is requiring its contractors to use only ultra-low sulfur diesel fuels—a “clean diesel” that reduces nitrogen oxide and particulate emissions and is considered one of the cleanest fuels available. This implementation is so effective that New York City and State now require that non-road construction equipment used on public construction projects by public agencies use ULSD. In addition, all construction vehicles are equipped with extra particulate filters to further reduce their impact. Finally, the materials used in the complex cannot include any Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)—a variety of chemicals that leach from building materials in gaseous form with both short- and long-term health effects.
After construction is complete, Del Valle states that, to further improve indoor air quality, they’re going to watch it like a cybernetic hawk:
CO2 monitors control ventilation and make the building healthier and improve indoor air quality. If the CO2 sensor sends a signal to the air handler software, telling it you need more fresh air in a certain space because there’s more CO2 than there should be, it automatically increases the fresh air mix coming into that space. We have over 3000 points of monitoring.
In addition, the WTC will improve the air of the greater Manhattan Financial District by reducing the amount of vehicular traffic in the area by providing ample public transportation access and extensive facilities for bicycle commuters.
(Photo: WTC Progress)
Harvesting the Rain
It rains in New York City, on average, 60 inches a year—second only to Miami. Rather than simply let this precipitation run off the buildings and into storm drains, the WTC will collect and store that rain water for later use in its new high-efficiency evaporative cooling towers and for irrigating greenery within the 16-acre complex. (Since it hasn’t been treated, the harvested rainwater cannot be used as a potable source.)
Harvesting the Hudson
New York, as with most areas of the country outside of the confines of Northern California, requires significant air-conditioning service throughout the year. The occupants of the new WTC complex will stay frosty in even the muggiest of Autumnal weather thanks to the new and highly efficient 12,500-ton Central Chiller Plant (CCP) that uses water from the Hudson River to cool the WTC Transportation Hub, National September 11 Memorial and Museum, retail space and other non-commercial areas.
Located in the far Southwest corner of the complex—roughly in the same area as the previous plant—the CCP employs water extracted through the River Water Pump Station (RWPS), on the other side of the West Side Highway, to chill (and heat, during the Winter) water for distribution to the rest of the complex.
It will circulate 30,000 gallons of river water every minute. That’s enough to fill 750 bath tubs, flush 10,000 toilets, and cool the same amount as approximately 2,500 home air-conditioners.
“It uses the Hudson as a way of both dissipating heat and preheating water,” Del Valle explained. “Because water below a certain depth is a pretty constant temperature (about 45-50F), so what happens is, during the winter it takes less energy to heat and circulate it, and conversely, in the summer it takes less to cool it.”
Recycling, Reducing, Reusing
The new World Trade Center is already 75 percent old. Everything from the gypsum boards to the ceiling tiles contains a minimum of 75 percent post-industrial recycled content. This reduces the environmental footprint, not only on-site, but reduces the stress on the natural resources and energy needed to produce them.
At the same time, the WTC construction project recycles an incredible 80 percent of the waste generated at the site. According to Del Valle, “We’ve exceeded our original target by about 20 percent. The contractors have been really good, we’ve been watching and documenting how the material is recycled and sent back to the plants. It‘s really a cycle that’s feeding on itself.”
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Comments (42)
powhatan
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 7:36pmSo like, how willthey kill all the germs that will be released with the bathrooms and what not and no chemicals to kill them…all got to say is eeewwwww
Report Post »powhatan
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 7:34pmGreen? It looks like a building to me…So it can’t be green…Green is an illusion.
Report Post »str8blues
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 5:19pmI’d like to see the next administration pull the plug on the so called “green initiative” by its roots.
Report Post »In the mean time……….I’ve got their green right here.
what4
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 7:36pmGreen things are really just like the brown, that each of us shed daily! Take the commies out! There I said it!
Report Post »randerson503
Posted on September 12, 2011 at 1:30pmIf you’ve got green right there, you may want to try some soap and water. ;-)
Report Post »FreedomMissMeYet
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 2:03pmNice…There are about 8 Million people in NYC. Over the past decade, 2 Million have fled the entire state as reported by The Washington Post. They’re leaving for lower taxes and better opportunities.
Wow, what a great opportunity to cut down on unnecessary real estate in NYC, grease the unions, and perform some form of pagan green earth worship!!
Report Post »Deceived and Disgusted
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 11:54amFunny the article didn‘t mention taxpayer costs or the fact that this ’union’ built project is not complete after 10 years?
Report Post »Correct me if I’m wrong.
PensacolaSailor
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 11:21amGreen? That’s probably why it took so long to get this building going. I’m sure it will be rediculously expensive and will never pay for itself from rents. What would be better is build a normal building and with the savings finance a new coal-fired power plant for the New York area. This would increase the number of construction jobs, increase mining jobs, it would promote the construction of more coal-fired plants, which in turn would create more jobs…etc. What would really help turn America’s decline around would be cheaper energy. We need to drill for oil and natural gas throughout Alaska, the continental United States, the Great Lakes (which the Canadians already do) and offshore the entire coast of the United States. We need increased mining, not only for coal, but anything we have in abundance. And we need new power plants; coal, natural gas, hydro-electric and nuclear. It‘s time to reduce the extreme regulations we’ve placed on ourselves and make America more competitive in the world. It‘s time for common sense and an end to the ’Green Cult’ that is doing everything it can to bring down our nation.
Report Post »kralspaces
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 10:01amThis will also be the most expensive per square foot building in NYC. Even Trump Tower is less expensive per square foot, even with all his gold leafing.
Report Post »CapitalismCzar
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 8:33amWe should have built the new tallest building in the world. These green commies really want us to be mediocre.
Report Post »RichEG
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 8:10amHave you ever worked in a “green building”? I have. The male restrooms have non-flushing urinals. Their are no paper towels .. to save the trees. Have you ever been to a picnic at a public park in July and used a public restroom. The stench permeates the entire floor. You have headaches from the “green” lighting. Go Green!
Report Post »drewby7777
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 8:00amClick this link – http://www.ehhi.org/reports/leed/LEED_report_0510.pdf to learn the truth behind the LEED program and how it is actually making people sick. I don’t care what they say. If this building doesn’t have enough fresh air exchange and only recycled air people in that building on a regular basis will start having health problems!
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 7:53amWell golly, as long as it’s green! What could be better?
Report Post »SamIamTwo
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 7:36amWhoa…no wonder it is taking so long…expensive no doubt…green pfft.
Report Post »Aude sapere
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 7:00amJust think of this, these horrible events happened 10 (TEN) years ago. The project is still unfinished. On the other hand, read about the Empire State building, and how long it took to complete it. What has happened to America since those times?
“The entire Empire State Building was constructed in just one year and 45 days – an amazing feat! The Empire State Building came in on time and under budget. Because the Great Depression significantly lowered labor costs, the cost of the building was only $40,948,900 (below the $50 million expected price tag).”
Report Post »Dougral Supports Israel
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 6:19amI’m sure all that high-tech greenery costs a lot of money. Will be building be able to make a profit or will it have to be subsidized in perpetuity like a lot of other government green ideas?
Report Post »FLDeb
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 4:26amI am really sorry, I need to go back and attempt to read the article. Every time I see/read anything with the term “green” in it, I tune out. It makes me think of communist, socialist, greed, thieves….. Don’t get me wrong, I think waste is horrible, I believe in making things/uses more efficient. But so many of these people have gone too far. They are in it for the money and control of the people, not for any worthy cause IMHO.
Report Post »Armed Patriot
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 6:24amThe green movement is communist in nature. They are watermelons. Green on the outside but red on the inside.It is not about the enviroment, it is about control. Your absolutely right. Just like Los Angeles is considering a ban on paper AND plastic trash bags. Wheres the freedom and liberty in that. Just more GREEN GOVERNMENT control.
Report Post »Affirmative Blaction
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 2:44amI really, really do not like the fact that its called the freedom tower. The Azadi Tower is the Iran mosque where the twelth imam is supposed to emerge, Azadi is persian for freedom.
Report Post »Ron_WA
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 1:04amGreenest, tallest, whatever … I don’t care as long as it honors the fallen & serves as an example of American exceptionalism – all the other stuff is just random noise unworthy of notice.
Report Post »squeaker
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 12:43amwell zap… go zap him…
Report Post »Netsurfer2
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 12:37amLMAO, Obama’s green jobs that are union and take forever to build while sucking off all the money they can to build it. You only know the truth after it took over ten years to even get started in building the building. This is nothing but another scam on America! The worlds tallest building is made in an Arab country while America lacks another building! You only know they wanted to disrupt the US economic system! No body really sees it for what it really is, just another slap in your faces! The green machine is just another ploy to stop us from using any of our resources and building anything!
Will America ever wake up???
Report Post »TXPilot
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 1:01amI remember the good old days, when if you referred to something as “green”, it meant you were talking about broccoli, vomit or martians……when did my favorite color become a left-wing buzz word dammit???!!!
Report Post »OlefromMN
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 11:24pm“Tallest in lower Manhatten” Really? That is what New York is about? Who builds the biggest, the tallest, the most grandiose?
Forget talking about the issues of prayer allowed at the memorial, Mosques getting built near the site. Keep with the greatest new trinket! See how that works out for you.
Sorry, headlines bug me.
Report Post »NeoKong
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 11:06pmTallest in lower Manhattan……big whoop.
Report Post »Tallest in the world….Burj Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
izzy1127
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 11:21pmLove the buildings in Dubai. Beautiful architecture. Would love to be able to visit that city one day without the fear of being beheaded. May need a Canadian passport………
Report Post »AB5r
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 11:06pmThis green crap is really getting out of hand, what a totally annoying waste. GET THE ECONOMY GOING, THAT IS WHAT MATTERS, THE EARTH CAN TAKE CARE OF ITSELF. China does not five a flipping whit about green. America is screwing itself over worrying about green and allowing out of control immigration from lands all over the world – including Muslims!
Report Post »John_The_Beloved
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 1:44amChina‘s coal plants are the among the dirtiest in the world while they want shut down America’s coal plants which use clean coal tech is the word on the street. hypocrisy at it’s best
Report Post »thecid100
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 4:23amIts all about taking America down, while transfering our wealth to China.
Report Post »Tired of Code Names
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 10:52pmLEED is a scam. A new set of folks who have lobbied to the feel good “greenies” and now we have legislated a new beaurocracy to “third party” what engineers and architects already have to design to in order to meet code requirements that are increasingly gaining on nonsensical. LEED costs our economy untold amounts of tax payer money. But, folks who can’t do, tell the folks who do do, how to do it. Shameful.
Report Post »Tired of Code Names
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 11:07pmSorry. First post ever. The LEED subject iritates me a lot. What I was trying to convey was that the LEED folks. are not the architects or engineers hired with their professional licenses on the line…yet, via lobbying, they have inserted their LEED selves into the mix and created jobs for themselves and dictate to the real professionals what they have to design to. Whether the practicality or technology is in place. The professional engineers and architects used to be adequate to design to current code and certify it. Now we have a whole new group legislated to oversee them. Brilliant!
Report Post »Hopefull_2012
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 1:08amAgreed, having working in the engineering and architecture field, my thoughts are that LEED is merely a marketing gimmick. I have heard that the ratio for a LEED Silver rating is around 1.25 times that cost of conventional construction. As an aside; perhaps the real wast comes from over-weighted zoning codes… I tend to think that any ethical and/or competent design professional would want to put his or her clients interest first…. meaning that they would need a practical reason to justify any added cost.
Report Post »Hopefull_2012
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 1:15amAgreed, having worked in the Architecture and Engineering industry myself, I think that LEED is merely a marketing gimmick. BY the recollections of contractors that I have spoken with, the cost of a LEED Silver rating can cost as much as 1.25 times that of conventional construction. Perhaps, like other bureaucracies, this is simply a mechanism to create barriers to entry in an already constrained marketplace (creating “winners” and “losers”). Like any other creditable professional who has gone through the rigorous training to learn how to design, I am certain that one can create aesthetic and appropriate design affordable by putting a clients best interest first; the trick comes in when trying to comply with zoning and municipal codes which sometimes may be inappropriate!
Report Post »RightPolitically
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 10:02pmSo, The Left seems to have succeeded in turning the WTC project into a Commie Green Environment. Listen, I have no qualms with saving energy and getting the most savings out of construction techniques within reason, but I’ll just bet that this thing will cost millions and millions more than it has to. And by the time they comply with all the regulations, most of which are likely unconstitutional, it might never get finished.
Report Post »SgtB
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 10:15pmI agree, and I’ll go a step farther. I think we should have rebuilt the towers on the same ground and twice as high with rooftop defensive systems that could shoot down any enemy aircraft in an instant. Maybe a metalstorm cannon or a missile battery would suffice with aegis radar. Oh, and make pork available in every food establishment inside the WTC. That would have been a better monument than a couple pretty pools of water and some trees.
Report Post »capitalismrocks
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 10:42pmThe Twins should’ve been reconstructed with modern materials and such, just to really piss off the bastards who took it down that not only did we get back on our feet, but that both towers are back again…
The Nike Missile Base in Red Hook, NJ should’ve been reactivated… it used to be the defensive missile base for NY and protected NYC against Soviet Bomber attacks… It could‘ve easily been rebuilt to be a Patriot Missile base and could’ve been a new regional immediate response base to protect NYC and the surrounding area’s from any attempted future hijackings, because you know damned well, the moment the last pane of glass on the Freedom Tower is laid into place, those bastards will attempt to take it down.
Report Post »MontanaRob
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 10:59pmcapitalismrocks Posted : The Nike Missile Base in Red Hook, NJ should’ve been reactivated… it used to be the defensive missile base for NY and protected NYC against Soviet Bomber attacks…
I was at Fort Monmouth for 5 years, near Red Bank, and there was Sandy Hook, which was Fort Hancock and deactivated in ‘74, but I’ve never heard of Red Hook. Where is that?
Report Post »MODEL82A1
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 9:54pmFor those of you wondering, the above descriptions are all of the IMAGINARY “skyscraper” at the current WTC site. Apparently, the stubby, incomplete lower floors are very, very nice, though.
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