DOE Grant Assists UW move to Hybrid, Electric Vehicles

SEATTLE

The UW has received a $283,400 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy via the Clean Cities Coalition to help it purchase hybrid vehicles and construct an electric charging station to support its electric fleet.

The University plans to replace five diesel stepvans with five hybrid models to be used in Mailing Services distribution operations and replace one diesel para-transit bus with one hybrid para-transit bus to be used to transport those with disabilities in the UW Shuttles program.

The University expects to save about 32,915 gallons of gas and realize a $143,190 saving in fuel costs over a 15-year period with the hybrid vehicles.

The University will also build a charging station to support the conversion of UW Custodial Services’ fleet from full-size unleaded cargo vans to all-electric pickup trucks. (The University already has a fleet of three all-electric pickups.)

The funding the University received is part of Evergreen Fleets, a program which provides assistance to fleets to become “green” -- and adopt sustainable practices and policies. In all, the funding will assist 21 fleets in acquiring more than 450 alternative fuel or hybrid-electric vehicles. It will also help build three alternative fueling stations, two solar demonstration sites, and at least 90 electric charging hubs.

2201 Westlake Receives LEED Gold Rating

SEATTLE

The 2201 Westlake development in South Lake Union now represents Seattle’s first mixed-use and high-rise residential project to earn LEED Gold certification.

Developed by Vulcan Real Estate, 2201 Westlake was designed and constructed from the ground up using sustainable development practices.

Designed by Callison, the 450,000 sq ft mixed-use project includes 300,000 sq ft of high-performance, Class A office space, 135 luxury condominiums known as Enso, 25,000 sq ft of street-level retail amenities, underground parking and open green space. The project was completed in July 2009. Some of the sustainable features include:

• Ventilation provides office users with more control over the air and temperature in their individual spaces

• Shared high performance central energy plant with adjacent residential condominium tower that utilizes waste heat and cooling from the office space for other retail and residential uses

• Extensive use of recycled and rapidly renewable materials, low VOC paints and carpets

• Native, drought tolerant landscaping

• Water-efficient dual-flush water closets, low-flow urinals, faucets and showers designed to reduce potable water use by 35%

• Site landscaping complies with Seattle Green Streets Program, increasing pedestrian space and open green space while helping providing habitat and shade cover with large trees and native shrubs

• Exterior glass curtain wall with low solar heat gain properties provides more natural daylight than traditional office buildings

The 2201 Westlake project team includes: Vulcan Real Estate (owner and developer); O’Brien & Company (LEED consultant); Callison (architect and interior designer); Sellen Construction (general contractor); Cary Kopczynski & Co. (structural engineer); Magnusson Klemencic and Associates (civil engineer); Glumac (mechanical/electrical engineer) and Berger Partnership (landscape architect).

Mortenson Builds Green Job Trailer for LEED Points

SEATTLE

Mortenson Construction, Seattle, has given a “green” makeover to a jobsite trailer by using recycled and reused materials and energy efficient lighting, heating and cooling components. By making small changes to a used trailer, energy savings is expected to exceed 30 percent.

“We have always focused on building green projects, it seems fitting we work green as well,” said Melissa Teichman, an assistant project manager with Mortenson who planned the trailer retrofit.

“There are many energy-efficient and eco-friendly products available; bringing them all together can result in huge energy savings and an eco-friendly working environment.”

The trailer is being tested with daily use at Seattle University as the home of the Lemieux Library Renovation project team. The project is designed to meet LEED Gold standards and the trailer will be submitted as a LEED® innovation credit.

The lighting system and heat pump will provide the greatest energy savings. The ceiling, insulation, and windows create a heating and cooling “envelope” that assist with climate control.

Energy savings is a benefit to the project owner, Seattle University, who pays directly for energy use.