Team of Experts Announces Groundbreaking Energy Efficiency Retrofit Project at
Empire State Building
NEW YORK, Apr. 7 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ --
World's most famous office building's more than $500 million
upgrade program to incorporate comprehensive project with goal to reduce
energy use by nearly 40 percent
Using the Empire State Building as a test case and model, world-class
environmental consulting, non-profit, design and construction partners -
including the Clinton Climate Initiative (CCI), Rocky Mountain Institute
(RMI), Johnson Controls Inc. (NYSE: JCI) (JCI) and Jones Lang LaSalle (NYSE:
JLL) (JLL) - today unveiled an innovative process for analyzing and
retrofitting existing structures for environmental sustainability.
Adopted as core elements of the more than $500 million upgrade program
presently underway at the world's most famous office building, the program is
the first comprehensive approach that integrates many steps to use energy
more productively. The program is expected to reduce energy consumption by up
to 38 percent and will provide a replicable model for similar projects around
the world. Work has already commenced, and building systems work is slated to
be completed by year-end 2010. The balance of the work in tenant spaces
should be concluded by end of 2013. Work that is scheduled to be completed
within 18 months will result in over 50 percent of the projected energy
savings. The balance will be an additional 36 months completed by 2013.
The project will prove the viability for energy efficiency retrofit
projects to dramatically increase building energy efficiency and reduce its
overall carbon output with sensible payback periods and enhanced
profitability.
At the end of the project definition process, the team analyzed the steps
to be taken in conjunction with other steps towards sustainability as part of
the Empire State ReBuilding program within the framework of the existing
USGBC LEED rating system. Internal calculations show that the Empire State
Building will be able to qualify for GOLD certification for Leadership in
Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for Existing Buildings, and ownership
intends to pursue such certification.
"Commercial and residential buildings account for the majority of the
total carbon footprint of cities around the world - over 70 percent in New
York City. Beginning in February 2008, the Empire State Building has been
used as a test bench to create a replicable process to reduce energy
consumption and environmental impacts," said Anthony E. Malkin of building
owner, Empire State Building Company. "Most new buildings are built with the
environment in mind, but the real key to substantial progress is reducing
existing building energy consumption and carbon footprint."
"This innovative process, which has developed new techniques for modeling
and organizing an integrated program, offers a clear path to adoption around
the world, leading to significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions,"
according to Malkin. "Along with other steps taken, in recycling waste and
construction debris, use of recycled materials, and green cleaning and pest
control products, the model built at the Empire State Building will
meaningfully speed the reduction in energy consumption and environmental
impact and allow more sustainable operations - while simultaneously enhancing
profitability and tenant comfort. This is a real program, happening in real
time, creating real green jobs."
The project partners used existing and newly created modeling,
measurement and projection tools in a new and repeatable process to analyze
the Empire State Building and establish a full understanding of its energy
use as well as its functional efficiencies and deficiencies. This provided
actionable recommendations along a cost-benefit curve to increase efficiency
and without harming bottom line performance. In reviewing more than 60
optional activities, the team identified eight economically viable projects,
applicable to building-wide renovations, electrical and ventilation system
upgrades and tenant space overhauls that will provide a significant return on
investment, both environmentally and financially.
"In this distressed economic climate, there is a tremendous opportunity
for cities and building owners to retrofit existing buildings to save money
and save energy," said President Clinton. "I'm proud of the work my
foundation's climate initiative has done with 40 of the world's largest
cities, including New York where we played a central role in convening a
unique set of partners that are working to make the Empire State Building
retrofit project possible. It is this kind of innovative collaboration that
is crucial to protecting our planet and getting our economy up and running
again."
"This project brings to bear every bit of experience, research and
innovation we've accumulated in our 125 years in this business," said Iain
Campbell, Vice President, Johnson Controls, which serves as the energy
services company for the program. "It's gratifying to know that just as we
point to this building as one of the greatest achievements of our
grandparent's generation, so can our grandchildren point to us."
"Not only will this project dramatically reduce the Empire State
Building's environmental impact, but now we're able to do it in a way that
provides meaningful costs savings to the building as well as its tenants,"
said Raymond Quartararo, International Director, Jones Lang LaSalle.
With an initial estimated project cost of $20 million, additional savings
and redirection of expenditures originally planned in the building's upgrade
program, and additional alternative spending in tenant installations, the
Empire State Building will save $4.4 million in annual energy savings costs,
reduce its energy consumption by close to 40%, repay its net extra cost in
about three years, and cut its overall carbon output through eight key
initiatives, including:
1. Window Light Retrofit: Refurbishment of approximately 6,500 thermopane
glass windows, using existing glass and sashes to create triple-glazed
insulated panels with new components that dramatically reduce both
summer heat load and winter heat loss.
2. Radiator Insulation Retrofit: Added insulation behind radiators to
reduce heat loss and more efficiently heat the building perimeter.
3. Tenant Lighting, Daylighting and Plug Upgrades: Introduction of
improved lighting designs, daylighting controls, and plug load
occupancy sensors in common areas and tenant spaces to reduce
electricity costs and cooling loads.
4. Air Handler Replacements: Replacement of air handling units with
variable frequency drive fans to allow increased energy efficiency in
operation while improving comfort for individual tenants.
5. Chiller Plant Retrofit: Reuse of existing chiller shells while
removing and replacing "guts" to improve chiller efficiency and
controllability, including the introduction of variable frequency
drives.
6. Whole-Building Control System Upgrade: Upgrade of existing building
control system to optimize HVAC operation as well as provide more
detailed sub-metering information.
7. Ventilation Control Upgrade: Introduction of demand control
ventilation in occupied spaces to improve air quality and reduce energy
required to condition outside air.
8. Tenant Energy Management Systems: Introduction of individualized,
web-based power usage systems for each tenant to allow more efficient
management of power usage.
Recently, several initiatives have been launched, including the CCI
Building Retrofit program and New York City's PlaNYC in 2007, which aim to
reduce the significant carbon footprint of existing structures in major
cities. The pilot program launched today at Empire State Building moves from
theoretical and directional steps to quantifiable action plans which can be
broadly adopted around the world. Through the tangible actions announced
today by the Clinton Climate Initiative, Johnson Controls Inc. and Jones Lang
LaSalle, Rocky Mountain Institute, and Empire State Building Company,
building owners now have a practical example of an economically intelligent
path to be responsible members of the global community. This project can
increase the confidence of cities, states and governments worldwide in the
viability of programs that make positive changes, now.
"To make cities cleaner and more energy efficient, we urgently need a
replicable model for retrofitting existing major buildings. This visionary
example will help inform and inspire initiatives that can cut carbon
emissions, save energy, save money, make jobs, and provide better workplaces
in buildings all over the world," said Amory B. Lovins, Chairman and Chief
Scientist of Rocky Mountain Institute.
The full analysis process is available online as open-source materials
For more information, please contact Adam Pietrala (212-704-8176,
adam.pietrala@edelman.com) or Viet N'Guyen (212-704-4535,
viet.n'guyen@edelman.com).
About the Clinton Climate Initiative
The William J. Clinton Foundation launched the Clinton Climate Initiative
(CCI) to create and advance solutions to the core issues driving climate
change. Working with governments and businesses around the world to tailor
local solutions that are economically and environmentally sustainable, CCI
focuses on three strategic program areas: increasing energy efficiency in
cities, catalyzing the large-scale supply of clean energy, and working to
measure and value the carbon absorbed by forests. In each of these programs,
CCI uses a holistic approach to address the major sources of greenhouse gas
emissions and the people, policies, and practices that impact them. CCI
serves as the action arm of the C40, an association of large cities around
the world that have pledged to accelerate their efforts to reduce greenhouse
gas emissions, and of which New York is a member. To learn more about the
work of the Clinton Climate Initiative and the William J. Clinton Foundation,
Contact: press@clintonfoundation.org
About Johnson Controls Inc.
Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI) is the global leader that brings ingenuity
to the places where people live, work and travel. By integrating
technologies, products and services, we create smart environments that
redefine the relationships between people and their surroundings. Our team of
140,000 employees creates a more comfortable, safe and sustainable world
through our products and services for more than 200 million vehicles, 12
million homes and one million commercial buildings. Our commitment to
sustainability drives our environmental stewardship, good corporate
citizenship in our workplaces and communities, and the products and services
we provide to customers. For additional information, please visit
Contact: Kari Pfisterer, 414-524-4017, Kari.B.Pfisterer@jci.com
About Jones Lang LaSalle
Jones Lang LaSalle (NYSE: JLL) is a financial and professional services
firm specializing in real estate. The firm offers integrated services
delivered by expert teams worldwide to clients seeking increased value by
owning, occupying or investing in real estate. With 2008 global revenue of
$2.7 billion, Jones Lang LaSalle serves clients in 60 countries from 750
locations worldwide, including 180 corporate offices. The firm is an industry
leader in property and corporate facility management services, with a
portfolio of approximately 1.4 billion square feet worldwide. LaSalle
Investment Management, the company's investment management business, is one
of the world's largest and most diverse in real estate with more than $46
billion of assets under management. For further information, please visit our
Contact: Craig Bloomfield, (312) 228-2774, Craig.Bloomfield@am.jll.com
About Rocky Mountain Institute
Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, was
established in 1982 by resource analysts L. Hunter Lovins and Amory B.
Lovins. What began as a small group of colleagues focusing on energy policy
has since grown into a broad-based institution with approximately eighty
full-time staff, an annual budget of nearly $12 million (over half of it
earned through programmatic enterprise), and a global reach.
Contact: Josh Baran, 212-584-5000, josh@fenton.com
About Empire State Building
The "World's Most Famous Office Building," the Empire State Building is
in the midst of the more than $500 million Empire State ReBuilding program as
the flagship of the W&H Properties portfolio of Pre-War Trophy office
buildings. Since the Empire State ReBuilding program began in 2007, new
investments in infrastructure, public areas and amenities have attracted new,
first-rate tenants in a diverse array of industries from around the world.
The skyscraper's robust broadcasting platform makes it the most important
broadcast facility in the most important market in the world. The Empire
State Building was named America's favorite building in a poll conducted by
the American Institute of Architects. The Empire State Building Observatory
is the region's #1 tourist destination. For more information on the Empire
Contact: Adam Pietrala, 212-704-8176, adam.pietrala@edelman.com; Viet
N'Guyen, 212-704-4535, viet.n'guyen@edelman.com
SOURCE: Empire State Building
CONTACT: Adam Pietrala, +1-212-704-8176, adam.pietrala@edelman.com, or
Viet N'Guyen, +1-212-704-4535, viet.n'guyen@edelman.com,
both for Empire State Building;
Kari Pfisterer, Johnson Controls, +1-414-524-4017,
Kari.B.Pfisterer@jci.com;
Craig Bloomfield, Jones Lang LaSalle, +1-312-228-2774,
Craig.Bloomfield@am.jll.com;
Josh Baran, +1-212-584-5000, josh@fenton.com,
for Rocky Mountain Institute;
Clinton Climate Initiative, press@clintonfoundation.org
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