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12.03.2011
 16:57:08
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Benefits of commissioningYou may think of commissioning, including hiring a commissioning agent, as an added cost—and it is. It’s likely to reduce your operational costs, however, by yielding 5%–10% improvements in energy efficiency and ensuring that facilities personnel know how to operate key building systems. It’s also a great way to catch mistakes like missing or incorrectly installed equipment, avoiding occupant complaints and callbacks, indoor air quality and thermal comfort problems, premature equipment failure, and litigation. Commissioning (Cx) is the process of verifying that the building’s systems operate as intended and according to the owner’s requirements as set forth in project documents. Commissioning helps fill the gap between the design team, whose members usually aren’t meant to be responsible for checking minor construction details, and subcontractors, who may inadvertently err on key items like fan power settings or sensor locations. The commissioning agent (CxA) also provides the owner with the expert oversight of an engineer.
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12.03.2011
16:48:04
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Why green power?Some buildi RECs must be Green-e certified or the equivalent. Center for Resource Solutions However, nonrenewable electricity production is a huge contributor to pollution and global climate change, and buying green power creates incentives for further development of renewable energy facilities. The benefits of renewable energy are well-understood by the general public, and so buying green power can help you advertise your commitment to environmental responsibility. Many projects display their renewable energy certificates prominently.
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25.02.2010
06:16:07
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Eman was invited to participate as a key-note speaker in the Concepts Middle East 2010 conference that was held in La Cigale Hotel, Doha on 23rd & 24th of February 2010. http://www.conceptsmideast.com/ The main focus of the conference was about Interior Design but with an eye on Sustainabe Solutions. The event was hosted and organized by Naseba Group, the expert company in organizing events. Eman provided a short presentation about 'Applying LEED concepts in design' before she contributes in a head-to-head discussion with Beau McLellan, the renown international interior designer. The event was excellent from all aspects. I attended as a delegate for Qatar Green Leaders and I really was happy for the amount of information and experience I have gained. Eman has proved that she is a very good presenter and public speaker, although this was her first time in such events. She received a lot of testimonial about the informative presentation, despite its short time. She vitalized the head-to-head discussion by her insights and deep knowledge. Congratulations, Eman for the fantastic presentation! Diaa You can see the presentation in our e-learning section (Registered users only), here
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18.02.2010
18:21:53
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What makes a product green?
Non-Toxic:
Certain products are considered sustainable because they help to maintain good indoor environmental quality by limiting the emission of VOCs, such as formaldehyde, which can cause cancer and other health problems. Some toxic chemicals contribute to climate change or air pollution levels, while others are slow to break down, and remain in the environment even after the product has been removed.
Recycled or Reclaimed:
Some products are considered sustainable because they contain high levels of recycled material. Post-consumer recycled, pre-consumer recycled materials, reclaimed material recovered from remodeling or demolition projects, and products made from agricultural waste reduce the need for new raw materials and reduce the embodied energy associated with a product.
Rapidly Renewable:
Rapidly renewable resources are considered sustainable when they do not require many years to regrow or regenerate.
Energy and Water Conservation:
Some products are green because they:
1. Reduce the overall energy needs of a building
2. Use less water and energy to operate
3. Use renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power
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08.02.2010
06:40:05
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The Urban Planning and Development Authority (UPDA) has issued a decree recently to limit the usage of glass and aluminum in the facades of newly-established buildings in Dafna, Doha, Rayyan districts and the projects located in the investment areas developed by Qatari Diar and other real estate companies. The decision issued on August 22 urges consultants to provide alternatives for glass facades in their future developments.
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03.02.2010
02:02:34
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BackPage Primer from Environmental Building News
June 1, 2008
Life-Cycle Assessment: Tracing a Product's Impacts If you wanted to know about all the environmental impacts of a product, common sense suggests that you would have to trace that product from the origins of its raw materials, through its manufacture and use, and finally to its fate at the end of its useful life. That’s the premise behind environmental life-cycle assessment (LCA)—a science that aims to quantify all the impacts of a product or service. LCA is often used by manufacturers to compare alternative ingredients and processes for making a product, and by policymakers for establishing preferences for one product over another. When the Coca-Cola Company evaluated whether to switch from glass to plastic soda bottles in the 1970s, its consultants pioneered the use of LCA. (LCA is not the same as life-cycle costing, which looks only at the financial cost of buying, using, and disposing of a product.)
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28.01.2010
19:27:21
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Good Afternoon, We are happy to inform you that you have been accepted as a reviewer for the 2010 Greenbuild Program. You will be assigned around 20 Greenbuild session proposals and asked to rate them on their merit and content. You will be given online access to the proposals, voting site and instructions on Monday, February 1st. The deadline to complete all of your reviews is Friday, February 19th.
To thank you for serving as a reviewer, you will receive $100.00 off your Greenbuild 2010 Full Conference Registration.
Should you have any questions prior to the start of the review period please email program@usgbc.org
Thank you for volunteering to be a reviewer for the Greenbuild Program!
Greenbuild Conference & Events U.S. Green Building Council
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28.01.2010
03:46:22
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A new wind-power machine has been inspired by a centuries-old idea: Persian "wind catchers." Windation Energy Systems, a Menlo Park, Calif.-based start-up, has developed a wind appliance that looks more or less like the modern heating and cooling equipment you see on flat corporate building rooftops. 
Windation's appliance looks more like an HVAC machine than a turbine. (Credit: Windation)There's a 8-by-8-foot frame around a 10-foot-high cylinder. Wind blows in the top and is directed to the bottom where the wind turns a turbine to make up to 5 kilowatts of electricity. A single unit wouldn't generate enough power for an entire office building but could offset a significant portion, the company says. Windation CEO and founder, Mark Sheikhrezai, who is originally from Iran, said he was inspired by ancient Persian buildings that use air currents and reservoirs of water to cool buildings. Using differences in air pressure, these wind catcher buildings create a steady flow of air without any mechanical devices. Although Windation's wind appliance does draw air from the top like these buildings, Sheikhrezai said he used his expertise in centrifuges and rotors to manipulate the movement of the wind to generate electricity. The overall design breaks with that of other small wind turbines, which tend to look a lot more like wind turbines. Aerovironment's wind turbines, now installed in a few locations, are essentially miniature wind turbines perched on the edges of buildings. Another approach is the vertical axis turbine from Mariah Power. Sheikhrezai said one of the biggest advantages of Windation's appliance is its shape and ease of installation. Since all moving parts are contained, there isn't potential danger to birds, bats, or people, he noted.
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26.01.2010
11:00:58
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