PROJECT.

Blooming Grove O&M

A green facility for a green energy company

An integrative design process helped this operations & maintenance building achieve operational and embodied carbon savings on a tight timeframe.

Problem

This all-electric operations & maintenance facility serves a new 250-megawatt wind energy facility in McClean County, Illinois. The owner, Invenergy, wanted to upgrade their typical O&M building to align with their company's mission, looking for a low-carbon, sustainable facility. The project schedule was tight, but the entire team was engaged from early design, which was critical to achieving the project objectives.

Solution

Integrative design

Working closely with the design team, Sol utilized early energy models to explore envelope upgrades and HVAC options, identifying cost-effective improvements in both areas. We also performed Life Cycle Assessment, which showed significant benefits of a Cross-Laminated Timber structure.

Responsive consulting

A tight construction timeframe required close coordination with the construction team on required documentation, and rapid evaluation of construction-phase changes and substitutions. Sol's close collaboration with the team helped smooth the path to certification.

Envelope & HVAC commissioning

Sol provided construction-phase envelope and HVAC commissioning, including air-tightness testing and infrared imaging, to ensure that the final end product would meet the owner's requirements. The result is improved occupant comfort and reduced operational cost.

The Impact

LEED BD+C Silver Certified


24%
Reduction in Energy Use from ASHRAE 90.1 Baseline

54%
Reduction in Water Use

21%
Reduction in Embodied Carbon from Baseline Building

85%
Diversion of Construction Waste