As we explore building energy efficiency, is one more energized device plugged into the internet of things really a strategy for sustainability? While a glass plaque may represent a moment in time, and be partially based upon the artificial construct of an energy model, it has a fixed embodied energy. Are we as a body of professionals moving further away from sustainability core principles as we denounce books, plaques, etc. and embrace smart phones, computers, tablets, wearables, etc. that are in need of charging, use bandwidth and power for the 'cloud', use precious mined resources, and further tether us to the energy (fossil fuel) economy, not to mention environmental impacts associated with disposal. If we are pursuing EBOM, then this is an added layer of technology that might not be needed if we have designed our original project with recertification in-mind. While I hypocritically type this on my computer, I'd like to open the debate to the community: We design buildings with an R-4 curtainwall envelope and use highly efficient systems to show energy savings and code compliance, while increasing our dependency on electronic 'things' as being green. Shouldn't we as designers, engineers, specialists and consultants be looking at strategies that promote energy savings, conservation of resources and reduction of environmental impacts a little more closely? The green building movement is supposedly no longer in its infancy. Is this the best we can do?
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Scot Horst
President, CEOArc Skoru
October 16, 2014 - 4:07 pm
Dear Michael,
The current display uses fifty watts of electricity but if you don't want that in your lobby you do not need the physical display. You can play the LEED Dynamic Plaque on your other devices that you have already agreed are worth the electricity such as your phone, pad or computer. The software system connects data from a variety of sources and makes sense out of that data by creating a score that is understandable to an audience that is not necessarily technical.
Our goal is to automate as much of the system as possible and we are working closely with our first partner, to be announced next week, to connect building data from their Building Management System to our score. We believe that this will provide ongoing incentive to improve scores because it is tied with keeping your LEED certification up to date.
I hope this is helpful, Michael.