FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 20, 2013
Contact: Robert J. Knoedler, P.E., EMP, CxA
Hanson Professional Services Inc.
(919) 781-5599
rknoedler@hanson-inc.com
Darrel Berry, Marketing Communications Manager
(217) 747-9291
dberry@hanson-inc.com
Energy-producing school named ‘Best Project’ in Engineering News-Record Southeast magazine
Sandy Grove Middle School is the United States’ first net-positive energy, LEED® Platinum designed, leased public school that produces more energy than it consumes. It also is North Carolina’s first public-private partnership (P3) financed school and the second P3 financed school in the country.
RALEIGH, N.C. — Sandy Grove Middle School in Lumber Bridge, N.C., recently was named “Best Project” in the K-12 Schools category in the 2013 Best Projects Awards from the Engineering News-Record’s Southeast region. This project also was featured in the November/December issue of The North Carolina Construction News.
Sandy Grove is the United States’ first net-positive energy, LEED® Platinum designed, leased public school that produces more energy than it consumes. It also is North Carolina’s first public-private partnership (P3) financed school and the second P3 financed school in the country. By using a P3, the private sector assumes the risk of capital and resources for construction, while the public sector builds the facility to local and state standards.
Working with Firstfloor Development, SfL+a Architects and Metcon Inc., Hanson Professional Services Inc. served as the commissioning authority for the 75,000-square-foot facility developed for Hoke County Schools. Hanson’s services were provided in conformance with American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) guidelines, along with the recommended practices of the Building Commissioning Association and the AABC Commissioning Group.
A single-story structure with mechanical mezzanines, the school’s innovative features include large photovoltaic and geothermal heating and cooling systems, high-efficiency LED lighting and a 600-kW, whole-building generator. The heating, ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) system consists of multiple heat pumps connected to the geothermal well field, with three dedicated outdoor air systems providing pre-conditioned air to the facility. Domestic hot water is generated by water-to-water heat pumps, also connected to the geothermal well field.
Projections show that the school’s 2,300 roof-mounted solar panels will generate approximately 40 percent more energy than the building uses. The building’s energy consumption and generation data are fed to a Web-based Lucid dashboard. The dashboard features live data collected from the school’s systems, and users can access information about the school’s solar, geothermal, electric and water usage. Teachers plan to use the building as a teaching tool for students.
For more information about this project, visit ENR’s website at http://bit.ly/1a1de5b. To read the article in The North Carolina Construction News, visit www.ncconstructionnews.com/nccnnov-dec2013.
Hanson is a national, employee-owned consulting firm providing engineering, planning and allied services. The firm’s corporate headquarters is located at 1525 S. Sixth St., Springfield, IL 62703. The office may be reached by phone: (217) 788-2450 or fax: (217) 788-2503. The Raleigh, N.C., office is located at 3716 National Drive, Suite 124, Raleigh, NC 27612. The office may be reached by phone: (919) 781-5599 or fax: (919) 787-7444.
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