They've Got The Power
As seen in the
September 21, 2007
By CATHY BUGMAN
STAR-LEDGER STAFF
READINGTON TWP. -- Ferreira Construction of Readington is known for building bridges and roads.
What's not as well known is its emerging reputation as an industry leader in the field of energy production and conservation.
The firm's new headquarters produced more energy than it used in the past year, company officials said. The surplus — a month's worth of electricity — was sold to Jersey Central Power & Light for use by other New Jersey businesses.
That a commercial facility has achieved such status in energy production puts it in a category that only a "handful" of companies have reached nationwide, according to Drury Crawley, who oversees energy technology in commercial buildings at the U.S. Department of Energy.
"This is spectacular that they have gone as far as they have," he said. "It's one of the leading-edge buildings."
In its 42,000-square-foot building on Tannery Road, which opened in May 2006, Ferreira is drawing on the sun's power through 1,276 rooftop solar panels to provide its electricity as well as solar thermal panels to provide its hot water use for sinks, showers and dishwasher.
Additionally, it is combining that renewable energy system with more conventional elements, including a boiler and a "radiant-slab" heating system that relies on nine miles of under-floor tubing carrying water heated by the gas boiler to create heated floors. In the summer months, air-conditioning is provided through a rooftop unit powered by electricity generated by the solar panels.
The system is the brainchild of architect/construction manager Joseph Grabowski, mechanical engineer Edward Brzezowski and senior programmer Rich Gorde. After it was set up, the trio developed a way to track its efficiency. Their efforts produced a patent-pending, computerized monitoring system that allows a way to observe energy efficiency in a single or several buildings anywhere in the world. That's now the focus of a spin-off company, called Live Data Systems.
Both Ferreira and Live Data are working on developing energy-efficient systems for the new transportation building at the former site of the World Trade Center as well as in Newark public schools.
Even though it costs extra to put on the solar panels — $1.6 million — and another $700,000 for a high-efficiency heating/air-conditioning system, company officials said they plan to see a return on their investment in the next five to seven years.
As it stands now, while a comparably sized new building would expect to generate a monthly electrical bill of $2,730, Ferreira's bill is closer to $848, according to a flat-screen TV display in the company's lobby that provides a running update of that figure as well as many others, including how much kilowatt power the building is generating and using at any moment.
John Grabowski, vice president of Live Data Systems, said the company has exceeded the goals set forth in Gov. Jon Corzine's executive orders for reduction of greenhouse gases and energy efficiency. He said arrangements are being made for Corzine and for an assistant secretary at the U.S. Department of Energy to visit the building, where 250 employees work.
Corzine believes it's important for the private sector to invest in alternative and energy-efficient systems and he hopes "more companies take on a similar leadership role," spokesman Brendan Gilfillan said.
The firm has been designated the winner of this year's New Jersey Business & Industry Association's Award for Excellence in the environmental quality category.
"They're certainly a real success story," said Philip Kirschner, president of the association that represents 23,000 companies. "They've set a great example that can be applied to other companies in the state."
