Volume 3 - Program & Project Ideas (PDF - 4.5 - Natural Life Network

Natural Resources Canada – Community Energy Systems
air quality, and innovation and design process. Their web site contains many case studies
such as the above. See http://www.usgbc.org and click on certified projects.
http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/GreenBuilding/CaseStudies/. See this site for more green
building case studies.
- Case study: Cambridge, MB, USA
High performance school buildings are schools that integrate healthy productive learning
places with energy efficiency, lowering operating costs, and result in lower
environmental impacts. Retrofitting institutional buildings can create significant energy
savings.
• Fossil fuel use is reduced for heating, cooling, and lighting because of their
replacement with renewable energies such as day lighting, solar and wind
power, and efficient design.
• Utility costs are reduced by 30 to 40 per cent per year for new schools and 20
to 30 per cent per year for renovated schools.
• The indoor environment is improved by providing cleaner air, better acoustics,
and natural light.
• Greenhouse gas emissions are reduced.
The Choptank Elementary School, above,
expects to save $400,000 (US) in energy
and maintenance costs over the next 20
years by using a geothermal heat pump to
heat and cool 45,000 square feet Photo
courtesy of the Sustainable Buildings
Industry Council. Photo courtesy of the
Sustainable Buildings Industry Council.
- Case study: Green Bay, WI, USA
Green Bay East High School (Green Bay, WI) has 48 4' x 6 1/2' solar panels.
• At peak capacity, the unit offers 12kW of electricity to the school, saving the
school about $2,100 (US) in energy costs per year.
• The solar panels will provide additional curricular and learning opportunity
for the students.
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