Timely Tuesday Construction News
Power To The People (without more poles): One perennial problem faced by electric power companies is the necessity to upgrade power poles when larger capacity is needed. The weight of larger, and more lines often makes the original poles obsolete. But 3M has come up with a new conductor that is light weight, sag resistant and can carry twice the capacity of conventional steel conductors of the same size. It’s called Aluminum Conductor Composite Reinforced (ACCR) and is finding a home all over the world. Recently in Brazil it has been specified in order for CPFL Energia to upgrade a key transmission line that serves a densely populated area.
Spotlight Shines on Carbon Neutral Lighting: Architects and building owners who are concerned about the long-term carbon footprint of exterior lighting being installed can now buy lighting that has the footprint offset. Architectural Area Lighting, which makes outdoor fixtures for commercial, institutional and municipal buildings, identified the lifetime carbon footprints of their lighting and now offer offset credits that can be purchased in one, five, and 10 year durations.
Taiwan Pushes Green Envelope: The National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan is letting the contract out on its Educational Center for Subtropical Green Buildings and is heralding the design as being constructed completely of 100 percent green construction materials. The designers say the building will use adequate techniques, instead of expensive techniques, and will save 40 percent on energy use, conserve 30 percent of its potential water use, and reduce carbon emissions by 30 percent. One key initiative is the use of Portland blast furnace slag cement which will cut cement use by 30 percent. Health is also figuring prominently. Coatings used are bacteria and fungus resistant, anti-fouling and self-cleaning. Get those pencils sharpened as RFPs are due out in January 2009.
