The project, situated on the West coast of South Korea, in Yeonggwang-gun, Jeollanam-do, is expected to provide electricity to more than 1.4 million South Koreans each year. 

This project will significantly contribute to South Korea’s ambitious sustainability goals of converting 20 percent of the country’s electricity generation to renewable sources by 2030. It will also play a vital role in boosting the local economy, supporting fisheries, and providing employment opportunities. 

“We have supported Anma in this important undertaking since the very beginning. Its lean and performance-driven team, with support from the right partners, will make it possible to establish one of the first offshore wind farms in South Korea. It has been a privilege to be a part of this throughout all project phases, and we are excited to move on to the detailed design phase together,” says Sebastian Flores, Vice President of Markets, Offshore Wind. 

We look forward to continuing to support Anma in accelerating the green transition in South Korea. 

Ryan Colbeck, EPC Director for Anma Offshore Wind said: “Having entrusted COWI with the successful FEED Design for our WTG Foundations, it’s great to be able to continue the journey together and see the Foundation Design through to completion. We are confident that together, we can set the standard to which all future offshore wind projects in South Korea will aim for, and that we will continue leading the charge to drive the country’s Net Zero ambitions.” 

RICHMOND, Va. – Dominion Energy’s Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) commercial project took one more step to starting construction when the first eight monopile foundations were safely offloaded at Portsmouth Marine Terminal, where they will be staged until installation of the 2.6-gigawatt project, enough electricity to power 660,000 homes, begins in the spring of 2024. The foundations, which are a single vertical, steel cylinder, are being manufactured by global leader EEW SPC and will be installed into the sea floor to support the wind turbine generators. 

“The delivery of the first foundations is further evidence that our Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project continues to move forward on time and on budget to provide reliable, affordable and increasingly clean energy to our customers,” said Bob Blue, Dominion Energy’s chair, president and chief executive officer. “This regulated offshore wind project positions us, and the Commonwealth of Virginia, as leaders in the development of offshore wind and provides many benefits for our customers and local economies.” 

CVOW, the largest offshore wind project under development in the United States, is expected to generate fuel savings of $3 billion for customers during the project’s first 10 years of operation. 

The project continues to advance through the federal permitting process, receiving the Final Environmental Impact Statement from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) last month. BOEM is expected to issue its Record of Decision on the project in the coming days. 

Offshore wind’s economic development and jobs benefits are transformative for Hampton Roads and the Commonwealth. More than 750 Virginia-based workers – nearly 530 in the Hampton Roads region – have been engaged on the CVOW project or with other businesses supporting CVOW, including redevelopment work at the Portsmouth Marine Terminal, construction of the offshore wind Monitoring and Coordination Center, maritime provisioning, ship repairs, divers, heavy lift and rigging, cyber security, food service and hospitality. More than 1,000 local jobs will be needed to support ongoing operations and maintenance of this facility after the project is commercial. 

The offloading of the foundations was supported by union workers from the International Longshoremen’s Association, the largest union of maritime workers in North America.

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS — Solidia Technologies, a leading provider of decarbonization technologies and sustainable solutions to the construction and building materials industries, is ramping up production of its proprietary supplementary cementitious material (SCM) with the activation of the pilot line at the company’s expanded headquarters facility in San Antonio. The start of the line will allow Solidia^® to increase its production capacity by 25 times, thereby allowing customers to qualify the material and conduct continual field trial pours.

SCM is commonly added to concrete to replace a portion of portland cement. Solidia’s high-performing, engineered Solidia SCM mineralizes waste CO₂ and can replace 35% to 50% of portland cement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 18% to 28% while also improving the concrete’s strength, durability, and workability. The pilot line is optimized to ensure consistent quality and high performance.

“With the dramatic increase in production capacity that the new pilot line brings, we are now shipping significant quantities of Solidia SCM to ready-mix concrete producers, transportation agencies, and contractors to qualify and trial our material,” said Pradeep Ghosh, Solidia’s Senior Director of Strategy and Business Development. “The lab testing and field trials these organizations will conduct will help ensure our material meets the highest performance requirements for infrastructure applications as well as the individual sustainability needs of each department.”

Along with dramatic reductions in concrete’s embodied carbon, Solidia SCM will help ready-mix concrete producers address looming shortages of traditional SCMs such as fly ash.

“The commissioning of the pilot line is a critical milestone in the advancement and adoption of Solidia’s decarbonization technologies, allowing for critical field testing with some of the country’s biggest users of concrete,” said Russell Hill, Ph.D., Solidia’s CEO. “It’s one more important step toward full production—and toward tackling and remedying concrete’s enormous carbon footprint.”   

For more information, visit www.solidiatech.com.

A Symphony of Sustainable Endeavors

In the multifaceted and dynamic landscape of the AECO industry, documents form the harmonious melodies of progress. Generative Pre-trained Transformer (GPT) conducts these chords and orchestrates them into a seamless symphony of sustainability and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives, translating the myriad  documents into profound, actionable insights and streamlined processes. This role brings forth transformative advancements, fostering a culture of innovation, ethical responsibility, and enduring sustainability within the sector.

Integrating ESG Principles in the AECO Landscape

In today’s world, ESG initiatives are not mere supplementary components but are at the forefront, becoming paramount in the AECO industry. They are critical because they represent a commitment to adopting sustainable and ethically responsible practices, thus directly impacting project planning, execution, and long-term considerations.

• Environmental Responsibility: With growing concerns about climate change and environmental degradation, project creators are expected to minimize the environmental footprint. This includes optimizing resource use, reducing emissions and waste, and implementing sustainable design principles. By adhering to environmental considerations from the outset, projects not only mitigate harm to the environment but also often realize efficiencies and cost savings in the long run.
• Social Equity: The ‘Social’ aspect of ESG places emphasis on the impacts of projects on communities and individuals. It requires attention to worker rights and safety, community engagement, and social inclusivity. Projects are increasingly evaluated based on their contributions to societal well-being and development, with an eye toward equitable outcomes and community enrichment.
• Governance Standards: Governance pertains to the ethical conduct of businesses and adherence to laws and regulations. Proper governance structures ensure organizational accountability, transparency, and integrity, fostering trust among stakeholders and mitigating risks associated with legal non-compliance and ethical lapses.

ESG initiatives are reshaping industry standards and norms, dictating that projects should not only be economically viable but also socially equitable and environmentally sustainable. They will influence every phase of a project—from conceptualization and planning to execution and operation—ensuring a holistic approach to sustainability, ethical conduct, and social responsibility. By integrating ESG considerations, the AECO sector can deliver projects that are  innovative and efficient but also resonate with the values and needs of society and contribute to a sustainable future.

GPT-enabled capabilities facilitate enlightened and informed decision-making, enabling the practical realization of responsible and sustainable projects from their conceptual stages.

Holistic Insights and Data Synthesis

Delving deeper into the transformative capabilities of GPT-based development and implementation, its ability to synthesize and analyze diverse sets of data emerges as pivotal. It processes varied data from regulatory documents, performance reports, and more, providing multifaceted insights into ESG initiatives. This rich integration of diverse data forms is foundational for informed and comprehensive sustainable practices, thus ensuring meticulous and enlightened decision-making processes.

For example, GPT can be utilized to process regulatory compliances and industry standards to pinpoint optimal sustainable materials and construction practices, thus empowering architects and engineers to integrate sustainable choices right from the conceptualization stage of a project. For instance, extracting data about energy-efficient materials from various documents enables the formulation of designs that are inherently eco-friendly.

Proactive Analysis

GPT’s analytical capabilities allow the AECO sector to embrace a proactive stance on sustainability. By interpreting the latest sustainability narratives and events, GPT equips organizations to adapt and respond swiftly to the evolving sustainability landscape, enhancing their resilience and adaptability.

To illustrate, if there is an emerging discussion or a newly released study on sustainable urban development, GPT can be directed to collect, analyze, and interpret it in real time. This allows urban planners and developers to incorporate new insights and innovations into their projects immediately, boosting the adaptability and resilience of urban landscapes to environmental changes.

Predictive Insights for Future Sustainability

GPT extends its reach into offering predictive insights, enabling a forward-looking approach to sustainability. It empowers the AECO sector to anticipate and strategically align their sustainability practices with emerging trends and challenges, optimizing resources and ensuring readiness and strategic foresight in evolving sustainability discourses.

For example,  a GPT-based solution to analyze patterns and trends in environmental data to foresee potential challenges in water management for construction projects would enable project managers to implement water conservation strategies proactively, thereby mitigating the impact on local water resources.

Inclusive Stakeholder Engagement and Sentiment Analysis

GPT’s role is also crucial in understanding and addressing the diverse sentiments and expectations of stakeholders. By analyzing a plethora of textual inputs, GPT facilitates more inclusive, equitable, and responsive sustainability initiatives, ensuring the alignment of projects with the perceptions and needs of communities, employees, and other stakeholders.

Taking a cue from the catering industry, GPT can be configured to analyze community feedback on proposed construction projects, offering insights into local concerns and expectations. This input can guide project developers in adjusting plans to address community needs and preferences, fostering a more inclusive, transparent, and community-oriented approach to project development.

Ethical Considerations and Responsible Innovation

In leveraging GPT’s capabilities, the imperative need for responsible use and ethical considerations is paramount. Balancing transparency, data privacy, and mitigating algorithmic bias is integral to ensuring morally sound and responsible innovations in the AECO sector.

When using GPT to analyze data for sustainable project development, it is essential to ensure ethical sourcing and handling of data, particularly when it involves community input or sensitive environmental data, to maintain trust and ethical integrity in the utilization of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for sustainable development.

Overcoming Challenges

While GPT stands as a colossal beacon of sustainability enlightenment, it is vital to recognize its limitations and inherent challenges. The precision and relevance of its responses largely depend on the available knowledge from its last update, meaning real-time, evolving data and post-2021 developments in sustainability standards and technologies would require supplementary data sources.

To ensure the continued relevance and accuracy of GPT in empowering sustainability, there is a need for continuous learning and adaptation, integrating it with other AI systems, and refining its knowledge base with the most recent advancements in sustainability and ESG standards.

A Sustainable Future Awaits

By acting as a powerful catalyst in the integration of ESG initiatives, GPT is paving the way for a sustainable future in the AECO industry. It empowers stakeholders to seamlessly align their projects with sustainability goals, fostering a culture of responsibility and environmental stewardship. The interweaving of GPT’s capabilities with sustainability efforts is not just a leap towards greener projects but a stride towards a sustainable, balanced, and harmonious world.

 Similar to how the combination of GPT and embeddings revolutionized document management in the AECO sector, the integration of GPT in ESG initiatives is setting the stage for a greener, more responsible AECO industry. The incorporation of this innovative technology is streamlining processes, enhancing understanding, and ultimately, driving the realization of a sustainable vision for the AECO industry.

Author Bios

Dr. Jeff Chen, Ph.D., LEED AP is Director of Digital Transformation, Symetri. Dr. Chen leads digital technology integration services for all aspects of client businesses to drive efficiency, reduce environmental impacts, and increase sustainability.

George Broadbent is Vice President of Asset Management, Symetri. Prior to his current role, George was Director of Asset Management. He has more than 25 years of diversified professional experience in Asset Management, Electronic Content Management, System Architecture and Vital Records Planning and Management.

Carrying passengers between Los Angeles/Anaheim and San Francisco in under three hours, California High-Speed Rail is set to become the largest and most sustainable infrastructure project in the nation. Overseen by the California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority), the system will transform mobility in California for the benefit of communities and the environment, and is the centerpiece for achieving the state’s climate and sustainability goals. The high-speed rail system will provide alternatives to one of the busiest short-haul flight paths in the United States, saving an estimated 62,000 annual airplane trips and taking 400,000 cars off the road every year. When completed, the rail system will link together California’s population centers and serve as a lever for positive economic growth for communities along the route.  

The high-speed rail system will cover a distance of 500 miles between Los Angeles/Anaheim and San Francisco, operating on 100 percent renewable energy from solar power and battery storage systems. The Authority turned to global sustainable development consultancy Arup to support their sustainability program and achieve the ambitious sustainability goals. As a part of their work with the Authority, Arup is responsible for several key tasks including renewable energy modeling and procurement, climate change adaptation and resilience, setting sustainable design criteria, managing greenhouse gas and air quality emissions, carbon offsetting, and sustainability reporting.  

Arup is leading a project team of 12 consultants, which include Arellano, BASE, Bio Studio, Build Momentum, Convey, ERP, GlobalASR, ICF, OMCI, Polytechnique, Strategen, and Terraverde. Most of the team consists of small businesses or Minority, Women, and Disadvantaged Enterprises. With the goal of powering California High-Speed Rail with 100 percent renewable energy as central to the Authority’s vision, Arup’s team will maintain a detailed model of energy used by the high-speed rail system while also integrating future cost scenarios, leading energy stakeholder and procurement outreach, and providing strategic plans and policy updates to the Authority. For additional resilience of the high-speed rail system, Arup’s team is updating the Authority’s 2021 Climate Adaptation Plan. According to Raphael Sperry, the sustainability project manager and an Associate Principal at Arup, this process includes “reviewing relevant climate impacts to best position the system to endure future shocks and stressors such as extreme heat and flooding.”

To accomplish the Authority’s ambitious goals for California High-Speed Rail, Arup will turn to their extensive experience in incorporating both proven and innovative solutions that advance sustainability. Sperry says that Arup’s approach foregrounds digital solutions such as automating data entry throughout the sustainability program – from project management to reporting to construction management. To do so, Arup’s team will rely on cloud-based environments as well as using the Environmental Mitigation Management Application (EMMA) – the Authority’s customized central database for tracking contractor compliance with requirements – to align with the program’s sustainability standards such as GRI, LEED, and Envision. This “digitally-led” approach is supported by Arup’s expertise with submittal review and data validation as well as contractor oversight, training, and review. 

Kate White, Arup’s project director and an Associate Principal, believes this project shifts the conversation about sustainable transportation towards a vision of mobility and equity with zero emissions, and that the project will have a significant impact on the economic growth and connectivity between different regions in California–such as linking the coastal cities with the historically underserved Central Valley. White adds that the project will be “transformative for California, allowing people across diverse areas to be closer together and access educational, economic, and cultural opportunities.”  From an emissions perspective, the speed and convenience of California High-Speed Rail will reduce both road vehicle miles and short-haul flights taken within California. In addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions through transportation mode-shifting, the project has already offset its construction-phase emissions with in-state tree planting projects and has avoided hundreds of thousands of tons more emissions through land conservation strategies that also protect California’s biodiversity and combat urban sprawl.

Dedication to sustainability is reflected in the project achieving Envision Platinum certification, which is the highest standard in the framework for sustainable, resilient, and equitable infrastructure developed by the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI). California High-Speed Rail is the highest scoring Envision transportation project in the world, and is the largest Envision project ever attempted. While the project has already earned Envision Platinum certification for its first phase, Arup is working to ensure that the subsequent design and engineering contracts deliver on the Envision strategies for future phases. As Arup’s sustainability team reviews designs and construction submittals, information is compiled and shared with ISI for periodic reviews. On the construction side, the EMMA database is central to reporting on Envision requirements, helping track tens of thousands of data points related to over a hundred Envision points. 

Both White and Sperry believe the Authority is on a trailblazing mission to continue delivering the nation’s largest, greenest infrastructure project. They believe that this megaproject serves as a foundation for California’s carbon neutral transportation system, and that Arup’s involvement on the project will help the Authority to advance leading-edge sustainability commitments and practices in construction and operations. Sustainability is at the core of the California High-Speed Rail project, and the Authority is demonstrating its commitment to those principals from construction to operation. 

“This news reflects our dedication to information transparency, equipping professionals with the knowledge to make environmentally responsible choices,” observed Bendheim Vice President of Corporate Development Rodrigo Menino.

“Through our Building a Clear Future program, we are striving to advance sustainability in every aspect of our operations,” Menino added. “Supporting our partners in design with this vital information is a logical next step.”

Bendheim is the exclusive North American representative for Glasfabrik Lamberts U-profiled (channel) glass. The lightweight, self-supporting glass channels enable designers to create walls of glass uninterrupted by metal framing.

“The strong working relationship between Bendheim and Lamberts dates back to the early days of our company,” noted Bendheim President Donald Jayson. “Channel glass is both beautiful and practical, and it is a great source of pride to partner with Lamberts, a manufacturer who shares our values on sustainability.”

EPDs quantify a product’s environmental impacts throughout its life cycle, including its carbon footprint. HPDs disclose the material composition of the product, including any known implications for human health. Both types of documentation provide credits towards LEED certification. HPDs also support compliance with WELL, Cradle-to-Cradle and other green building standards.

A copy of the EPD for Bendheim channel glass is available here, and a copy of the HPD is available here.

For more information about sustainability at Bendheim, please contact Rodrigo Menino at rmenino@bendheim.com;  Uarda Hoti, Sustainability Program Coordinator, at uhoti@bendheim.com; or visit https://bendheim.com/sustainability/.

“Wright was right. Nature never fails to inspire us. People have a natural instinct to want to connect with nature. In a modern world where students spend much of their time indoors in manufactured environments, incorporating elements of nature within the spaces they frequent can have a positive impact on their overall physical and mental well-being,” said Paul Wuennenberg, KWK Architects Principal and higher education design expert. 

Biophilic elements can be incorporated in higher education designs in a number of ways; many of which involve the use of greenery, fire, natural light and textures to appease the occupants’ senses and promote such mental and physical benefits as decreased anxiety, lower blood pressure, fewer illness symptoms, increased social interaction, improved coping skills and enhanced attention span, among others.

Incorporating vegetation in a design can be one of the easiest ways to bring the natural environment indoors. Some of the more popular forms of “plantscaping” include living plant walls and the use of hanging baskets and decorative planters filled with greenery. Plants have been proven to improve overall physical health and impart a sense of relaxation.  

An alternative to using live plants, preserved moss walls are a less costly option to integrate biophilic elements that require little to no maintenance compared to living walls. These moss walls can integrate signage and patterns and are usually created from sheet moss, pole moss or reindeer moss. Reindeer moss can even have atypical color options like blues and purples that tie into the aesthetic of the environment. Living plant and moss walls are more visible and accessible than ever becoming staples in higher education design.

While fire does have limited uses indoors, incorporating fireplaces in dining and lounging areas where students often gather can add an appeasing element of warmth, color and movement to the space and make students feel cozy and secure. When the historic Pioneer residence hall at the University of Minnesota was renovated in 2019, KWK Architects’ designs featured multiple fireplaces, including a cylindrical, glass-surround fireplace with seating in the dining hall.

Indirectly, students may also experience the benefits of nature within their environments through the use of nature images and colors such as earth tones, blues and greens; materials such as cork, wood and bamboo; and shapes that evoke the feeling of being outdoors. At the University of Colorado-Boulder, KWK designed the Williams Village East residence hall with wayfinding graphics that feature photography of local Boulder nature destinations which are also mapped out on a full-scale wall map in the hall’s first-floor game room.

“The incorporation of biophilic elements as simple as images or artwork of natural elements can contribute to a healthier environment for occupants and is a precondition for WELL Certification of a space. The patterns of nature incorporated into a space through textures like stone cladding, wood veneer or even a subtle space plan layout with a biophilic nod can incorporate the living world,” said Lawrence Group Associate Principal/Interior Designer Lisa Morrison.

Incorporating natural light in a design can also have a huge impact on a student’s overall mood and well-being. Large windows with sweeping views of outdoor foliage and the use of skylights, glass and atriums create natural shadows and light movement throughout the day to stimulate students’ senses while allowing them to observe changing weather patterns directly.

In spaces where artificial lighting is necessary, incorporating circadian lighting that supports a person’s circadian rhythm and psychological health is a good option. Circadian lighting supports biophilic design as it mimics light cycles that occur in nature and helps to reset students’ internal clocks.

Incorporating biophilic elements in higher education design can lead to happier, healthier students, and ultimately better outcomes for their time spent on campus.

For decades, the industry has focused on lowering operational carbon in buildings by decreasing energy usage. However, experts now recognize the importance of reducing the embodied carbon in construction projects caused by extracting, fabricating, transporting, installing, maintaining, and disposing of building materials and raw material components. To address this, industry programs such as the American Institute of Architects’ 2030 Commitment and the Structural Engineering Institute’s SE 2050 Commitment aim for net-zero emissions before the effects of climate change become irreversible. As a signatory member of SE 2050, SGH is eager to support these programs and encourage the ongoing conversation.

“Global temperatures are increasing, and our profession is in a powerful position to help. At SGH, our people feel we have the obligation to reduce the environmental impact of our building projects,” said Niklas Vigener, SGH Chief Technical Officer. “We know that our work contributes to carbon emissions, and we recognize that we have the expertise to do something about it. I’m looking forward to seeing these conversations and learning what more we can do to bring about sustainable change in the industry.”

The “Cutting Carbon” series features four sessions:

• 3 October: Embodied Carbon 101 (Part 1), presented by Julia Hogroian and Andrea Bono.
• 10 October: Facades, Glazing, and Roofing (Part 2), presented by Anna Burhoe, John Jackson, and Travis St. Louis.
• 17 October: Structural Steel and Concrete (Part 3), presented by Eric Fleet, Julia Hogroian, and Matthew Sander.
• 24 October: Fireproofing and Wood Structures (Part 4), presented by Kevin Black, Michael Richard, and Mark Webster.

All sessions will be held on Tuesday afternoons at 12:00 p.m., EDT. Participants will earn 1.0 AIA CES Learning Unit (LU/HSW) for attending the live webinar. Registration is free and space is limited.

It is no secret that the AEC industry is responsible for a significant portion of greenhouse gas emissions on a yearly basis.  Building operations are responsible for 27 percent of the world’s CO2 emissions per year, with an additional 13 percent coming from embodied carbon within construction materials.  Representing the emissions generated throughout the full life cycle of a material–including its sourcing, fabrication, installation, maintenance, and end-of-life phases–embodied carbon is a key factor to consider when trying to reduce the industry’s carbon footprint.  To help reduce this outsized embodied carbon footprint, AEC firms can utilize material selection and data.

When breaking down embodied carbon within new buildings, their structure can account for about 50 percent of their overall embodied carbon footprint.  As the two most commonly used structural materials in the building industry, concrete and steel are the two primary embodied carbon contributors.  According to Matthew Post, PE, Associate and Structural Engineer at STV, concrete is a significant contributor due to the carbon-intensive production process of its key component: cement.  Post further adds that, despite making up only a small portion of concrete mixtures by volume, the manufacturing process of cement can account for up to 90 percent of the embodied carbon footprint of concrete.  Steel, on the other hand, carries a large portion of buildings’ embodied carbon footprint due to the processes involved in extracting raw materials and converting them into usable steel.  

However, Post points out that, despite the high embodied carbon footprint associated with producing these two main materials with which we construct most of our buildings, there are opportunities to improve the environmental impact of these processes.  For example, when creating concrete mixtures, fly ash or slag–which are natural byproducts of other manufacturing processes and have a lower embodied carbon footprint–can be specified to replace a portion of the cement volume to create a more environmentally friendly mix.  Likewise, similar opportunities exist within the production of steel members, which are fabricated using either a Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOF) or an Electric Arc Furnace (EAF).  Of these two processes, the EAF is more environmentally friendly and “significantly reduces the embodied carbon footprint of steel compared to the BOF process,” said Post.

According to Lauren Alger, PE, ENV SP, the first step for firms towards reducing their structural embodied carbon footprint involves specifying more sustainable ways to fabricate materials.  Alger, the Director of Sustainable Design at STV,  further adds, “SE 2050 provides extensive specification guidance for both materials and whole-building processes.”  This includes strategies such as a general requirement to submit Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) to evaluate and compare material footprints, or more specific directives and restrictions related to factors like recycled content or cement usage.

More than “new building” approaches to reducing embodied carbon, Alger and Post believe that firms can make a conscious effort to reuse existing buildings or building components when projects allow it.  Perhaps the most environmentally friendly option available, reuse projects avert the embodied carbon associated with new building materials as well as the demolition, removal, and post-processing of existing materials.  STV is a leading firm in supporting reuse projects, having worked to support renovations and historic preservations of transportation, education, healthcare, justice, corporate, industrial, and other facilities.  

STV is also leading the way through their involvement in programs like the Structural Engineering Institute’s SE 2050 Challenge, which requires organizations to enact an embodied carbon action plan within the first six months of signing the commitment and to submit their structural embodied carbon data to the SE 2050 project database.  STV has been very active in the SE 2050 challenge thus far, and, according to Alger, participates by regularly attending member meetings and presenting on the program’s goals and findings to promote education and awareness.  

STV’s dedication to reducing embodied carbon is further exemplified through their performance of structural analyses and research “in an attempt to find key trends related to embodied carbon.”  In this pursuit, STV recently designated four pilot projects, each designed with several variations of primary materials and structural systems.  Post says they are hoping this research teaches them more about their projects’ largest contributors to embodied carbon.  

STV has also been developing their own SE 2050 Carbon Dashboard and database, which will help track carbon emissions and visualize project data, and in turn highlight effective structural analyses across various metrics.  According to Alger, “this tool compiles the findings from our research and pilot projects, so that we can eventually publish best practices and promote efficient data tracking methods.”

As the AEC industry looks to reduce its embodied carbon footprint in the future–particularly when it comes to buildings’ structural elements–one of the biggest challenges standing in the way is a lack of proper education or awareness, according to both Post and Alger.  The need to reduce embodied carbon is evident and there are several simple tactics that can significantly help, but Alger and Post believe that a lot of this knowledge simply hasn’t been spread around the industry yet.  By spreading awareness and promoting widespread adoption of new developments and innovations in materials and technologies that can help limit embodied carbon, the cost and caution around these new materials and processes can be reduced.  Leading this effort from the front, STV is continuously advocating for and implementing creative embodied carbon solutions, helping clients and structures overcome some of embodied carbon’s leading challenges.

“Acela has an exceptionally strong history of performance in the healthcare industry with successful projects throughout the US,” said president Daniel Witczak, PE, PMP. “We are now taking this specialized experience and culture of client collaboration to the next level with the addition of Mr. Jaeger to our growing team.” He noted that his firm was founded in 2014 and has grown to a multi-disciplined firm of 45 professionals as it approaches its 10^th anniversary in 2024.

Mr. Jaeger brings more than 35 years of experience in healthcare facility design and project management to his new post. His career has focused on healthcare design, planning and management with mid-sized to major architectural firms based in metropolitan New York and New Jersey. His work has contributed to award-winning projects for New York University Healthcare System, Mount Sinai Health System and other integrated health networks.

Credentialed by the US Green Building Council as a LEED Accredited Professional, he brings advanced knowledge in green building technologies and techniques to his new position at Acela.

“Sustainability is a huge driver in all aspects of today’s healthcare facility design and I am gratified to have steered numerous green project successes throughout my professional career,” Jaeger said. “As the client-facing leader for Acela’s healthcare projects, I am confident that our knowledge and experience with sustainable design in the healthcare sector will provide a strong distinction for our Acela’s value proposition, client relationships and results.”

Mr. Jaeger previously served as Senior Healthcare Project Manager with major architectural firms based in New York City. He holds a degree in architecture from the New Jersey Institute of Technology and is a member of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, among other professional credentials.

About Acela Architects + Engineers, P.C.
Founded in 2014, Acela is an integrated team of architectural, civil engineering, structural engineering and mechanical/electrical/plumbing engineering professionals providing a full spectrum of design, consulting and project management services for private, corporate, government and institutional clients throughout the US. Acela is headquartered in Allentown, PA with regional offices in NJ, NY and OH. For more facts: www.acela-ae.com.

Pure Cycle is a vertically integrated water and wastewater resource development company. As a vertically integrated company, they also own and manage a full ecosystem of facilities needed to withdraw, store, treat, deliver and collect water and wastewater. Their goal is to provide sustainable, high-quality water to their customers and make prudent use of reclaimed water for outdoor irrigation and industrial demands.

Sky Ranch Water Reclamation Facility is their latest $10 million, state-of-the-art water reclamation facility completed in 2020, serving Sky Ranch, a master-planned community providing residential, commercial, retail, and light industrial lots along Denver’s booming I-70 corridor. The facility uses the latest green technology which includes dispensing highly treated reclaimed water for irrigation and other uses, active odor control technology; and green roofing will cover 90% of the main plant. Green energy is a constant theme, including within the maintenance department.

The battery powered M1 Model Microcrane® is being used for maintaining Aerzen blowers, pulling pumps out of basins and preforming various lifting jobs throughout the plant. The compact, flexible mini crane requires no fuel, emits zero fumes and has low sound levels.

“The tightness of the working areas make it difficult to get people in place safely for manual lifts. The Microcrane® allows us to accomplish maintenance tasks with ease and with only one person!” said Mike Dean of Pure Cycle Water.

Since 2008, Microcranes, Inc. has been focused on offering American Made quality mini cranes at an affordable price. The M1 Model can be transported on truck beds, trailers, through 36-inch doorways, inside elevators, up stairwells combined with stair climbing solutions, and can be hoisted by larger cranes up onto rooftops using hoist rings. The ISO 9001 certified M1 Global is rated at 2,000 lbs. (905kg) (no operator license required) and has a hook height of 20’-3” (6.1m). It is only 30 in. (762mm) wide and weighs 1,800 lbs. (816kg). To learn more about the Microcrane® visit: https://www.microcranes.com

With a renewed vision and mission, Tunley Environmental aims to revolutionise the industry by offering comprehensive services and expertise in carbon reduction assessments and carbon training courses. These offerings are specifically designed to enable businesses to make a genuine and lasting sustainable impact, reducing and offsetting their carbon footprint.

Tunley Environmental’s team of dedicated scientists brings extensive knowledge and experience in the field of environmental sustainability. By leveraging cutting-edge technology and innovative methodologies, they provide high-quality carbon reduction assessments that identify potential areas for improvement within businesses. These assessments serve as a roadmap for organisations seeking to implement effective sustainability strategies.

In addition to carbon reduction assessments, Tunley Environmental offers specialised carbon training courses. These courses are designed to empower businesses and individuals with the knowledge and skills required to navigate the complexities of carbon footprint management successfully. By equipping professionals with the necessary tools, Tunley Environmental aims to create a global network of sustainability champions who can drive positive change within their organisations.

“We are thrilled to embark on this new chapter as Tunley Environmental,” said Dr William Beer, CEO at Tunley Environmental.” Our rebranding reflects our unwavering commitment to empower sustainable solutions and contribute to a greener future. Through our carbon reduction assessments and training courses, we aim to provide businesses with the necessary expertise to make tangible and meaningful changes towards sustainability.”

Tunley Environmental invites businesses, media outlets, and sustainability enthusiasts to join them in their mission to accelerate sustainability globally. By collaborating and sharing knowledge, Tunley Environmental believes that the collective effort will lead to a more sustainable world for generations to come.

About Tunley Environmental
Tunley Environmental is a leading provider of high-quality carbon reduction assessments and carbon training courses. With a team of dedicated scientists and a passion for sustainability, Tunley Environmental empowers businesses to reduce and offset their carbon footprint, creating a real and lasting sustainable difference. The company’s vision is to accelerate sustainability globally, and their mission is to provide the expertise and resources necessary to make it happen. For more information, please visit www.tunley-environmental.com.

The holistic plan, which is expected to be finalized in late 2024, will outline recommendations for facilities, fixed-route services by fleet type, a replacement schedule and overall cost projections and proposed timelines.

“RTD remains focused on transitioning to a sustainable energy future,” said Debra A. Johnson, RTD general manager and chief executive officer. “The first step in that transition is to understand and consider all aspects of RTD’s system, including its facilities, infrastructure and transit service delivery model. This plan will guide RTD’s future decisions as the agency transitions to low/no emissions.”

WSP was selected from five qualified firms that submitted proposals to RTD.

WSP’s subject-matter expertise in this area will ensure RTD’s transition plan is not only comprehensive, but also specific to the agency’s needs and operating environment, and it aligns with the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

“The Colorado Front Range is one of the toughest environments in which to develop and implement zero emissions strategies, with huge temperature swings along with ice and snow,” said Matt Sibul, senior vice president and Southwest district Transportation lead. “We are thrilled that RTD has chosen WSP as its trusted partner in this journey.”

WSP is partnering with the regional firm Felsburg, Holt and Ullevig (FHU) to develop the plan.  FHU and WSP teamed up to successfully deliver on the precursor to this project called “Reimagine RTD.”

WSP has begun to develop the transition plan. In conducting its work, WSP has committed to a 25 percent disadvantaged business enterprise participation goal, which further aligns with the agency’s commitment to the Strategic Priority of Community Value. The anticipated timeline for completing the full plan is the fourth quarter of 2024.

“This is a monumental and necessary step forward for RTD and the entire Denver metro region,” Johnson said. “RTD is not only planning for tomorrow, but for the tomorrows to come.” 

RTD’s first steps toward a low/no-emission bus fleet transition were taken in 2000 with the deployment of hybrid-electric buses using compressed natural gas along the 16th Street Mall. In 2008, a subfleet of hybrid diesel-electric fixed-route buses was introduced to the system.

Eventually, all previously used MallRide buses were replaced in 2017 by a fleet of 36 zero-emission battery electric buses. The agency has garnered operational knowledge through the deployment and maintenance of its low- and no-emission vehicles. This knowledge gained over the past two decades will support the development and eventual implementation of a comprehensive transition plan.

The Regional Transportation District develops, operates and maintains a public transportation system that meets the transit needs of close to three million people within an eight-county service area in the Denver Metro region.

About WSP in the U.S.
WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world’s leading engineering, environment and professional services firms. Recognized on Fast Company’s Brands that Matter List for 2022 as a top Community-Minded Business, WSP in the U.S. brings together engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals who are dedicated to collaborate in the best interests of serving local communities. WSP designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With approximately 16,000 employees in 300 offices across the U.S., WSP partners with its clients to help communities prosper. wsp.com

“As our industry’s marquee training and networking event, we are excited to bring together industry personnel from across the country,” says Steve Hoesing, ACPA Chairman of the Board from ACPA member company, County Materials. “Not only does the school continue to see growth in size, but it also continues to grow in quality and scope. This is setting up to be our most complete and robust Pipe School yet.”

Pipe School 2024 will offer attendees more than 70 courses over four days on topics such as resilience, sustainability, installation, inspection, repair, design, production, quality, and engineering. Additionally, there will be panel discussions, presentations on pressing transportation issues, and DOT leaders sharing case studies from across the country. A tour of Rinker Materials Grand Prairie plant is also available on Wednesday morning. During the school, attendees can network with the speakers, industry leaders, and other stakeholders to ensure they have vital information for their decision-making process. More than 15 Professional Development Hours (PDHs) are available to each attendee.

“Building off the growth and momentum of last year’s tremendous Pipe School, the 2024 event will be even more dynamic with new presentations, activities, and a special keynote speaker to be announced,” says Aimee Connerton, ACPA Education Committee Chair. “Every year we improve our offerings to ensure our attending members gain a deeper understanding of the product and the industry, but also to respond to broader audience needs. We welcome all industry personnel, including contractors, engineers, consultants, DOTs, and other transportation agencies, as we are confident they will gain knowledge and insights they cannot find anywhere else.”

This year, the ACPA will also host its first RCPix Photo Contest. The contest is open to anyone in the industry and allows participants to submit photos of concrete pipe or precast box culverts. Submitted photos are to include concrete pipe or box culverts at any point in the product life cycle and winners will be selected from a variety of different categories. Photos must be submitted by December 15th, 2023, and winners will be announced at the 2024 Pipe School. Visit pipeschool.org/photo to learn more.

Streaming Opportunities

The first day of the 2024 event will be available for streaming, an option previously only available to transportation agency professionals. Starting with the Opening Ceremonies, online participants will be able to hear the keynote speaker, along with a presentation from LinkedIn influencer, Don McNutt (known for his #McMinute), and an industry panel. Streaming on subsequent days will be made available in the Transportation Forum and only to transportation agency professionals (i.e. DOTs, municipalities, public works, etc.). The streaming option is free of charge.

The Transportation Forum will cover topics such as bridge replacements, deep fill boxes, fish passages, design and installation, and various industry panels all with transportation official presenters from around the country. The streaming option allows transportation professionals to engage virtually and have the exclusive option of attending Pipe School sessions online.

In conjunction with the Pipe School, the ACPA will host the 2024 Pipe Show, a three-day trade show that connects producers with vendors and partners. The show is open to all Pipe School attendees and takes place concurrently with Pipe School 2024 within the Embassy Suites from January 29th – January 31st. This year’s Pipe Show will conclude with a casino night for attendees.

For more information on Pipe School 2024, including how to register, visit pipeschool.org.

About the American Concrete Pipe Association
The American Concrete Pipe Association (ACPA) is the spokesperson for the concrete pipe industry in all matters affecting the industry’s welfare. ACPA members contribute to the improvement of our environment by producing quality concrete pipe, engineered to provide a lasting and economical solution to drainage and pollution problems. For more information, visit https://www.concretepipe.org/.

Seagrass meadows play a crucial role in maintaining healthy marine environments, fostering biodiversity, and mitigating climate change by capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Globally, seagrass has the capability to capture carbon faster than tropical rainforests, accounting for 10 to 18% of total ocean carbon storage, despite covering less than 0.1% of the seafloor [source: Duarte et al., 2005b; Kennedy et al., 2010]. However, due to various human activities and natural disturbances, seagrass habitats have been rapidly declining worldwide. In the UK alone seagrass depletion since 1936 EXCEEDS 30% of the areas of previous colonisation.

Recognizing the urgency to restore these critical ecosystems, Land & Water partnered with Project Seagrass and Swansea University to develop a cutting-edge solution. The Automated Seagrass Planter developed by this dynamic collaboration represents a significant breakthrough in seagrass restoration efforts, aligning the use of biodegradable seedpods/hessian sacks developed by Project Seagrass with the installation innovation from Land & Water. This innovative device streamlines and automates the process of seagrass planting, making large-scale restoration projects more efficient and achievable than ever before.

Key features and benefits of the Automated Seagrass Planter include:

1. Precision Planting: The ASP employs advanced technology to accurately place hessian sacks filled with sand and seeds in pre-assessed locations, ensuring optimal growth conditions and maximizing survival rates.
2. It can work in subtidal and intertidal areas in water depths of up to 6metres.
3. Efficient Operation: The automated system significantly reduces the time and effort required for manual planting, enabling the execution of large-scale projects in a cost-effective and timely manner.
4. Environmental Considerations: The ASP is designed to minimise environmental impact during the planting process. It ensures optimal spacing of seagrass plugs, reducing competition for resources and promoting healthy growth and global positioning technology to record the mosaic of juvenile habitats planted.
5. Adaptability: The ASP can be easily adjusted to accommodate various seagrass species and local conditions, providing flexibility for restoration projects in diverse coastal environments.

The successful testing of the Automated Seagrass Planter has yielded promising planting results, demonstrating its effectiveness in enhancing seagrass restoration efforts. By enabling the rapid planting of seagrass at scale, this technology has the potential to rejuvenate degraded habitats, enhance coastal resilience, promote marine biodiversity, and provide substantial new habitats for carbon sequestration.

Trial planting regimes will be subject to ongoing monitoring by Project Seagrass to validate the effectiveness of the new planting regime. “We are excited by the planting results, and we must now see how this method of planting works in Dale” says Richard Unsworth, Associate Professor Swansea University.

Earth Change and Project Seagrass are committed to collaborating with governments, environmental agencies, research institutions, and coastal communities to deploy the Automated Seagrass Planter in large-scale restoration initiatives worldwide. Through these partnerships, they aim to create a positive and lasting impact on the health and sustainability of our marine ecosystems.

About Land & Water

Land & Water Group is an environmental engineering company specializing in waterway maintenance, dredging, and ecological restoration. With a deep commitment to sustainability, Land & Water provides innovative solutions for preserving and enhancing natural habitats and promoting environmental stewardship.

About Project Seagrass

Project Seagrass is a leading marine conservation organization dedicated to the conservation and restoration of seagrass ecosystems. Through community, research and action, Project Seagrass strives to raise awareness about the importance of seagrass and work towards its protection for future generations.

In her new role, Marks will lead the expanded company’s global strategy in supporting both customers and internal teams to articulate their collective business vision and goals including digital transformation, sustainability, industrialized construction, and new and efficient ways of working. As technology fueled by machine learning and artificial intelligence continues to rapidly change, she will help guide Symetri’s proprietary solutions focused on the convergence of design, make, and operations that will accelerate customers’ ability to improve processes and reach desired outcomes.

“We are thrilled to welcome Amy to our organization to help align and energize our global businesses as we continue bring together and leverage the capabilities of Symetri and Microdesk after our recent merger and rebrand,” said Michael DeLacey, CEO at Symetri US. “Amy’s infectious enthusiasm and dedication to championing change and innovative methods are just the energy and expertise we need to move our global strategy forward. Her global relationships, passion to innovate, and deep product knowledge make her a perfect complement to our ongoing expansion and focus on helping our clients work smarter to improve their performance and achieve sustainability goals.”

With more than 20 years as a leader and change agent in the AEC industry, Marks, also known as the “Queen of Prefab,” is a well-known expert, speaker, and pioneer among her colleagues. She was most recently Vice President, Enterprise Transformation Practice at Autodesk, where she oversaw strategy on business outcomes, platform solutions, and consulting for customers incorporating transformational methodologies. Prior to Autodesk, she was CEO of XSite Modular, working as a preeminent prefabrication consultant for large building owners and contractors across industries including high-tech, healthcare, hospitality, residential and commercial buildings, in the US and internationally.

Marks is a highly regarded, sought-after industry speaker and influencer, participating in hundreds of industry events, as well as maintaining a large social media footprint with thousands of followers and over 9million views of her YouTube channel. She is a graduate of the University of Florida and an alumna of Harvard Business School.

“In my career and in life, I have always been driven by a focus on change and continuous improvement and helping create better business outcomes and a better world,” said Marks. “At Symetri, I look forward to channeling my passion for change to inspire customers toward a vision of what’s possible today and in the future – and for motivating internal teams to keep pushing the envelope for transformative results.”

Microdesk merged with Symetri in 2022 and rebranded as Symetri in June 2023. It is a leading provider of Building Information Modeling (BIM), Virtual Design & Construction (VDC) and Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) services, delivering innovative technologies and processes, sustainable design, and building methodologies to the AECO and manufacturing industries to promote efficiency, sustainability, and urbanization.

About Symetri

Symetri creates and provides technology solutions and services for design, engineering, construction, and manufacturing businesses. We empower people to work smarter for a better future by ensuring they have access to the expertise and technology they need to improve their performance and sustainability. Symetri was founded in Sweden in 1989 and, with the recent acquisition of Microdesk and Team D3 in the US, has grown to a team of over 1,000 people with offices throughout Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, the UK, Ireland, and the United States. Symetri is an Autodesk Platinum Partner, Autodesk Authorized Training Center (ATC), and Autodesk Global Service Provider. Symetri is part of Addnode Group AB, whose B shares are listed on the Nasdaq Stockholm. Addnode Group offers business-critical IT solutions to selected markets in both the private and public sectors.

For more information, visit symetri.us.com

In recent years, substantial progress has been made in the field of supply chain sustainability, with sustainable procurement garnering global awareness. However, although numerous organisations are taking action to become more sustainable themselves, they often fall short in extending this to their supply chains.  

In response to this, Action Sustainability has published a ‘Sustainable Procurement Progress Report 2023’, drawing from their evaluations of various organisations against the ISO 20400 Sustainable Procurement Standard. 

Findings in this report indicate that, while organisations that invest in sustainable procurement have some level of sustainability embedded in their procurement activities, more progress needs to be made for this to be perceived as business-as-usual and to fully realise all benefits. The report provides valuable insights to organisations aiming to start embedding sustainability into procurement practices, as well as those seeking to further develop their existing approaches. 

Key highlights from the report: 

• In-depth analysis of the current sustainable procurement landscape across industries, with a specific focus on construction, train operating companies and utilities. 
• Real-world case studies from various organisations sharing their sustainable procurement journeys, including the challenges they have faced and the opportunities they have seized. 
• Best practices and actionable recommendations to help organisations realistically achieve sustainable procurement goals. 

Central to the report’s vision is the need to embed sustainable procurement across each spending area and continually seek improvement. It advocates for a collaborative approach, emphasising communication, knowledge-sharing and partnership throughout the value chain as key to shaping a more sustainable future. 

Shaun McCarthy OBE, Director of Action Sustainability, said: “This report provides useful case studies and advice from some of the numerous people we have worked with over the years. We have not taken a scattergun approach to this work, reporting on sectors based on flimsy research, we have focused on those sectors where we have comprehensive, hands-on experience and insight. It is not a complete overview of sustainable procurement; it is our attempt to share what we really know.” 

Dale Turner, Head of Procurement & Supply Chain at Skanska, added: “Over the last 10 years, there has been greater alignment between our customers and extended supply chain. The hierarchy of the relationships are aimed at encouraging collaboration and achieving more value together.  A sustainable procurement approach also drives a more diverse supply chain which helps to manage risk and understand where innovation can be applied down the tiers of the supply chain to make our projects more efficient and productive.” 

To access the complete report and gain an in-depth understanding of the sustainable procurement landscape, visit Action Sustainability’s website here. 

Perhaps the words Silvia Dalla Valle, Stone Italiana’s Marketing Director, chose for her introduction to the third edition of the Sustainability Report are the best summary of how last year went for Stone Italiana on an economic, social and environmental level. It was a complex year to face, one marked by the continuing geopolitical crisis and an ever more demanding market. Nonetheless, the Italian Company posted a 7% increase in net profits compared with 2021 and a 21% reduction in direct CO₂ emissions.

These are encouraging figures that echo the significant results it has attained in terms of its commitment to the environment, reducing the consumption of paper for waybills by 62% (compared with 2020), consolidating the figure of 11% recycled base materials out of the total purchased and increasing the percentage of recovered waste to 83%.

“While it is true that responsibility has been part of the Company DNA since it was founded in 1979,” continues Dalla Valle, “it can’t be denied that Stone Italiana is now committed to a more conscious way of doing business, by planning precise objectives on a large scale, objectives which go far beyond the simple manufacture of eco-friendly products. In the last two years, we have undertaken initiatives to improve our sustainability process, from the environment – with a growing focus on responsible consumption, recycling and limiting emissions – to social welfare and economic sustainability, which allows us to face our challenges and create value.”

The international launch of Cosmolite®, Stone Italiana’s unique, high-performance New Materia made 100% from recycled minerals, forms part of this drive. The formulas employed for the different collections contain varying amounts and grain sizes of mineral oxides, but are linked by a common thread: their low crystalline-silica content. The minerals are sourced locally in Italy, leading to the additional advantage of reducing energy consumption and transport costs. The resin used to bind the grains together is made using plant-based ingredients.

The fruit of years of research and experimentation, Cosmolite® has become the symbol of the future for Stone Italiana. It’s a bright new opportunity for designers who, whether following their own consciences or because they know it enhances the value of a product, seek out green solutions.

“For the past three years” explains Paola Dalla Valle, Chief Sustainability Officer at Stone Italiana, “drafting the Report has meant taking stock in order to see clearly which goals we have achieved and the areas we still have to work on. For us, the Report is always an exciting starting point and something we’re glad to share with all our stakeholders. What’s more, I strongly believe that being sustainable means first and foremost ensuring that we continue to do business in the best possible way for our partners, our staff, the local area and the environment at large.”

Stone Italiana’s increased focus on environmental welfare is flanked by a daily commitment to improve the Company’s worker welfare and safety practices, which includes performing periodical internal audits in order to assess and monitor all the various factors pertaining to risks in the workplace. 

In 2022, Stone Italiana’s Staff – counting five more members than the previous year – were able to enjoy a coffee allowance, the option to have lunch in the new staff canteen, and a new relaxation area designed for recreational activities and team building.

Lastly, the Company’s investments in cyber security and digitalization are continuing. As regards cyber security, Stone Italiana has decided to adopt major measures designed to augment the levels of protection of its own and third-party data, while the digital transformation process has seen the adoption of a new MES (Manufacturing Execution System) designed to ensure product traceability, logistics management for base materials and monitoring of machine downtimes. This last measure will provide useful information about machinery performance and preventive maintenance operations.

Innovation and care for both the environment and social welfare are the main focuses of a structured, robust corporate agenda aimed at consolidating Stone Italiana’s position as a flagship for the sector. 

The Biden Administration Infrastructure Plan’s robust commitment to carbon capture, utilization, and storage technologies has set the stage for significant strides toward environmental sustainability. President Biden has set an ambitious goal for the US: to achieve a carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035 and net zero emissions economy by no later than 2050, according to a TheWhiteHouse.gov fact sheet. In April, the administration released a new National Innovation Pathway Report, highlighting the Biden-Harris Administration’s strategy for accelerating critical clean energy technologies. According to the White House, the Administration is advancing a three-pronged approach to prioritize innovation, demonstration, and deployment to scale the technologies needed to achieve its carbon pollution-free
electricity sector goals.

What is Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS)?

CCUS is the capture, transport, and geological sequestration of carbon so it is removed from the biosphere. Once the CO2 is captured it can be transported by various methods and stored within underground geological formations, such as those comprising depleted oil and gas fields, or in deep ocean water. Carbon capture, utilization, and storage are one of the key technologies under development to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change.

The CCUS process generally includes five steps:

Capture: CO2 is captured from industrial sources using various methods, such as post-combustion capture, pre-combustion capture, or oxy-fuel combustion. It is then compressed for transport and sequestration. Post-combustion capture is the most prominent method of carbon capture and storage (CCS) since it is the largest source. This method is favored because it can be retrofitted onto existing power plants and industrial processes. This method has been deployed commercially at several locations around the world.

Transportation: CO2 is captured and then transported to the storage site by pipelines, trucks, or ships.

Injection: At the storage site, the CO2 is injected into a suitable geological formation at a  supercritical state. Injecting the CO2 as a supercritical liquid reduces the volume by over 99 percent allowing more effective use of underground pore space.

Monitoring and Reporting: After the CO2 is injected, the storage site is monitored to ensure that the CO2 stays underground and not leaking back into the atmosphere. Monitoring can include seismic reflection surveying, groundwater monitoring, integrity testing, and other techniques which help detect potential leaks. This information is then reported to the regulatory agency that issued the permit.

Post-Injection Site Care: The specific post-injection tests required for a CO2 injection project will depend on regulatory requirements, the project design , and the specific characteristics of the reservoir.

Economic Incentives:

Various economic incentives and funding sources can be used to develop CCUS. These incentives are offered under different programs but are important to consider as funding sources when embarking upon a potential CCUS project. 

Carbon pricing is one of the potential policy tools that address greenhouse gas emissions and promote CCUS technologies. Other policies, such as direct government funding for CCUS research and development, tax incentives for carbon capture projects, and regulatory mandates for emissions reductions, also promote carbon sequestration efforts. In the United States, there are several tax incentives available for carbon capture projects:

Section 45Q Tax Credit: This tax credit provides a monetary incentive for CCUS projects. The credit provides up to $85 per metric ton of CO2 captured and permanently stored, and up to $60 per metric ton of CO2 captured and used for enhanced oil recovery or other purposes. The credit amount significantly increases for direct air capture (DAC) projects to $180 per metric ton of CO2 permanently stored and $130 per metric ton for used CO2

In 2022, changes in the Section 45Q Tax Credit reduced the capacity requirements for eligible projects: 18,750 metric tons per year for power plants (provided at least 75 percent of the CO2 is captured), 12,500 metric tons per year for other facilities, and 1,000 metric tons per year for DAC facilities.

Finally, the 2022 changes include a seven-year extension to qualify for the tax credit, meaning that projects have until January 2033 to begin construction. Companies who seek eligibility for the tax credit must also propose a facility which will capture at least 100,000 metric tons of CO2 per year. The tax credit is limited to twenty-five million metric tons of CO2 per year.

To qualify for the Section 45Q tax credit, a project must also meet other criteria:

Eligible facilities: The tax credit applies to specific types of facilities that capture CO2, such as power plants, industrial facilities, or direct air capture facilities.

Minimum capture thresholds: Facilities must capture a minimum amount of CO2 per year to be eligible for the credit. This threshold varies depending on the type of facility and its purpose (e.g., electric power generation, industrial manufacturing, or direct air capture).

Secure storage or utilization: Captured CO2 must either be securely stored in geological formations, used as a tertiary injectant in enhanced oil recovery, or used in certain commercial applications, such as producing chemicals, plastics, or carbon-based building materials.

Reporting and monitoring: Companies claiming the credit must also adhere to reporting and monitoring requirements set by the Environmental Protection Agency to ensure the proper storage or utilization of CO2.

Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System (MACRS) Depreciation: 

This depreciation allows businesses to quickly recover the costs of their capital investments in CCUS equipment and reduce their tax burden.

Industrial Source Carbon Capture Project Credit: 

This credit provides up to 30 percent of the cost of qualifying carbon capture equipment, up to a maximum of $3,000 per metric ton of CO2 captured and stored.

New Markets Tax Credit: 

This credit provides financing for qualifying community development projects, including CCUS projects in designated low-income areas.

The availability and terms of these tax incentives depend on the specific project and the current regulatory environment. Additionally, other forms of government support, like grants and loans, may also be available to support carbon capture projects. Several states have also implemented other types of carbon pricing policies, but require state-specific research to understand the available  programs.

By meeting these criteria and following the necessary guidelines, businesses can take advantage of the tax credits available for CO2 capture, thus offsetting the costs associated with implementing
CCUS technologies.

SCS Engineers offers technical consulting services to help businesses and governments assess the feasibility of implementing these technologies, evaluate potential sites for storage or utilization, and navigate the permitting process. The company offers holistic teams to oversee system designs, provide guidance throughout the licensing and permitting process, and remain involved as collaborators throughout the construction phase.

Choosing an appropriate partner for such initiatives ensures access to the necessary expertise, resources, and professional networks to enhance successful implementation. As various stakeholders unite around shared goals to advance carbon capture, they lay the groundwork for a more sustainable future for all.

Dave Palmerton, PG, is professional geologist and Project Director at SCS Engineers’ Environmental Services Practice. He has handled numerous strategic and technical environmental issues for Fortune 100 companies across the United States. Dave’s extensive knowledge of federal and state regulatory requirements has enabled him to successfully negotiate with agencies on his client’s behalf. His recent publications include “Funding Accelerates Efforts to Plug Abandoned Wells” in The American Oil and Gas Reporter and “The Science, Funding, and Treatment of Acid Mine Drainage” in Coal Age. SCS Engineers solve environmental management, solid waste, hazardous waste, and Superfund problems. SCS has a long history of assisting industrial, commercial, and institutional organizations, military facilities, federal-to-local governments, and tribes, in identifying and implementing appropriate environmental management practices.

Cement has historically been so far upstream in a building’s supply chain that designers, engineers, and building owners ignored the details of its production. But changes in the industry are leading designers to take a cradle-to-cradle perspective.

To say there has been an increase in the pace of product innovation is an understatement. While innovations offer welcome solutions to existing problems, they also require a change in the approach to project delivery. With so many construction materials offering new formulations and new benefits, early collaboration between suppliers and designers is an important way of bridging knowledge gaps and ensuring that products are being optimized, contributing maximum benefits to project outcome.

“In some ways, this is breaking the culture,” said J. Ignacio Cariaga, Commercial Sustainability Director, Northwest Region, Heidelberg Materials North America. “Owners and designers have always been somewhat removed from materials and suppliers. But it’s time to go beyond seeing cement and other building materials as a commodity and see them as a solution to removing embodied carbon in the built environment. It’s a more holistic approach.”

When it comes to the production of cement and concrete, many innovations center on improving sustainability. Several factors have combined to bring sustainability to the forefront of design and construction. Investors and their financial partners have become increasingly focused on a company’s performance in sustainability, which is a key factor not only in its public perception but in its overall success. Conversations around Scope 3 emissions (in which emissions not produced by a given company are nevertheless considered part of that company’s responsibility) are also informing organizations’ decisions. This has driven the goal for many organizations to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions in their built structures—that is, to balance the amount of project-associated CO2 released into the atmosphere by removing an equivalent amount.

World governments are taking the lead in pursuing net zero, with more than 140 countries having stated their intention of reaching net zero and many of them setting a deadline of 2050. Some efforts focus on government operations and some on changing regulations and codifying carbon reduction goals into local building codes. Many members of the private sector, too, are setting goals to reach net zero.

“On the west coast, big tech companies are leading the way pursuing net zero projects,” said Cariaga.

The net zero approach is inherently performance-based. With its focus on outcomes rather than prescriptive solutions, it allows owners, engineers and designers the flexibility to try new approaches and systems, many of which work in concert to achieve optimal energy performance. Such flexibility is needed, since going “the last mile” in energy optimization can require inventive solutions.

“The closer you get to achieving a truly net zero project, the more carefully you have to look at all the material inputs involved. This is where it makes sense to do comprehensive calculations, starting early in the design phase, comparing a variety of materials and looking at the full range of life-cycle considerations,” said Larry Rowland, Sustainability Market Manager, Heidelberg Materials North America. Many organizations are, in fact, casting a wider net to improve their sustainability outcomes and targeting areas of their value chain where the most improvement can be made. By most estimates traditional cement manufacturing is responsible for about 7 percent of all man-made CO2 emissions.  This means the concrete, which is so vital to practically any project, can represent a significant percentage of the embodied carbon in a finished building. Therefore, improving a project’s sustainability by addressing the CO2 contributions of cement and concrete can be a good place to begin. 

Assessing Cement- and Concrete-Related Carbon

Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), which are third-party-verified against industry benchmarks, represent one tool making carbon intensity measurements easier. EPDs for cement and concrete compare the embodied carbon impacts of different mixes and materials, allowing owners and designers to measure the environmental impact. EPDs have been instrumental in bringing material suppliers on board earlier than ever before. Nevertheless, EPDs are mostly helpful in assessing carbon generated during raw materials sourcing, product manufacturing and construction—the traditional parameters for measurement. Working with suppliers’ representatives on project-specific designs allows the team to take carbon calculations to the next level, identifying carbon inputs up through turnkey and building operations. 

“The opportunity is for the team to build on the transparency that’s being achieved by using the EPD. EPDs open the door for the supplier to be engaged early in the design of a project. By working together—and by acknowledging that all the traditional concerns such as schedule and constructability are still critical—we can provide market driven solutions to meet an owner’s sustainability goals,” said Rowland.

For example, by working together, materials suppliers and structural engineers can identify ways to reduce the total amount of concrete in a structure. The use of high-performance concrete can reduce floor thicknesses and/or lessen the volume of concrete required for columns, for example, thereby lowering the carbon intensity of individual building elements. Since the volume of concrete is closely tied to slab depth, it is a big driver of embodied carbon, achieving a one- or two-inch reduction by using a high-performance material. This can be the case even if the high-performance material is, itself, of higher carbon intensity than an ordinary mix.

Carbon-Reducing Formulations, Manufacturing Processes and Digital Transformation

Cement manufacturers are also working hard to lower the carbon emissions associated with cement production. The construction industry has already seen extensive adoption of portland limestone cement, in which some of the clinker in ordinary portland cement is replaced with ground limestone, a change that significantly reduces the embodied CO2 of the cement. Concrete producers are also improving sustainability by using supplemental cementitious materials such as slag, fly ash, and other materials, often in combination with portland limestone cement.

A carbon-reduction approach that will be critical to decarbonize cement manufacturing over the longer-term is carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS).

“CCUS helps owners and designers reduce their reliance on carbon offsets by using cement that has a substantial reduction of embodied carbon in the first place,” said Cariaga.

The CCUS project currently planned for Heidelberg Materials North America in Edmonton, Canada, is expected to result in the world’s first full-scale implementation of CCUS at a cement plant.

“When operational, cement produced at the Edmonton facility will be net zero carbon,” said Cariaga. “This is important to concrete producers, allowing them to potentially achieve net zero concrete. Moreover, the net zero cement from Edmonton CCUS could potentially enable owners–private and public–across North America to achieve substantial reduction of embodied carbon in their projects.”

Another important shift is the adoption of digital solutions throughout the cement supply chain. Digital transformation in the ready mixed concrete industry is moving quickly, and the trend is certain to continue since artificial intelligence (AI) is making its way into everyday workstreams. AI and other cloud-based tools help optimize carbon by providing greater transparency than ever before. The tools enhance inventory and mix management, trucking logistics, fleet optimization, and more. 

“Pairing this with real-time concrete strength from Giatec SmartRock® equips our contractors to make informed decisions. We give them eyes on their concrete as it’s arriving and inside their concrete as it cures. The vision will be to give real time insight into our product that will provide opportunity/transparency into the embodied carbon and performance characteristics of the concrete matrix which will provide many new enhanced values to our customers,” said Erica Flukinger, Digital Director, Heidelberg Materials North America.

Cement and Concrete: Their Role in a Building’s Life Cycle

Life-cycle assessment is another way to support performance-based outcomes.

“An important area that isn’t being accounted for is embodied carbon related to maintenance needs. The sooner we can begin data collection on this category of carbon emissions, the better, because as the saying goes, ‘what gets measured gets managed,” said Cariaga.

Life cycle cost analyses (LCCAs) are useful for capturing all costs associated with a building project—not only its construction, but its cost to operate and even its eventual disposal or recycling use. LCCAs capture the efficiencies associated with longevity of a material or system, or of the building itself. Longevity and durability are critical considerations, since building once is the best way to reduce carbon intensity.

LCCAs also factor in building strategies that improve resilience in the finished structure. Resilience is defined as a structure’s ability to recover after a disruptive event, and it can reduce future reconstruction costs as well as health and safety costs, and the costs associated with not being able to use the structure during rescue, recovery, and rebuilding.

To quantify resiliency benefits, some LCCA tools include not only historical climate data but climate forecasts. These can inform resiliency objectives in terms of resistance to heat, precipitation, flooding, rising sea levels, and more. Cement and concrete suppliers have a role to play here, as well, helping achieve designs in which concrete lowers the energy burden for heating and cooling, for example, or calculating the benefits associated with lowered repair, replacement, or health and safety costs.

Achieving net zero and other sustainability goals, especially considering the aggressive timelines for results by 2050 or even earlier, requires a multi-pronged approach on the part of everyone in the industry, from designers to suppliers to contractors to owners. It needs a holistic perspective that looks at the entire span of a system, from cradle to grave, and ideally back to cradle again, through reuse and recycling. A truly circular approach is what will ultimately enable realization of a net zero future.

Kristin Dispenza is a Senior Account Manager with Advancing Organizational Excellence, developing trends articles, case studies and other PR materials. She received a Bachelor of Science degree from The Ohio State University College of Engineering/School of Architecture and has more than 25 years of writing and editorial experience.

Kennesha Garg is a high school senior in the San Francisco Bay Area who is demonstrating an extraordinary passion for researching the human impact on ecosystems and advocating for climate policies.  Kennesha has lived in both the United States and India, giving her a unique perspective on how different countries tackle climate problems in different ways.  With this unique perspective comes immense anxiety, Kennesha says, which “often led to nightmares and dire thoughts.”  Rather than living in continued fear of this understanding, she recognized from an early age that she had the power to do something about these issues.  Looking for somewhere to start affecting change, Kennesha quickly identified landfills as an area she could make a significant contribution.  In 2017, methane emissions from landfills represented 17 percent of total emissions in the United States.  This large contribution from landfills represents a significant hurdle in the push for a greener future.

Kennesha describes the problem with landfills as stemming from waste buried underground where there is no oxygen present.  A major byproduct of waste decomposing under a lack of oxygen is the production of methane gas.  Methane is a particularly harmful greenhouse gas as it is around 80 times more harmful than carbon dioxide.  In current landfill design, wells and pipes are installed horizontally and vertically to extract methane via motors.  Pointing to the large percentage of methane emissions in the United States, Kennesha describes current landfill architecture as “not efficient at all.”  She also adds that these poorly designed landfills, beyond having a significant impact on climate change, also cause many other problems for surrounding neighborhoods and wildlife.  Inefficient gas collection systems allow gasses to accumulate and remain trapped inside landfills, which can cause internal temperatures to rise.  As they do, fires and explosions are more likely to happen.  Furthermore, Kennesha points out that “particular matter and stench sourcing from landfills can also lead to health problems–such as asthma, cancer, and birth defects–in neighboring communities” as well as disrupting wildlife.

While there has been significant progress made in recent years regarding protecting the environment from landfills, Kennesha isn’t satisfied, believing there is still a long way to go to ensuring the ultimate goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and no disturbances to communities.  Thinking about these issues and the path to achieving these ultimate goals, Kennesha reflected on her time spent in India as a child where she first saw Pichavaram Mangroves for the first time.  She was captivated by their sight–tracing the sight of their “majestic, spread-out roots,” and held a sense of fascination and mystery with their shape.  Years later, after identifying landfills as a problem to solve, Kennesha came across the concept of biomimicry, which she explains as mimicking models from nature to address our problems.  After a little time applying this concept with other organisms to landfills, she soon remembered her fascination with mangrove trees and their roots.

Kennesha became curious about how mangroves functioned and thrived in wetlands.  Mangroves in wetlands often have roots underwater, which are susceptible to drying out because of a lack of oxygen.  To overcome this, mangrove roots have developed a pressurized tissue, called aerenchyma, that is used to transfer oxygen from the leaves to the roots.  Discovering this system allowed Kennesha to see the parallels between mangroves and landfills when it comes to transferring gasses.  This research led her to developing RootPipes, which is a piping system that mimics the shape of mangroves to reach more remote areas of the landfill.  The RootPipes system is designed to reach these remote areas where pockets of greenhouse gasses tend to be unreachable because of the landfill’s shape.  

With this idea in mind, Kennesha set about determining the optimal layout for the RootPipes system.  Her initial idea was to create a single, large RootPipe spanning across the landfill, but soon realized that “if one part broke, the entire pipe would be rendered useless, and repair costs would be significant.”  This realization led to “many other structural phases” for the RootPipes system before ultimately determining that retrofitting would be the best approach.  By attaching the Rootpipes system to the already-existing vertical wells, the design would be more decentralized and cost-friendly.  With feedback from landfill and sustainability experts, Kennesha began collecting data to prove the efficacy of the RootPipe system.  Using limited resources such as pipes sourced from Home Depot, Kennesha simulated smaller versions of two landfills: a traditional landfill and one outfitted with RootPipes.  The RootPipes prototype landfill was created using a 3D printer.  Kennesha installed the systems into two boxes and filled them with compostable waste before completely sealing them.  After six months of collecting data, her findings determined that RootPipes were significantly more efficient than the current landfill methane collection design.

While much of Kennesha’s work has been focused on landfills within the United States, she believes that the RootPipes system can ultimately have an impact on a global level.  She says, “the fact of the matter is, waste is produced everywhere–all over the world.  The long-term goal is to install my landfill system in the United States, India, and every country in between.  Therefore, the impact of this design can be global, and we can reduce emissions significantly as we move toward a sustainable future.”  Kennesha also believes that the RootPipes system can be extended to collecting methane and other gasses from compost piles, which will have a significant impact on waste management in the future.  Like the future for the impact of RootPipes, Kennesha’s future is decidedly bright.  After graduating high school, she intends to major in Environmental Engineering so that she can continue to build ingenious sustainable solutions and work with like-minded individuals who also care deeply for the planet.

Luke Carothers is the Editor of Civil + Structural Engineer Magazine. If you want us to cover your project or feature an article, he can be reached at lcarothers@zweiggroup.com.  

Throughout its long and storied history, New York City has consistently played the role of trendsetter for American culture.  Its location on the Atlantic Coast made for a diverse, ever-changing city where new and old ideas melded together to reverberate trending shockwaves throughout the fabric of American society.  While its geographical location has been a boon to the city since its founding, the coming effects of climate change are directly poised to severely impact it.  In keeping the spirit of innovation that has long beheld New York City, it has responded to the looming threat of climate change by positioning itself as a leading center for the research, development, and implementation of climate solutions.  As the city continues to adapt to climate change, it has become clear that, rather than relying on traditional solutions, new approaches must be developed.  One New York City firm demonstrating a new approach is Indigo River.

Indigo River has demonstrated the ability to use a “multi-pronged approach” when developing flood mitigation and climate adaptation recommendations.  Taking a holistic approach to these concepts, Indigo River works with local stakeholders to identify the most appropriate solutions for each community.  The result is plans that are both resilient and sustainable.  The team has demonstrated this approach on projects like Wildflower Studios, where they worked with the client and design consultants to develop a comprehensive Flood Resiliency Strategy that included both permanent and temporary flood mitigation solutions.  According to Dena Prastos, Indigo River’s founder, the plan for the Wildflower Studios project featured the construction of wet and dry floodproof spaces, as well as the creation of  Flood Emergency Action and Response plans for the Operations team.  Another example of this multi-pronged approach is Indigo River’s work with a private asset management group to evaluate their national portfolio.  To complete this evaluation, Indigo River utilized Coastal Risk Consulting’s RiskFootPrint Report, which resulted in a ranking of their properties and assets in terms of which are most vulnerable to natural hazards.  According to Prastos, they are in the process of developing site-specific plans for those that are most vulnerable to flood hazards with plans including recommendations for both permanent and temporary solutions.  Included in these site-specific plans are solutions such as the creation of new floodwalls, the phased reprogramming of spaces, and the development of deployable systems for flood events.

In developing these recommendations and deploying solutions that are both resilient and sustainable, Prastos and Indigo River are a major part of the ever-increasing push towards flexible climate change solutions.  This approach allows Indigo River to help communities become more resilient to flooding–protecting people, property, and the environment from the devastating effects of flooding.  However, as Indigo River and others continue developing these multi-pronged approaches, Prastos is quick to point out the inextricable link between our continued ability to respond to climate change and the capacity to develop the next generation of workers in the AEC industry.  Within this relationship, Prastos notes the importance of things like economic transformation, education and training, innovation and research, green jobs and workforce, and interdisciplinary collaboration.  To respond to climate change, communities must transition to low-carbon economies and adopt sustainable practices.  There are significant economic opportunities opened up by this transition, and, with this, new opportunities for job creation.  For Prastos, “developing the next generation of workers with the necessary skills, knowledge, and innovation capacity” will be crucial to such a transition.

As new opportunities are created in areas like renewable energy, clean technologies, sustainable agriculture, resource management, environmental sciences, and green infrastructure development, new workers entering the industry must be equipped with the expertise in such fields, which necessitates a solid foundation of education and training.  Prastos believes that education and training systems need to adapt to provide relevant learning opportunities.  To do so, programs must integrate climate change and sustainability into school curricula, vocational training programs, and higher education.  Prastos further points out that including climate change and sustainability into these programs is a way to foster an industry that supports innovation and research.  Responding to climate change requires innovative solutions in order to mitigate its impacts and adapt to its effects.  Included in this is a solid investment in research and development, supporting entrepreneurship, and promoting collaboration between academia, industry, and government.

More than just focusing on workers entering the industry, Prastos believes that training should also be focused on workers already within the industry.  Inevitably, as our societies transition to these low-carbon economies, workers already in the industry have to contend with existing jobs being transformed or becoming obsolete.  Prastos points out that managing this workforce transition effectively is crucial for social and economic stability.  This transition involves providing re-training and re-skilling opportunities for workers in carbon-intensive industries, which will ensure their smooth transition to emerging green sectors.  This alignment of labor market policies will help governments create a just and inclusive transition that protects workers’ rights and promotes decent work.   Ultimately, within these factors, addressing climate change will require collaboration across sectors and disciplines.  In the same way that companies like Indigo River have demonstrated the positive impact through multi-pronged approaches to flooding, companies can also have a positive impact on sustainability by building teams that possess strong interdisciplinary skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and effective communication.  Prastos believes that, by promoting collaboration between different fields of expertise, we can “foster holistic approaches to climate change and develop innovative solutions that consider multiple perspectives.”  In building a team at Indigo River that encompasses a wide set of specialties and disciplines centered around a clearly-defined vision, Prastos says they are able to be more proactive in finding work and identifying new and innovative partnerships.  So far, Indigo River has partnered with numerous organizations that are positively influencing a shared vision of an environmentally-conscious future like the Billion Oyster Project, NY Harbor School, Waterfront Alliance, Rock the Boat, PlusPool, One15 Community Dock, and the Reti Center.  In developing these partnerships, Prastos emphasizes the importance of being a team player, which helps different various parties to compromise and collaborate.

Within New York City’s leading position in climate change research and solutions is work being done by companies like Indigo River.  By demonstrating a holistic approach to not only developing solutions and recommendations but rather continuing this approach through its commitment to partnerships and workforce development, Indigo River and founder Dena Prastos are a major influence on the trends and actions needed to respond to climate change in a way that is equitable and just.  If the history of New York City as a trendsetter continues, it’s only a matter of time before these ideas become more widely adopted. 

Space debris—items due to human activity in space—presents a major hazard to space operations. Advanced Space and its teammates Orion Space Solutions  and ExoAnalytic Solutions are applying advanced ML techniques to finding and identifying small debris (0.1-10 cm) under a new Space Debris Identification and Tracking (SINTRA) contract from Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA).

“Space debris is an exponentially growing problem that threatens all activity in space, which Congress is now recognizing as critical infrastructure,” said Principal Investigator Nathan Ré.  “The well-known Kessler syndrome will inevitably make Earth orbit unusable unless we mitigate it, and the first step is developing the capability to maintain persistent knowledge of the debris population. Through our participation in the SINTRA program, our team aims to revolutionize the global space community’s knowledge of the space debris problem.”

Currently, there are over 100 million objects greater than 1 mm orbiting the Earth; however, less than 1 percent of the debris that could cause mission-ending damage are currently tracked. The Advanced Space team’s solution—the Multi-source Extended-Range Mega-scale AI Debris (MERMAID) system—will feature a sensing system to gather data; ground data processing incorporating ML models to observe, detect, and characterize debris below the threshold of traditional methods; and a catalog of this information. A key component of this solution is that the team will use ML methods to decrease the Signal-to-Noise-Ratio (SNR) required for detecting debris signatures in traditional optical and radar data.

Advanced Space CEO Bradley Cheetham said, “Monitoring orbital debris is critical to the sustainable, exploration, development and settlement of space. We are proud of the work the team is doing to advance the state of the art by bringing scale and automation to this challenge.”

Advanced Space (https://advancedspace.com/) supports the sustainable exploration, development, and settlement of space through software and services that leverage unique subject matter expertise to improve the fundamentals of spaceflight. Advanced Space is dedicated to improving flight dynamics, technology development, and expedited turn-key missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

The firm is now a member of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) and the Textile Exchange. The SAC is a global, multi-stakeholder nonprofit alliance for the consumer goods industry. The Textile Exchange is a global non-profit organization that works closely with every sector involved in the fashion and textile supply chain.

The mission of SAC is to lead the industry toward a shared vision of sustainability, based on a joint, multi-stakeholder approach for measuring, improving and sharing performance.

“WSP’s inclusion in the SAC is an opportunity for us to continue to advocate for our apparel clients, but also to be part of forward-thinking conversations as new industry tools are developed, the path forward and how to expedite change and move towards a more just and carbon neutral industry,” said James Cooper, WSP project director of apparel and retail in the firm’s sustainability, energy and climate change (SECC) group.

The Textile Exchange’s goal is to guide the industry towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions from fiber and raw material production by 45 percent by 2030.

“The Textile Exchange looks at the fiber component of apparel and textile manufacturers, because fibers represent the bulk of the social and environment impact, working to amplify the voice of the industries’ supply chains, such as mills, spinners, farmers and so on,” Cooper said.

According to Bridget Bauman, WSP senior consultant in SECC, joining both organizations affirms WSP’s commitment towards industry collaboration to reach climate goals, such as reducing the carbon footprint of supply chains.

“These organizations are great at bringing together diverse stakeholders, from farmers and manufacturers, brands and retailers, to service providers like us, who are eager to work together to drive impact,” Bauman said. “It gives decision makers the tools and data they need to enact real change in their supply chains. Both organizations provide resources for understanding how to drive impact and reduce emissions and generate positive, collective impact.”

Moving forward, WSP will work as a member to support through collaboration with both organizations wherever possible.

“It is a privilege to harness our insight and ability to be an aggregator among our apparel and retail clients and add to their voice in support of their goals within the industry,” Cooper said.

About WSP USA
WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world’s leading engineering, environment and professional services firms. Recognized on Fast Company’s Brands that Matter List for 2022 as a top Community-Minded Business, WSP USA brings together engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals who are dedicated to collaborate in the best interests of serving local communities. WSP USA designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With more than 15,500 employees in 300 offices across the U.S., WSP partners with its clients to help communities prosper. wsp.com

“Sustainability is a 360-degree, 365-day-a-year mindset, and this program is designed accordingly,” noted Bendheim President Donald Jayson. “We are going far beyond a product-by-product approach to build a long-term culture of sustainability at Bendheim. Now is the time to redouble our efforts towards securing a better future for our children and grandchildren.”

The Building a Clear Future program is the guiding organizational structure for Bendheim’s sustainability initiatives across all areas of operations and will measure their resulting environmental impacts. The program addresses manufacturing processes, product development, supplier outreach, and employee engagement and well-being. Bendheim will also explore avenues for strategic collaborations, advancing transparency across the industry.

As a first step forward, Bendheim has formally committed to reducing its corporate Scope 1 and 2 emissions 30% by 2030.

In support of this goal, the company recently installed solar panels at its fabrication facility, reducing operational carbon emissions. Next steps will include further evaluation of the facility’s energy usage and the establishment of energy reduction targets.

“We’re spearheading a new era in our business by embedding sustainability in everything we do–from the selection of materials to the creation of new products to our manufacturing processes,” said Rodrigo Menino, Vice President of Corporate Development and Group CFO. “This complete transformation aligns us with a future that prioritizes responsibility.”

For more information about Building a Clear Future, contact Rodrigo Menino at rmenino@bendheim.com; Uarda Hoti, Sustainability Program Coordinator, at uhoti@bendheim.com; or visit https://bendheim.com/sustainability/.

Julia Dworetzky is one of three featured “roadtrippers,” who are the focus of the four-episode series as they travel over three weeks from Buffalo to Long Island, exploring energy innovations and meeting with energy leaders generating those innovations. A 2021 graduate of Duke University, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, Julia grew up in Los Angeles and moved to New York City after graduating from college.

At 23, she is the oldest of the three “roadtrippers.” The others are Leila Tevlin, who is studying environmental science and sustainability at Elmira College, and David Yang, who just graduated from Columbia University with a Bachelor’s degree in sustainable development and computer science.

Their roadtrip was filmed in fall 2022, and the documentary series began airing yesterday on public television in New York and across the country. “Roadtrip Nation: Empowered State” is being presented by KQED and promoted by NETA, the National Educational Telecommunications Association, one of the nation’s leading service organizations strengthening and amplifying public media’s education mission. The series is funded by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, or NYSERDA.

“It’s exciting to be part of “Roadtrip Nation: Empowered State” and thereby to highlight energy innovation in New York and bring it to national attention,” said Julia Dworetzky. “It’s energizing to see those innovations unfold and to reveal the dynamic careers they contain. The future of our nation and the world literally depends on them and others like them.”

“Engineers are at the center of the innovations that will determine the sustainability of our planet,” said Tristan Schwartzman, Principal and Director of Energy Services at Goldman Copeland. “Julia Dworetzky is part of a new generation of energy engineers that holds many of the keys to that future, and through ‘Roadtrip Nation: Empowered State’ she is giving greater visibility to engineering careers and their vital impact. Goldman Copeland is thrilled that she is part of this project, and we are grateful to NYSERDA for providing its essential funding.”

To watch “Roadtrip Nation: Empowered State,” check your local listings or visit rtn.is/empoweredstate.

To speak with Julia Dworetzky or Tristan Schwartzman, please contact Henry Miller at 917-921-8034 or hmiller@highimpactpartnering.com.

About Goldman Copeland

Goldman Copeland, the New York City-based consulting engineering firm, is active within the broader tri-state real estate community addressing the engineering needs of commercial office buildings, healthcare facilities, universities, cultural institutions, religious and civic institutions, and government facilities. The firm has completed energy audits and retro-commissioning projects for more than 70 million square feet of commercial and institutional properties. Among the world-renowned properties for which it has provided engineering services are Grand Central Terminal, the Empire State Building, Carnegie Hall, and Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters.

This packed symposium will explore design concepts, tools, and approaches for fire-safe buildings, and highlight the role of fire safety in sustainable design and education. Speakers will share engineering solutions on topics related to sustainable building design, reducing embodied carbon, fire performance of sustainable construction products, fire testing, fire service opportunities, holistic building performance design, building information modeling (BIM), and more. The event will also present insight into external living walls, battery/energy storage systems, façade systems, photovoltaics, mass timber, and more.

The symposium will include opening remarks from SFPE President Jimmy Jönsson, FSFPE, on the Society’s new position statement that confirms SFPE’s commitment to engineering a sustainable and fire resilient built environment.  Symposium Co-Chairs Brian Meacham, PhD, PE, CEng, FIFireE, FSFPE, and Grunde Jomaas, PhD; along with SFPE Interim CEO Chris Jelenewicz, PE, FSFPE, will deliver opening remarks. The full program and speakers are as follows:

• Designing for Sustainability and Fire Safety, by Jakob Strømann-Andersen, Henning Larsen Architects
• Gaps in Science, Policy, and Legislation, by Chris Trott, Foster + Partners
• The Impact of Fire in the Context of Sustainability, by Birgitte Messerschmidt, Director, Research. M.Sc., National Fire Protection Association
• Framework for Sustainable and Fire Resilient Buildings (SAFR-B), by Margaret McNamee, PhD, Professor, Lund University
• External Living Walls – Sustainable and Fire Safe? by Wojciech Węgrzyński, PhD, Instytut Techniki Budowlanej
• Batteries and Energy Storage Systems, by Daniel Joyeux, Efectis
• Fire Performance of Façade Systems, by Jose Torero, FSFPE, PhD, CEng, University College London
• Fire Safety of Building Applied Photovoltaics and Building Integrated Photovoltaics – from Testing to Implementation in Standards, by Giombattista Traina, MSc, Eng, Istituto Giordano
• Research Facts and Myths Related to Mass Timber, by Rory Hadden, University of Edinburgh
• Life Cycle Assessment of Wooden Buildings in Europe, by Erwin Schau, PhD, InnoRenew CoE
• Fire Safe Design with Timber, by Joachim Schmid, Ignis Consulting
• Mjøstårnet – Timber Fire Safety in Practice, by Leif Tore Isaksen, Sweco Norway AS
• The FRISSBE Project and its Research Advancements Towards a Fire-Safe Sustainable Built Environment, by Grunde Jomaas, PhD, Andrea Lucherini, PhD, & Ulises Rojas-Alva, PhD, FRISSBE, Slovenian National Building and Civil Engineering Institute (ZAG)
• AFireTest – Future of Design-optimized Fire Testing, by Ruben Van Coile, PhD, Ghent University
• Energy Storage System Research: Fire Fighter Response Safety Sean DeCrane, Director, Health and Safety, International Association of Fire Fighters
• SFPE Foundation and the Grand Challenges in Sustainability & Resilience, by Natalia Florez, PhD, Stellenbosch University
• Educating Sustainability Conscious Fire Safety Engineers, by Bart Merci, PhD, Professor, Ghent University
• Holistic Building Performance Design, by Benjamin Ralph, MEng PGDip PhD FIFireE FIMechE CEng, Foster + Partners
• Role of BIM in Sustainable and Fire Resilient Design, by Michael Stromgren 

The symposium will also include panel discussions on the role of fire safety in sustainable design, fire safety challenges of sustainable technologies, the role of timber in a sustainable built environment, and more.

This SFPE Engineering Solutions Symposium is being held partnership with FRISSBE and made possible with the support of Danfoss Fire Safety and Evox; a limited number of sponsorships and exhibit opportunities are still available. 

Early-bird registration discounts are available through October 27. To learn more or to register for the SFPE Engineering Solutions Symposium on Mass Timber, visit www.sfpe.org/fssbdsymposium today. 

BAC’s sustainable heat-rejection products for refrigeration include the CXVT Evaporative Condenser XE models, the Vertex Evaporative Condenser, and the TrilliumSeries Adiabatic Condenser. The design of these products significantly improves environmental lifetime operating impact by addressing factors such as energy usage, water and chemical usage, refrigerant impact, maintenance, and consumables. 

BAC has the most direct-drive EC systems in the market. These systems reduce energy usage by eliminating friction from belts and pulleys, and also eliminate efficiency degradation that can result from belt slippage and pulley wear. They also provide extremely high motor efficiency and part-load operation.

The materials of construction offered by BAC help reduce water and chemical usage. For example, Evertough Construction and the TriArmor® Corrosion Protection System basin allow customers to operate condensers with increased cycles of concentration, reducing water and chemical usage by up to 20%. Specifically, the smart basin design of Vertex Evaporative Condensers result in 30% less water operating volume, thus using less water and chemicals. Adiabatic technology also reduces water usage anywhere from 30% to 80%, due to its ability to only use water when necessary.

For medium applications with air-cooled systems that use synthetic refrigerant, customers can convert them to use natural refrigerants to have a positive environmental impact. In addition, BAC can assist with reducing maintenance and consumables with direct-drive fans that run for years without needing service. 

For more information on Baltimore Aircoil Company’s sustainable and cost-effective approaches to heat rejection, visit http://www.BaltimoreAircoil.com.

With over 80 years of industry-leading innovation and experience, BAC creates cutting-edge cooling equipment for the HVAC, Industrial, and Refrigeration marketplaces. We solve customers’ unique needs with our expertise and wide range of high-performance systems. BAC leverages the power of evaporative cooling by optimizing the balance of water and energy, but the true BAC difference lies in our absolute commitment to creating sustainable solutions and delivering value to our customers. For more information about Baltimore Aircoil Company, visit www.BaltimoreAircoil.com. 

Global engineering consultancy COWI will carry out the preparation of the high- level design and functional specifications and at a later date undertake construction supervision for the implementation of the waste-to-energy facility through an engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract. 

BPI has received financing from the IDB Invest to construct this new Waste to Energy Facility. 

The new facility, which will replace the port’s existing incinerator, will use less energy and reduce pollutant emissions and consists of a wet-dry incinerator and a steam rankine cycle turbine. 

Kasper Frohlich, Business Development Director, COWI in north America, said: “This renewable project can pave the way for other projects of similar nature on islands worldwide, with a huge potential in the Caribbean region and perhaps even for carbon capture features being one of our priorities. I’m happy to export our track record to this region and building local relationships can at the same time open the doors for other assignments for the port and utility, such as marine and terminal projects.” 

The Johns Manville Technical Center in Littleton, Colorado – a world-class research and development facility – conducted the independent testing, which found that Prometheus Materials’ bio-concrete demonstrated a Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) of 0.60. This NRC rating indicates 60% sound absorption – twelve times that of traditional concrete.

Prometheus Materials’ initial pre-cast bio-concrete product line includes masonry units, segmented modular block and acoustic panels – where this exceptional sound-absorption characteristic will be an essential feature – as well as paving stones and grass pavers. These products are currently available strictly for select projects, with commercial availability slated for the first half of 2024.

Such unrivaled sound absorption is a cost-saving, environment-enhancing boon for various sectors. In settings where noise can be damaging or distracting, builders are often forced to rely on secondary products to achieve some measure of noise reduction. Beyond the added expense, these materials can sometimes have negative effects – including health risks. However, with Prometheus Materials’ bio-cement and bio-concrete products, such facilities can incorporate sound-absorption capabilities without additional cost, safety concerns or other drawbacks. Residential, commercial and institutional buildings, amphitheaters, music studios, highway barriers – and a vast array of other end-uses – will all benefit from this exceptional noise-reduction capability, while concurrently reducing their carbon footprint.

“Our latest ASTM testing results embody our commitment to innovative design,” said Loren Burnett, President, CEO & Co-founder of Prometheus Materials. “We’ve developed a novel material that provides a zero-carbon alternative to traditional concrete while delivering additional performance benefits and applications. We’re proud to pave the way toward a more technologically advanced and environmentally responsible future for the construction industry.”

Vishaan Chakrabarti, FAIA FRAIC – renowned architect, academic and business leader with focus on sustainable design; Founder and Creative Director of Practice for Architecture & Urbanism (PAU); and member of Prometheus Materials’ Board of Directors – was equally inspired. “Test results like these prove that Prometheus Materials has developed far more than zero-carbon concrete – which by itself is an enormous accomplishment,” he said. “With this level of sound absorption, as well as other characteristics currently being tested, it’s clear that this material will offer a suite of products based on entirely redefined ideas of what concrete can be and do.”

Prometheus Materials continues to lead the charge in sustainability and innovation within the building materials sector. With these ASTM C423 sound-absorption results joining its previously secured ASTM C129 and C90 certifications – plus other features of its bio-cement and bio-concrete that are comparable or superior to traditional concrete – the company is poised to drive the construction industry toward a more cutting-edge and sustainable future.

About Prometheus Materials

Prometheus Materials provides sustainable building materials that accelerate the world’s transition to a carbon-negative future. Inspired by biological processes found in nature, the company’s process uses microalgae to produce a bio-cement that offers an alternative to carbon-intensive portland cement. When mixed with aggregate, this bio-cement forms a zero-carbon bio-concrete with mechanical, physical and thermal properties that rival those of portland cement-based concrete. Learn more about how the company enables the decarbonization of the construction industry at prometheusmaterials.com.

“This is one of the inherent attributes of HDPE pipe,” stated Camille George Rubeiz, P.E., F. ASCE, co-chair, HDPE Municipal Advisory Board, and senior director of engineering for the Plastics Pipe Institute’s (PPI) Municipal & Industrial Division.  “As well as being corrosion proof, it is flexible and ductile to go through a special die on the job site that makes it possible to be pulled inside a host pipe even when the pipe is not round.  In this case, the ovality would have no affect during installation and the HDPE pipe would form a tight compression fit within the old ductile iron pipe.”  PPI is the major North American association representing the plastic pipe industry.

More than 8,700 feet of 36-inch ductile iron sewer force main was replaced with HDPE     PE 4710, DR 21 pipe using Murphy’s CompressionFit method, patent pending.  The new pipe has a 100-psi operating and a 200-psi surge pressure rating, and is rated as a Class 6 solution in accordance with ASTM F3508.  The sewer force main traversed under three city parks, along Covell Lake, through major commercial districts and under state highway SD 115.  It was made and provided by WL Plastics (Fort Worth, TX), a member company of PPI.

Opened in 1985, the Sioux Falls system treats some 18 million gallons of wastewater daily.  There are 900 miles of pipe in the system that conveys the wastewater to the city’s treatment plant.  There is a $215 million expansion plan underway that will increase the facility’s capacity by 50 percent when completed in 2025. 

“One of the questions we were asked was ‘Can a 36-inch ductile iron sewer force main with severe ovality be replaced with HDPE pipe using CompressionFit?’”, said HDPE pipe industry expert and consultant Harvey Svetlik, P.E.  “The answer was an unequitable ‘yes’.  Matter of fact, some other recent projects saw 54-inch diameter pipe with a three-inch wall thickness installed using the CompressionFit method.  One of the principal things that this technology does is that it preserves the flow rate of the existing host pipeline and seals over holes and leaks, so you have a dual-wall composite pipeline.  And the thicker HDPE pipe provides structural integrity.”

Svetlik has more than 40 years of experience in the plastic pipe industry, specializing in polyethylene pipes and fittings.  He is the inventor of the MJ Adapter, also known as the Harvey Adapter.  An active member of PPI for 30 years, he is the author of numerous PPI technical notes, developer of ASTM/AWWA standards, and an inventor who holds 16 patents.

One of the most recent ASTM standards authored by Svetlik is ASTM F3508 for the installation of compressed fit shape memory polymer pipe.  “ASTM F3508 codifies the specification of the material to use and deals with the shape memory characteristics of the material such as high-density polyethylene. 

“With the CompressionFit technology, instead of elongating a rubber band and letting it recover as is done with Swagelining, they basically do a lot more of radial compression.  Instead of stretching it and thinning the wall, they downsize it and radially thicken the wall, such that when it goes into place it enlarges in diameter, and the radial wall thickness stands as it expands out, like rolling out pie dough.”

The developer of CompressionFit is Murphy Pipeline Contractors (Jacksonville, FL).  “Most cities cannot afford to relocate and replace a 16-inch diameter or larger pipeline within their vast utility network,” said Todd Grafenauer, education director for Murphy.  “The result of the CompressionFit HDPE pipe lining technology is that a new HDPE pipe will be ‘compressive fit’ inside the existing host pipe.  This lining offers remarkable value over other construction methods such as an increased flow rate over sliplining, we do an average pull distance of 2,000 feet with more than a 90 percent reduction in excavation and there’s no new easement documentation needed.  Plus, we simply follow the existing pipe path using GIS maps.”  Murphy is a member company of PPI and also part of the association’s Municipal Advisory Board (MAB).

Governed by ASTM F3508, the CompressionFit HDPE pipe lining technology specifies an HDPE pipe with an outside diameter larger in size than the inside of the host pipe to be renewed.  After the HDPE is butt fused to correspond to the pull distance, the pipe is pulled through a reduction die immediately before entering the host pipe.  This reduces the HDPE pipe temporarily below the inside diameter of the host pipe allowing it to be inserted.

While the towing load keeps the HDPE under tension during the pull, the pipe remains in its reduced size.  The HDPE remains fully elastic throughout the reduction and installation process. After installation, the pulling load is removed.  The HDPE pipe expands until it is halted by the inside diameter of the host pipe.  The effectively natural ‘tight’ or ‘compression fit’ is accepted as exchanging an existing failing pipeline with a composite pipe in its place.

“One of the things about the ASTM F3508,” Svetlik explained, “is that it can be utilized not only for municipalities for gravity flow, but even more ideally for pressure pipes for water pipeline replacement, or force main replacement.”

More information can be found at www.plasticpipe.org/municpalindustrial

These major cities and others around the globe have many similarities, but they share one particular commonality that is concerning for residents. They are among the global cities most affected by climate change.

While each of these cities has proven resilient for centuries, urban planners, community leaders and civil engineers continue to address their many environmental challenges. In preparing for these cities’ future, however, it might be more expedient to revisit the distant past for inspiration.

A recent article in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) explores how ancient Mesoamerican civilizations fared against environmental threats and provides examples of how modern metropolises can learn from their successes.

“Mesoamerican Urbanism Revisited: Environmental Change, Adaptation, Resilience, Persistence, and Collapse” was published in the latest edition of PNAS and also is available to review on PubMed Central. Its authors include a who’s who of anthropological archaeology and urbanism scholars from across the globe.

“There are some lessons to be learned from many regions within Mesoamerica,” said its lead author Diane Z. Chase, University of Houston senior vice president for academic affairs and provost.

Both Diane Chase and her husband Arlen Chase (longtime archaeologists, research collaborators and spouses) are frequent visitors to the Maya archaeological site of Caracol in Belize. That region and others, she said, holds many clues to addressing some of the problems faced by today’s cities.

“When that city was at its height, the city planning in and of itself was exceedingly well done,” she said. “They were doing some things that we are still talking about … green cities, walkable cities.”

Prehispanic Mesoamerica included areas of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and El Salvador. In addition to Caracol, Mesoamerican cities examined within the article include Chunchucmil, Monté Alban and Teotihuacan in Mexico and Tikal in Guatemala. 

These and other Mesoamerican cities prospered despite a lack of modern technologies and without basic resources such as wheeled transport or domesticated animals such as oxen, mules or donkeys to carry loads. Chase and her fellow authors maintain that despite history often depicting the fall of Maya cities, their resiliency for centuries is often overlooked.

“While the causes of the Classic lowland Maya collapse remain a subject of coalescing debate, sizeable changes in the populations of many cities occurred,” Chase and co-authors stated in the article. “These changes in population have largely blinded scholars to the remarkable successes of lowland Maya cities that persisted, adapted, and flourished for many centuries and were then replaced by smaller cities that subsequently arose and flourished.”

Such resiliency can be attributed to enhanced infrastructure that included roads, access to markets and agricultural terracing (or sloped planes with sections landscaped into flattened platforms for farming). Likewise, these cities supported advanced socio-economic systems that included structured governance, institutions and social norms.

Ultimately, these cities withstood a number of environmental challenges such as drought, earthquakes, heavy rains, hurricanes and rising sea levels. Many of these meteorological conditions were detected by researchers who examined stalagmites, shells and other items found within these ancient sites.

Drought has long been considered to be a factor in the demise of Mesoamerican cities. According to Arlen Chase, professor in UH’s Comparative Cultural Studies Department, that is indeed a myth. He said that cities such as Teotihuacan experienced significant growth during a period of severe drought. In Caracol, the city was already largely abandoned when that area of Belize was affected by lack of rain.

“The correlation between the population sizes within these cities and the consistency of these sites doesn’t have anything to do with drought,” he said. “These cities actually were quite resilient.”

Another myth, he said, focused on the concept of compact and dense urbanism as constituting all cities, which is largely a western concept. A form of dispersed urbanism was prevalent within Mesoamerica (and in other parts of the world) that varied from city to city. One trend observed by the Chases and their collaborators was that collective societies (or those that were largely democratic) were the most successful.

“At their peaks, most Mesoamerican cities were prosperous and sustainable, often with a form of collective governance,” the authors stated within the article. “Governance, however, was fickle and was subject to shift between more collective and more autocratic systems over the course of history. Also particularly striking in terms of the abandonments of Mesoamerican cities―and opposed to earlier understandings―is that most of their collapses are associated with a rejection of these successful adaptations for strategies more focused on autocracy and inequality, in which there was only limited wealth sharing.”

In determining social structures and governance within these ancient sites, the Chases and fellow researchers analyzed the bones of residents within Caracol and other sites. Chemical elements within these human remains can offer clues to a person’s diet (which provides insights on where people lived or their level or wealth). Additionally, artifacts and the size of living spaces can offer insight on wealth, power and social status.

Co-author Gary M. Feinman, MacArthur Curator of Mesoamerican, Central American, and East Asian Anthropology at Chicago’s Field Museum of Natural History, said there are many lessons to be learned from Mesoamerica. In facing the challenges of the future, it’s essential to look to the past, he said.

He added that the PNAS article is a first step in helping clear the air regarding any misconceptions regarding the perceived failures of Mesoamerican cities and truly spotlights the resiliency of their residents.

“Part of this article is trying to correct the misbelief that the Mesoamerican cities were riddled with collapse, that rulers were purely despotic and that there was no such thing as economic growth and prosperity,” Feinman said. “That’s why this era is not looked at as a source of information. By clearing up some of these misbeliefs that are broadly held, we can make this information more accessible to city planners and policy makers.”

Feinman believes that one of the biggest lessons to be learned from the success of Mesoamerican cities is from its residents. Those community members, who worked tirelessly to adapt to a changing environment and react to natural disasters without technology, are models for contemporary communities, he said.

“These cities speak to the great potential of human cooperation,” he said. “When people share a goal, they can do amazing things.”

In addition to Diane Z. Chase, Arlen F. Chase and Gary M. Feinman, contributors to this PNAS article are as follows: Jose Lobo, clinical associate professor in the School of Sustainability at Arizona State University; David M. Carballo, professor of anthropology and archaeology at Boston University; Adrian S.Z. Chase, institute postdoctoral fellow and Department of Anthropology postdoctoral scholar at the University of Chicago’s Mansueto Institute for Urban Innovation; Scott R. Hutson, professor and anthropology department chair at the University of Kentucky; Alanna Ossa, associate professor and anthropology chair at the State University of New York, Oswego; Marcello Canuto, professor of anthropology at Tulane University;  Travis W. Stanton, professor of anthropology at the University of California, Riverside;  L.J. Gorenflo, Stuckeman Chair in Design and professor of landscape architecture at Pennsylvania State University; Christopher A. Pool, professor of anthropology at the University of Kentucky;  Barbara Arroyo, research associate at Universidad Francisco Marroquin ‘s Museo Popol Vuh in Guatemala City; Rodrigo Liendo Stuardo, senior investigator at Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México’s Instituto de Investigaciones Antropológicas; and the late Deborah L. Nichols, who served as professor of anthropology at Dartmouth University.

More and more frequently in recent years, cities across the world have had to contend with increased flooding coming as a result of climate change.  Traditional flood mitigation techniques involving concrete infrastructure have been deployed to handle excess rainwater and runoff to varying degrees of effect, but many experts believe the solution to these challenges lies not in concrete infrastructure but in green infrastructure.  Rather than relying on concrete infrastructure solutions to manage water, cities can harness the natural processes of grass, trees, leaves, lakes, and ponds as green infrastructure.  These natural processes present a sustainable way of responding to climate change.  This concept of a city’s ability to absorb and manage rainwater through its green infrastructure is often described as its “sponginess”–a term that has been around for almost two decades.  

This concept of a “spongy” city is not only a sustainable solution in responding to climate change, it is also a powerful metaphor that resonates strongly with the public.  Vincent Lee, Civil and Water Lead at Arup, says that the concept of spongy cities has been around for the last twenty years, although the name varies from place to place.  Lee says that this shift from traditional ways of managing water like concrete channels and pipes to leveraging nature-based solutions has been global as cities are seeing the benefits of small-scale adoption.  Using a new machine learning land-use tool, Arup tested the ability of ten diverse global cities to naturally absorb rainwater–otherwise known as sponginess–in order to highlight the importance of cities moving beyond concrete infrastructure, encouraging them to look to nature for solutions to climate change-related challenges such as increased flooding.  According to the report website, Arup’s goal in creating the Global Sponge Cities Snapshot is to get people talking about green infrastructure.

According to Lee, there were ultimately two driving factors behind Arup’s development of the Global Sponge Cities Snapshot with the first being the movement for cities to harness the power of nature and leverage nature-based solutions and biodiversity for water management.  Lee believes there is a strong desire amongst cities to leverage these natural solutions.  The second factor behind the development of the Global Sponge Cities Snapshot is the evolution of data and technology.  With the availability of open source data, processes can become more consistent across different parts of the world.  Furthermore, technological advancements have increased the speed at which these sorts of analyses can be performed.  

Charles Ormsby, Climate and Sustainability services leader for Arup in Canada, says that this sort of analysis is a powerful tool for fields like civil engineering.  For Ormsby, this is a product of the great spirit of innovation within the group.  Still more, he believes that, even though he carries the perspective of a civil engineer, more and more disciplines and groups of professionals are thinking about these concepts perhaps through a different lens.  As these disciplines and groups are applying their own needs and goals onto the concepts, Ormsby believes these layers build on top of one another to show a “better picture of the intersection of different realities when it comes to urban systems.”

From such a layered analysis of urban systems emerge trends that define the impact of these systems on our most vulnerable populations.  For example, a snapshot that provides data as to the density of trees and vegetation identifies areas that are most at risk when it comes to things like heat island effect.  This, in turn, helps identify groups that are most at risk for mortality when it comes to extreme heat events.  Ormsby says that the Global Sponge Cities Snapshot gives a “good sense of the lay of the land” when it comes to green infrastructure and gets the ball rolling in terms of furthering the conversations within different groups.  Lee extends this, noting that the Global Sponge Cities Snapshot is a powerful tool for engaging with different stakeholders about leveraging water management while also thinking about aspects like land use, equity, and city planning.

As a tool for communicating concepts of green infrastructure with groups outside of the AEC profession, the concept of sponge cities brings a number of different people around a common table.  Recently, Arup brought together a group of academic, university professors, community organizations, non-profits, property developers, government officials, municipal officers, and students as well as design professionals, architects, landscape architects, and engineers, assembling at the United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP-15) in Montreal.  With this assembled group, Arup unveiled the Snapshot data for the host city.  Working together with the data provided, this group began to discuss how a particular neighborhood could be improved by leveraging greenery and achieving biodiversity regeneration.  This generated conversations about ideas like connecting corridors that are historically habitat and rectifying historical inequity issues.  Arup’s Global Sponge Cities Snapshot is unique in that it presents concepts that occupy the same space of understanding between the AEC industry and the communities in which our projects exist.  As cities across the globe are responding to the effects of climate change, tools like this Snapshot will be instrumental in expanding the use of green infrastructure solutions.

Luke Carothers is the Editor of Civil + Structural Engineer Magazine. If you want us to cover your project or feature an article, he can be reached at lcarothers@zweiggroup.com.  

Oyster habitat restoration could make a lasting difference in the protection of the vulnerable Gulf Coast shoreline.

Oysters receive a lot of attention along the United States Gulf Coast, a region that produces a majority of the country’s commercially harvested bivalve mollusk. 

But oysters are highly regarded for much more than their economic value. The key role they play in creating and maintaining healthy coastal and estuarine environments makes them an essential part of this important ecosystem. 

A current study, funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), is taking a deeper dive into innovative methods that would enable oysters to better protect coastal shorelines. 

The project, “Reefense: A Mosaic Oyster Habitat for Coastal Defense,” is exploring the development of self-healing, hybrid biological, and ecologically engineered reef-mimicking structures to achieve two main goals — increasing wave attenuation to reduce damaging coastal impacts and erosion, and promoting the development and growth of healthy, self-sustaining oyster populations. 

Rutgers University is leading the 18-month project during its first phase, with options that could extend out to a total of five years. The three main areas of study include:

• design of the macro structure itself, 
• selectively breeding oysters that grow faster and are more disease resistant, and 
• protecting oysters from being eaten by predators.

The development of novel materials and reef design is aimed at enabling the use of low-cost, interlocking reef modules that are adaptable to different conditions and can be arranged to minimize any wave energy reaching the shoreline. In locations where wave attenuation is less important, the modular design would protect against erosion from daily currents, while also providing additional habitat value.

“We don’t have a module in the water yet, but, from the perspective of progress towards overall project goals, the work has been moving — either on target or earlier than expected,” said Nigel Temple, a coastal restoration specialist with WSP USA and professor at the University of South Alabama. “We are doing wave flume testing and we’ve coalesced around a general design for the modules.” 

Temple is serving as the firm’s main liaison with the project and research team. “Our engineers will need to sign off on these designs before they are put in the water and, for them to do that, they have to be convinced that these structures are stable and will hold up in this environment,” he said.

The selective breeding of native oysters that are shown to grow faster and be more resistant to disease is another key and ongoing focus for the research teams. Researchers at Auburn University and Louisiana State University are working in collaboration with Rutgers to breed oysters, through phenotypic and genomic selection, for faster growth and tolerance to dermo disease (Perkinsus marinus), which can easily spread among oysters and is associated with extensive oyster mortalities. This part of the project involves maintaining broodstock, managing the spawning and rearing of oysters, and field testing the resulting offspring. 

After that, researchers are challenged with preventing dermo disease, as part of the selection process led by Rutgers. Oyster lines that make it through this phase are then field tested at three locations in the Gulf of Mexico: St. Andrews Bay, Florida; Grand Bay, Alabama; and Grand Isle, Louisiana. 

Why Oysters?

As a popular seafood, oysters have a tremendous economic impact on the Gulf region. But perhaps lesser known is the outsized and beneficial role they play within their own habitats and natural environment — not least of which are the many benefits they provide other species within the same ecosystem. 

Oysters are regarded as both “Keystone Species” and “Ecosystem Engineers.” The reefs where they live are made of hard substrate and the ecosystem they create accommodates microhabitats for other species that would not otherwise exist. 

Conversely, without oysters, ecological communities in brackish and salty waters would be dramatically different. Oyster reefs protect marsh habitat that benefit from wave attenuation and support several other coastal species including fishes and other invertebrates which forage and take shelter from larger predators among these habitats. On top of that, oysters also feed on phytoplankton (tiny plants floating in the water), acting as a natural filter to clean the waters. This enables light to reach the bottom, where seagrasses grow, and help to remove an overabundance of nutrients that would otherwise pollute the waters.

The oyster population in the region took a serious hit in 2010 following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, which is estimated to have killed more than eight billion oysters in the Gulf of Mexico. A long-term goal of the Reefense project is to create methods and technology that will help restore that population so it can protect shorelines.

The overall mission of the Reefense project is to create a mosaic of habitats that work together to provide resilience as they support multiple species, while simultaneously promoting self-sustaining oyster populations and helping diminish wave intensity. The magnitude of wave attenuation would be governed by physical characteristics, like water depth, reef crest elevation and overall structure width and depth, which are typically used to design non-living wave-breaking structures.

Work began in May 2022 and will be completed in three phases. WSP will manage the eventual reef construction and is currently working in bay waters off the Florida panhandle to characterize the site and monitor seasonal changes. The firm is also monitoring selectively bred native oysters to evaluate performance and collecting native oysters (under Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission special activity license number SAL-22-2391-SR), which are shipped to Rutgers for disease testing. 

Other tasks include deploying and retrieving wave gauges and other sensors, which collect data that will be used to compare before-and-after measurements, following installation of the engineered reefs.

WSP is also collaborating on predator exclusion experiments aimed at finding an effective microstructural design to reduce the threat of gastropod predators such as oyster drills and crown conchs. 

“Gastropods are snails and they have various mechanisms for eating oysters,” Temple said. “For example, the oyster drill, as its name implies, drills a hole in the oyster shell while crown conchs get to the oyster by prying the shell open. They are one of the biggest influences on the decline of oysters in a lot of ecosystems.” 

This Gulf study is one of three DARPA-funded projects currently being conducted independently of each other. The other two are coral reef studies — one in Florida and the other in Hawaii. Although the teams are not collaborating directly, they are connected through federal permitting. While the individual state permits are proceeding independently, the federal permits are being grouped together and led by the US Navy. 

In addition to WSP and Rutgers University, the full research team for the Reefense project includes Auburn University, Louisiana State University, Mississippi State University, the University of Arizona, the University of Central Florida, the University of Melbourne, the University of Western Australia, Reef Design Lab and the Partnership for Delaware Estuary. 

WSP has been involved in a variety of coastal restoration projects using engineered oyster reefs, including the Franklin-98 Living Shoreline, where 20 acres of oyster reefs and 30 acres of salt marshes are being created to protect routinely eroded areas of the Apalachicola Bay shoreline along Highway 98 in Franklin County, Florida. 

WSP also is monitoring the development of oyster reefs in Pensacola Bay, Florida, and is supporting the Living Breakwaters project off the coast of Staten Island, New York.  

Pathfinder is the exclusive U.S. representative for Tiger Machine, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of concrete products equipment. Pathfinder will outfit the plant with a customized solution for Solidia’s low-carbon, high-strength pavers and concrete products, including the concrete products machine and material handling equipment.

In addition to producing Solidia Technologies’ products for the construction industry, the collaboration will provide a hands-on, real-world showcase of and training center for Pathfinder’s and Tiger’s equipment technologies and help advance working knowledge of high-tech material production.

“Solidia’s commitment to innovation in both product development and execution aligns perfectly with Pathfinder’s own forward-thinking approach to service, customization, and quality, providing a tremendous opportunity for both parties to advance the field of concrete product manufacturing,” said Larry Hilldore, President of Pathfinder Systems. “This is a true partnership between manufacturer and equipment provider that will benefit the entire manufacturing landscape, making these technologies accessible to other forward-thinkers to help lead the industry into the future.”

Working with Pathfinder and Tiger Machine will also help Solidia ensure superior service and flexibility for its customers while continuing to help lower the built environment’s carbon footprint.

“The Alamo Junction plant will be a world-class facility in every way possible—not only because of our groundbreaking low-carbon manufacturing solutions but through the use of advanced production technology and collaborative partnerships with like-minded industry leaders like Pathfinder and Tiger Machine,” said Brian Below, Chief Operating Officer for Solidia Technologies. “The plant will provide a unique training ground for equipment operators and industry stakeholders to experience the latest manufacturing developments up close and personal.” For more information, visit www.solidiatech.com. 

In partnership with ESG’s management team, Oaktree’s investment will support the Company’s strategic growth plans by leveraging ESG’s national platform and expertise in developing and implementing sustainable energy services for its public and private sector customers.

“ESG is excited to partner with the team at Oaktree who have a proven track record of successfully investing in and growing companies in our industry and who share our values and support our commitment to the customers and communities we serve,” said ESG’s President Steve Craig. “The partnership will allow ESG to continue to deliver value to our customers and create expanded opportunities for our employees.”

“We have long admired ESG as a recognized leader in providing energy efficiency and sustainability solutions and as a trusted partner to its customers,” stated Jimmy Lee, Managing Director and Assistant Portfolio Manager in Oaktree’s Power Opportunities Group. “We are thrilled to partner with ESG’s talented leadership team and employees and will bring to bear our resources and relationships to support the Company’s next chapter of growth as an independent, national platform.”

“The energy industry is transitioning rapidly, increasing demand for ESG’s services,” added Craig. “We are focused on being an industry leader in driving innovative solutions resulting in a more sustainable future. Through our partnership with Oaktree, we are committed to expanding ESG’s capabilities and geographic reach.”

About Energy Systems Group
ESG is a leading sustainable energy solutions provider that specializes in energy efficiency, sustainability, resiliency, and infrastructure improvement solutions in the government, education, healthcare, commercial, and industrial sectors. ESG also offers a full range of sustainable infrastructure solutions including waste-to-energy, distributed generation, and renewable energy. To learn more about ESG, visit www.energysystemsgroup.com.

About Oaktree
Oaktree is a leader among global investment managers specializing in alternative investments, with $172 billion in assets under management as of March 31, 2023. The firm emphasizes an opportunistic, value-oriented and risk-controlled approach to investments in credit, private equity, real assets and listed equities. The firm has over 1,100 employees and offices in 20 cities worldwide. For additional information, please visit Oaktree’s website at www.oaktreecapital.com.

But the hallmark of Rhino Shield’s sustainable formulation is that it breaks the traditional paint cycle. AmCoat’s CEO, Terence Andre said in addition to environmental benefits, for many customers, it’s the last time they have to paint.

“We’re proud that our products are safe for the environment and help to conserve energy as well,” said Andre. “And because it breaks the paint cycle, Rhino Shield eliminates the need to repaint over and over every 3 to 5 years. That means greatly reducing the amount of paint manufactured and used over time.” 

Did you know Rhino Shield creates a thermal barrier around the home which can help save energy?

“Rhino Shield ceramic coatings have a high solar reflective index, helping to keep the heat out and reduce the amount of time air conditioning equipment is working to cool a building,” said Andre. “A large part of a building’s monthly energy usage goes toward cooling and many of our customers discover they save on their energy bills after applying Rhino Shield.”

On top of that, Rhino Shield helps prevent the growth of algae and mildew, which reduces the need for repeated exterior cleaning.

“Because of Rhino Shield’s built-in bio-growth inhibitors, less chemicals have to be used to maintain exterior surfaces,” said Andre. “That’s good for the environment, and it’s good for the home or business owner. So not only breaking the paint cycle, but also breaking the cleaning cycle.”  

Rhino Shield Eco-Friendly Features

• Low VOC (well less than 100 grams per liter)
• Non-toxic
• Low odor (no inhalation hazard)
• Safe for skin contact (no protective clothing required)
• Approved for solid waste landfill disposal
• Nonflammable
• Resists growth of mold and mildew
• Rhino Shield is a low-e product that reduces thermal conductivity to insulate buildings better

Veteran-Owned and made in the U.S.A., Rhino Shield’s elastomeric-ceramic coating goes on 8-10 times thicker than conventional paint with a long-term product warranty. 

AmCoat is expanding its Rhino Shield dealer distribution network to Minneapolis, Las Vegas, Seattle, Portland, Salt Lake City, New York City, Omaha, Buffalo, Rochester, Los Angeles, Boise, Baltimore, Richmond and more. Businesspeople in those areas who are interested in learning more about starting up a Rhino Shield dealership should email info@amcoatind.com or call (850) 424-6805. 

COWI in the UK has provided consultancy services to Arqiva for over 50 years and was asked to provide structural advice and to lead a technical investigation into the original fire-damaged

mast. The goal of COWI’s work was to establish whether the structure could be rescued or whether it needed to be demolished and rebuilt.

The assessment found the mast could not be repaired, so it was demolished. Subsequent investigations showed that the original mast foundations were undamaged by the fire and demolition and an early decision was undertaken to reuse the existing foundations, with some modification to suit the new mast. This change was incorporated into the carbon baseline for the project with COWI seeking to develop and implement innovative new standards in carbon management in infrastructure.

Several alternative concepts were investigated to optimise the performance of the structure. The capital carbon for each option was calculated using COWI’s carbon calculation tool. The short feedback loop when using the tool allowed the carbon impact of each option to be quantified, allowing several sustainable options to be incorporated into the design, the most significant of which included:

• The configuration of stay cables was revised, reducing the number of stay levels from six to five. This in turn allowed the volume of concrete needed to modify the existing foundations to be reduced.
• The baseline design had spiral strand stay cables with diameters between 50mm and 65mm. Refined assessment of wind loading allowed all stays to be reduced to either 40mm or 45mm diameter.
• The structural members of the mast column were optimised to ensure an effective design solution whilst minimising embodied carbon, for example all bracing members were reduced in size. Typically bracing was reduced from 100x100x10 angles to 80x80x8 angles.

Daniel Parry, Principal Engineer, COWI in the UK, said: “In collaboration with clients and project partners, from day one, we take a holistic approach to a project’s carbon footprint and by using our own designed carbon calculator, we were able to secure a substantial reduction in carbon.”

This project ranks among the largest Thornton Tomasetti has designed for a tied back soldier pile and lagging system and is the most complex with regards to numbers and complexity of tieback installation.

“We are very proud of the part we played in being able to bring new life to such an iconic structure,” says Michael Oakland, Ph.D., P.E., vice president,  Thornton Tomasetti.

The historic Key Arena has undergone a major transformation, and is now known as the Climate Pledge Arena and the new home of the Seattle Kraken NHL team. The $930 million renovation and expansion project required near-total demolition of the old structure and construction of a new one, all while keeping its landmarked façade intact and 44 million lb (20 million kg) roof supported above.

The steel and concrete structure was constructed in 1961, and the Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board classified Key Arena as a local landmark in 2017. This distinction requires that the roof, curtain wall and exterior concrete elements be preserved as part of the renovation with virtually zero impacts to their aesthetics. The central challenge of the renovation project became how to support the existing roof while work continued below it.

Its 65 ft (20 m) deep perimeter foundation wall system presented many challenges. Because of the need for an open arena and numerous slab openings, the interior floor slab diaphragm could not be used to brace the new foundation walls. Instead, the engineer selected permanent tiebacks as the wall support after considering several options for the perimeter wall system including a slurry wall, secant piles, soil nails and a permanent soldier pile and lagging system. And the design team had to rely on virtual imaging to identify and resolve potential conflicts in the complex tangle of tiebacks required to support the walls.

In all, the system included more than 650 soldier piles, each of which had to be installed in a predrilled 30 in (760 mm) diameter borehole and grouted in place. To support the walls there were 2,400 tiebacks with a total drilled and installed length of 130,000 lft (40,000 m). Finally, an earth retention wall allowed for excavation of 680,000 cu yd (520,000 m³) of soil.

Special recognition awards are also being presented to four other projects:

• East St. Louis Deep Cutoff Wall, Illinois (Bauer Foundation)
• Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream, Washington, D.C. (Berkel & Company Contractors)
• ALCOSAN North End Expansion, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania (Richard Goettle)
• 1&9T-New Road, Jersey City, New Jersey (Menard USA)

Established in 1997, the OPA recognizes the superior work of DFI members. A committee selects the projects based on size, scope and challenges of the project; degree of innovation and ingenuity exercised; and uniqueness of the solution to the difficulties of the job.

About the Deep Foundations Institute (DFI): DFI (www.dfi.org) is an international association of contractors, engineers, manufacturers, suppliers, academics and owners in the deep foundations industry. Our multidisciplinary membership creates a consensus voice and a common vision for continual improvement in the planning, design and construction of deep foundations and excavations. We bring together members for networking, education, communication and collaboration. With our members, we promote the advancement of the deep foundations industry through technical committees, educational programs and conferences, publications, research, government relations and outreach. DFI has more than 4,000 members worldwide.

The result of this, according to Dycian, is that about a quarter of all water that goes into buildings is wasted.  There are a number of reasons for this consistently high percentage of water that goes to waste, such that Dycian refers to it as “death by a thousand cuts.”  Whether it’s a running toilet or a leak in a water irrigation pipe, there are a massive number of unmonitored water leaks throughout the United States.  As a result, unmonitored water leaks have a cascading effect of damage, where one bad appliance or pipe can cause a much larger problem.  Dycian points out that water leaks and breaks result in tens of billions of dollars in damage each year worldwide, making it the top problem for construction insurance and third for property insurance.

According to Dycian, the main challenge standing in the way of a more sustainable future of water resource management is the lack of monitoring.  This challenge has not gone unnoticed, and more and more companies are moving to install water management systems in their buildings.  Dycian believes that, over the next decade, the installation of water management systems will be standard, particularly for large, high water-use buildings.  Dycian also points to the current trend on retrofitting, which is another outcome of the AEC industry recognizing challenges with water resource management.  Structures like the Empire State Building, which was completed nearly a century ago, are adapting to the modern era by installing water management systems like WINT.  Dycian says the push to install water management systems in new and old buildings is the increasing cost of insurance premiums and water itself.  New buildings are particularly susceptible to damage from water system leaks and breaks.  During this stage, when new systems are being installed and problems are still being worked out, a leak or break that aligns with a period without labor–such as a weekend–could result in catastrophic damage.  To accommodate for this risk, more and more companies are turning to solutions like WINT.

The ability to manage water resources more efficiently is crucial for creating a more sustainable AEC industry for the future.  Water waste represents a significant obstacle in the way of that more sustainable future.  Dycian says that the process of getting water to a building and through a shower or tap is in itself an environmentally-intensive process.  Chemicals are needed to treat the water at both ends, and a tremendous amount of energy is needed to facilitate and maintain its movement throughout systems.  Additionally, processes like sewage treatment emit a significant amount of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere.  Overall, the process of pumping, treating, and moving water has a large carbon footprint.  Thus, to minimize the impact of these processes on the environment, Dycian believes that managing water more efficiently is a major component of a more sustainable future.

This consciousness of water as a finite resource extends beyond usage in taps and showers, but also focuses on water-intensive systems like the cooling towers that run air conditioning.  Beyond the massive amount of water needed to run systems like cooling towers, a small malfunction or leak can result in that water flowing directly into the sewage system.  Dycian uses the example of WINT’s work on the Empire State Building to illustrate the significance of monitoring such systems.  After deploying WINT’s technology at the Empire State Building, a cooling tower malfunction was quickly identified.  Identifying this malfunction resulted in saving the building $100,000 per year.

As the AEC industry strives to build a more sustainable future, the management of water as a resource will continue to grow in importance.  As projects and systems become larger and more complex, the need to protect these projects and investments grows in tandem.  Wasted water on construction projects and already-existing structures represents not only a toll of a resource that is growing in scarcity but also an increase in the carbon footprint of the systems that allow us to use it.  Technologies like WINT Water Intelligence will be critical as the AEC industry adapts to the increasing need for more sustainable processes.

When it comes to discussing sustainability in the AEC industry, there is a tendency to focus on environmental concerns.  Much of this conversation revolves around things like energy efficiency and emissions, but this has begun to change in recent years.  The definition of sustainability in the AEC industry is evolving to view our impact on the built environment as a balance between environmental concerns, biodiversity, and social justice.  Fiona Cousins is the Chair of the Americas at Arup.  As the first female Chair of Arup in the Americas, Cousins has demonstrated her leadership and has been recognized by both the National Building Museum for dedication to shaping a better world through the built environment and by the Beverly Willis Foundation for her impact as a leader championing the advancement of women in engineering and sustainability.  Her influential leadership philosophy is reflected in her deep engineering experience, where Cousins believes that sustainable development isn’t only about scaling up but also about embedding sustainable thinking into every project–no matter the scale or location.

Cousins began her career in the UK in the 90s with a background in mechanical engineering, and started doing primarily analytical work around the thermal response of buildings.  After this, she moved on to start working on the architecture and design side of the industry.  During this part of her career, Cousins was focused on offsetting the cost of buildings through energy efficiency.  After moving to California in 1996, Cousins began expanding her expertise throughout the broader spectrum of sustainability.  This meant focusing on sustainability issues such as water, which is a central issue in California as well as things like materials selection.  Cousins spent three years in California building and designing before moving to New York City in 1999.  Bringing this focus on the broader spectrum of sustainability, Cousins continued her work as a mechanical engineer.

Soon, Cousins established a sustainability consulting business within Arup, which required her to think about the impacts of sustainability from different types of organizations.  This also required her to think about how those organizations can be organized best to promote sustainability.  Cousins worked as a project manager or director for a number of large-scale projects including the US Embassy in London and the Cornell Tech Building on Roosevelt island.  During this time, Cousins also maintained her sustainability consulting work.  In 2017, Cousins was appointed to Arup Group Board, and was asked to take on the role of digital transformation.  In her first years at Arup, Cousins worked to identify the elements of the built environment that worked within this digital transformation.  In 2022, Cousins was appointed to the Chair of the Americas for Arup, which oversees their work in the United States, Canada, and Colombia.  

With sustainability being a more and more pressing topic of discussion in the AEC industry, Cousins believes that, for a long time, there was a tendency to focus on environmental issues in isolation.  While the things we extract during the construction process–water, energy, materials–certainly matter as a part of sustainability, they are only a small part of a much larger issue.  According to Cousins, sustainability is a very large and complex issue, but, in the simplest terms, it can be broken down into three main aspects.  The first is climate change, which encapsulates many of those same issues that were the primary focus for years before.  The other two aspects in the broader discussion of sustainability are social justice and biodiversity in nature.  These categorizations are indicative of an evolving definition of sustainability as it pertains to the AEC industry.  This evolving definition of sustainability is critical as we respond to the effects of climate change.

To develop solutions that address these critical areas, Cousins believes that the concepts of sustainability must be embedded into every level of every project.  This means first understanding the concept of sustainability from an individual level on the project then examining it from through the lenses of climate change, social justice, and biodiversity in nature.  Furthermore, this requires projects to examine their sustainability as it pertains to the supply chain and any downstream activities associated with it.  Cousins believes that this foundational thinking about sustainability is critical in that it also allows people to generate more awareness around sustainability.  

Over time, the more awareness and understanding there is around these concepts of sustainability, the more they will start to appear elsewhere in the AEC industry.  As the AEC industry continues to respond to climate change, this evolving understanding of sustainability is critical to developing a more accurate view of its interconnected nature.  By understanding sustainability as a balance between climate change solutions, social justice, and biodiversity in nature we create solutions that are equitable and environmentally-friendly.

Kaynemaile’s new RE8 Architectural Mesh (R.E/8) will deliver an ISCC PLUS certified sustainable share of up to 88% of its architectural product.  Moving Kaynemaile’s production away from traditional fossil-based materials to a bio-circular attributed polycarbonate will offer a reduction of the carbon footprint of the polymer material by up to 80%, cradle-to-gate, including biogenic uptake.

AIA Debut

RE8 Architectural Mesh is debuting at the American Institute of Architects (AIA) conference in San Francisco this week. Kaynemaile founder Kayne Horsham says, “We are excited to now offer architects, designers and constructors an architectural mesh product made from a single sustainable circular material that is not only beautiful and functional, but also has the best possible environmental credentials in its sector.”

The significant advance in sustainable performance is attributed to the Makrolon® RE product from Covestro, a leading global producer of advanced polymers. Makrolon® has been a consistent material solution for Kaynemaile for 20 years. Scientific advances by Covestro and its suppliers have enabled the release of a high-performance polycarbonate consisting principally of bio waste and residues which is 100% chemically identical to its incumbent fossil equivalent. RE8 retains the same performance concerning physical, mechanical, thermal, optical, fire retardant, and weathering properties as traditional polycarbonates.

Working with this bio-circular attributed polycarbonate material means Kaynemaile’s RE8 product lines now offer architectural specifiers a compelling reduction in CO2 emissions for this class of product. The net result is a circular economy building material with a true drop-in solution with no process interruption or performance change.

Circular Economy Milestone

“RE8 is a major milestone in Kaynemaile’s 20-year commitment to circular economy practices,” says Kayne Horsham. “From the start we have sought a high-performance sustainable feed-stock material solution that exceeds building compliance standards yet has a light environmental footprint. Covestro’ s bio-circular attributed polycarbonate portfolio is now able to deliver on this ambition.”

“Makrolon® RE polycarbonate from Covestro offers designers a sustainable material solution, while still maintaining the key benefits of traditional polycarbonate,” says Joel Matsco, Senior Marketing Manager, Covestro. “The polycarbonate material enables an unencumbered design experience and provides a second life to upstream waste and residues. We look forward to seeing RE8 from Kaynemaile on buildings and in spaces around the world.”

With Kaynemaile’s origins in the Armory department of The Lord of the Rings film trilogy some 20 years ago, the company has evolved into an international business built on its innovative nil-waste liquid-state manufacturing process coupled with a compelling design aesthetic and a team focused on providing bespoke functional design solutions at scale. Kaynemaile’s manufacturing facility is ISCC Plus certified and the introduction of its RE8 bio-circular material helps position architects, planners, and builders to meet regulated carbon reduction targets. “RE8 is the most significant initiative by the company since its founding,” says Kayne Horsham. “We are proud to be at the forefront of this future proofing circular economy technology.”

COWI, throughout the project development phase, will serve as Owner’s Engineer for SixCo and will be the lead technical integrator and optimization knowledge partner. COWI’s role will be to assist with concept development, screening and feasibility, business case, etc. Initially, COWI will develop a high-level desktop technical due diligence report for the Lincoln County Renewable Energy and Sustainability Complex (LCRESC) – which will be of value to potential project partners.

COWI’s engagement with SixCo further strengthens the partnership between Denmark and Nevada on sustainability projects. At the beginning of May, SixCo signed a letter of intent with the Trade Council of Denmark in North America and GreenLab (www.greenlab.dk) to host and support the renewable energy ecosystem at LCRESC – following the success of GreenLab at its renewable energy circular ecosystem in Skive, Denmark.

Kasper Frohlich, COWI´s Business Development Director for Green Fuels in North America, said: “The letter of intent with SixCo represents the first time that GreenLab is involved in establishing a similar project across the Atlantic. The partners have committed to exchanging knowledge to develop new green energy industrial parks in Nevada and potentially elsewhere in the United States.”

Derick Hembd, President of SixCo, said “we are excited to work with COWI at LCRESC, and to utilize their expertise in the development of a landmark green energy industrial park in rural Nevada – one which will enhance local economic development while making a significant contributions to local, state and national renewable energy goals.”

According to McKinsey & Company, “The pressure to act on sustainability may soon increase since businesses across industries are now scrutinizing emissions along their entire supply chain, and, in many cases, semiconductor companies will account for a substantial amount of them. Achieving substantial emission reductions will require collaboration with peers and suppliers, as well as new technologies, innovative thinking and the complete engagement of fabs.”

Elisa IndustrIQ stated, “As we move toward 2030, it is projected that a staggering 20% of global energy consumption will be attributed to the ICT sector, with the semiconductor industry playing a significant role. While the semiconductor industry has surpassed the automobile industry as a larger CO2 polluter, the negative environmental impact of semiconductor production, such as excessive water consumption, has become a pressing issue.”

Understanding the importance of sustainable development, WIN SOURCE has strengthened its construction processes. The company has a comprehensive understanding of its business system and pays close attention to the production process in the semiconductor supply chain. By adopting intelligent analysis methods and focusing on energy-saving data indicators, WIN SOURCE strictly implements control measures aimed at sustainable development.

WIN SOURCE also emphasizes the importance of communication in achieving sustainability. As a socially responsible leader in the industry, WIN SOURCE has built close relationships with its suppliers as strategic partners. The company actively advocates for the participation of friends and partners in the process of sustainable development, building a global ecosystem with customers, partners and suppliers to create social value.

Moreover, WIN SOURCE promotes the actual implementation of “green” practices in all aspects of the semiconductor supply chain. The company regards green sustainable development as one of its important corporate beliefs. WIN SOURCE monitors the ecological indicators of the supply chain through digital means and implements reform measures in warehousing, procurement and transportation. As a distributor, WIN SOURCE takes responsibility for helping global customers efficiently manufacture products.

Ethan Tsai, the CEO of WIN SOURCE, stated, “Sustainability is the cornerstone of ensuring continued progress in the supply chain. Without sustainable development to ensure the stability of the environment, there is no stable supply chain source, let alone planning the future development of semiconductor supply chains.”

In the face of growing demand for semiconductors, WIN SOURCE’s commitment to sustainability positions the company as a leader in the industry. Through its strategic approach to construction, communication and implementation, WIN SOURCE is addressing the semiconductor supply chain’s current needs and paving the way for a more sustainable future.

WIN SOURCE’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond its own operations. The company is actively working with its partners and suppliers to promote sustainable practices throughout the semiconductor supply chain. By sharing its knowledge and resources, WIN SOURCE is helping to raise industry standards and drive collective action toward a more sustainable future.

In addition to focusing on energy efficiency, WIN SOURCE is committed to reducing waste and promoting recycling within the semiconductor supply chain. The company has implemented innovative waste management strategies and is continually exploring new ways to minimize its environmental footprint. These efforts contribute to sustainability and enhance operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Looking ahead, WIN SOURCE recognizes that sustainability is a journey, not a destination. The company is committed to continuous improvement and is constantly seeking new ways to reduce its environmental impact and promote sustainable practices. By integrating sustainability into its core business strategy, WIN SOURCE ensures its long-term success and contributes to the broader goal of a sustainable semiconductor industry.

For more information and to shop now, visit win-source.net.

With the new capabilities, infrastructure professionals can fully automate embodied carbon calculation reports and impact analyses by taking advantage of iTwin Experience, enabling them to explore multiple design choices faster and eliminate manual data exports and normalization.

In 2022, Bentley developed an integration service in the iTwin Platform to automate the process of generating embodied carbon reports for infrastructure projects via One Click LCA and EC3. Reports are initiated using the iTwin Platform and then viewed in One Click LCA or EC3. Now, iTwin Experience provides a ready-to-go, bi-directional integration with EC3, enabling carbon assessments to be visualized in a digital twin without the need to write code. iTwin Experience exports a data model to EC3, a free tool for which users need to be separately registered, which performs the embodied carbon calculations and returns results that iTwin Experience seamlessly reads and visualizes.   

Organizations that want to include carbon assessment workflows in their infrastructure projects without developing proprietary iTwin-powered apps will benefit from the newly available carbon calculation capabilities in iTwin Experience. The capabilities also unlock the integration of carbon assessment workflows with other Bentley products and solutions for designing and managing infrastructure projects.

The capabilities are being released in Preview and will be available for a restricted number of partners and early adopters.

Kaustubh Page, Director of Product Management with Bentley Systems, said, “Lifecycle assessments, environmental footprint analyses, and reports are becoming standard requirements for infrastructure projects worldwide. Designers and environmental engineers spend critical time generating environmental assessments or reports. Because the required data needed to be manually exported from multiple design authoring tools and then aggregated and verified, generating these environmental assessments has been a time-consuming and potentially error-prone process. With these new capabilities built into iTwin Experience, it is feasible to transform what is typically a six-month process into a six-minute workflow. Our goal is for iTwin Experience users to spend their valuable time on designing, optimizing, and making better decisions, faster – not exporting, aggregating, and validating data.”

Rodrigo Fernandes, Director of ES(D)G with Bentley Systems, said, “We want to enable users to implement carbon analysis and optimization as a natural, repeatable, and standardized procedure, as part of managing every type of infrastructure project, anywhere in the world. The sooner that carbon assessment is integrated into an infrastructure project, the bigger the carbon reduction opportunities will be. This announcement is focused on embodied carbon, particularly relevant in the early project stages, but iTwin Experience unleashes opportunities for telling the whole ‘carbon story’ of an infrastructure project and asset. We are genuinely unlocking environmental footprint assessments powered by infrastructure digital twins.”

Mark Tablante, Design Technology Director with Burns & MacDonnell, said, “Electrification is a critical component to meeting the world’s decarbonization goals. There is a tremendous amount of capital investment needed in electric T&D infrastructure and a carbon-efficient design makes the most of every dollar spent to further decarbonization. Tracking and reporting on progress toward utilities’ net zero goals is important to not only their shareholders, but for the future of our world. Burns & McDonnell is working with Bentley to test their new iTwin-powered carbon reporting capabilities for the electric utility industry. Our sustainability engineers and environmental group are proud to work with our clients and technology partners to help develop vendor agnostic solutions for a brighter future. We look forward to integrating these services and continuing helping our clients track carbon and reach their net zero goals.”

The USGBC ENC Region’s Leadership Awards Program recognizes exceptional green buildings in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio. On Thursday, June 22, a virtual awards ceremony celebrated the outstanding achievements in sustainable design and construction. Schmidt Associates emerged as the winner by showcasing their innovative use of modern technologies and strategies to overcome project challenges while pushing the boundaries of green design.

The award-winning project, the Indianapolis Public Library West Perry Branch, exemplifies Schmidt Associates’ commitment to sustainability. Completed in 2021, this LEED-Gold certified building is a remarkable collaboration between Schmidt Associates and HBM Architects, based in Cleveland, Ohio. With a budget of $9.2 million and spanning 24,000 square feet, the West Perry Branch serves a growing middle-class population, as well as Burmese and Spanish-speaking patrons.

The library’s architectural design boasts environmentally friendly features, including electronic access control, smart and energy-efficient appliances, wood ceilings that enhance visual pathways, and an underfloor air distribution system for increased occupant comfort. A white TPO roof with Solar Photovoltaic (Solar PV) panels and an exterior sun shading screen lighten the load on the mechanical system. Abundant windows throughout the building provide natural daylight and scenic views of the surrounding riparian woodland. The interior features natural and recycled materials, such as textured green carpeting reminiscent of grass and restroom tiles with an organic pattern harmonizes with nature. Visitors can also enjoy the presence of natural wood furniture resembling tree stumps in the main lobby and children’s area.

Expressing her gratitude, Sarah Hempstead, AIA, LEED AP, CEO and Principal of Schmidt Associates, stated, “Together with HBM Architects, we are honored and thrilled to receive this recognition. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to our dedicated project teams for their countless hours in fulfilling the Owners’ vision, and we thank our valued Owners for entrusting us with this remarkable project. Through collaboration, innovation, and shared goals, we have succeeded in creating an extraordinary community asset for Indianapolis’ southside.”

This prestigious award highlights Schmidt Associates’ ongoing dedication to sustainable design and their unwavering commitment to crafting exceptional spaces that positively impact communities.

Registration for the 2023 ASCEND event is open now. Journalists from around the world are invited to cover 2023 ASCEND; press passes are available for credentialed media by request.

Powered by AIAA, 2023 ASCEND will dedicate three days to sharing broad, bold ideas and perspectives as the nexus for addressing the most important opportunities and challenges that come with increased activity in space today:

• Space and Sustainability: Discovering ideas to protect Earth from environmental impact and advance space-based sensing tech, clean energy, asteroid mitigation, and more
• Space Exploration and Infrastructure: Building the necessary infrastructure to support human presence in low Earth orbit, cislunar space, and beyond – from habitats and life-support systems to reliable communication networks and propulsion technologies
• Space Security and Protection: Exploring mission cybersecurity, policy partnerships, detection, and new technologies for space asset protection
• Space Traffic Management: Collaborating on efficient space traffic management to mitigate collision risks and safeguard valuable resources
• Expanding and Evolving the Space Economy: Shaping the expanding space economy including emerging markets and investment approaches with a forecast value of $1 trillion by 2040 – from low Earth orbit to cislunar space
• Education, Outreach, and Workforce: Focusing on workforce challenges, diversity, and education in the commercial space industry

Industry thought leaders, government officials, and space luminaries will be announced as keynote speakers and members of thought-provoking panels in the coming weeks. The 2023 ASCEND program will cut across civil, commercial, and national security space sectors, along with adjacent industries. Through dialogue and attendee collaboration, ASCEND will advance the strategic planning, innovation, scientific exploration, and effective regulations and standards needed to help preserve space for future generations.

In addition to the initial agenda announced today, hundreds of technical papers and collaborative sessions are scheduled, featuring expert researchers and innovators that anchor the event with the long-term thinking required to build a sustainable off-world future.

In its fourth year, ASCEND continues to offer the unique attendee experiences that it’s become known for:  

• A collaborative event experience with technical exchanges, debates, workshops, and interactive sessions designed to lead to outcomes
• One all-access ticket to attend all sessions, enjoy meals, and benefit from networking events
• A new dynamic event app providing attendees with schedule information at their fingertips
• The return of the Engagement Zone – a central location filled with exhibits showcasing the latest space technologies, interactive displays, and a comfortable space for checking email or relaxing between sessions

“We are eagerly anticipating thousands of diverse dreamers and doers coming to 2023 ASCEND where they will share their visions for space in the next few decades. ASCEND is the unique event where they get to connect with the key players who can help them bring those visions to life,” said Dan Dumbacher, AIAA executive director. “The multifaceted program at 2023 ASCEND is going to deliver an action-packed experience for the community that will help forge a sustainable off-world future for all.”

Hempel, who joined LPA in 1995, has been an integral part of the firm’s growth, helping to develop an integrated design process that has produced industry-leading results. In recent years, LPA twice was the largest firm in the nation to meet the AIA 2030’s Commitment energy reduction target, and its projects have won the industry’s top national design awards. In 2021, LPA earned the AIA California Firm Award, the state’s highest honor for an architecture firm.

Hempel is an active national leader on energy performance and decarbonization, working to develop best practices across the industry for developing higher performing buildings. In recognition of his career contributions, Hempel was named to the AIA College of Fellows in 2021.

“Keith is an inspirational voice for the firm and the industry,” says LPA CEO Wendy Rogers. “He continues the tradition of having a designer lead the evolution of our firm and driving our commitment to energy performance and carbon reduction in our buildings.”

Hempel moves into the position held for the past 36 years by Dan Heinfeld, who led the development of LPA from a small, commercial development-focused studio to a nation-leading integrated design firm with six studios, eight practices and more than 400 architects, engineers and designers. Heinfeld will remain in an active role with the firm and serve as an advisor to the board of directors.

“Keith is the natural choice to lead the firm into the future,” Heinfeld said. “He’s made better building performance and design excellence the focus of our integrated design teams, demonstrating that a better design process consistently achieves better design results.”

Throughout his career, Hempel has focused on connecting building performance and design excellence, developing an integrated design model built on collaboration, maximizing passive strategies and establishing measurable performance goals on every project, regardless of scale or budget.

“When we’re talking about big goals like carbon neutrality, it can’t just be about a sample of projects or a portion of our projects,” Hempel said. “It has to be everybody, and we have to be doing it across all our practices, all our studios and all our project teams.”

During his time at LPA, Hempel has led design teams on a wide range of award-winning projects in different market sectors, including commercial, life science and education developments. In addition, he has helped spearhead the expansion of LPA’s in-house research team, which recently added industry leader Ellen Mitchell as Director of Sustainability and Applied Research.

In his new role, Hempel will lead the company’s business, marketing and brand efforts, and direct the evolution of the firm. Chief Operating Officer Jon Mills will continue to handle the firm’s day-to-day business operations, while Chief Financial Officer Frederick Braggs provides strategic direction and financial stewardship.

Hempel will remain as Chief Design Officer, developing the firm’s focus on collaboration and an inclusive design approach that involves architects, engineers, designers and landscape architects from the start of the design process.

“I see myself as a resource to help us put ourselves in a position to win projects and to do our best work,” Hempel said. “It’s not me telling people how to do things. It’s me helping people work better together and build stronger relationships.”

Hempel will continue to play an important role in helping the industry meet its goal of eliminating carbon in new buildings by 2030. Hempel represents LPA on the AIA’s 2030 Commitment Working Group and serves on the Sustainability Working Group of the AIA Large Firm Roundtable.

“Everything we do is about bringing value and helping our clients make better decisions about their projects,” Hempel said. “The challenge for the industry is to marry the ideas of decarbonization with making it practical and reasonable to be implemented.”

In recent years, Hempel has been part of the LPA leadership team planning the firm’s strategic vision for the upcoming years. The vision focused the firm on established priorities, including a commitment to integrated teams, applied research and developing talent.

“Keith is going to be our north star in the years ahead,” Rogers says. “I’m really excited to see where he’s going, and how he’s going to influence the firm and make us better.”

“With COWI, Ramboll and Asplan Viak we have a highly competent and enthusiastic team ready to start on this important phase together with Bybanen Utbygging”, says Terje Simmenes, Project Director, Bergen Light Rail Construction and Development.

The light rail to Åsane will contribute to green mobility and boost the quality of life in the second largest city in Norway. According to estimates, around 60,000 people will use the light rail every day in 2040. It will follow Bryggen right at the centre of Bergen. In addition to being an ambitious light rail project, it is indeed an immensely sustainable urban development project. A new bicycle path and a rock tunnel expansion are also part of the project.

“This is a key project in terms of securing seamless and sustainable mobility in Bergen. This is a true dream project. We are proud to be entrusted with this important phase of the Bergen Light Rail, working with such a strong team. This will also make one of the most beautiful cities in the world even greener,” says Birgit Farstad Larsen, Executive Vice President, COWI.

FACTS

• The zoning plan for phase 5 of the Bergen Light Rail was adopted on 31 May 2023.
• On 5 June 2023, the partnership consisting of COWI, Asplan Viak and Rambøll signed the consultancy contract with Bergen Light Rail Construction and Development.
• The contract sum is approx. NOK 1.1 billion.
• The project involves rail alignment, a bicycle path and a tunnel expansion.
• The light rail alignment covers a section of 12.7 kilometres and 14 stops.
• The bicycle alignment is around 13 kilometres long.
• The extension of the Fløyfjell Tunnel is around three kilometres long, bringing the new total tunnel length to around 5.5 kilometres.
• The UNESCO world heritage site Bryggen, the old Hanseatic wharf in Bergen, has been a place of trade for a thousand years.

Bowman provides complete implementation support from site identification and acquisition, through land survey, preliminary engineering, environmental due diligence, and interconnect application, to full electrical & civil design, and construction management.

According to Bloomberg NEF’s March 2023 report, the Americas region is expected to represent 21% annual storage capacity on a gigawatt basis by 2030, led by the U.S. with large-scale projects in California, the Southwest and Texas. Bowman has seen marked increases in BESS contracts in these regions along with emerging expansion in the Mid-West and Mid-Atlantic.

“Marrying our end-to-end engineering and survey services with the aggressive implementation schedules of our battery storage clients has created a streamlined process for speeding the delivery of BESS solutions to new locations,” said Dan Swayze, executive vice president of energy services for Bowman. “With the inclusion of battery storage in the FAST Act, our clients will be able to combine expedited permitting with Bowman’s proven processes to successfully build out battery storage and fully support the growth of renewable energy in the U.S.”

“Regis, and our affiliated partners, are leading the growth of the BESS market,” said Daniel Senneff and Nathan Vajdos, co-founders and Managing Partners of Regis Energy Partners. ”Bowman has the network of nationwide professionals, the breadth of services and the industry experience we require to support our leadership role and enable our teams to successfully meet market demand for battery energy storage.”

Sustainability drives the design of this new metro line, which aims to reduce the overall carbon footprint by 50% compared with the city’s existing lines, while prioritising the passenger experience and safety to enhance sustainable mobility across the city of Copenhagen.

In the first phase, the joint venture will develop the concept design and carry out an environmental impact assessment (EIA) to assess the possible effects of the development on residents’ health, examining noise pollution and vibration, and any likely impacts on local biodiversity – land, soil, water, air – and, the city’s cultural heritage.

The proposed engineering and architectural design for the M5 design consists of 10 stations running from Copenhagen Central Station via Islands Brygge, Amagerbrogade and Refshaleøen all the way to Lynetteholm and Østerport, as well as a bifurcation chamber to prepare for a potential Øresund metro line. The infrastructure will also safeguard a possible future extension of the line to close the ring between Østerport and Copenhagen Central.

The EIA will consider all relevant environmental aspects of the chosen alignment, stations, and reasonable alternatives, advising on utility relocation and the design of civil works. Once the concept design is completed, the team will develop the reference design and follow the project through the procurement process alongside Metroselskabet.

The new M5 metro line will serve existing areas of the capital as well as new districts, also helping to relieve congestion on the M1/M2 harbour crossing and provide sustainable mobility connection into the emerging urban districts of Kløverparken, Refshaleøen and Lynetteholm.

“We are thrilled and privileged to be part of the M5 team to jointly develop Copenhagen’s next metro line for the city’s many residents. The project is highly ambitious when it comes to its vision for sustainability, and innovation and digitalisation will be core elements as we design new solutions without compromising the customer experience or safety. We want to significantly reduce the carbon footprint and set new standards for tomorrow’s metros,” says Flemming Billeskov Nissen, Project Director at COWI.

“The new M5 metro line will set new climate standards and contribute to a greener future for Copenhagen. We look forward to working with our partners on this visionary project, which builds on our expertise in the design and development of sustainable transport systems in Copenhagen, to design a stunning, efficient, and safe passenger experience that will take the world’s best metro to the next level,” says Alison Norrish, Project Director at Arup.

Bentley Systems’ Rodrigo Fernandes, Empowering Sustainable Development Goals (ES(D)G) Director, will participate in an expert panel discussion at Environment Analyst’s Global Business Summit in Chicago, Illinois. He will specifically focus on how organizations involved in infrastructure can successfully integrate sustainability and resilience into their development and project delivery. Fernandes will also highlight the latest news about Bentley’s product strategy for supporting carbon footprint reporting and optimization in infrastructure projects.

In a rapidly evolving landscape, the Global Business Summit provides an opportunity to come together with over 150 sustainability consulting leaders, clients, and stakeholders to explore how sustainability and ESG drivers are impacting the North American market. Attendees will learn how to respond to these drivers, as well as how to develop strategies to fully integrate ESG within the corporate business framework and showcase real action.

Who:

The following people will be presenting alongside Fernandes at the expert panel discussion:

• Hollie Schmidt, Director, Resilient + Sustainability Business Advisory, Jacobs
• Lauren Swan, Vice President, Director of Resilience and Sustainable Development, AECOM
• Joyce Coffee, President, Climate Resilience Consulting
• Michael Johnsen, Senior Advisor for Climate and Sustainability, Federal Railroad Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation

When:

The Global Business Summit runs from June 27 to June 28, 2023. Fernandes will be a panelist at the following event:

Wednesday, June 28, 11:15 a.m.

Expert Panel Discussion: Successfully Integrating Sustainability and Resilience into Infrastructure Development and Project Delivery

Moderator: Susan Reisbord, EVP environmental services, Stantec

Where:

Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel

221 N Columbus Drive

Chicago, IL 60601

Media Interviews

Rodrigo Fernandes and Kaustubh Page, Bentley’s director of product management, will be available for one-on-one interviews during the event, as well as virtually after the event—particularly to discuss the latest news on Bentley’s product strategy and solutions for carbon footprint reporting and optimization. To request an interview, please contact Michaela Romero at Michaela.Romero@bentley.com or +33 188463963.

Kaynemaile’s new RE8 Architectural Mesh will deliver an ISCC PLUS certified sustainable share of up to 88% of its architectural product.  Moving Kaynemaile’s production away from traditional fossil-based materials to a bio-circular attributed polycarbonate will offer a reduction of the carbon footprint of the polymer material by up to 80%, cradle-to-gate, including biogenic uptake.

AIA Debut

RE8 Architectural Mesh is debuting at the American Institute of Architects (AIA) conference in San Francisco this week. Kaynemaile founder Kayne Horsham says, “We are excited to now offer architects, designers and constructors an architectural mesh product made from a single sustainable circular material that is not only beautiful and functional, but also has the best possible environmental credentials in its sector.”

The significant advance in sustainable performance is attributed to the Makrolon® RE product from Covestro, a leading global producer of advanced polymers. Makrolon® has been a consistent material solution for Kaynemaile for 20 years. Scientific advances by Covestro and its suppliers have enabled the release of a high-performance polycarbonate consisting principally of bio waste and residues which is 100% chemically identical to its incumbent fossil equivalent. RE8 retains the same performance concerning physical, mechanical, thermal, optical, fire retardant, and weathering properties as traditional polycarbonates.

Working with this bio-circular attributed polycarbonate material means Kaynemaile’s RE8 product lines now offer architectural specifiers a compelling reduction in CO2 emissions for this class of product. The net result is a circular economy building material with a true drop-in solution with no process interruption or performance change.

Circular Economy Milestone

“RE8 is a major milestone in Kaynemaile’s 20-year commitment to circular economy practices,” says Kayne Horsham. “From the start we have sought a high-performance sustainable feed-stock material solution that exceeds building compliance standards yet has a light environmental footprint. Covestro’ s bio-circular attributed polycarbonate portfolio is now able to deliver on this ambition.”

“Makrolon® RE polycarbonate from Covestro offers designers a sustainable material solution, while still maintaining the key benefits of traditional polycarbonate,” says Joel Matsco, Senior Marketing Manager, Covestro. “The polycarbonate material enables an unencumbered design experience and provides a second life to upstream waste and residues. We look forward to seeing RE8 from Kaynemaile on buildings and in spaces around the world.”

With Kaynemaile’s origins in the Armory department of The Lord of the Rings film trilogy some 20 years ago, the company has evolved into an international business built on its innovative nil-waste liquid-state manufacturing process coupled with a compelling design aesthetic and a team focused on providing bespoke functional design solutions at scale. Kaynemaile’s manufacturing facility is ISCC Plus certified and the introduction of its RE8 bio-circular material helps position architects, planners, and builders to meet regulated carbon reduction targets.

“RE8 is the most significant initiative by the company since its founding,” says Kayne Horsham. “We are proud to be at the forefront of this future proofing circular economy technology.”

PPI MS-7 includes detailed specifications for four plastic piping materials which have been proven in ground-source heat exchange systems: HDPE, PE-RT, PEX, and PP (PP-R and PP-RCT).  According to PPI, the definitions, terms and other information can be readily used in bid documents, for example.  The model specification provides language related to pipe and tubing materials, fittings, and joining procedures.  Installation and pressure testing recommendations are also provided.  It complements another PPI document, PPI TN-55 Plastic Piping Materials for Ground Source Geothermal Heating and Cooling Applications.

“High-density polyethylene (HDPE) has been the primary piping material used in geothermal ground loops for decades and is a proven resource for this application.  The product standards and specifications for HDPE piping, however, have evolved in recent years, so a specifier that uses outdated language for piping systems may inadvertently specify a product that no longer exists in the market, or one that is simply less capable than the current state-of-the-art.” explained Lance MacNevin, P. Eng., director of engineering for PPI’s Building & Construction Division.  “Also, two other types of HDPE-based piping materials, PEX and PE-RT, are now approved in model codes for geo ground loop and are important options for certain projects.  In addition, PP-R and PP-RCT piping systems are recommended for indoor piping.”

Because geothermal systems significantly assist with decarbonization and deliver energy savings when heating and cooling buildings, this is the most exciting time in the geothermal industry in terms of market acceptance and new opportunities.  Ground source heat pump systems are one of the most sustainable applications of plastic piping systems.

The team of experts from PPI member companies that developed MS-7 consulted with the latest model codes and standards from ASTM, CSA, IAPMO, ICC, IGSHPA, and NSF when developing the content.  The new model spec also includes an entire section on Indoor Piping Products which are typically installed in mechanical rooms to connect the outdoor ground loops with heat pumps and hydronic distribution systems.

Additional information and data about piping materials used for both outdoor ground loop and indoor mechanical room piping materials is available from the PPI Building & Construction Division at www.plasticpipe.org/buildingconstruction.

As the most abundantly used construction material in the world, concrete is a major contributor of greenhouse gases. An industry leader in sustainability, Central Concrete was the first North American building material producer to provide Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for concrete in order to quantify and demonstrate the reduction of embodied carbon in its production. They are now focused on reducing the emissions associated with the transportation of the material by addressing their concrete mixing trucks, which are among the heaviest vehicles on the road.

One of the main benefits of concrete is that it is ordered on demand throughout the construction process, but that requires trucks to frequently travel and transport it from the production plant to the job site. Concrete trucks are often the heaviest vehicles on the road and require more fuel, leading to increased greenhouse gas emissions. They are also difficult to transition to ZEVs due to their small market size, legal weight restrictions, and high energy demand.

“Central Concrete has been a national leader in sustainability by delivering low-carbon concrete. Our partnership with Central Concrete and Momentum is a substantial step forward in decarbonizing hard-to-abate heavy-duty fleet vehicles both in California and within the concrete industry,” said Raphael Sperry, an Associate Principal in Arup’s San Francisco office. 

To address these barriers, Arup, Central Concrete, and Momentum researched different hydrogen and battery electric ZEV technologies to gauge market readiness, clarify the implications of the fleet transition on operations, and better understand the potential costs. After extensive research informed by community and stakeholder engagement sessions, the team found that converting Central Concrete’s fleet of concrete mixer trucks to Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) would be the best option. This is primarily due to hydrogen fuel’s light weight and lower cost, as well as the fact that it can be stored and dispensed on-site or delivered by mobile fueling, allowing Central Concrete to limit disruption of its current fueling practices. In addition, hydrogen fuel cells create zero local emissions, which leads to cleaner air and eliminates carbon emissions when supplied by green hydrogen sources.

“Developing zero-emission solutions for concrete mixer trucks demonstrates a viable pathway for transitioning very heavy-duty vehicles to hydrogen or electric in the years ahead,” said John Friedrich, Strategist with Momentum. “We’re hopeful that the results of this Blueprint collaboration with Central Concrete and Momentum will be utilized and replicated by the concrete industry throughout California and the United States.”

Arup and Momentum are also currently supporting several additional CEC Blueprint grant teams across a variety of use cases, including retail truck fueling station operators, port operators, ferry operators, logistics and food distribution companies, airports, and local governments. With the support from CEC Blueprint grants, Arup, Momentum, and their partners will continue to develop actionable and scalable transitions for fleets that will lead to positive outcomes for communities and fleet operators throughout California and the country.

COWI acquires Mannvit effective of 31 May 2023. The acquisition will give COWI an even stronger market position in the Nordic region where investments in the green transition are accelerating. COWI and Mannvit share strongholds in energy, infrastructure, and industry and Mannvit’s employees provide new capabilities to accelerate COWI’s growth ambitions. In addition, Mannvit’s 280 employees have broad experience in geothermal and hydropower, which are capabilities that are in high demand.

“We are excited to welcome Mannvit to the COWI Group. It’s a perfect match, both from a business and cultural perspective. Both companies have employees with great technical capabilities, and we share values as well as a strong buy-in to work with our customers to co-create sustainable and well- designed solutions that improve the quality of life for people today and many generations ahead,” says Group CEO of COWI, Jens Højgaard Christoffersen.

Iceland as a green energy island

It is no coincidence that COWI now enters the Icelandic market. Thanks to its good access to renewables, Iceland has the potential to become a green energy hub for various industries. Iceland is already a front-runner when it comes to carbon capture and storage, which will be key in tackling the climate crisis.

“Since the green transition is a core pillar in our strategy, it makes sense to enter the Icelandic market,” says Henrik Winther, Executive Vice President of COWI in Denmark, who will lead the integration of Mannvit and COWI.

Significant growth potential

The Icelandic government has increased its investments in new infrastructure and green energy in recent years. The size and complexity of future infrastructure systems require an extensive team of skilled employees and relevant experience. As a part of the COWI Group, Mannvit will expand in terms of competencies and scale and be ready for most challenges.

“By joining forces with COWI, we get the opportunity to develop Mannvit as a company while building on our legacy. From our collaboration on various projects, we know that there is both a technical and cultural fit between our companies. But most importantly, we share the same ambition for a sustainable future,” explains Örn Guðmundsson, CEO of Mannvit. He continues:

“We see how requirements intensify, for example in our work with the bus rapid transit network in Reykjavík, which is why we teamed up with COWI. So, to strengthen our competitiveness, we have decided to tie closer bonds.”

Following the acquisition, the ambition is to strengthen Mannvit’s position as a leading engineering

company in Iceland in the coming years by expanding customer services.

“With our combined services and customer-centric approach, Mannvit now gets 7,500 specialist colleagues to help deliver quality engineering solutions, which will strengthen our value offer to our Icelandic customers. Being part of the COWI Group also creates additional career opportunities, making Mannvit an even more attractive workplace for current and future employees,” states Henrik Winther.

As part of the transaction, Mannvit will become a fully integrated business unit in the COWI Group. Mannvit will change its name to COWI and operate fully under the COWI brand as of 1 January 2024. Until then, Mannvit will continue to operate under its own name and brand.

MAR Advisors has acted as financial advisor for Mannvits board and shareholders, and Arta has acted as legal advisor for the sellers. Lex Law Firm has acted as legal advisor, and KPMG as financial advisor for COWI.

The Advanced Clean Energy Storage I project will convert renewable energy into green hydrogen that can be stored in utility-scale solution mined domal salt caverns. The ACES Delta hydrogen hub controls the only known “Gulf Coast”-style domal-quality salt formation in the western U.S., which contains five existing salt caverns already being used for storing liquid fuels.

Advanced Clean Energy Storage I is a wholly owned subsidiary of ACES Delta, LLC. ACES Delta is a joint venture between Magnum Development and Mitsubishi Power Americas.

WSP was contracted for the designing, drilling and completion of both cavern wells. Beside the drilling operation, WSP was responsible for designing procuring and managing the construction process of the project’s solution mining surface facility to provide water and power to the well sites and will manage the solution mining process until final completion of both caverns.

“Hydrogen underground storage is a key component of the hydrogen economy, which is critical in the effort to decarbonize U.S. power generation,” said Scyller Borglum, underground storage leader for WSP USA. “These underground salt dome caverns will provide a huge reservoir of renewable fuel for power generation, supporting levels of utility scale renewable energy storage that have not been previously possible.”

The drilling operation for each cavern well was completed ahead of schedule, and both cavern wells have successfully passed the mechanical integrity test designated to ensure well integrity prior to the start of the solution mining process.

Upon completion of the solution mining process, the total cavern volume of 9MM barrels-equivalent will be able to store around 300 gigawatt hours of clean and reliable energy in the form of hydrogen.

These will be the fourth and fifth hydrogen-compatible caverns in the U.S., and the salt cavern storage capacity will make it possible to store excess renewable energy produced in the spring when energy demand is low and use it to generate energy in the summer when demand is high.

The AWT demonstration facility is part of PWD’s Pure Water Antelope Valley (Pure Water AV) indirect potable reuse program, which will produce approximately 5 million gallons per day (MGD) of potable water using tertiary effluent from the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts’ Palmdale Water Reclamation Plant. Stantec is providing program management services for Pure Water AV.   

“Incorporating Capture6’s technology into indirect and direct potable reuse facilities could be a win-win solution for our inland clients, including PWD, and Capture6,” said Zakir Hirani, vice president and Water Reuse sector leader for Stantec. “The partnership is a powerful one, addressing the critical need to cost-effectively dispose brine while recovering additional water for reuse and removing carbon that supports climate resiliency. We are thrilled we could facilitate this synergy between PWD and Capture6.”

The full-scale AWT facility for Pure Water AV is expected to produce approximately 700,000 gallons of brine per day from reverse osmosis (RO). As an inland potable reuse facility with no access to ocean outfall, disposal of RO brine could cost PWD millions of dollars per year. Capture6’s technology uses a chemical produced from the RO brine to extract carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and produce clean water and chemicals, which can both be reused.  

“With Capture6’s technology, there is zero discharge of brine,” said Scott Rogers, engineering manager for PWD. “Not only is this a sustainable solution, but it will ultimately save ratepayers money and help meet PWD’s recycled water goals.”

The cost for additional water recovery and carbon removal by Capture6’s technology can be partially offset by federal incentives for carbon removal and funding from private corporations for their carbon footprint reduction. The treatment process used by Capture6 could eliminate the need for brine disposal and produce byproduct chemicals that can be reused at the AWT facilities or sold to industrial users.

“We are enthusiastic about this partnership with PWD and Stantec as we work together to increase water production and remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere,” said Dr. Ethan Cohen-Cole, CEO and founder of Capture6.

The demonstration facility will be used to assess the technical feasibility and economic viability of Capture6’s technology in potable reuse application before it is considered for the full-scale project. Upon successful implementation, the technology could eliminate PWD’s need for about 2 miles of pipeline and 72 acres of evaporative ponds to dispose brine.

Stantec has worked on numerous potable reuse projects, many of which are inland and face enormous brine disposal costs. Knowledge gained from the demonstration facility will help Stantec develop cost-effective brine management solutions for municipal and industrial clients.

Jon Kramer joined OHM advisors 30 years ago in 1993. Although he had a background in environmental engineering, Kramer joined the firm as a part of their municipal engineering practice, which he describes as a “collection of road, water, and sewer” work. Since joining OHM as an intern, Kramer has risen through the ranks, becoming CEO of the firm two years ago. In his three decades with the firm, Kramer has seen OHM Advisors grow from an 80-person firm with one office to its current state with 650 employees working out of 18 offices. One of the key factors behind OHM’s growth is their belief and dedication to the idea that diversity drives innovation. Kramer points out that this comes to fruition through their continued efforts to ensure that diversity and inclusion are “intrinsic to the fabric of the company.” 

This approach hinges on the fact that, when DEI is reflected throughout an organization, they benefit from a variety of insights and are better prepared to meet the needs of the populations they serve. For OHM, this includes efforts to address the talent gap by encouraging careers in STEM through things like mentorship and internship programs as well as outreach to various schools. Further, OHM demonstrates this commitment through investments in their annual diversity scholarship program. Kramer has also demonstrated this commitment by signing the CEO Action for Diversity Pledge. 

Kramer points out that this level of commitment has been difficult in some management areas, but the results have far exceeded any difficulties. OHM’s commitment has “empowered [their] employees to be the best versions of themselves.” In turn, Kramer says that this has ultimately led to OHM providing the best solutions for their clients and communities while having employees who value their work. When it comes to discussing climate change resilience and sustainability, Kramer believes that these topics are inherently tied into their commitment to people and communities and describes OHM as the “community advancement firm.” OHM Advisors’ mission of Advancing Communities is a summation of their role of working hand-in-hand with clients to create innovative solutions for building sustainable communities. 

On a project basis, this means making their clients’ challenges into their challenges, and delivering solutions that clients and communities may not know they need. Kramer notes that this requires treating each community individually, which means there are “no cookie cutter solutions” for the challenges they face. This community-forward approach has had a substantial effect on a number of communities in which OHM has completed work. One example of such a community can be found in Newark, Ohio. Stemming from an EPA mandate to separate the sewer systems from stormwater runoff systems, the initial revitalization project began as a $30 million sewer separation project, totaling nearly 10 city blocks. However, the project ran into challenges, as the streets around the downtown square would need to be demolished. 

Demolition of the streets around the square would have potentially affected the historic Licking County Courthouse, which was built in 1878 and designed by architect Henry E. Myer of Cleveland in the Second Empire style. This American vernacular centerpiece eventually became the focus of revitalization efforts and recently completed a $9.2 million Phase I restoration. With forward-thinking leadership, the City of Newark recognized the opportunity to turn a traditional infrastructure project into a placemaking and economic development strategy. They turned to OHM Advisors to lead an extensive community planning initiative to examine how the project could evolve. After a series of stakeholder and public meetings, a community vision emerged that called for a more pedestrian-friendly downtown, focusing on streetscaping, wayfinding, and enhancing the existing transportation network. 

With the goal of improving the image and brand of the city’s downtown while simultaneously improving the transportation network, the resulting solution included expansive sidewalks, sustainable infrastructure, straightforward two-way traffic patterns, and easy-to-navigate mini roundabouts at the four corners of the courthouse. Since the project was completed in 2017, these improvements have calmed traffic and significantly improved pedestrian access to the downtown economic area, which has in turn led to gains in population, jobs, downtown living, and economic generating activities. This community-led project in Newark is a tangible result of OHM’s community-forward way of doing business. 

Elsewhere in Ohio, OHM is currently engaged in a project that contains multiple communities within its scope. The Cuyahoga River, which has a long and complex history with industry and its resulting pollution, is now cleaner than it has been in decades thanks to dedicated efforts to improve the river’s condition for future generations. The Cuyahoga’s cleaner waters are resulting in an increased demand for recreational, entertainment, and residential development along the river. Understanding the river’s history with development, the Vision for the Valley (VFTV) plan was created with the goal of finding healthy, equitable, and environmentally-conscious ways to continue to promote this regional economic development. 

Launched in 2019 on the 50th anniversary of the Cuyahoga River Fire, the VFTV is a joint project between the City of Cleveland Planning Commission, Cleveland Metroparks, the Port of Cleveland, Flats Forward, and the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA). These groups and agencies recognized the need for a unified vision to guide growth and decision-making and brought OHM Advisors on as the lead consultant to develop a comprehensive, innovative study that reimagines the Cuyahoga River Valley. Kramer notes that, while crucially important to the future, VFTV is “no small, nor easy, effort.” The Cuyahoga River is a federal shipping channel and a state-designated water trail, meaning commercial shipping and recreational water activities exist together in one river. Furthermore, compared to other commercially-active rivers, the Cuyahoga is narrow, which makes navigation and safety important concerns in developing a plan for its future. 

To develop this plan, the project team again engaged in extensive and purposeful community and stakeholder outreach, which allowed for the plan to be founded on equity and inclusion while also guiding decisions based on protecting the health and safety of the waterway, modernizing its surrounding infrastructure, and building awareness of the river. Since inception, this plan helps the river work for everyone while fostering a healthier, more equitable, and more sustainable future. The resulting plan has also been the impetus for remarkable economic development and regional growth since its adoption. 

With this community-forward approach, Jon Kramer and OHM Advisors have become a pertinent example of the impact the AEC industry has on the health and well-being of communities. Whether the scope of the project is a historical downtown in a rural county seat, or a national historic river that impacts hundreds of communities and millions of people, the mindset by which firms approach projects has cascading effects for the people living in those spaces. OHM’s approach to advancing communities is unique in that it begins with building a thriving community internally that can in turn positively impact the communities in which they live and work. Their work provides an example of what community-forward thinking can change for the AEC industry. 

Ongoing water shortages in the Colorado River basin and elsewhere in the Western U.S. underscore a widespread reality: water resources management in the West has reached a critical juncture, and profound change is on the horizon. 

We’ve seen expansive growth in the West over the past century, and it’s evident that much of the water infrastructure developed will not meet future needs, particularly if practices from the past are followed. 

The world today is dramatically different from the era when major water supply projects in the West were envisioned and constructed. Our climate is changing, demand for water is growing, facilities are aging, and societal expectations of water resource management are evolving. Implementing changes and financing large capital investments to address these needs will challenge established institutional frameworks. Adapting water infrastructure, management practices, and project financing to meet the needs of tomorrow will not be possible by doing more of the same. 

We need transformative thinking. 

The Effects of Climate Change 

The changing climate amplifies the variability that has long defined water supply in the West. While large water projects were designed based on hydrologic conditions that reflected historical variability known at the time, the frequency and intensity of the extremes has increased, and the trend is projected to continue. 

Most large reservoirs were designed to provide multiple benefits—such as water supply, flood protection, and hydropower generation. Flood reservation pools sized to manage rainfall inflow during winter months gradually decreased during spring months as snowmelt inflow coincided with large agricultural demand patterns. Changes in precipitation patterns due to a warming climate produces less snowpack, which serves as the largest reservoir in the West, and causes earlier runoff that can require flood releases. As a result, inflow exceeds storage capacity and less water is available. 

To provide more real-time management information and balance flood risk with increased water conservation storage, Forecast- Informed Reservoir Operations (FIRO) strategies are being developed. However, longer and more intense droughts accelerate the depletion of stored surface water supplies, increasing reliance on unsustainable groundwater pumping or water transfers, which are costly during times of extreme water shortage. 

Less Supply, More Demand 

Population growth and overallocation has increased water demands on many projects to levels that meet or exceed sustainable levels. In addition, for some projects, regulatory and legal actions require changes in project operations or water use that result in less available supply than expected when projects were constructed, adding to the growing gap between supply and demand. Many Western water managers attempt to balance water supply availability and demand management through a portfolio strategy that includes surface and groundwater supplies, reuse and treatment of impaired water sources (including desalination), water banking and acquisitions, and conservation requirements. But the rapid pace of change in demand and water availability often exceeds the pace of adaptation. 

In some areas of the Western U.S., groundwater pumping to narrow this gap has caused land subsidence that reduces the conveyance capacity of large canal systems to move water when it is most available, or caused other undesirable effects. 

For example, in the California Central Valley, implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) will require significant reductions in groundwater pumping to address adverse effects in eight severely overdrafted groundwater basins. SGMA requires compliance by 2040, meaning additional overdraft is expected to continue while actions to reduce groundwater use are pursued. Recent studies by the Public Policy Institute of California reveal that overdraft far exceeds available local supplies, and extensive land fallowing is likely. 

Addressing Aging Infrastructure 

The imbalance between supply and demand is occurring at a time when many facilities are aging, which has created a unique opportunity. 

Most large water supply projects in the Western U.S. were developed between the 1930s and 1980s, and many need extraordinary maintenance, repair, rehabilitation, or replacement. Simply rebuilding or replacing old infrastructure as originally designed may not be the best approach. Corrective actions to aging facilities that restore or preserve originally authorized benefits should anticipate and design for climate change effects, supply, and demand. Any action taken should also address the need for modernization to offer improved forecasting capabilities, meet environmental protection objectives, coordinate with other water projects, and integrate with renewable power systems. 

Recently, the Bureau of Reclamation was authorized $3.2 billion for extraordinary maintenance in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and additional funding through the Inflation Reduction Act, which provides a downpayment on corrective actions to Reclamation-owned facilities. This fund is almost fully reimbursable, and far more is needed for both federal and non-federal projects, creating a significant funding and financing challenge for water users throughout the West. 

Solutions for Western water will also test existing institutional frameworks. Long-term solutions to water supply shortages in some areas may involve funding projects in one area to benefit users in another location. For example, constructing seawater desalination projects in coastal areas could allow for the use of surface water at inland locations through exchange and operations agreements. The development of such a project could require changes in water rights or contracts, long-term financing plans, and operating commitments to assure water supply and quality is provided over many decades, as expected. 

Transforming water management infrastructure, policies, and financing will be a significant endeavor and will require deep understanding and agreement among a diverse set of participants. Decisions on water management are decisions on the allocation of this precious resource. Over the past few decades, decision-making regarding water resources has become more complex in recognition of human, environmental, social, and economic implications. While many agencies actively engage diverse viewpoints in decision-making, more work is needed to build coalitions. 

Over the next several years, we will see many important decisions made regarding Western water management that will shape the remainder of this century. Our ability to address the past and prepare for the future will depend on the extent that we are willing to transform our infrastructure, institutions, and financing of water projects. 

Bill Swanson, PE, is Stantec’s Practice Leader for Water Resources Planning Management.

As environmental and climate change concerns continue to grow, there is also a growing recognition of the impact that industries like construction have had on environmental issues. Along with this recognition is progress from within to adopt new standards, practices, and materials that will lessen the construction industry’s impact on the environment. John Meibers, vice president and general manager for Deltek ComputerEase, believes that construction companies will put more emphasis on sustainability in the bidding process, and they will be prepared to use the appropriate materials and processes efficiently, even at a higher initial cost, through careful and intentional software-based project management tools. With over 35 years of experience in the construction industry, Meibers has previously worked as a controller for a larger mechanical contractor for over a decade before spending the last 25 years as the leader of ComputerEase. He focuses on equipping contractors with the tools they need to manage profitability, drive growth, and meet construction requirements. 

Meibers believes that there are a number of reasons construction firms will place an increased emphasis on sustainability with the first being growing environmental and climate change concerns. When it comes to resource depletion, pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions, the construction industry has had a significant impact on the environment, and Meibers points out that increasing awareness of environmental issues will cause construction companies to recognize the need to reduce their environmental footprint as much as possible. Along with an increasing awareness of environmental issues comes regulatory requirements that have already been implemented and will continue to be implemented. These regulations often require construction projects to meet specific environmental standards, such as energy efficiency, water conservation, and waste reduction. 

Meibers believes that construction companies need to incorporate sustainable practices in their projects from the bidding stage itself to remain both competitive and compliant. Within the bidding stage, sustainability initiatives can be viewed as a “long-term cost-saving tactic for the end user.” Sustainable construction practices often result in reduced operational costs over the long-term. For example, energy-efficient buildings can do this by lowering energy consumption, and sustainable construction practices such as using recycled materials and implementing efficient waste management systems can also reduce material costs and disposal expenses. Furthermore, Meibers also believes that, because construction firms heavily rely on market demand and reputation, construction firms will increasingly prioritize sustainability in their decision making processes as their clients and stakeholders do the same. Clients and stakeholders—including governments, businesses, and consumers—are more likely to choose construction companies that demonstrate a commitment to sustainable practices. Thus, according to Meibers, emphasizing sustainability during the bidding process will allow construction companies to enhance their reputation, attract environmentally-conscious clients, and gain a competitive edge in the market. Additionally, demonstrating environmental stewardship and sustainable construction practices will allow construction companies to use their corporate social responsibility platform to help recruit talent, enhance their public image, strengthen community relationships, and align with broader societal expectations. 

As construction companies work to become better prepared to use these sustainable practices and materials, they are turning to a variety of tools they can use to help the process toward sustainability. Meibers notes that, to manage these new ways of completing projects, contractors need to rely on flexible, construction-specific software that proactively manages jobs, inventory, finances, and people with real-time data from any location. Furthermore, Meibers points out that other tools—such as sustainability assessment tools, BIM software, Green Building Certification Systems, and material selection databases—will help guide the construction industry into new sustainable practices. 

However, as the construction industry works to adopt sustainable practices, the process is not without its challenges. As public awareness grows, the market demand, standards, and regulations around sustainability will continue to evolve. Meibers believes that construction companies will have to work to stay ahead of and keep up with sustainable construction practices, which means anticipating shifting expectations from stakeholders and the general public. This also means staying updated on evolving regulations and building codes to ensure their jobs comply with new requirements. Meibers also suggests that, without flexible software to manage requirements, keeping up with these changes will be difficult. In addition to these evolving requirements and market demand, construction companies will also face challenges when it comes to the availability and cost of sustainable materials. Increasing demand for environmentally-friendly materials means that finding a reliable supply can be a challenge, and the availability and accessibility of such products may still be limited in some regions, according to Meibers. 

Construction companies may face difficulties in sourcing sustainable materials in the quantities and quality needed, and, once contractors find the supply needed, sustainable materials sometimes involve higher upfront costs compared to traditional methods. To overcome these challenges, Meibers believes that construction companies will need to navigate the financial implications and balance the initial costs with potential long-term savings and benefits. A further challenge in moving toward more sustainable construction practices stems from the current labor shortage, which is only exacerbated by the fact that integrating sustainable practices often requires specialized knowledge and skills. To overcome this challenge, Meibers believes construction firms need to quickly hire and retain more workers and provide the adequate training so they become skilled laborers. In turn, construction companies will need to create training and education programs so workers understand sustainable practices and encourage the adoption of these methods. 

As new sustainability goals are laid out, and new regulations are introduced, the construction industry is continually changing, and evidence indicates that this change is trending toward sustainability and the adoption of sustainable practices and materials. To stay ahead of this coming change, construction companies will need to invest in software and business practices that promote the adoption and deployment of sustainable building practices and materials. 

Elected officials, leaders from the building’s design firm, Perkins&Will, and general contractor and construction manager, Mortenson, joined WWU leadership, alumni and members of the community to celebrate the official start of the new learning facility’s construction.

“We are thrilled to see this important project officially break ground. The science and engineering facility that will rise on this site will be a place for collaboration, connection, and innovation, nurturing areas of study which will be critical to the future needs of Washington state industries, employers, and communities,” said WWU President Sabah Randhawa. “Our deepest thanks and appreciation go to Fred Kaiser and Grace Borsari and to our wider community of generous supporters, as well as to the state, who have made this all possible.”

“The design of Kaiser Borsari Hall is a watershed moment for Washington State public facilities as the first all mass timber, zero-energy, and carbon neutral building on a university campus,” said Anthony Gianopoulos, principal-in-charge at Perkins&Will. “The inspirational new building will foster an immersive learning environment for the next generation of electrical engineering experts and teachers and carbon leaders.”

“It has been incredibly rewarding to be a part of our team’s collective efforts to reduce embodied and operational carbon for this facility throughout design and construction,” said Jennifer Kim, Project Executive at Mortenson. “We love taking collaborative approaches with clients like WWU to provide value-add solutions for identifying the best sustainably-focused opportunities early on—and we can’t wait to start building this first-of-its-kind facility while also tackling our own personal sustainability efforts on site, as this work aligns perfectly with our focus on making positive social and environmental impacts in the communities we serve and redefining how to build a more sustainable future for the greater good. We look forward to more sustainable, forward-thinking projects like Kaiser Borsari Hall becoming the norm across the board.”

Sustainability Firsts

• When complete, Kaiser Borsari Hall will be one of the first publicly funded zero-energy academic facilities in the region, among a handful in the nation, and will significantly advance WWU’s vision to become the region’s first zero-energy university campus.
• The building will be a “smart building,” exceeding LEED standards for energy use, carbon, and other environmental indicators, and will pursue certification through the International Living Future Institute.
• Building materials will include sustainably harvested wood from the region that will look beautiful while reducing the building’s embodied carbon footprint.
• The building is designed to be physically and culturally accessible, with classrooms, labs, and collaborative spaces designed to support people with diverse abilities and learning styles. The project team is targeting Living Building Challenge Energy Petal Certification.
• All of Kaiser Borsari Hall’s electrical power comes from solar panels on the roof and offsite.

For updates on the project and to learn more about the new facility, visit the Kaiser Borsari project page and construction impact page.

More about Kaiser Borsari Hall

Kaiser Borsari Hall is a public-private funding partnership, named for Fred Kaiser and Grace Borsari, longtime friends and champions of WWU, who have committed $10 million to the campaign to fund the project, alongside $53 million in state-appropriated funds. Perkins&Will is performing design consulting, and Mortenson is the general contractor and construction manager.

At approximately 54,000 square feet, it will provide state-of-the-art teaching spaces and experiential learning environments, along with teaching labs, learning research labs, active learning classrooms, collaborative space, and academic administrative space. It will be located east of the WWU Communications Facility and connected by a sky bridge to maximize program efficiencies and increase collaboration opportunities.

Construction will continue through 2024, with completion expected early in 2025.

Project Team

• Contractor: Mortenson
• Architect: Perkins&Will
• Civil Engineer: KPFF
• Landscape Architect: Berger Partnership
• Structural Engineer: Coughlin Porter Lundeen
• Electrical Engineer: Hargis Engineers Inc
• Mechanical & Plumbing: Affiliated Engineers
• Mechanical Subcontractor: McKinstry
• Electrical Subcontractor: VECA

“The water sector has an important role in the global effort to reduce GHG emissions,” said Patrick Decker, President and CEO at Xylem. “Our sector is energy intensive. However, smart application of technology makes it possible to manage water far more efficiently and affordably. Increasingly, utilities are finding ways to deploy technology to become more resilient and reduce emissions, while also addressing many of their operational concerns.”

The implementation of new and innovative products and solutions can help utilities advance their decarbonization strategies. As highlighted in its recently launched 2022 Sustainability Report, Xylem’s cutting-edge technologies have enabled customers to reduce their CO2e footprint by more than 2.8 million metric tons since 2019. Around the world, leading water and wastewater utilities are focusing on such solutions to drive GHG reduction plans.

In Europe, for example, 31% of respondents plan on installing more energy-efficient technologies. Others are leveraging digital solutions, with 29% looking into advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) and leak detection solutions, and 24% turning to treatment system optimization technologies. Similarly in North America, 35% of respondents plan on implementing plant or asset optimization technologies to advance their decarbonization goals.

With 37% of North American respondents citing resilience to extreme storms and floods as a major concern, advanced digital solutions are also helping water managers improve operational and environmental outcomes at an affordable cost. Buffalo Sewer Authority (BSA), U.S., for example, saved $145 million by deploying a smart sewer system that reduced polluted water flowing into its rivers during storm events – ultimately solving a longstanding problem without spending on new infrastructure.

“To bridge resource gaps and serve our communities as efficiently as possible, we need to work smarter,” Oluwole A. (OJ) McFoy, BSA General Manager, said. “We have shown this technology is effective and can help ensure that Buffalo is more efficient and prepared for the changing climate and the more intense storms coming our way.”

Many utilities ranked process emissions – such as methane and nitrous oxide – close to last in their priorities for action, despite their significant impact, showing that a better understanding of this issue and technological innovation are needed to tackle total water-sector emissions.

The decarbonization strategies being deployed by these forward-thinking utilities are captured in Xylem’s recent paper, Net Zero – The Race We All Win.

STILFOLD’s technology enables designers to produce complex, light and sustainable structures by folding flat sheet metal over curves using computational design and advanced robotics.

The Swedish patent covers the core technology that enables STILFOLD to design and build sophisticated products using origami-inspired curve folding. It includes the company’s proprietary computer-guided software (called STILWARE) which enables designers to create folding instructions for flat materials and turn them into three-dimensional shapes. 

The idea behind STILFOLD is to design and manufacture products that combine functionality, durability and sustainability, enabling designers to use fewer raw materials and components without sacrificing design complexity. Eventually, the STILFOLD technology will be made available to designers, architects, manufacturers and engineers who want to licence it to build their own products whilst minimising their environmental impact.

To date, STILRIDE has eleven pending patent applications in Sweden, the United States, Europe and internationally (PCT) covering different aspects of its technology. 

How STILFOLD works 

1. STILFOLD’s STILWARE software gathers information about the desired shape the designer wants to create and the properties of the material being used. 
2. The designer, engineer or architect uses the software to simulate folding and unfolding their desired shape, so they can create “folding instructions” to bring it to life. 
3. The flat sheets are laser cut to the necessary shapes and sizes.
4. The folding instructions are sent to an industrial robot. Each part is fed one-by-one through the robotic cell to create each element of the design. Robotic arms and tooling with specially-designed fittings fold each piece to create the desired structure. 
5. If required, each folded structure (whether it’s a beam, enclosure, surface structure or exoskeleton) is glued, welded or fitted with additional components to create the finished product.

The potential applications for STILFOLD are diverse and include aerospace, transportation and architecture. STILFOLD’s daughter company, STILRIDE, is already using the technology to build a hotly anticipated light electric motorcycle: the STILRIDE 1. The technology is also being used by Polestar to develop the world’s first climate neutral car; and by Swedish space innovation agency I.S.A.A.C to explore how curve folding could be used for construction in outer space. 

STILFOLD has also released several case studies showcasing how the technology could be used to improve material efficiency and reduce weight, cost, components and CO2 emissions for structures including bridges and semi-trailers for trucks.

Jonas Nyvang, CEO and co-founder at STILRIDE, comments –

“We’re thrilled to have secured a patent for STILFOLD. The patent means we can start sharing our industrial origami technology with the world and realise our vision of empowering forward-thinking companies, designers and engineers to reimagine how they make things. The patent is a recognition of our originality and creativity in developing a new way of manufacturing with metal: one of the most widely used and recyclable materials in the world.

“AT STILFOLD, we’ve developed knowhow and IP for several years and continue to do so. We are currently in possession of a growing international IP portfolio. In addition to this approved patent, we have eleven pending patent applications spread across four different patent families. Our IP portfolio covers STILFOLD – our “industrial origami” manufacturing process – as well as our proprietary tools for forming sheet material, material diagnostics and specific design applications.”

“The state-of-the-art manufacturing facility represents another significant milestone for Solidia, allowing us to independently produce concrete materials for the building industry using our revolutionary process,” said Devin Patten, Solidia’s Senior Commercial Director. “It’s the culmination of years of investment to not only develop our technology but to do so in the right way that ensures optimal quality and higher performance.”

Solidia anticipates the facility will come online in Q3 2024. In the meantime, the company is actively engaging with potential distribution partners, specifiers, architects, contractors, and customers.

Game-Changing Product Technology
The Alamo Junction plant will manufacture the products using Solidia’s groundbreaking Solidia Cement and a process that cures concrete with CO₂ rather than water. With this curing technology, products reach full strength in hours (rather than days with traditional cement), enabling faster delivery and better quality while reducing breakage issues. In addition, pavers and concrete products made with Solidia technology do not experience the efflorescence issues that can hinder the appearance of traditional concrete products.

Solidia Concrete products have properties similar to that of natural stone, and they are lighter in color than typical concrete, enabling a broader range of color options to meet customers’ design needs.

“In designing and building this facility, we’re partnering with industry-leading equipment providers and engineering firms to implement the highest-quality, most-efficient production processes in keeping with the innovation of our product line,” said Fred Dunand, Senior Director of Operations for Solidia. “The manufacturing plant will have built-in flexibility to produce a range of Solidia technology-driven products, with the versatility to accommodate additional products and developments down the road.”

The performance and aesthetic benefits of Solidia Concrete products are in addition to the technology’s significant decarbonization and sustainability benefits. The use of Solidia’s low-emissions cement coupled with CO₂ mineralization during curing combines to reduce the global warming potential (GWP) of Solidia’s concrete products by 50% or more—making them some of the most sustainable concrete products on the market.

For more information, visit www.solidiatech.com. 

The report surveyed over one thousand of its members across the country to get their thoughts on what is important to their organisation and supply chain, plus offered insights into how the School has continued to positively impact organisations and supply chains, through its free practical learning and support.

The past few years have been challenging for the built environment industry; the pandemic made for a very unsure time, closely followed by the global economic downturn putting pressures on the industry with material shortages and steep rises in costs. However, sustainability remains firmly at the top of the agenda worldwide, meaning more opportunities for the School to continue to grow and widen its impact.

Reflecting this, the Supply Chain Sustainability School’s engagement figures are up significantly, with 24,160 (+44%) individuals from 5,503 companies (+30%) actively learning through the School. This has driven a 35% increase in resource views compared to the previous year. At the same time, quality ratings for the training received by the members remain very high, with 95% rating the training as good or excellent.

Shaun McCarthy OBE, Chair of the Supply Chain Sustainability School, commented: “It’s been another brilliant year for the School and we are thrilled to have over 24,000 individuals training through our learning platform. However, we recognise that there is still a way to go to achieve our vision of an industry where everyone will have the skills and knowledge to deliver a sustainable future. To achieve mass impact, technology will be a key focus moving forward. It is our hope that this additional technological investment and expertise will not only support the School’s growth, but ensure it is armed for arising opportunities so we can continue to provide membership with accessible and credible learning.”

Organisations are becoming increasingly interested in understanding sustainability and embedding more sustainable practices. Many members have identified the School as a powerful tool to help them do this. Almost three-quarters of members (73%) reported that the School has helped them to better understand their organisation’s sustainability impacts. The School has also helped 65% of members improve their understanding of modern slavery, and 54% to increase their understanding of Fairness, Inclusion and Respect.

Members also shared how the School has helped them to improve their sustainability impacts. This includes reductions in carbon emissions (52% of members) and total waste (50%), as well as increased community engagement (57%) and apprentice numbers (50%).

Julia Barrett, Chief Sustainability Officer at Willmott Dixon, commented: “The School continues to drive massive change for the industry by providing free virtual learning across a huge range of subjects. This year once again, it’s proven that through collaboration the industry can thrive. To increase our sustainability impacts further, we would love more members to register and learn through School, and more Partners to work with us to identify key issues and share new ideas.”

The School is part-funded by CITB and industry Partners, with over 190 Partners leading the direction of the School. Working in collaboration, Partners share knowledge and free resources to inspire the UK built environment to drive positive change. Last year, the School was awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development in recognition of the significant environmental, social and economic benefits it has delivered to its Members and Partners.

Sign up as a FREE member this Spring to benefit from over 400 training sessions, tailored assessments with action plans and a library of over 3,300 online resources. https://www.supplychainschool.co.uk/ 

Topics addressed include characteristics of resilience and sustainability; incorporation of resilience and sustainability into projects; practical guidance; policy, project definition, and planning; design, procurement and construction; and case studies. Providing practical guidance on integrating sustainability and resilience into projects, IRP 6 will be of interest to engineers, economists, and sociologists working to integrate social science, policy, and economics into the planning, design, and management decisions surrounding physical infrastructure. 

To purchase online, visit the ASCE Bookstore 

Limited review copies are available for book reviews. Please contact Leslie Connelly, lconnelly@asce.org.  

“With this release, Green Badger provides the first and only solution allowing general contractors to easily track 100 percent of the metrics covered by BuildingGreen’s Contractor’s Commitment in one central platform,” said Tommy Linstroth, Green Badger Founder and CEO. “The focus of many construction sustainability programs often starts with reducing energy use, setting waste reduction goals, and perhaps carbon accounting – all Environmental-related goals. By including these Social-goals, we’re at the forefront of evolving standards and are committed to staying there for our customers.”

M/WBE tracking is often required on public projects, but like most compliance tasks, it can be cumbersome, time-consuming, filled with spreadsheets, and difficult to monitor progress. Green Badger’s software takes less than 20 seconds for a subcontractor to fill out their company details, upload a compliance certificate and be ready for approval.

The same module used to create their profile also automatically calculates local compliance, within a user-defined radius (i.e., subcontractors with offices within 50 miles). The software then generates a map showing subcontractor office locations in relation to the project site.

Green Badger’s new functionality also makes it simple to set up project philanthropy goals, which can be shared publicly, and track monetary contributions or hours spent volunteering and in community outreach. Similarly, developing job site wellness programs focusing on air quality, fitness, mental health, nutrition, severe weather exposure, and other unique measures is both straightforward and easy to verify.

Customizable and easy-to-understand dashboards show current ESG tracking versus overall project goals so teams can stay on track, and roll up data into corporate dashboards tracking metrics across all projects – not just those with public requirements.

Linstroth said, “I’m proud of our team’s commitment to staying on top of industry needs and offering this next evolution of Green Badger’s construction ESG software. We will continue to innovate and build out a robust platform that rises to meet expanding ESG requirements and save our clients tremendous amounts of valuable time and effort.”

The release comes on the heels of receiving a Gold Stevie® Award in the small Company of the Year – Materials & Construction category from The American Business Awards®.  According to comments from judges, “Overall, Green Badger is revolutionizing the entire built industry, fostering widespread adoption of more sustainable processes and plans with a global impact.”

As a key action item included in Alberta’s Emissions Reduction and Energy Development Plan released April 19, 2023, the Government of Alberta is providing $3 million for the creation of a national CCS knowledge sharing hub that will be an important tool for Canada to meet its ambitious targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The mandate of the CCS knowledge sharing hub will be to collect and curate best practices and lessons learned from Canadian CCS projects past, present and future – drawing on knowledge from as many projects as possible from initial planning and feasibility studies, through to construction and ongoing operations – to enhance the success of CCS projects and promote continuous learning and improvement in CCS technology. Expansion of CCS is also a crucial step for creating and maintaining vital jobs in all heavy emitting sectors provincially and nationally in such areas as cement, iron and steel, power generation, petrochemicals, fertilizer, and oil and gas.

“Bringing large-scale CCS projects to life at the speed and scale that is required to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 requires unprecedented collaboration between industry, government, academia and other partners. The most effective way of reducing risk, lowering costs and improving performance of these multi-billion-dollar infrastructure projects is to share our proven expertise and apply the experience gained across heavy-emitting industries in order to build a sustainable future for all,” said James Millar, president and chief executive officer of the International CCS Knowledge Centre.

“We are very grateful to the Government of Alberta for stepping up with this critical support, allowing us to launch the CCS knowledge sharing hub and ensure lessons learned from dozens of CCS projects planned across Canada are documented and made available to anyone who can benefit from them,” Millar added. “I would be remiss in not singling out the strong leadership of Environment and Protected Areas Minister Sonya Savage in helping to ensure this initiative moves forward.”

“Carbon capture and storage is a critical part of Alberta’s path to achieving a net-zero economy. With projects such as the Quest CCS facility operated by Shell Canada, and the Alberta Carbon Trunk Line, we have led the world in developing CCUS facilities and proving the capability of this technology to drastically cut CO₂ emissions from the industries that are the bedrock of our economy and are the lifeblood of our communities. We look forward to working with the Knowledge Centre to ensure that Alberta and Canada remain at the forefront and capture the enormous opportunities that are before us as the world undertakes an aggressive expansion of CCS to curb rising emissions and address climate change,” said Alberta’s Minister of Environment and Protected Areas Sonya Savage.

The CCS knowledge sharing hub will be developed and operated by the International CCS Knowledge Centre to assess and identify best practices and frameworks to get CCS projects to final investment decision. Key to the initiative’s long-term success will be coordination and proactive promotion of the sharing of knowledge on CCS gathered from companies large and small to ensure the timely and efficient transfer of CCS best practices across Alberta, Canada and the globe – outcomes where industry and government jointly benefit. Sharing critical information on the development of projects from study stage into operation will greatly increase the transfer of crucial learnings, leading to better outcomes and inevitably a greater level of CO₂ emission reductions in Canada.

At a global level, the world can’t afford not to pursue large-scale CCS as a key tool for meeting international climate commitments. The International Energy Agency and the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) have concluded a massive investment in large-scale CCS is required in order to achieve the emissions reductions needed to meet the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global warming to 2ºC. The IPCC’s Fifth Assessment Synthesis Report Summary for Policy Makers forecast that the cost of climate mitigation would increase by 138 per cent without the application of CCS technologies.

Background:

The International CCS Knowledge Centre provides independent consultation and technical advisory services on large-scale CCS projects around the world, including a number of Alberta companies pursuing CCS projects as part of their long-term sustainability plans, including:

• Completing the feasibility study (with funding provided by Emissions Reduction Alberta) and supporting front-end engineering and design (FEED) planning for the world’s first full-scale CCS facility on a cement plant at Heidelberg Materials’ Edmonton plant.

• Supporting early-stage engineering work on CCS projects planned by several members of the Pathways Alliance, a coalition of the six largest oil sands producers that is planning to invest more than $24 billion in CCS and other emissions reduction technologies by the end of the decade in order to reach net zero emissions by 2050.

• Partnering with Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA) to provide successful applicants of the ERA’s Carbon Capture Kickstart with up to 200 hours of support on their pre-construction design and engineering studies for carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS) projects, with funding provided by ERA. The 11 successful projects represent an estimated $20 billion in capital expenditures in a wide range of industrial sectors, including power generation, cement, fertilizer, forest products and oil and gas.

DexBender has provided services to a wide range of clients including single-family homeowners, national and local developers, local governments, and state agencies. Combined with Atwell’s existing presence throughout Florida, this acquisition expands the company’s environmental and marine expertise.

“We’ve had the opportunity to get to know Atwell over the years, and we’re excited to join their team,” said Tyler King, President and Principal Biologist for DexBender. “Our cultures and values are aligned, and this acquisition provides new opportunities for both our clients and our team members.”

Founded in 1976, DexBender has worked with unique ecosystems for nearly 50 years. DexBender has worked closely with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, various Florida Water Management Districts, the National Marine Fisheries Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to help clients meet their project goals.

“We’re excited to add Tyler and the DexBender team to Atwell,” said Ron Waldrop, Senior Vice President at Atwell. “Their environmental expertise in Florida will allow us to better serve our clients as we continue to grow our capabilities to best serve their project needs. We have worked together for many years, so it was a natural fit for us to join together!”

Atwell continues to expand its geographic footprint, service offerings, and capabilities through organic growth and strategic acquisitions. DexBender is Atwell’s fifth acquisition in the last six months. Last month, Atwell acquired Blueline, a 75-person civil engineering, land planning, and landscape architecture firm based in Kirkland, Washington.

Atwell, LLC is a national consulting, engineering, and construction services firm with technical professionals located across the country totaling more than 1,400 team members. Creating innovative solutions for clients in industries such as real estate and land development, power and energy, oil and gas, and infrastructure, Atwell provides comprehensive turnkey services including land and right-of-way support, planning, landscape architecture, engineering, land surveying, environmental compliance and permitting, and project and program management.

The Milhouse Forestry team possesses knowledge of a large variety of tree species, allowing them to manage vegetation in a way that ensures prosperous growth of the trees while keeping utility lines safe, clear, and operational. Milhouse Forestry is proud to celebrate Arbor Day with these tree plantings and support other organizations in advancing their sustainability initiatives. 

“Abor Day is an opportunity to partner with other community members and organizations to help improve our air and environment,” Belinda Baker, CEO of FVYCE shared. “Fort Valley Youth Center of Excellence is excited to do our part by nurturing our magnolia tree as well as our youth in the community. We are grateful to Milhouse for sponsoring and participating in the ribbon-cutting and look forward to continuing our partnership to better the environment and the community.” 

The Fort Valley Youth Center of Excellence aspires to develop responsible and resilient students through comprehensive programs that focus on academic excellence, character development, etiquette, health, and STEM. Its mission is to prepare students educationally, socially, and intellectually to reach their highest potential. 

Seeds of Excellence Christian Academy (SOECA) is an educational academy that is committed to quality care and academic excellence. The school is dedicated to nurturing the whole child: spirit, mind, and body.  

“I am honored that we had the opportunity to partner with two amazing organizations that do so much for the surrounding community,” Frank Martin, President of Milhouse Forestry shares. “We strive to make the community and the world better than we found it, and this Arbor Day initiative is one step closer to that goal.” 

Milhouse Forestry, along with the entire Milhouse family of companies, is dedicated to reducing its carbon footprint and taking on environmental challenges with community partners and clients alike. Milhouse Forestry was founded in 2021 as a sister company to Milhouse Engineering and Construction, Inc., the nation’s largest African American-owned engineering firm. 

The concept of Smart Cities has existed for a number of years, but, despite its relevance in conversations about the future, the concept has never been fully realized.  Dr. Rick Huijbregts was at the forefront of the development of smart cities as a concept, spending a good portion of his career prior to Stantec working at Cisco.  Huijbregts has spent much of his career developing the concept of smart cities for both municipalities and developers.  During his time before joining Stantec, Huijbregts also worked in an education administration position at the college level.  This education administration position made him consider how students would interact with an increasingly digital world, which led Huijbregts to develop ways for future talent to cultivate the skills and capabilities to be successful in their careers.  Now, in his position at Stantec, Huijbregts is able to synthesize his unique perspective to improve the development of communities.  

As the Global Smart Cities Lead at Stantec, Huijbregts is able to “connect the dots…between everything [they] have to offer from mobility to buildings to water to infrastructure.”  Particularly, Huijbregts is focused on how digital capabilities can “glue together” these functions to drive efficiency and productivity and deliver new experiences and outcomes.  The conversation about what defines smart cities has been around for more than two decades, and, in that time, the conversation has become significantly less technology-led.  Huijbregts points out his experience working on these early technology-led smart cities projects, noting that many were disappointed by the outcomes of such projects.  These early projects provided insight into the foundations of supporting smart cities development.

According to Huijbregts, these insights led to the development of a more rounded foundation known as the four pillars of smart cities, which is centered on “outcomes and people.”  The first pillar is the acknowledgement that you need collaborative ecosystems to build smart cities.  This means that, more than just technology and engineering companies, smart cities require collaboration between public and private sectors on economic development.  Huijbregts believes that this collaboration allows smart cities to collaborate and co-create sustainable solutions.  The second pillar is governance and rules regulation.  Again citing his smart cities experience, Huijbregts points out the importance of updating rules and regulations in a way that invites innovation and technology.  This involves conversations about optimizing and modernizing the building code as well as about privacy and data.

These conversations are in support of the third pillar of smart cities: which is digital infrastructure.  Huijbregts notes that this is a departure from previous approaches where technology was the center of conversation.  From a people-first perspective, the concept of digital infrastructure has developed as another utility along with water and electricity.  Huijbregts believes this involves developing “one secure converged infrastructure that different systems and stakeholders can leverage.”  This also involves managing the digitization of communities–from street lights to fire hydrants and parking–while considering the flow of data and connectivity between those systems.  

While technology-led smart cities projects have failed to meet expectations in the past, Huijbregts believes that the problem was usually not the technology itself, but that it doesn’t match the needs, outcomes, or expectations.  This creates a disconnect between the technology and intended purpose.  By developing an Internet of Things set to the flow of the community, the first three pillars can be leveraged to enact the fourth pillar, which, according to Huijbregts, is an “incredibly large number of capabilities and smart solutions.”  This means finding a way to “layer” smart solutions in a way that delivers the outcomes and benefits that serve that community’s constituents.  

In applying these four pillars, the idea of smart cities and the benefits they can bring become a conversation of continuous improvement rather than a large project that brings immediate change.  For Huijbregts, this paradigm shift allows smart cities to become “intentional about…[connecting the dots] in a way that adds incremental value to individuals and the community.  As the designers of the built environments, Huijbregts points out the AEC industry’s expertise in all sectors that influence life in a community.  By thinking about these sectors in a way that can build upon and support one another, “we can create environments where people thrive and can work, live, learn, and play in a new and innovative place.”

Luke Carothers is the Editor for Civil + Structural Engineer Media. If you want us to cover your project or want to feature your own article, he can be reached at lcarothers@zweiggroup.com.  

Aura’s proprietary EaaS model offers clients sustainable heating, cooling, and domestic hot water solutions, without the upfront capital investment. The model includes a pricing guarantee, ensuring that clients will experience cost savings in comparison to conventional systems while enjoying the benefits of renewable thermal energy over the 25 to 50 year term of their fixed price service contract. At the end of the term of the contract, ownership of the Systems will revert to the customer.

Under the five-year term of the agreement, SHARC Energy and Subterra Renewables will co-develop up to $200M of qualified projects that consist of either the acquisition of existing Systems active in the field today or the development of Systems requiring capital to design, build, own, operate and maintain (“Projects”). SHARC Energy will be responsible for business development, client engagement and securing letters of intent on a first right of refusal basis while Subterra, with over 25 years of experience and 60+ drills in its fleet, will provide support in project management, engineering, finance, accounting, legal, and asset management, leveraging their expertise in delivering turnkey solutions for heating, cooling, and domestic hot water. Upon completion of the deployment of $200M or expiration of the term, Subterra will receive a first right of refusal on any similar relationship for one year.

Lucie Andlauer, CEO, Subterra Renewables, states “This partnership signals a definitive moment in the transition to sustainable cities. SHARC and Subterra together represent joint innovation, shared expertise and a mutual resolve to further geothermal exchange across North America’s infrastructure. We have gone from strength to strength. A partnership that combines two unique technologies, to create a single, comprehensive solution.”

This partnership leverages the synergies between SHARC Energy’s WET technology and Subterra’s geothermal expertise, allowing both companies to capitalize on their unique strengths.

Key benefits of this collaboration include:

• Reduced costs for geothermal projects by integrating wastewater energy, resulting in fewer boreholes needed and a smaller project footprint.
• Optimized performance of geothermal loops through wastewater energy’s thermal buffering capabilities, stabilizing peak temperatures and enhancing energy efficiency & resiliency.
• Streamlined project execution by combining SHARC Energy’s WET technology and Subterra’s extensive geothermal experience, ensuring seamless integration of both systems.
• Both partners, although engineer agnostic, leverage Salas O’Brien for support creating design synergy for the Systems implemented

This collaboration will strengthen SHARC Energy’s and Subterra Renewables’ market position, making it a viable solution for developers, investors, and governments seeking to invest in sustainable energy infrastructure. The integration of wastewater and geothermal technologies will create a competitive advantage for both companies, driving market share growth and diversifying revenues for SHARC Energy and its shareholders.

Lynn Mueller, CEO of SHARC Energy, commented, “We are thrilled to join forces with Subterra, a leader in the geothermal space, to create innovative, sustainable energy solutions that will revolutionize the North American market. This partnership not only accelerates our growth but also reinforces our commitment to delivering the most efficient and environmentally friendly heating and cooling systems for our clients.”

Although SHARC Energy will not maintain an ownership interest in the Projects, the Company will receive fees on qualified Projects that range from 2.5% to 5.0% of the total acquisition or installed cost of the Systems based on certain milestones (“Business Development Fee”). Furthermore, the Company will receive 35% of any net cash flows from Subterra on a development Project, net of debt service payments and operating expenses for a period of five (5) years from beginning of commercial operation of the Systems (“Waterfall Cash Flows”). Additional revenue opportunities outside of typical supply and service of WET equipment, such as in relation to project management, will be available to the Company on a mutually agreed basis.

SHARC Energy will continue to distribute its WET products through its representative network while leveraging this network to support the Projects. Also, members of SHARC Energy’s representative network will have the ability to offer Aura to their respective customers if they need such a solution. Finally, this partnership does not affect ongoing relationships with EaaS providers utilizing SHARC WET Systems as SHARC Energy will continue to supply and support these providers and projects unencumbered.

In connection with the partnership, the Company will issue 3,773,585 Common Share Purchase Warrants (the “Warrants”) at $0.265 that will expire in 5 years upon issuance. The Warrants holder will have the right to exercise the Warrants proportionately in 20% increments as the Company uses the $200M Capital Commitment. For greater clarity, once the first 20% of $200M is used, the Warrant holder will have the right to exercise 20% of the outstanding Warrants.

The announcement coincides with Earth month and is consistent with the company’s commitment to a low-carbon future.

The 4.4-acre project includes ground-mounted solar arrays and raised structures with solar panels to form 170 carports for employees and visitors. Carports will protect vehicles from the weather and provide 49 electric vehicle charging stations powered by the sun. The system has the capacity to provide a maximum estimated annual yield of 2,570,000 kilowatt hours, which is equivalent to consuming roughly 3,500 barrels of oil. The array also has the added bonus of reducing strain on the grid by minimizing Trimble’s reliance on traditional energy sources, especially at times of peak energy demand, which is typically when the sun is shining.

The solar array project is part of Trimble’s science-based target commitment to reduce its Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions, which includes emissions from the company’s facilities and vehicles, by 50 percent by 2030 (from a 2019 baseline) and to achieve 100 percent annual sourcing of renewable electricity by 2025.  

“We feel a heightened responsibility to be more sustainable and to help our customers drive sustainability for the benefit of our planet and future generations,” said Rob Painter, CEO of Trimble. “We are committed to pursuing innovative renewable energy solutions in terms of their environmental benefit. This includes on-site generation of renewable energy from solar, which we are implementing or pursuing across a number of our global sites. Our goal for these projects is to generate our own renewable energy, and when possible, provide any excess energy production to the local electricity grid.” 

Trimble is working with Boulder, Colorado-based Namaste Solar, an employee-owned, fully integrated solar energy company, to design and build the project. Several of Trimble’s solutions will be used in the construction of the project, including robotic total stations for surveying and site layout as well as machine control and guidance for pile driving.

“We applaud Trimble’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint by investing in clean renewable solar energy,” said Rachel Mountain, Co-owner and Director of Commercial and Industrial Sales at Namaste Solar. “In the face of climate change and rising energy costs, Trimble serves as an inspiration for businesses to source high-quality renewable energy. Not only does this project advance Trimble’s clean energy goals, but it will also drive local economic growth and support over 50 good-paying green jobs in our community.” 

Trimble Westminster

Trimble opened its operations with 40 employees located at the Church Ranch Office Center in Westminster in September 2000. The initial focus for the location included the strategic development of the architecture, engineering, construction (AEC) and mapping and geographic information systems (GIS) markets. With over 20 years in the area and significant growth, Trimble purchased land and built a state-of-the-art campus. The two-building campus, which was built using Trimble’s advanced construction technologies, is LEED Gold and Silver certified, and is over 240,000 square feet on 15 acres located at 10368 Westmoor Drive. 

Trimble changed its headquarters from Sunnyvale, California to Westminster, Colorado in October 2022. Westminster is Trimble’s largest employment center in the U.S. and serves as a central business hub for several of Trimble’s core market segments including agriculture, construction and geospatial. In addition, Trimble’s CEO, CFO, a number of its senior business leaders, and more than 1,000 employees are located in Westminster.

To advance sustainability, the buildings were designed to achieve energy costs savings, and reduce overall environmental impacts. With the evolution of the campus, the focus expanded to include marketing, testing and applications engineering. The campus also includes an outdoor technology development and testing center.

Green building materials leader Holcim US announced it has joined the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Better Climate Challenge to drive real-world action that reduces carbon emissions and saves energy. The Chicago-based company is the first cement producer to commit to the DOE program.

Holcim US’ involvement in the Better Climate Challenge reflects its ambitious goal to power US operations at 13 cement plants nationwide with 100 percent renewable energy by 2030 and to reach net zero CO2 emissions by 2050. For the Better Climate Challenge, which unites organizations across the economy in a pledge to set and achieve notable greenhouse gas reductions across a 10-year period, Holcim restated its renewable energy pledge and committed to reduce CO2 emissions in the US by at least 25 percent by 2033.

“Holcim has worked hard to lower CO2 and find alternative energy sources to replace fossil fuels, but to successfully meet our net-zero goals, it’s really not a solo sport,” said Michael LeMonds, vice president, ESG and Chief Sustainability Officer. “We’re proud to be first in our sector to join the Better Climate Challenge and partner with the Department of Energy and member companies to innovate and identify new opportunities for carbon reduction.”

Holcim cement plant states are actively supported by solar and wind power. At its Paulding, Ohio, cement plant, three onsite wind turbines contribute more than 11,529,748 renewable kilowatt hours to the plant’s energy needs annually. This eliminates 9,000 tons of CO2 a year. At the Hagerstown, Maryland, facility, a new solar field is generating up to 18,441,610 kilowatt hours of renewable power supplying more than 28 percent of the plant’s energy. This will reduce the equivalent of 14,406 tons of CO2 at this plant. All 13 Holcim cement plants will conduct reviews to identify projects that could contribute to meeting goals of the challenge.

With grant support from the DOE, Holcim is also investigating the feasibility of using carbon capture utilization storage (CCUS) at cement plants in Portland, Colorado, and Ste. Genevieve, Missouri.

In addition to involvement in the Better Climate Challenge, Holcim US is a continuing partner of the DOE’s Better Plants Challenge, sharing facility-level energy data and solutions to help guide other industrial companies with implementing energy solutions in their facilities.

“We are very pleased the Government of Alberta has joined other leading energy-producing jurisdictions around the world in committing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and aspiring to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in line with the ambitious timelines in the Paris Agreement.

As the International Energy Agency and the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change have concluded, large-scale carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCS/CCUS) is required in order to achieve the emissions reductions needed to meet the goal of limiting global warming to 2ºC. Alberta’s Emissions Reduction and Energy Development Plan recognizes the importance of CCS technology to cut CO₂ emissions from heavy industries across the province, using proven technology, while ensuring these industries continue to provide the jobs and economic benefits that are the foundation of Alberta’s — and Canada’s — prosperity and high standard of living.

Bringing large-scale CCS/CCUS projects to life requires unprecedented collaboration between industry, governments, academia, community and Indigenous partners, and we commend the Government of Alberta for developing a climate plan that is aligned with the federal government and recognizes the importance of ensuring Alberta remains competitive for CCUS investment and the opportunity to build on the province’s global leadership in CCUS development to date.”

40 to 70 percent of a construction company’s total spending stems from procurement, and McKinsey’s research reveals that many chief procurement officers (CPOs) in the industry believe that consistent application of best-in-class procurement practices could lead to up to 12 percent cost savings. Despite this, and the significant margin impact, the construction industry is far behind others in implementing these best practices.

The role of Procurement is also rapidly elevating in strategic importance. The construction industry is directly and indirectly impacting 25% of global carbon dioxide emissions mainly through the production processes of the ingoing materials and the energy efficiency of the structure through its lifecycle. As 90% of emissions for construction companies are Scope 3, our report highlights that procurement, as the main interface with the construction value chain, should be in the driver’s seat to reduce the carbon footprint of construction projects and meet corporate sustainability targets.

McKinsey points that Procurement will play a pivotal role in making cost and sustainability trade-offs, identifying the most sustainable suppliers, and securing access to many sustainable materials and technologies that will be in short supply. That requires new skill sets, data and insights, and new decision-making process and involvement in the construction projects by the procurement professionals.

In the near-term, procurement teams of construction companies will need to create transparency and estimations for the CO2 footprint across the value chain, gain granular perspective on costs and emissions from different materials and available suppliers and work with engineering and project management teams to manage trade-offs of cost / value vs emissions to prioritize solutions that can drive both profits and sustainability.

These actions will be enabled by three key themes:

• Talent and expertise – construction companies will need new expert roles focused on collecting reliable information, guiding, and recommending trade-offs between alternative materials and technologies – tailored to each category and project – assessing design simplifications against impact on value and assessing risks / assessing unproven approaches.
• Roles and mandates – new roles should not only be embedded in the procurement organization but also integrated closely with engineering and design functions and project teams to drive recommendations or alternatives, optimize trade-offs between profitability and sustainability targets, as well as securing access to scarce materials (potentially recommending M&A opportunities).
• Data and market intelligence – procurement teams will need to collect and curate reliable information on the different existing alternatives. This should be built in partnership with suppliers but will require to build own databases, conduct research, and even perform tests when needed. This needs to be complemented with new digital tools, such as dashboards (similar to those used to manage customer relationships) to collect, display, and interpret data.

Erik Sjödin, Partner at McKinsey said: “The role of the CPO in construction companies is at an inflection point. Those who act now will position themselves as attractive partners to leading developers in the future in making cost and sustainability trade-offs, identifying the most sustainable suppliers, and securing access to many sustainable materials and technologies that will be in short supply. This strategic element will put construction company CPOs in the driver’s seat as they navigate the dual mission of improving profitability in volatile times whilst decarbonizing construction.”

The prestigious Graduate Research Fellowship will provide financial support for Kienzle to complete her Ph.D. at an institution of her choosing. Her proposal focuses on characterizing the hydration reactions for limestone calcined clay cements (LC3), which are a sustainable and lower-carbon alternative to traditional cements. 

Her research will answer basic questions about how LC3 cements harden, how the underlying processes can be controlled to produce desirable behavior for construction, and how this can help achieve a new generation of resilient and sustainable civil infrastructure.

“I hope my work both now and in the future will promote more sustainable use of concrete, creating a positive impact on global crises that threaten the future of humanity,” Kienzle said, in keeping with the guiding principle of Clarkson’s Wallace H. Coulter School of Engineering, “Technology Serving Humanity.”

Kienzle completed her Honor’s Thesis on the solidification behavior of rapid-setting calcium sulfoaluminate cements with Assistant Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering Robert Thomas. 

Kienzle’s research was featured in a co-authored publication in Construction and Building Materials in 2022 and she presented her work twice at the biannual American Concrete Institute (ACI) Convention, the leading venue for cement and concrete research in North America. In 2022 she was awarded the prestigious ACI Concrete Practitioner Fellowship. During her time at Clarkson, Kienzle also completed three summer internships and worked weekly shifts at the Writing Center. She was active in Clarkson’s Student Chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers, serving as President in 2022, and was a captain of the ASCE Concrete Canoe team.

“We began our journey by identifying and quantifying our emissions and chose to invest in the broader environmental agenda through responsible carbon offset purchases as we continue to research and develop Bernhard’s own climate action plan,” said Bernhard Vice President of Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) Alyssa Jaksich.

Tracking Bernhard’s greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) has been imperative to the processes needed to understand how to achieve carbon neutrality and ultimately, net zero status. The GHG Protocol is a global program that provides standards, guidance, tools and training for business and government to measure and manage climate-warming emissions. They define three scopes of emissions that correlate to who owns those emissions and the level of control an entity has to change those emission levels.

“We selected 2021 as our base year and included all utility consumption associated with owned and leased offices, warehouses and fabrication shops,” said Jaksich. “We also included any emissions from our owned and leased fleet gasoline consumption, jet fuel consumed by leased aircraft, and propane and diesel used to power equipment at our fabrication shops within our GHG inventory.”

Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions are a mandatory part of reporting for many organizations across the world and relate to systems that are within reasonable control of an entity, such as onsite and purchased energy of owned assets.

Scope 3 emissions are centered on sources of emissions that are more external to a specific organization, such as those across the supply chain. Reporting of Scope 3 emissions remains mostly voluntary, however, reduction of Scope 3 has the potential to have the largest impact.

Becoming a carbon neutral company has long been a goal of Bernhard’s ESG efforts, but the ultimate goal still lies ahead – net zero.

“As we strive towards our long-term goal of becoming net zero by 2050 or sooner, we plan to utilize a combination of reduction efforts and compensation measures,” Jaksich added. “While we work to develop Bernhard’s climate action plan in support of closing the emissions gap, this approach allows us to also work towards closing the climate finance gap. By investing in credible carbon offset projects throughout our journey, we are not only moving towards an approach that does no harm, but one that actively does good.”

Bernhard’s path to net zero will follow an “avoid, reduce and compensate” hierarchy:

•  Avoid: Show preference for business decisions and actions that lead to avoided greenhouse gas emissions, thus minimizing the need for offsets.

•  Reduce: Where emissions cannot be avoided, seek to reduce emissions through energy efficiency and optimization of business practices and policies.

•  Compensate: Where emissions cannot be reduced or avoided, utilize offsets to neutralize remaining emissions. High-quality carbon credits will be prioritized via Bernhard’s Carbon Offset Policy.

Throughout this process, Bernhard is committed to purchasing offsets annually in accordance with our Carbon Offset Policy, while continuously evaluating and implementing strategies to ultimately exhaust our reduction efforts.

“While we made great strides in 2022 by gaining a baseline understanding of our emission-generating activities and uncovering areas where we could become more sustainable within our day-to-day operations, there is still so much work to be done,” Jaksich concluded. “Our path to net zero is just beginning, but we are fully committed to the journey.”

The Knowledge Centre has delivered a primer on the federal budget released March 28, 2023 that provides a detailed break-down of the government’s proposed investment tax credit that is expected to be in place by October this year, following further public consultation. The tax credit for CCUS projects is the government’s centrepiece for incentivizing heavy industries to build CCS infrastructure and will cover 50 per cent of the capital cost of CO₂ capture projects between 2022 and 2030. The tax credit is higher (60 per cent) for projects that capture CO₂ directly from the atmosphere (direct air capture) and it also covers 37.5 per cent of the cost for facilities required to transport, utilize and permanently store CO₂.

The Knowledge Centre’s aggregation of government policies and updates related to the investment tax credit since it was first proposed in April 2021 found that the government is developing further guidance on what costs will be eligible, labour requirements, the obligation of companies to share knowledge about their CCS projects and report on climate risks, and other technical issues that will impact the value of the tax credit for project developers. There also remains significant uncertainty regarding how the investment tax credit may affect or complement provincial policies and incentive programs that exist or are in development.

“We are pleased the Government of Canada will provide significant support for CCUS development, and we look forward to the government setting out a clear timeline for when the investment tax credit and other policy tools will be put in place with legislation, which will enable Canadian industries to commit to building these multi-billion-dollar projects,” said James Millar, president and chief executive officer of the International CCS Knowledge Centre.

“The fact is that CCS/CCUS projects must get started immediately if Canada is to achieve its ambitious goals for cutting greenhouse gas emissions at least 40 per cent from 2005 levels by 2030 and reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. We also stand to lose investment dollars, and the important jobs and technical expertise that CCS projects entail to the United States and other jurisdictions where the economics of building projects are clear,” Millar said.

The primer also highlights critical gaps that still exist in Canadian CCUS policy, including the lack of long-term certainty on the cost of carbon emissions, and the need for a more robust protocol for sharing the valuable knowledge and lessons generated by major CCS projects in order to lower costs and improve the performance of CCS projects across the country and around the world. The federal government announced its intention to introduce ‘carbon contracts for difference’ that protect investors from potential changes to federal carbon prices in its 2022 Fall Economic Statement, and plans to launch consultations on broad-based carbon contracts for difference in the coming months. Last week, Natural Resources Canada also began soliciting input on its proposal for CCUS projects with investment tax credit-eligible expenses of $250 million or greater to be required to contribute to public knowledge sharing.      

“The government’s draft knowledge sharing requirement calls for companies to provide a report following the completion of project construction, and annual reports regarding the operation of CCUS facilities. This is a good first step, but knowledge sharing should not be a ‘one and done’ exercise,” said Beth (Hardy) Valiaho, the International CCS Knowledge Centre’s vice-president of policy, regulatory and stakeholder relations. “With large public dollars supporting these projects, we need to ensure there is ongoing curation of lessons learned and collaboration between projects if we are to realize the full value of CCS technology across heavy-emitting industries.”

The publication CCUS Investment Tax Credit – Primer (Spring 2023) is now available on the Knowledge Centre’s website: www.ccsknowledge.com

BRONX, NY—Located in New York City’s South Bronx neighborhood of Mott Haven, the newly dedicated $175 million 425 Grand Concourse high-rise building serves as the largest Passive House project to date in North America. Passive House is an internationally-recognized building standard designed to ensure thermal comfort while significantly reducing energy use when compared to traditional construction. To meet Passive House criteria at 425 Grand Concourse, the design team incorporated strategies to cut energy use by as much as 70 percent.

The 310,000 sq ft (28,800 sq m), 26-story mixed-use/mixed-income structure uses a combination of high-efficiency building systems including an air-tight, insulated building envelope, rainscreens and a façade support system that minimize thermal bridging, energy recovery ventilation (ERV) that introduces continuous fresh air, energy-efficient mechanical systems, water-saving fixtures, sunshades, overhangs, a rooftop trellis, and green roofs.

Other elements including LED lighting, double-paned insulated glass units, domestic hot water boilers, low-flow water fixtures, cold water leak detection, efficient irrigation, and offsite waste sorting and materials reclamation (ensuring a minimum of 50% nonhazardous waste recycling). But there was an even greater energy efficiency challenge at the outset.

A principal tenet of Passive House design entails siting the building to optimize sun/heat exposure. For 425 Grand Concourse, however, this presented a challenge because the more advantageous east-west orientation would have blocked sunlight on the adjacent Garrison Park just to the north.  The project team opted for a north-south alignment. According to project architect John Woefling, a principal at Dattner Architects and a certified Passive House designer, “It was a fundamental Passive House decision that benefits the park and its users.”

To minimize the resulting effect of full sun on the south side of the building, the project team introduced sunshades along the lengths of 13 floors. Each 100 foot-long sunshade, however, presented a potential thermal bridge where it attaches to the interior building slabs via steel brackets. Woefling avoided the problem by specifying structural thermal breaks, explaining, “The sunshades are absolutely critical to the success of the building and the thermal breaks are absolutely critical to the success of the sunshades. We tested the building without the sunshades and the results were night and day.”

The role of thermal breaks in Passive House

Thermal bridging occurs where localized assemblies like uninsulated balconies, overhangs, sunshades, slab edges, steel beams, or any other structures penetrate the building envelope. Acting like cooling fins, these penetrations allow heat loss, resulting in cold internal surface temperatures at the penetration. In turn, these conditions promote condensation and mold growth. Thermal bridging also detracts from tenant comfort and adds to energy expenses.

Installing structural thermal breaks mitigates thermal bridging, which strengthens the building envelope performance and helps meet Passive House goals. For this project, the design team specified several hundred Schöck Isokorb^® structural thermal breaks. Concrete-to-steel thermal breaks attach the sunshades to the concrete slab edges on 13 floors and fasten the steel entrance canopy to the concrete slab. Concrete-to-concrete in-slab thermal breaks were also installed to prevent thermal bridging where the third floor residential terrace adjoins the 24-story tower.

In addition, concrete-to-steel thermal breaks connect the steel clip-and-rail system of the rainscreens to the interior concrete building frame. An important Passive House function, rainscreens are a key element in the façade support system to manage moisture and protect the integrity of the insulation.

The project team also applied concrete-to-steel thermal breaks to the rooftop trellis structure and its protective windscreen.

Putting thermal breaks to work

Each concrete-to-steel thermal break consists of an insulation block of expanded polystyrene with stainless steel rebar projecting from the interior side of the module that ties into the interior slab reinforcement, and stainless-steel threaded rods projecting from the exterior side of the module that bolt to exterior steel beams or connections.

Concrete-to-concrete structural thermal breaks consist of an insulation module penetrated by stainless steel rebar that is tied into the slab or wall reinforcement adjacent to the thermal break before concrete is poured conventionally. Stainless steel tension and shear force bars run through the module for structural strength and tie to the rebar of the interior and exterior slabs.

According to the manufacturer, Isokorb^® concrete-to-steel thermal breaks can reduce heat loss and carbon emissions by up to 94%. Concrete-to-concrete thermal breaks reduce heat loss at balcony and similar penetrations by up to 88% while preventing condensation and mold growth.

Nay Niang, PE, a senior associate with GACE, the structural engineering firm on the project, works with thermal breaks often. “We start the process as early as we can. On 425 Grand Concourse, we started the coordination process with Schöck in the design phase. We gave them preliminary drawings and sketches to save time. We showed them what the loading, shear, moment and deflection would be for each thermal break use, and they reviewed it and recommended which products work best.”

Still challenges arose, particularly in installing the thermal breaks for each of the 13 sunshades. “When you install thermal breaks for the sunshades and pour the concrete, the activities on the deck in addition to the torque and loads from the cantilever can create tolerance issues. So, we created mockups and worked out formwork beforehand to try the installation in different ways to minimize construction tolerances and improve the consistency,” reports Chengye (Cheyenne) Xu, project manager with Monadnock Construction, the project’s general contractor. “We were able to use the formwork on multiple floors, which helped save on materials and make sure the thermal breaks lined up between floors to achieve the intended alignment between the metal joints and the sunshades.”

Passive House on the rise

New York City is one of a growing number of North American cities whose building codes now require the mitigation of thermal bridging at penetrations through the building envelope.

More broadly, national and international bodies that propose model building energy codes are directly addressing thermal bridging. For example, an addendum to ASHRAE 90.1-2019 that specifically addresses thermal bridging and structural thermal breaks is currently under review – making the possibility of inclusion in future editions likely.

While voluntary, Passive House standards are increasingly being incorporated in new construction to save on energy costs and reduce carbon footprint. 

Building energy use intensity (EUI) is a metric of Passive House’s effectiveness. The EUI formula (BTU/sq ft/yr = EUI) measures a building’s energy efficiency—the lower the EUI, the more energy efficient the building. A conventional code-built building usually achieves an EUI somewhere between 80 or 100. By using structural thermal breaks and other efficiency measures, 425 Grand Concourse scored a predicted EUI around 22, and helped seal Passive House certification.

“The far-reaching impacts of climate change and how it intersects with our need to embrace sustainability present challenges that require the work and ingenuity of not just one — but many,” said David K. Wilson, president of Morgan State University. “Morgan welcomes the opportunity to partner with this region’s leading institutions and coalesce our intellect to deliver responsible solutions to our generation’s greatest challenge.”

The BSEC will serve as a solutions-oriented field laboratory producing urban climate science needed to inform community-guided “potential equitable pathways” for climate action. The research team will study atmospheric, climatic and environmental factors in Baltimore and develop adaptation strategies to make the city climate-change resilient and equitable. In addition to MSU researchers, the BSEC brings together teams of scientists and researchers from Johns Hopkins University, Penn State University, University of Maryland Baltimore County, University of Virginia, Drexel University and City University of New York.

“Having a diverse perspective and voice from an HBCU, like Morgan, in DOE-funded research and the formation of an urban integrated field laboratory is critical. Diverse representation in efforts like this matter when addressing climate change and its impact on vulnerable communities,” said Oscar Barton, Jr., Ph.D., dean of the Clarence M. Mitchell, Jr., School of Engineering. “Morgan’s partnership in this very meaningful and effectual research exemplifies how HBCUs can lead the charge in forming equitable solutions that benefit communities the world over.”

Led by James Hunter, Ph.D., associate professor of Civil Engineering, Morgan’s research team will study and develop Earth and environmental systems models. The project is expected to enable officials to adopt equitable energy and climate solutions needed to reimagine cities to withstand pressures from climate change while prioritizing investments in historically underserved communities.

“I am honored to lead the Morgan team on this ambitious project alongside university partners who are equally committed,” said Dr. Hunter. “With a focus on community and city priorities, this project has the potential to create a new paradigm for urban planning — bringing to market new thinking and new benchmarks for civil engineering that enhance resilience to climate change and embrace sustainability.”

Morgan’s team spans three schools including the School of Architecture and Planning, the School of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences, and the Mitchell School of Engineering. Eight faculty members will couple observation networks and models to deliver climate science capable of supporting those priorities. BSEC will document urban microclimate hydrology and air quality, indoor and outdoor, with unparalleled resolution. The observational data and integrated modeling within this community-centered urban climate observatory aims to advance climate solutions in Baltimore with a particular focus on underserved neighborhoods

Baltimore was included in the program because of its multifaceted, interlinked challenges such as urban sprawl, the large number of heat-trapping surfaces and structures, elevated risks from flood and heat, and disproportionate burdens of air and water pollution, similar to other mid-sized cities in the eastern and central United States.

The BSEC integrated field laboratory research will place significant emphasis on the priorities that affect communities (human health and safety, affordable energy, transportation equity, etc.) and policy makers in city government (clean waterways, decarbonization, functioning infrastructure), and will advance the development of sustainable models and infrastructure innovations that address these challenges.

Based in the Portland, Maine, office, Prudence will be heading up the firm’s passive buildings consulting team. She will be assisting clients with a range of services, including passive certification, feasibility studies, compliance modeling and education and curriculum development.

Prudence has more than 14 years of experience. Her work includes large-scale residential and commercial properties, healthcare and laboratory facilities, schools and campuses and historic structures. She is a founding member of the Phius Technical Committee and has been involved in the development of passive standards and protocols for more than a decade. Prudence is also a Phius Certified Trainer and helps design professionals achieve the Phius Certified Consultant (CPHC) credential. She joins the firm from BR+A Consulting Engineers.

The built environment industry needs to rapidly decarbonise existing and new buildings, as well as reduce embodied carbon produced in production of building materials and elements, construction, and maintenance of assets. The ability of offsite construction processes to reduce whole life carbon is often expressed, but evidence of this has been patchy. 

Drawing on the experience of more than 40 organisations working across homes, commercial, public and infrastructure, the new report, ‘Whole Life Carbon Guidance for Offsite Construction’ highlights opportunities and challenges for carbon management and reduction for the offsite sector. 

This includes common benefits around the material and resource efficiency of premanufacture, reduced fuel and energy use in logistics and on site, as well as greater confidence in operational energy performance with standardised designs.  

Some of the strongest evidence for carbon reductions exist in energy and fuel use for transport and construction processes, with studies finding savings of 30-40%, even when factory energy use is included. However, most of the embodied carbon within construction projects comes from materials and manufacturing: the product stage.  

The report proposes that there is a big opportunity for Design for Manufacture and Assembly to drive emissions savings in this stage, sharing evidence for this across homes, schools, and commercial projects. It recommends early collaboration between manufacturers and design teams in order to fully realise low carbon design options. This collaboration will also aid robust whole life carbon estimates, which are likely to become mandatory in the coming years. The report also encourages manufacturers and contractors to embed processes for the collection and communication of activity data. 

Andrew Shepherd, Managing Director at TopHat Communities, said “We all know carbon is a problem, but without knowing how much of a problem, it is very difficult for us to start addressing some of the key problem areas. This report provides guidance on how to start assessing whole life carbon and understanding the impact each stage of the development cycle has on the environment about us.” 

Naomi Pratt, lead author of the report and Consultant at Action Sustainability, said: “It’s been really encouraging to see projects cutting embodied carbon through offsite techniques. What these have in common is a design approach driven by material and carbon efficiency. What we need to see now is more organisations adopting this focus and sharing data.” 

Ian Heptonstall, Director of Supply Chain Sustainability School, said: “The good news from this report is that yes, Offsite and MMC (Modern Methods of Construction) can help us tackle the climate emergency. However, as the evidence suggests, we are currently missing many opportunities and it’s clear as an industry we need to think and act differently.  My challenge to those not at the forefront of tackling carbon is: will you act now and make a difference, or be left behind whilst your customers transition to a low carbon economy?” 

The examples of best practice highlighted in the report are crucial for whole life carbon reduction and the journey to net zero. The authors encourage organisations working within the sector to show leadership, take advantage of the opportunities, and share data and experiences.  

Download the report from the Supply Chain Sustainability School website here. 

Financial Milestones Achieved and Strong Execution of Operational Strategy

Financial and corporate highlights for the year ended December 31, 2022 and subsequently include the following:

• For the year ended December 31, 2022, our total revenue was $2,663,212 compared to $1,300,439 for the same period in 2021; revenue grew 104% in 2022 compared to 2021.
  
• For the year ended December 31, 2022, our gross profits increased to $1,174,196 from $610,407 for the same period in 2021; gross profit grew 92%. in 2022 compared to 2021.
  
• For the year ended December 31, 2022, our net profit was $147,395 compared to $297,551 for the same period in 2021. This is due to one-time increased professional fees, and interest and financing expenses, attributed to the Nasdaq up-listing application and it also reflects the gain discussed below.
  
• For the year ended December 31, 2022, we recognized a gain on debt settlement of $2,556,916 from the GE note write off compared to $868,502 for the year ended December 31, 2021 due to several liabilities statute of limitations had expired.
  
• We raised approximately $1.2 million in Regulation A equity offering in Q1 2022 at $3.20 per share.
  
• For the year ended December 31, 2022, our stockholder’s equity was $1,878,196 compared to stockholder’s deficit of $1,721,712 for the same period in 2021.

Subsequent to the year end results, the company’s equity position has increased substantially during the first quarter of 2023 evidenced by the subsequent events and company’s recent filings, mainly due to the recent public offering with gross proceeds of $3.9 million, the full conversion of a convertible note valued at $666,250, and gain from a $324,000 convertible note payoff. The company has demonstrated profitability for two consecutive years and is no longer in default to any major creditors. It is the Management’s opinion that the Company has sufficient operating capital and can continue to deliver profitability in its current state. The Company’s ability to access capital has also significantly improved as it listed on Nasdaq on March 23, 2023. Management believes through streamlined operations and scaling global sales, the Company can maintain long-term profitability and sufficient capitalization. 

Meeting the Challenge of Concrete Durability

How do MCI^®-2005, concrete durability, and sustainability fit together? The longer a concrete structure lasts, the better, because it reduces the need to make replacement concrete, which is an energy intensive resource. Since cement, a main component of concrete, is blamed for as much as 8% of global CO2 emissions, this reduction could have significant implications for sustainability. This may be one reason it is becoming more and more common to hear about structures being built with a service design life of 100 years or more.

One of the biggest threats to concrete longevity is corrosion. Under static conditions, reinforced concrete is at very low risk for corrosion. However, when adding cracking, chloride exposure from seawater or deicing salts, and long-term carbonation to the equation, the vicious cycle begins. Corrosion causes reinforcing metal to expand, pushing on the concrete cover and causing it to spall off, subjecting the reinforcement to additional corrosives and deterioration. For this reason, corrosion inhibiting admixtures are often used in the construction of concrete buildings in harsh environments like seacoasts or regions that use heavy deicing salts. MCI^®-2005 is one such admixture that meets the corrosion inhibitor requirements under ASTM C1582 and promotes greater concrete longevity.

Meeting the Quest for Renewable Materials

Along with the search for greater durability is society’s quest to use products made from renewable resources instead of relying so heavily on petroleum-based substances. In this respect, MCI^®-2005 truly stands out from the crowd as the only corrosion inhibiting concrete admixture that is also a USDA Certified Biobased Product. MCI^®-2005 contains 67% USDA certified biobased content and is therefore a great way to earn credits toward LEED certification through the use of renewable materials. It is also a good choice for US federal agencies and their contractors seeking to meet minimum biobased content purchasing requirements, or for projects seeking to meet Estidama Pearl and BREEAM green building rating requirements in other parts of the world.

Side Benefits of MCI^®-2005

In addition to extending concrete service life predictions and using renewable materials, MCI^®-2005 has a variety of other practical advantages. It is certified to meet ANSI/NSF Standard 61 for use in large drinking water system components. Workability is excellent; unlike calcium nitrite (CNI), which accelerates set time and makes it difficult to finish the job well, MCI^®-2005 actually delays set time, giving workers a wider timeframe for finishing. Dosage is relatively low at 1 pt/yd³ (0.6 L/m³), independent of expected chloride levels in the concrete, whereas CNI must be dosed higher for larger expected levels of chloride.

Offering Service Life and Sustainability Around the Globe

For the last two decades and more, MCI^®-2005 has been used in structures around the world exposed to everything from the high water-table/saline-soil conditions of the Middle East to the intense brine of desalination processes. As the only USDA Certified Biobased Product of its kind (that comes with minimal impact to concrete physical properties and no increase in concrete shrinkage), MCI^®-2005 is an outstanding choice for contractors and engineers seeking extended service life and sustainability. Contact Cortec^® to learn more: https://www.cortecmci.com/contact-us/

The project will create a new on-dock facility to streamline the movement of goods via rail rather than truck. It includes a variety of elements including realignment of major roads, utility relocation and a new locomotive facility. HDR has worked on the Pier B program since the 1990s. In 2019, HDR was selected to provide environmental and preliminary design services for the landside modernization program.

Under the new $102.3 million contract extension, HDR’s services will include preparing final design plans, specifications and estimates as well as program management support services, including integration of advanced project controls, scheduling and estimating.

“This project will reduce congestion and provide solutions for supply chain issues in the region,” said Tom Kim, HDR’s project manager for Pier B. “Working together with our small-business partners, we are eager to assist the Port of Long Beach with organizing and delivering the next phase of this modern, sustainable on-dock rail facility.”

Port of Long Beach, the “Green Port,” is part of the largest port complex in the United States. When finished, the facility will ease congestion and reduce air emissions by shifting port traffic from trucks to rail cars.

The program also advances the Port of Long Beach’s sustainability goals by incorporating electrification capabilities for future locomotive charging in the long-term facility master plan and site improvements.

To further the port’s goals of including small and local businesses, HDR has partnered with 34 subconsultants, including small local businesses.

Effective February 2023, only certified reduced-carbon zinc is used to produce RHEINZINK-prePATINA ECO ZINC products. To power this efficient process, the electric energy largely is generated from renewable sources including water and wind power. RHEINZINK-prePATINA ECO ZINC material production generates significantly less CO2 than any other architectural zinc manufacturing process.

Along with a reduced environmental impact, RHEINZINK-prePATINA ECO ZINC products maintain their consistent, high quality, value and performance, plus their proven resiliency, 100% recyclability and 100+ year lifespan. Continuing to deliver the pre-weathered, vintage aesthetic, RHEINZINK-prePATINA ECO ZINC blue-grey and graphite-grey options are available. The natural metal is fabricated and installed as façade and wall cladding systems, zinc roofs, roof drainage and gutters, and architectural details on commercial, institutional and residential projects across North America.

“Sustainability is firmly anchored in our corporate strategy. Material manufacturers have a crucial role to play in achieving our global, national and local climate policies, as well as meeting energy codes and environmental goals,” said Charles “Chip” McGowan, president of RHEINZINK America.

He continued, “RHEINZINK is proud to provide reduced-carbon material choices for new construction and renovation projects’ sustainable design and operation. With a lifespan of 100 years or more, our resilient products also reduce the need for product replacement. At the end of their use on a home or building, the material is 100% recyclable, maximizing cradle-to-cradle benefits.”

As part of the ECO ZINC product offering, RHEINZINK-prePATINA architectural zinc has been Cradle to Cradle® (C2C) Certified at the Bronze level since 2009. The C2C certification and additional supporting documentation assist design and building teams meet the U.S. and Canada Green Building Councils’ LEED® criteria.

A global company, RHEINZINK is headquartered in Germany with subsidiaries and sales offices in 30 countries and on five continents. “With our RHEINZINK-prePATINA ECO ZINC products, we are taking another important step forward on our path to decarbonization. The conversion will save more than 36,000 tonnes of CO2 per year. By comparison, this is equivalent to the CO2 emissions of a small town with 4,500 inhabitants,” explained RHEINZINK’s CEO, Carsten Beier.

Please visit https://www.rheinzink.us to watch a video and to learn more about RHEINZINK-prePATINA ECO ZINC products. 

As a result, CETY’s NG distribution network has significantly expanded and has secured a total supply to sell up to 40 million cubic meters of natural gas for the rest of 2023.

Kam Mahdi, CETY’s CEO said, “We are pleased to have obtained the qualification to become a consignor for the NGPNG. This certification is a significant step for CETY as we have received China’s national recognition and acceptance as the NGPNG plays a vital role in forming a national network for the interconnection of main pipelines. This further expands our network into a much larger downstream user base which could potentially utilize CETY’s energy efficiency products and solutions.”

The CPD-accredited education programme at DCW is designed to keep visitors at the cutting-edge of innovation for the built environment. The show features 10 theatres that focus on some of the key areas shaping digital construction, including information management, asset management, geospatial, Net Zero, digital transformation and more.

The event boasts 300+ free-to-attend talks, workshops and demos delivered by expert speakers from across AECO. Attendees will be inspired by actionable insights, data-driven knowledge and practical advice from thought-leaders in the field.

Keep reading for some of the highlights from the programme.

Information Management Stage & Information Management Exchange (sponsored by UK BIM Framework and in partnership with nima)

The Information Management Stage (IMS) hosts a series of presentations and panel sessions looking at the benefits of the shift from BIM to Information Management. Topics include product data, interoperability, digital twins, net zero and the Golden Thread.

In Delivering valuable data, Government & Industry Interoperability Group (GIIG)’s Paul Wilkinson will cover the group’s Code of Practice for Technologies. He will present how the code can support procurement to improve data delivery, as well as how attendees can be a part of the future development of the code.

Digital Construction Award winner Emma Hooper, Associate Director and Head of R&D at Bond Bryan Digital, will help visitors gain an appreciation and understanding of information theory, and how it applies to construction. In Information chaos theory revisited – principles and concepts of Information Management, she will also cover what the future of information management may look like and if we are on the right path to achieving it.

Sector Lead at BSI, Dan Rossiter FCIAT’s session UK BIM Framework Overview will look at the role of the UK BIM Framework and how it supports government policy.

The Information Management Exchange (IMX) provides a space for attendees to network, share ideas and learn from one another. The informal and interactive format includes workshops, drop-in clinics, networking sessions, open mics and panel debates. 

Speakers on the theatre include John Hall, Information Management Platform Implementation at GIIG. He will present The client Information Management Platform, outlining the benefits of the platform approach for client organisations.

Asset Management Stage (sponsored by Glider Technology)
 
Brand new for 2023, the Asset Management Stage is home to sessions and discussions that join the dots between the construction and operational phases. This includes asset handover, management, maintenance, and operation. Attendees will learn about the digitised information and strategies available and how they can improve the way assets are managed through their lifecycle. 

BIM Manager at DAA, Michael Early, will present how to structure data for better project delivery in Airports of the future: How to mitigate risk and create greater certainty. Defining what data is meaningful for asset management to contractor and subcontractor partners will also be covered, as well as how to deliver projects digitally.

Shahida Rajabdeen looks after Standard Information Approach Implementation at GIIG. She will share what the Standard Information Approach is and how it can be applied within organisations in Standardising information requirements.

The Museum of London – Smart Delivery and Operation will be hosted by Irina Gales Senior Digital Construction Manager at Sir Robert McAlpine. This session will cover the project objectives, requirements, and the digital tools that have been selected to support the project’s delivery and clients aspirations to be “the Smartest museum in the world”.

Geospatial Theatre (sponsored by Pix4D and Murphy Geospatial)

The programme at the Geospatial Theatre goes beyond hardware, exploring the geospatial technologies that give us a precise understanding of the physical world, helping to solve some of the many challenges we find in the built environment. The stage will be busy with a stream of case studies, research projects and debates linked to location data and mapping, smart cities, estates management, the future of transportation networks, machine controls, the connected site and more.   

In Embracing the 5th Dimension in AEC through a GeoBIM perspective GIS Analyst at Skanska UK, Izzy McLees, will demonstrate how GeoBIM can be used as an enhanced collaboration tool in both building and infrastructure projects.

Ezgi Şendil, Product Development Team Lead in a startup and a MSc. Student in Earthquake Engineering, will talk about the importance of pre-disaster planning in smart cities and the role of technology in enhancing disaster response efforts in Post-disaster management in smart cities.

The value of location data presented by Ordnance Survey’s Director of International, Juliet Ezechie, will uncover how location data can be used to benefit the construction industry in planning, stakeholder engagement, and emergency response.

Innovation Stage (sponsored by Sir Robert McAlpine)

The Innovation Stage at DCW is perfect for those interested in seeing some of the most exciting technological advances in construction and engineering. Learn through live demos and installations in robotics, additive manufacturing, UAV construction, wearable technology and much more. 

How much data does AI need to improve your projects? Find out in Artificial Intelligence to predict future outcomes in Programmes, do we need big data? presented by Danilo Arba, Programme Director & PMO Lead LATAM, MACE Group. This session will provide real life case studies on the application of AI in PMO’s.

The role of generative AI in driving innovation in the built environment will be covered by Mar Zumaquero Gomez, Global Innovation Management Director at Arcadis. The impact of the ChatGPT revolution in the built environment is set to outline how this emerging technology can increase productivity, knowledge sharing and creativity among industry professionals.

If visitors wish to learn how contractor/GCs can access automation to build better, how to rethink the supply chain of construction or how a micro factory network can scale globally, then Mollie Claypool, CEO of Automated Architecture (AUAR), has the answers in Automating Architecture: Radically rethinking what and how we build.

People & Change Theatre (sponsored by Women in BIM)

The transformational nature of the digitalisation of the built environment requires focus in three key areas: people, process and technology. This is why it is important that the People and Change theatre returns in 2023. Sessions will focus on topics including behavioural change, how to embrace new ways of working, using tech to engage and communicate with staff, strategies for inclusivity, diversity, collaboration and wellbeing in the workplace.  

Rudie Masukume, Community and Stakeholder Engagement Officer, Skills and Employment Officer at Costain Group will present More than bricks and mortar –  Building up communities through major construction. She will discuss why transparency is key to making the most of achievements and future success, as well as engaging supporters and stakeholders through digital communications and practical example.

Diversity builds team strength, says Richard Gwilt, Digital Construction Manager at Kier. In his presentation Neurodiversity, the hidden me, Richard will uncover how disability highlights inefficiencies in current methods of working and why accommodation does not need to be daunting.

In Driving excellence in digital skills – A case for investment in people, Kirsti Wells, Business Development Manager at BSI Group, will highlight why implementing training within organisations, and expanding knowledge internally, will enhance collaboration and productivity.

Net Zero Stage (sponsored by Autodesk and in partnership with ZERO)

A huge shift towards achieving Net Zero is underway within all industries, and the built environment is no exception, echoed by the government’s plan to build back ‘better, faster and greener’. Sessions taking place on the Net Zero Stage, in partnership with ZERO, will help visitors navigate how digital tools, methods, and skills are improving the performance of projects and leading to lower emissions. 

The five benefits of digital carbon tools will be outlined by Megan Greig, Senior Engineer at Elliott Wood in her presentation Sustainable construction in action –  how the design office can cut carbon now. Attendees will learn how digital tools and ‘digital twins’ can help decide what materials can be re-used in a circular economy, with practical examples of how to make more informed and sustainable decisions during the design phase.

Johnathan Munkley, Co-Founder of ZERO Construct, will host an introduction to the ZERO Playbook, ZERO community, and its goals. He will also touch on how carbon, cost and net operating income are linked in We want a net zero emissions construction industry, do you?

Transformation Hub (sponsored by Nemetschek and Vectorworks)

Since its introduction in 2018, the Transformation Hub has helped companies and individuals embrace new ways of working by providing leadership and guidance on the implications of technology and innovation on their business. The Hub returns for 2023, boasting hand-picked panel discussions and presentations exploring business transformation, with a focus on the practicalities of digitalisation. 

The role of data sharing to enable strategic outcomes will be discussed in How data can enable accelerated delivery of critical national infrastructure, hosted byKevin Reeves, Industry Director – Energy & Utilities at Microsoft. Impacts of the 4th industrial revolution, and cross sector alignment of digital transformation will also be covered.

In Digital disruption of the construction industry, Huda As’ad, UKI Capital Projects Lead at Accenture, will outline the key ways in which the industry can improve efficiency and productivity through data insights.

Andrew Pryke, Managing Director at BAM Design and BAM Construct UK will presentPlatform 9 3/4 – Are we quite there for this digital construction journey. This session will define what a Platform is, what can be included in a Platform, and overcoming challenges.

These are just some of the hundreds of sessions on offer at Digital Construction Week this year. Browse the full programme at www.digitalconstructionweek.com/programme.

Register now for DCW 2023

Digital Construction Week takes place at ExCeL London from 17-18 May 2023. Register for a free trade ticket at https://go.pardot.com/e/465882/eek23-aspx-TrackingCode-DCW300/3jslx6n/6105253657?h=UY05IW6k5tblAfnIFa8GFAwkpKVNlRjvpdbjpePS4r0

Missaggia most recently was LMS Manager with the American Planning Association, a non-profit association of more than 30,000 professional planners. She also has held education positions with the Academy of General Dentistry and had a stint with the William Wrigley Jr. Company. She graduated from Illinois State University in Normal, Ill., with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations.

“I am honored to join the PCI team and excited to be a part of their continued success,” Missaggia said.

“We are thrilled to bring Bekki into PCI and excited to have her on the education team,” added Becky King, PCI Managing Director, Marketing and Education. “With her previous education roles at other associations, I am looking forward to her expertise and new ideas for PCI education as she serves as our new Education Manager.”

Due to the Ukrainian and Russian conflict, NG prices have fluctuated significantly in the past year. To better manage market risk as well as reduce exposure to cyclical factors such as lowered demand due to national holidays or weather, CETY is adjusting its NG strategy to stable higher volume trading in Pipeline Natural Gas (PNG) rather than opportunistic low volume trading with higher margins in Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) or Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).

Kam Mahdi, CETY’s CEO said, “Our Natural Gas trading operations and NG pipeline business in China opens cross selling opportunities for CETY products and solutions. As we see an uptick in China’s economy returning to normal, we expect even more contribution from this business segment in the near future.”

In this role, Matthews is developing a variety of offshore, energy, restoration, infrastructure and other environmental projects; promoting strong regulatory and stakeholder outreach with a business development emphasis on offshore wind and energy transition; and collaborating within the organization to support a full life cycle approach to offshore wind. She will serve as a leader for offshore wind initiatives in the Gulf Coast and support additional offshore wind efforts in other parts of the country.

With more than 14 years of regulatory experience, Matthews served as a supervisory program management specialist for the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) office in New Orleans, as well as a former senior leader with the BOEM office in the Gulf of Mexico. She helped set clear and concise program objectives in these roles, including development of the agency’s first programs for the Gulf of Mexico region, and earned the Supervisor of the Year Award during her time at BOEM.

“Tershara brings a proven record of accomplishments in leading internal workflow processes while strengthening program awareness and delivering cost effective solutions,” said Sara Mochrie, WSP power market director and senior vice president. “We are eager to implement her successful practices to strengthen WSP’s overall offshore wind approach.”

Matthews is a graduate of Xavier University of Louisiana with a bachelor’s degree and the University of Southern Mississippi with a master’s degree in public health. She is based in WSP’s New Orleans office.

The SSSBA and AGA have developed several free, essential resources that make steel bridge design easier while achieving long-term performance, minimal maintenance and a 100-year service life in many environments. These resources will be discussed by webinar presenters Michael Barker, Ph.D., P.E., professor of civil and architectural engineering at the University of Wyoming and John Krzywicki, marketing director at the American Galvanizers Association.

Dr. Barker is director of education for the Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance and has more than 30 years of experience in bridge design and construction. His primary research pertains to steel bridges, experimental testing, bridge design specifications, bridge field testing, high-performance steel and reliability analyses of structures.

John Krzywicki has a strong engineering background and experience in effectively communicating design, performance and sustainability considerations when using hot-dip galvanized (HDG) steel.

The “Essential Resources for Sustainable Off-System Bridges” webinar is recommended for bridge professionals, students, legislators and interested citizens. Advanced registration is required for this complimentary webinar through the American Galvanizers Association’s online learning system, and it is accredited by AIA and RCEP to provide 1.0 LU/PDH (HSW Hour). During United for Infrastructure Week, participating organizations host events to build awareness of and educate policymakers and citizens about the infrastructure challenges in the United States. AISI and AGA are affiliate members of United for Infrastructure 2023.

The American Galvanizers Association (AGA) is a not-for-profit trade association dedicated to serving the needs of specifiers, architects, engineers, contractors, fabricators, and after-fabrication hot-dip galvanizers throughout North America. Since 1933, the AGA has provided information on the most innovative applications and state-of-the-art technological developments in hot-dip galvanizing for corrosion control. The AGA maintains a large technical library, provides multimedia seminars and offers a technical support line to assist specifiers. Learn more at https://galvanizeit.org/. 

The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) serves as the voice of the American steel industry in the public policy arena and advances the case for steel in the marketplace as the preferred material of choice. AISI’s membership is comprised of integrated and electric arc furnace steelmakers, and associate members who are suppliers to or customers of the steel industry. For more news about steel and its applications, view AISI’s websites at www.steel.org and www.buildusingsteel.org. Follow AISI on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter (@AISISteel, @BuildUsingSteel) or Instagram.  

The Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance (SSSBA) is a group of bridge and buried soil steel structure industry leaders who have joined together to provide educational information on the design and construction of short span steel bridges in installations up to 140 feet in length. For more news or information, visit https://www.shortspansteelbridges.org/ or follow us on Twitter (@ShortSpanSteel), Facebook and LinkedIn.

It should be noted that both state and federal officials are funding projects to remedy environmental and safety issues that have persisted for many years. New funding will also recycle many public assets and make them revenue-producing in the future. Federal and state funding sources are openly and aggressively incentivizing private sector investors to help cover the costs for these types of projects.

New funding for remediation projects is one example. In December, state leaders in Connecticut announced the availability of $24.6 million in funding for clean-up projects with the objective to attract private sector investors in 16 municipalities throughout the state. Without remediation, the selected sites are unusable and often hazardous due to blight, pollution, and contamination. The plan is to transform numerous parcels of land into attractive sites for redevelopment.  

The Connecticut funding is designed to leverage an additional $625 million in private-sector investment. In the city of Meriden, a silver manufacturing factory that was vacated nearly three decades ago is one of the first remediation targets. In Ridgefield, a redevelopment project is halted until existing sewer infrastructure and remediation efforts can be completed. An old train station will be renovated, and the site area will be revitalized.  Private sector partners with remediation expertise will be in high demand in 2023.   

Virginia leaders recently made public that $24 million will be disbursed to remediate and attract investment partners to 22 former industrial sites for redevelopment. Virginia’s governor announced that grants from the state are available for projects to remediate structures that blight surrounding developments. One targeted site must be rehabilitated before the city can move forward with redevelopment of the entire downtown region. 

An $86 million project in Alexandria, Virginia is scheduled for launch in the second half of 2023, and it is critical to a large redevelopment project that is underway. After acquiring a vacant, blighted mall property for $54 million, city leaders are now committed to delivering a $1 billion hospital and medical campus to an underserved area. The vacant mall must be demolished and the site remediated before the project can be completed. 

In California, state funding for transportation alternatives will fund remediation projects tied to redevelopment initiatives. The California Transportation Commission will contribute $1.7 billion in 2023 for various types of projects that will result in the recycling of public assets. Some municipalities in the state can use the funding to create or enhance assets related to transportation. Such initiatives include multi-use paths, new sidewalks, and pedestrian street lighting for underserved neighborhoods for revitalization. 

A $684 million project in Memphis, Tennessee includes redevelopment plans that will redefine the entire cityscape. Three monumental venues are targeted for work in 2023. Plans outline renovation work on the FedEx Forum, AutoZone Park, and Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium along with the construction of a new venue to host a professional soccer club. Before work can begin, the city must demolish the Mid-South Coliseum which was closed permanently several years ago. Part of the funding for Memphis’s $684 million multi-venue redevelopment will come from private sector investors and the city’s hotel/motel occupancy tax. 

City leaders in Louisville, Kentucky have $10 million from the federal government to launch a site preparation project in 2023. Work is planned for a remediation project on a former chemical production plant that closed in 1994. After 75 years of producing toxic lacquers, varnishes, enamels, epoxy-based coatings and acrylics, the site must be cleaned of all soil pollution. 

The Louisville Gardens multi-purpose arena in Louisville, Kentucky is targeted for redevelopment with a private entertainment group. The objective is to turn a historic building into the focal point of a long-term economic development strategy. City leaders have tagged the project with a cost projection of $65 million and the plan is to deliver theater space, soundstages, a retail area, and a public museum. The Louisville Gardens building originally opened in 1905 and because of its historical aspect, it is expected to attract even more interest from private sector investors. Enthusiasm for the building’s redevelopment is also bolstered by the governor’s decision to offer a tax credit of 30-35 percent (approximately $75 million annually) for the construction of production studio infrastructure. The effort will be designed to revitalize an underused area of the city.

A $50 million project in Birmingham, Alabama will be launched to provide for redevelopment of the city’s north side. A partnership that will steer millions from both the city of Birmingham and Jefferson County, while also consolidating $30 million in existing bond funds, will deliver a $50 million amphitheater. The new facility, along with Birmingham’s broader redevelopment efforts, are conditioned on-site remediation. A vacant hospital campus that left a persistent blight on the surrounding region’s economic development must be remediated before other redevelopments can proceed. 

Another California project of high interest will be launched in Los Angeles in 2023 and is projected for completion in late 2025. Cost for the effort is placed at $47.5 million. This project will prepare sites for redevelopment in a notoriously blighted neighborhood that has suffered decades of disinvestment. The city plans to reverse those trends with over 2 miles of multi-use trails, an urban canopy of at least 500 street trees, approximately 540 LED pedestrian streetlights, and 27,000 square feet of rehabilitated sidewalks throughout the neighborhood. The redevelopment will culminate in the construction of a new public plaza. 

Remediation and redevelopment projects will be rampant over the next several years. Each project will require numerous types of partnerships with contractors. Most upcoming opportunities have already produced detailed planning documents that are available for interested potential partners.

Mary Scott Nabers  is President/CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc. (SPI), a full-service business development firm specializing in procurement consulting, government affairs, research and public-private partnerships (P3s). A former statewide office holder in Texas, Mary founded Strategic Partnerships, Inc after leaving government and later was the co-founder of the Gemini Global Group. Mary is a recognized expert in public private partnerships and the author of Collaboration Nation – How Public-Private Ventures Are Revolutionizing the Business of Government and her most recent book Inside the Infrastructure Revolution – A Roadmap for Rebuilding America.   She was selected to membership in Icons of Infrastructure and is a regular speaker at industry conferences throughout the country. She writes for a number of national publications and blogs on a weekly basis. Mary holds an MBA degree from The University of Texas. 

Businesses globally are looking to reduce their carbon footprints. This activity is being driven by a number of factors. It is both ethical business practice to operate business sustainably for the environment but it is also smart for sustainable business success. Demonstrating environment leadership enhances business reputation, retains and attracts customers, investors and staff, and enhances market value. Importantly, marketplace trust will be built by robust carbon accounting and genuine action and genuine reporting. As the environmental element of an ESG carbon quantification and reporting must be completed to a recognised standard and methodology. This can follow the CDP model (previously called the Carbon Disclosure Project) and calculated in accordance with The Greenhouse Gas Protocol or an international ISO standard such as BS EN ISO 14064 part 1. 

This ISO standard has a verification element published as part 3 of the standard, making it particularly suitable for a CDP model of carbon measurement and the basis of a carbon reduction plan. Compliance with this standard requires measurement, quantification, and reporting of the three scopes of greenhouse gas inventories. Scopes 1 and 2 largely comprise direct and indirect energy use through business operations, travel, heating and lighting. These are the most commonly reported scopes. Scope 3, despite being often the largest of the scopes, is less frequently reported.

It’s sometimes misunderstood that a company’s scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions are simply the scope 1 and 2 emissions of their suppliers. This would merely be the carbon equivalent of fuel and energy use and could be considered to represent a double counting of carbon emissions. Sometimes, this reasoning is used to justify not measuring or reporting an organization’s scope 3 emissions. It has been stated by some, that if all companies report their scopes 1 and 2 there would be no need for these “other indirect emissions” that make up scope 3 to be reported. However, there are 15 different emission sources included in scope 3, as defined by the greenhouse gas protocol corporate reporting standard. They can be the largest part by far of an organization’s carbon footprint, and not all of them can justly be laid at the foot of the supply chain.

Taking this back a step; scope 1 emissions are direct emissions from sources such as stationary combustion for example furnaces, ovens and central heating plus direct mobile combustion such as in company owned vehicles like company cars or delivery vans. Scope 2 emissions are indirect emissions from purchased energy sources, most commonly this is electricity bought in to operate the business lights, IT, and machinery.

Although scope 3 will include the scope 1 and 2 emissions of suppliers, for example, it also includes items that are very much the emissions of the reporting organization. While some scope 3 emission sources can be a little harder to collate data for, the size of their contribution to an organization’s greenhouse gas emissions in total means that environmental responsibility demands sufficient commitment to their measurement and so the visibility that lends allows for reduction opportunities from them. Let’s examine these scope 3 emission sources and consider if there is a legitimate reason for their omission:

1. Emissions from business travel. For example, if an employee travels to a business meeting on behalf of the company, in their own car and then re-claims that in expenses, these are scope 3 emissions. And organizations have the opportunity to reduce these emissions through actions such as incentivising more remote meetings, encouraging greener travel through bicycle purchase schemes, rail travel season ticket loans, and incentives for employees to buy electric cars as their private car.

2. Transmission and distribution emissions resulting from the purchase of electricity. While the electricity bought in is part of scope 2, the transmission and distribution losses belong in scope 3. Not reporting scope 3 emissions means that this element of electricity used in the running of the business is not reported.

3. Water use and treatment. There are plenty of good options allowing the reduction of supplied water use. These include harvesting of rainwater, water re-use in a grey water system, maintenance and prevention of leaks and losses and fitting water reduction gadgets to hand washing basins and toilet cisterns. Reducing the quantity of water supplied saves money, conserves an essential resource, reduces the quantity of wastewater to be treated, reduces your greenhouse gas emissions – and belongs in scope 3.

4. Waste disposal. How a company disposes of their waste materials is included in scope 3 – The organization can choose to dispose of refuse by landfill, or by separating out their waste for recycling. They can play an active part in reducing waste materials so that the amount disposed of is less. These are all part of business practices in business strategies that all decisions made by the reporting organization.

5. Investments. Money is a powerful enabler. An organization has the opportunity to select investments that are environmentally responsible. They might invest in green bonds or they might choose to invest without taking into account the profile of their investments. This choice is still within the organization’s power and can be one of the greatest tools in the fight against climate change. Move the money, move the power. Investments are part of your scope 3 emissions.

6. Freighting and transport. When transporting out goods or mail packages, an organization can select how those items are freighted. We can select the type of transport with the lowest carbon emissions for the purpose. For example, larger cargo ships have a smaller carbon footprint per tonne of goods conveyed, and transport by train has a lower carbon footprint than transport by HGV. Changes can be made to ensure optimal use of freighted loads, and how they are packed can consider reusability of the packaging materials or structures themselves.

All in all, organizations have control over, and choices in, a very large element of the scope 3 emissions. As such it is not acceptable to plead that scope 3 is out of their control and is effectively in the gift of their supplier chain. 

Moreover, a corporation that is committed to environmental responsibility has the opportunity to work with their wider value chain to facilitate visibility and understanding of the scope 3 emissions that do include their suppliers emissions. A larger organization can empower their supply chain. There can be either a carrot or a stick approach to this. They can work with their supply chain collaboratively providing support, information or active Technical Support to suppliers in developing their greenhouse gas inventories and carbon reduction plans. Alternatively, a stick approach could be taken by requiring suppliers to have a carbon reduction plan in order to be included as suppliers, or preferred suppliers.

Ultimately, we’re all in this together. We only have one planet and all of us will be adversely affected by climate change. It makes both business and moral sense to be on the side of your suppliers, and to provide them with a collaborative framework through which we can all collectively arrive at a low carbon economy.

Dr. Torill Bigg is Chief Carbon Reduction Engineer at Tunley Engineering. Her work at Tunley has helped reduce carbon emissions by 50,000,000 kilogrammes of CO2e with clients to date.  This saving is equivalent to the carbon saved by 13 wind turbines running for a year or put another way it’s the removal of the CO2e from 124,000,000 miles driven in a car.

When the carbon footprints of various industries are compared, the AEC industry is by far the largest contributor, particularly construction.  Sustainable design has been understood historically as a way to offset carbon footprints of new construction.  Often, however, sustainable design efforts are deprioritized due to cost and the effort to educate clients on the impact of modern sustainability choices.  In light of these historical challenges and recent economic challenges, the adoption of sustainable design choices and materials is increasing and firms are looking to prepare themselves for a future in which sustainable design choices and materials are critical to winning projects.

Despite the recent tendency to deprioritize sustainable design for these reasons, experts believe that AEC firms will start to embrace new technologies that more easily integrate sustainability with cost-effective construction.  One such expert is Camp Boyd, Sustainability Specialist and Senior Specifications Writer for MasterSpec at Deltek.  Having worked in several facets of the industry–including green building certification, product sustainability reports, and greenhouse gas emissions reporting–Boyd has a unique perspective on the implementation of sustainable design.  Boyd believes that the AEC industry will continue its push for more sustainable projects as sustainable building strategies become more and more affordable.  

Compared to even five years ago, efficient systems and fixtures, as well as responsibly made materials, are only nominally more expensive than their traditional counterparts.  With this, Boyd says, comes a “renewed focus on specifications to streamline the process of incorporating appropriate features, fixtures, materials, and systems that further the sustainability goals of a project.”  Architects have indicated that they are more focused on using their specifications as a place to identify appropriate products and communicate that with the rest of the team.  Boyd uses the example of AIA MasterSpec®, who have been developing a tool in the new Specpoint program to help automate the process for spec writers.  This lets architects input a rating system and specific goals and software will pull in compliant materials and systems.  

Another major factor that has historically lessened the impact of environmental design is the cost of educating clients on the benefits of sustainable design choices.  Clients who aren’t educated on the impacts of sustainable design choices on their project tend to choose the cheaper, often less environmentally-friendly option.  However, Boyd points out that, now more than in the past, clients are coming to the table better educated on the aspects of sustainability, which is a “game changer” for these projects.  Still, despite an increase in a client’s prior knowledge, Boyd points out that there is still more work to be done such as increasing the awareness of sustainability strategies as well as the benefits of incorporating these in projects with all members of the project team.  Furthermore, Boyd says there must also be a push to incorporate these strategies early in the design process, so that they are integrated into the full building design.  

While technology will continue to improve and sustainable choices will gain visibility, the adoption of sustainable design choices is heavily influenced by the economic climate.  With challenges putting pressure on projects in the current economic climate, Boyd believes there may be an “inclination to value engineer what some may still consider additional items may start to rise again.”  In the current economic climate, Boyd puts a particular emphasis on engaging stakeholders early on in the design process.  This allows teams to process sustainability items and categorize them from “nice to have” building characteristics to “necessary.”  Boyd believes this will “encourage continued strides towards more sustainability in the built environment.”

Despite the current economic climate, Boyd is confident that sustainable choices will continue to increase in adoption, further noting that AEC firms can “benefit greatly from investing in technology now as the industry rapidly evolves.”  By investing now, AEC firms can keep pace on goals that are becoming increasingly critical in remaining competitive.  As sustainable design and greener building practices continue to rise, technology and software tools can help firms optimize their designs for efficiency and sustainability.

Luke Carothers is the Editor for Civil + Structural Engineer Media. If you want us to cover your project or want to feature your own article, he can be reached at lcarothers@zweiggroup.com.  

The Harding Department of Public Works has streamlined its tree recycling operation with the help of a new Exac-One GRP200-7 Hydraulic Grapple and Black Splitter S2 800 Cone Splitter from Ransome Attachments. 

Harding Township, New Jersey is a well-kept, leafy suburban enclave located roughly 47 miles west of Manhattan. The department does a little bit of everything, including paving, forestry, pothole repair, lawn mowing, and even masonry. With a staff of eight employees, maintaining its extensive tree population is no small job. This has been exacerbated in recent years because of damage inflicted by unusually strong storms and a pest called the Emerald Ash Borer. 

In January 2023, Operator Justin Buller and Superintendent Tracy Toribio were discussing how the department could save money and efficiently run the roadside tree program with existing staff. The department wanted to recycle 100 percent of the material on its roadside job sites and knew the types of equipment it would require. This would eliminate the need to haul logs, stumps, and brush to its yard or the private recycler. 

Buller is an equipment operator for the department. He knew of Ransome Attachments through a friend at a local land clearing contractor that purchased a Black Splitter and some other attachments. After hearing rave reviews from colleagues, he approached Eric at a trade show in New Jersey and expressed interest. The department ended up acquiring not only the Black Splitter, but also the Exac-One Grapple in January 2023. 

It also ended up purchasing a Kubota mini excavator and an 18-inch Bandit wood chipper. The Black Splitter and Exac-One grapple would function as the conduit between the two machines. 

The acquisition of these new attachments was part of the department’s updating of its equipment and truck fleet, which has been unfolding over the last five years. Most of its equipment dated back to the 1990s. 

The department also recognized that a worsening labor shortage was threatening its productivity. Multi-functional attachments like the Exac-One grapple and Black Splitter were an obvious choice. 

The department’s excavator operator can now switch between the grapple and cone splitter seamlessly with a quick coupler at the worksite. The splitter breaks down the logs and the grapple loads the sections into the chipper, which reduces its material recycling costs. 

The 360-degree rotation of the grapple has also proven effective with sorting material because it has the ability to scoop up logs and set them with the cut ends facing in the same direction. This task was time consuming with a bucket and thumb combination. 

The Black Splitter has been helpful with stump processing as well. Not only does it break down the stump, but also cleans out most of the dirt and rocks. This saves the department money because the recycling company charges the lower cost mixed brush rate.

Buller recalls the department’s old way of handling tree cleanup after a big storm. “We would spend months picking up the debris every time a storm rolled through,” he recalls. “It was a lot of backbreaking physical work.” He knew from previous experience what was needed to mechanize and improve the process. 

Productivity has soared with the new equipment setup. Buller estimates that the department is processing twice as much material in half the time. 

“The amount of work we did in the last two days was performed in half the time using minimal labor,” he says. “This is awesome.”

The department has been using the grapple to handle full size trees up to 50 feet long and 12 inches in diameter. It also easily handles downsized sections ranging from eight to 12 feet and heaping bundles of brush. Feeding these materials into the chipper on site has been a game changer. 

Using the grapple has been simple, according to Buller. “Once you get used to it, it’s like having your hand on the end of that machine and you can pick up material, put it in a chipper, and place it where you want it,” he says.

Loading material with the grapple instead of by hand has also improved safety. Roadside crews have traditionally faced risks including cuts and bruises, falls, and back injuries. Buller can now load material into the chipper using the grapple from the comfort and safety of the excavator cab. A single worker is required near the chipper to monitor chipping and tossing in small brush.

The department has not required support for either unit, but based on his experience to date, Buller is confident that Eric and the team at Ransome will stand by its attachments. “Eric takes the time to explain the attachments, deliver a quality product, and make the overall experience pleasurable,” he says. “He’s a really nice, down to earth, genuine guy.”

Ransome Attachments of Lumberton, N.J., supplies durable, cost-effective, multi-functional attachments to the forestry, landscaping, recycling, municipal, demolition, and general construction markets. Its diverse mix of attachments – including wood splitters, screening buckets, grapples, concrete pulverizers, post drivers – fit both compact and heavy equipment. Visit ransomeattach.com to make a connection.

Like many coastal cities around the world, the stakes are much higher for developing climate solutions in New York City.  Facing direct threats stemming from climate change, New York City has developed into an epicenter for climate change planning, action, and research.  One firm built to thrive in such an environment is Indigo River.  Founded in 2018 by Dena Prastos, Indigo River is a Waterfront Solutions company with specialists in a growing number of disciplines including architects, landscape architects, naval architects, urban planners, climate adaptation specialists as well as civil, geotechnical, structural, marine, and coastal engineers.  

United by a common purpose to improve the waterfront and driven by the impact on their own communities, Indigo River is at the forefront of progress in their growing fields.  Indigo River’s dedication to this common purpose is gaining a growing influence on the built environment of New York City’s waterfronts and shorelines.  Indigo River is currently working with entities such as the Governors Island Trust, Scenic Hudson, and New York City Economic Development Corporation to both improve the city’s waterfronts and prepare a new workforce for jobs in green fields.

Facing direct threats from climate change, New York City is responding by launching projects such as the Center for Climate Solutions on Governors Island that will not only help the city and its surrounding communities by researching and developing climate solutions, but also by providing workforce training and green jobs.  Located off the southern shore of Manhattan, Governors Island has a long history of use for military purposes dating back to the 17th century.  Since the military ceased operations on the Island in 1995, multiple improvements have been made to open the space up to the public including ferries and walking paths as well as museums and public spaces.  In September 2020, plans were announced to develop a Center for Climate Solutions on the Island.  This center will bring together communities of researchers, educators, advocates, innovators, and policymakers to create, test, and implement climate solutions.  

While the Center for Climate Solutions is currently in the process of awarding the final scope to an academic institution, Prastos and Indigo River are helping prepare the Island to be the focus of climate solutions locally and globally, Indigo River was awarded the contracts to redesign and re-envision two of the Island’s primary piers: Yankee and Lima.  Awarded in late 2022, this project is still in the early stages, but Prastos is quick to pick out the importance of this project–both symbolic and practical.

In the practical sense, the redesign of Yankee and Lima piers is a tremendous opportunity to build an important piece of infrastructure within the city.  Hosting millions of visitors per year prior to the Center for Climate Solutions, Governors Island is only accessible via these piers, making them vital to the current and future functions of the Island.  Prastos believes such a project is the perfect opportunity for Indigo River, as it aligns with their core beliefs.  In such a rare opportunity, the symbolic meaning of this pier redesign project is on par with its practical implications.  Being one of the primary access points for the Island’s millions of visitors, Indigo River is responsible for a design that reflects its status as a leader for climate solutions.  This is a task that Prastos doesn’t shy away from, emphasizing the importance of creating a “landing onto the climate solutions center of the world.”  

As New York City positions itself as a leader in climate solutions, there is a simultaneous push to continue improving its waterfronts for both ecological and recreational purposes.  Indigo River is also playing a large role in this endeavor, partnering with groups such as Scenic Hudson to improve waterfront access.  The largest environmental group in the Hudson Valley, Scenic Hudson has decades of expertise in preservation, land use, community advocacy, and strategic planning.  One of Scenic Hudson’s ongoing projects is the Westchester RiverWalk, which is a proposed 51-mile trail.  So far, 32 miles of the trail have been completed, and Indigo River is part of the team providing a critical link in the trail.  

Indigo River is providing owner’s representative services to Scenic Hudson for the development of the Westchester Riverwalk Connection–a 0.9-mile shared-use trail along the Hudson River shoreline in Tarrytown.  On top of providing a crucial link, this proposed project will provide an alternative to automobile travel–including a direct pedestrian and bicycle connection to the Tarrytown Metro-North Station.  During the project, Indigo River will manage environmental review and associated studies in coordination with a consultant team.  They will also manage project permitting and design development.  By lending their waterfront expertise to the design and permitting of the trail along the Hudson River, Indigo River is again aligning the symbolic with the physical, as this new trail will not only greatly improve access to the riverfront but will do so in a way that reflects Indigo River’s driving passion for improving such spaces.

While Indigo River’s commitment to improving waterfront spaces is evident in their influence on the built environment, it is also evident in equal measures through their commitment to workforce development.  In what Prastos calls a “moment of opportunity,” Indigo River has recently entered into offshore wind.  This opportunity was born out of a synthesis of experience  with land-side port planning and a desire to invest in minority and disadvantaged communities.  Indigo River is part of a joint venture aimed at improving the workforce for offshore wind; launched in March 2023, the first part of this venture between the New York City Economic Development Council (NYCEDC) and TMI Waterfront Solutions was an offshore wind training program for Minority, Women-Owned, and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (MWDBEs).  The goal of this program, named OSW NYC Waterfront Pathways Program, is to eliminate barriers and ease participation in contracts.  Indigo River’s role in the program shows their dedication towards their core values as they seek to pivot the waterfront construction and offshore wind industries.

Another component of this joint venture is seeking to eliminate many of the barriers that currently exist in offshore wind workforce training.  In an effort to eliminate any barriers imposed by a single location, Indigo River is part of a group that purchased a barge and fitted it with an offshore wind training school.  By providing workforce development and training on a floating platform, Prastos believes this converted barge is an important step in providing environmental justice to disadvantaged communities.  According to Prastos, a mobile workforce development tool is important because it lessens the need for potential users to rely upon transportation.  In this manner, this paradigm-shifting idea changes the way the AEC industry defines its assets and forces us to challenge our way of doing things.

As New York City continues to build spaces and attract talent to make it the center of climate change research for the United States, and perhaps the world, the changing of its built environment serves as vanguard.  Updates and changes in the built environment reflect progress in this status, and Indigo River’s influence in this regard is increasing with the announcement of each new project.  As a tangent result of this influence, Indigo River is seeking to build a future that not only protects us from climate change, but one that is free of the barriers that defined the past.

Luke Carothers is the Editor for Civil + Structural Engineer Media. If you want us to cover your project or want to feature your own article, he can be reached at lcarothers@zweiggroup.com.  

As the designers of the built environment, the AEC industry has long struggled to define its relationship with its inevitable partner: the natural environment.  For the majority of human history, this partnership was heavily sided towards the natural environment.  Through the years however, humans developed new techniques and structures that could not only shelter humans from the power of the natural world, but harness small portions of its processes to fuel further growth and development.  

Early farmers developed ways to harness natural flooding cycles to improve their crops and support more robust and sustainable agricultural practices.  This and subsequent advances allowed human populations to grow and thrive in new ways.  By 300 BCE, the first large-scale environmental engineering projects began taking place.  On the Italian peninsula, the Roman Civilization constructed their first aqueduct and began developing a sophisticated system of sewers and plumbing.  These infrastructure developments were among the first to stray beyond harnessing a portion of the natural world into actually shaping those forces.  

In the case of the Roman Civilization, the ability to redirect and focus the flow of water over great distances via aqueducts not only provided a healthier population, it also affected local ecology.  The introduction of agriculture into regions where it was previously unsupported in any large scale expanded our ability to cultivate crops and increased the ability to support plant life.  Romans were also able to move water on a local level, constructing a sewer system in the capital city that drained water from surrounding marshes to carry waste from the city into the Tiber river.

Over the next two thousand years, civilization strove to maintain this relationship between the natural and built environments–in which the breadth of human ingenuity was confined by the bounds of a natural process.  However, as cities and settlements grew larger and larger, this balance shifted as the natural processes we harnessed for thousands of years could no longer support the rate of population growth.  By the middle of the 19th century, three cities had grown to populations of over one million: London, Beijing, and Paris.  As a result of the inability to safely dispose of waste, citizens of cities like London faced significant health hazards in the form of noxious gas, undrinkable water, and repeated outbreaks of diseases like cholera.  Itself an ancient city, London had long relied upon the river Thames to dispose of their waste.  After centuries of use as an open sewer, the Thames was in terrible shape, frequently breeding and emitting bacteria that caused rampant disease amongst the population.  

The City of London responded by constructing the world’s first modern sewage system, which markedly improved the lives of London residents and improved the ecological health of the Thames and North Sea.  To achieve this feat of  constructing the 100-miles of sewers that formed the original system, engineers found an easy solution: converting existing Thames tributaries into parts of the system.  As such, these rivers, while they served a new purpose, had been “lost” from an ecological perspective.  This represents a defining moment in modern humanity’s relationship with the natural world.  By removing these elements from the natural environment and placing them entirely in the built environment, humanity had shifted its relationship with the natural environment to one of consumption.

Provided the tools and technology available, this shift towards a consumption relationship between the built and natural environments was humanity’s way of continuing its natural growth path.  And, certainly, it was this shift in our relationship with the natural environment that fueled influential moments in human history such as the Industrial Revolution.  However, more than a century and a half of this relationship has severely diminished the natural half.  This has had severe consequences for the natural systems that have supported human life since its beginning.

Nearly a quarter of the way through the 21st century these natural systems have declined to the point that they can no longer function in a way that supports human growth.  Places like the Mississippi River Delta, which serves a vital role in absorbing the energy of hurricanes and tropical storms as well as countless other functions, are shrinking rapidly because of direct human interaction with the natural environment.  Countless similar stories are unfolding throughout the world.

Just as engineers from Rome, London, and countless other examples throughout history have done, the AEC industry is leading the way to a newer, more sustainable relationship between the natural and built environments.  Using the tools and technologies available, AEC professionals are now more capable than ever before of understanding the environmental impact of their projects and shaping them in a way that is less harmful to natural systems.  In doing so, the AEC industry is not simply reducing environmental harm but rather redefining humanity’s way of interacting with the natural world.

Luke Carothers is the Editor for Civil + Structural Engineer Media. If you want us to cover your project or want to feature your own article, he can be reached at lcarothers@zweiggroup.com.