Ryan Companies U.S. Inc. has completed the design-development phase on a new facility that will assemble wind turbine nacelles for Alstom Wind in Amarillo, Texas. Construction to build the 115,000 square-foot facility started in August on a 19-acre site.
Ryan is providing architectural and engineering services for the project, including interior and landscape design, as well as consultant services for civil, structural, electrical and mechanical engineering.
The Ryan team used building information modeling (BIM) to visualize the project, including estimating construction costs and energy use. BIM software provides a three-dimensional, real-time, dynamic building model to ensure productivity in design and construction.
Alstom Wind asked Ryan to develop a facility design that would be eligible for LEED certification. The Ryan team incorporated many energy-efficient, water-saving and other green strategies to ensure a successful LEED project, according to the company. These include a roof-mounted photovoltaic array to produce clean solar energy; the use of bioswales to filter solids and contaminants before storm water exits the site and discharges into waterways; and the reuse and repurposing of materials from the existing warehouse on site into the finished facility.
When operational in 2011, the assembly facility will serve as Alstom Wind North America's manufacturing hub. The facility is expected to create 275 green manufacturing jobs in Amarillo when at full capacity.
SOURCE: Ryan Companies U.S. Inc.
