Sears Tower has announced a sustainability plan that is expected to reduce the base building's electricity use by up to 80% through a combination of energy savings and co-generation.
Renewable energy like wind and solar, as well as technologies like green roofs, will be tested at the Sears Tower. Wind turbines will be tested to take advantage of the tower's height and unique set-back roof areas. Solar hot-water panels will help heat water for the building. Green roofs that can sustain high-altitude conditions, and that will be among the tallest in the world, will be tested to reduce storm water runoff, improve insulation help mitigate the urban heat island effect.
‘Buildings are the world's largest contributor to carbon emissions, and therefore the biggest opportunity to address climate change is to retrofit existing structures,’ says Adrian Smith, a partner with Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture. ‘Our goal in the Sears Tower greening project is to create a holistic approach that integrates high-performance building technologies and design strategies for maximum energy efficiency. In the process, we hope to set a benchmark for how high-rise buildings throughout the world can limit their impact on the environment.’
The cost of construction for the Sears Tower project is estimated at $350 million. A number of private and public financing and funding options are being explored. The majority of the energy savings will be realized in approximately five years, and work will start immediately.
SOURCE: Sears Tower
