LEED v4 Rollout

Greenbuild 2013 marks the launch of LEED v4. LEED v4 builds on the fundamentals of earlier versions of LEED and helps prepare LEED projects to perform at a higher level. LEED v4 also provides a suite of new time-saving support tools designed to help streamline the certification process.

“This new version of LEED is a critical step in the evolution of green building,” said Scot Horst, senior vice president of LEED, USGBC. “LEED v4 is focused on performance and entering new markets. We’ve already seen its potential in more than 100 beta projects internationally.”

Greenbuild is a carbon-neutral event. This year marks the first time composting will be introduced to the Pennsylvania Convention Center, and there is a goal to increase the waste diversion rate to an impressive 75 percent from 9.5 percent.

“Philadelphia is the perfect city for Greenbuild — with its rich history and its forward-thinking vision, much like Greenbuild itself,” said Kimberly Lewis, senior vice president, community advancement, conferences, and events, USGBC. “As USGBC celebrates its 20th anniversary, we are reflecting on how
far the building industry has come and the work we still have ahead of us. Greenbuild gives us the chance to share our knowledge and raise the bar on green building.”

HVAC Exhibitors

According to Raj Hiremath, marketing director, ClimateMaster Inc., Greenbuild is a premier venue for ClimateMaster to spread the word on the reliability and cost-effectiveness of geothermal heating and cooling systems.

“We are looking forward to discussing our most recent successes in product innovation, which has come in alignment with responding to the industry’s dynamic needs,” he said, adding that ClimateMaster will display its Tranquility® 30 Digital (TE) unit.

Hiremath explained that the TE joins with the Tranquility® 22 Digital (TZ) to create a heat pump product line integrating digital communicating controls, two-stage capacity, a variable-speed fan, and variable-flow geothermal source functions within a single package.

Mike Smith, senior marketing manager, commercial products, Mitsubishi Electric US Cooling & Heating Division, noted that this year will be his company’s third time exhibiting at Greenbuild.

“Exhibiting at Greenbuild makes a lot of sense for us as a company. Mitsubishi Electric is a corporate member of the U. S. Green Building Council, which is producing Greenbuild 2013, and our products help buildings earn a significant number of points under the USGBC’s LEED certification program,” he said.

Smith added, “We will be exhibiting our updated R2-Series system. The R2-Series is a two-pipe heat recovery system that simultaneously cools and heats different zones. This system saves energy by providing heat-recovery operation through the use of the Branch Circuit (BC) controller. Its two-pipe design is technologically advanced, but its small component parts mean that it’s easy for contractors to install.”

Neal Walsh, vice president of sales and marketing for Aeroseal LLC, said, “Greenbuild is where people go to learn about the latest and most-effective innovations in green building.”

He explained that Aeroseal is exhibiting for the second year in a row to continue its efforts to educate professionals about the severity of leaky ductwork and the “unique solution that Aeroseal technology brings to solving it.”

Green Tours

In addition to the products on display at the expo, attendees will have the opportunity to see green building design and products in operation. Greenbuild offers tours through local buildings that are at the forefront of green building design.

“Innovations in Healthcare Design: Healthy Hospitals and Bottom-Lines,” is billed as a chance to “visit two facilities in Philadelphia and one across the river in Camden, N.J. that are leading the way.” It will include stops at the Lankenau Medical Center Patient Tower Expansion, Cooper University Hospitals’ Cancer Center, and the University of Pennsylvania’s Health System’s medical office building.

Another tour, titled “Putting America Back to Work: Office Environments for the Jobs of the Future,” will feature LEED Platinum buildings. The final stop along this tour will be the Vertical Screen building, which will highlight its green HVAC features, including radiant heating and a geothermal system.

SIDEBAR: Hillary Clinton and Bon Jovi to Star at Greenbuild

In addition to being known as the biggest show for green building, Greenbuild is also famous for its big-name speakers and rockin’ parties — and this year will be no exception. Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is slated to give the opening keynote address in Philadelphia. And rockers Bon Jovi will perform that evening as well.

“USGBC is deeply honored that Secretary Hillary Clinton has accepted our invitation to speak at Greenbuild 2013. She is a respected global leader whose body of work over the years has championed initiatives that are aligned with our movement — nation-building, social justice, economic equality, and children’s health and well-being. While she was senator for New York, she was a powerful voice for sustainability as an economic development driver. She joins a lengthy list of cutting-edge thought leaders who have inspired our movement from the Greenbuild plenary stage,” said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO, and founding chair, USGBC.

The opening plenary celebration will also feature a performance from one of the most popular rock bands worldwide, Bon Jovi.

“Bon Jovi is the type of band that crosses all generational lines with its diverse and loyal fan base, and we are thrilled to have such an iconic group take the stage at Greenbuild,” said Kimberly Lewis, senior vice president, community advancement, conferences, and events, USGBC.

“Year after year, we strive to create the most dynamic, educational, and entertaining green building event in the world, and Bon Jovi’s performance will give our attendees even more reason to enjoy this year’s conference.”

For more information, visit greenbuildexpo.org.

Publication date: 11/18/2013 

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