Holland Energy Park Project Earns ISI's Envision(R) Platinum Award
First Power Plant and Park Project to Receive an Envision Award
/EINPresswire.com/ -- WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwired - July 19, 2016) - The Holland Energy Park project in Holland, Michigan recently received the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure's (ISI) Envision Platinum award. Owned by the Holland Board of Public Works (HBPW), the Holland Energy Park is part of a Community Energy Plan for a 40-year framework to achieve a sustainable energy future and reduce energy demand in the city. As the first power plant and park project to receive an Envision award, the Holland Energy Park is the 15th project overall to be rated by the Envision sustainable infrastructure system.
The HBPW worked with HDR, the project consultant, to carry out an exhaustive Sustainable Return on Investment (SROI) analysis studying the financial, social, economic, environmental, and health impacts of various new generation energy options. Through the process the community stakeholders decided that a natural gas solution for the Energy Park with supplemental purchased power agreements for renewable energy was their best solution.
HBPW identified a 26-acre site in the eastern section of the community, in close proximity to downtown, allowing expansion of the snowmelt system. The site borders wetlands on the northern edge and allows for the expansion of the Outdoor Discovery Center Macatawa Greenway (ODCMG) trail system connecting the existing trail system to the Windmill Island Gardens.
The Energy Park's design was developed with the leadership of a Blue Ribbon Panel of educational, environmental and community leaders. Their decision was that the Energy Park should act as a gateway into the city and serve also as a destination, which integrates into the surrounding natural space. The project met three goals: to be a world-class resource that provides a sustainable and long-term energy source and an educational hub; to be a destination that provides activities for the public to connect people to the community; and also to be a gateway-enhancing access to open space, allowing people to enjoy the area.
Sustainable practices employed in the cleanup of the site include the recycling of building materials resulting from the demolition of existing buildings, salvaging of interior fixtures for use by a local non-profit, repurposing and reclaiming tree trunks and stumps for landscaping and wildlife habitats, removal and recycling of over 300 discarded tires from the wetlands, and implementing a management plan for invasive species.
"Our community set out to make the Holland Energy Park a benchmark for sustainable infrastructure development," said Dave Koster, general manager of the Holland Board of Public Works. "We're deeply gratified to have earned the Envision Platinum recognition from ISI, because it validates the sustainable, reliable and affordable power generation we've built to serve our community for decades to come."
When fully operational, the $240-million Holland Energy Park will feature a variety of environmental objectives that include: a modern building design that creates an eastern gateway to the city; a 50 percent reduction in carbon emissions and the virtual elimination of solid particle pollutants; double the fuel efficiency of Holland's present power generation; the development of open, public space connecting Windmill Island Gardens to the Macatawa Greenway trail system; an expansion of Holland's innovative snowmelt system; and the latest combined-cycle natural gas generating technology to produce up to 145 megawatts of power to meet the needs of a growing community.
"The Holland Board of Public Works Energy Park project is one of the most exciting projects that I have ever worked on. The BPW has an obvious commitment to sustainability that is transparent and has the best interest of their community, employees and the region at-large in mind. They challenged the traditional planning and design process and it resulted in cost efficient project that is a truly innovative community asset," said HDR Sustainability Director, Michaella Wittmann, LEED Fellow, ENV SP, GGP.
About ISI Envision
Envision is a fairly new verification process specifically designed to rate the sustainability of infrastructure and is similar to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®), which is used to certify buildings. The ISI Envision system measures sustainability in infrastructure projects in five categories: Quality of Life (QL), Leadership (LD), Natural World (NW), Resource Allocation (RA) and Climate and Risk (CR). These contribute to overall credits for the positive social, economic and environmental impacts in a community in the planning, design and construction of infrastructure projects. Created in 2012 through collaboration between the ISI and the Zofnass Program for Sustainable Infrastructure at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design, Envision focuses on the impact of the infrastructure project as a whole.
"During the design of this project, the HBPW and stakeholders utilized sustainability technologies that would impact the health and safety of the community," said ISI President and CEO, Bill Bertera. "Their successful outcome could not have happened without public involvement and support that grew from the process and this is an important part of their Envision Platinum project. In addition, they have improved mobility and access via foot, bike, and motorized vehicle into the city," he said.
The Envision rating system categories with the highest scores for the Holland Energy Park project include:
Quality of Life (QL)- HBPW worked with community leaders, area business owners, the community, and members of the adjacent neighborhoods to address the reduction of traffic congestion and improvements in walkability adjacent to the Holland Energy Park and also downtown. They have been able to revitalize a decaying entrance into the city, creating an inviting eastern gateway amid a landscape of natural vegetation, paths and ponds designed to blend with the Macatawa Greenway. In addition, they have improved mobility and access via foot, bike, and motorized vehicle into the city and to the Padnos Transportation Center.
Leadership (LD)- The HBPW had been leaning towards a circulating-fluidized bed (CFB) coal plant, but due to controversy, they decided to engage the community in the decision-making process. Working with Holland-based Boileau Communications Management, the HBPW created Power for the 21st Century ("P21"), a comprehensive communications and community engagement plan that included a dedicated website, www.p21decision.com. The P21 initiative demonstrated HBPW's commitment to broad-based community engagement to inform the community about critical decisions and issues, as well as to solicit the input of a representative cross section of the community in reaching answers. P21decision.com also stood as a complete and transparent record of the process from beginning to end.
Resource Allocation (RA)- HBPW made a firm commitment to integrate renewable energy resources into its fuel mix as it transitioned through the new generation decision process, as well as to meet statutory requirements.
Natural World (NW)- The HBPW contracted Environmental Resources Management (ERM) of Holland, Michigan to conduct a baseline Biodiversity Assessment to determine the habitat in and around the area of the Holland Energy Park. The Biodiversity Assessment Report inventories all the animals in the habitat, including what habitat might be disturbed by construction and what habitat will be gained by restoring the wetlands and eliminating the invasive species.
Climate and Risk(CR)- Many environmental impacts were taken into consideration in the project design. Using waste heat for snowmelt and applying for a NPDES permit with the intention of discharging cooling tower blow-down along with storm water runoff are two significant decisions that were made to preserve precious natural resources. Discharging to the lake, rather than to its own Water Reclamation Facility (WRF), also allows HBPW to lighten the anticipated load discharged to the plant, allowing more time before a WRF plant expansion may be needed. This is a cost savings overall for HBPW ratepayers, delaying rate increases for a capital improvement project, and furthering their commitment to being stewards of financial resources.
For more information and photos/video on the Holland Energy Park, visit the Holland Energy Park Digital Media Library at: http://hbpw.boileaucommunications.com. For media information, contact one of the Media Contacts below.
About Holland Board of Public Works:
The Holland Board of Public Works (HBPW) is a community-owned enterprise providing electric generation and distribution, water, wastewater treatment and broadband utility services to nearly 28,000 business and residential customers in the Holland area. HBPW is committed to enhancing the economic and environmental vitality of the community, providing reliable services at the lowest rates achievable through innovation, efficiency and professional operations.
About City of Holland:
The City of Holland, Michigan is a vibrant community in a beautiful lakefront setting. It is a first-rate city with a small-town feel making it one of the best places to live, work, vacation and retire. Holland has been recognized by Forbes Magazine and Money Magazine as one of the safest and most beautiful places in the U.S. and was voted as the "Second Happiest and Healthiest Places to Live in America" by Gallup-Heathways Well-Being Index. The charm that is found in the City of Holland Michigan is underpinned by its cherished heritage, cultural diversity and thriving economy.
About HDR:
HDR has partnered with clients to shape communities and push the boundaries of what's possible since 1917. We specialize in engineering, architecture, environmental and construction services. With nearly 10,000 employees in more than 225 locations around the world, we think global and act local. Learn more about our sustainability program at: www.hdrinc.com/about-hdr/sustainability.
About ISI Envision®:
Envision® is the product of a joint collaboration between ISI, which was founded by three national engineering associations: American Society of Civil Engineers, American Council of Engineering Companies, and American Public Works Association, and the Zofnass Program for Sustainable Infrastructure at Harvard University Graduate School of Design. Information on ISI and Envision can be found on the ISI website at: http://www.sustainableinfrastructure.org/.
The following files are available for download:
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Holland Board of Public Works
Chris Van Dokkumburg
Planning Analyst
625 Hastings Avenue
Holland, MI 49423
P: 616.355.1661
E: cvandokkumburg@hollandbpw.com
City of Holland:
Marianne Manderfield
Public Information Coordinator
P: 616-355-1315
E: M.Manderfield@cityofholland.com
HDR:
Jackie Fox
Media Relations Manager
P: (402) 926-7058
E: Jacqueline.Fox@hdrinc.com
Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure:
Laura Bynum
Media Relations and Communications Manager
P: (202) 218-6736
E: lbynum@apwa.net
