NEWS RELEASE
Consumers Energy
2075 Marshalltown Blvd.
Marshalltown, IA 50158
800-696-6552
Release Date: Immediate
Contact: Deb Borton @ 641-752-2296, ext. 103
Visible Changes at Consumers Energy
July 9, 2004, Marshalltown, IA – It's hard to miss some
of the energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies at the
new Consumers Energy headquarters outside of Marshalltown. Consumers
Energy, an energy cooperative with over 5,000 members in central
Iowa, recently held the grand opening for its new headquarters.
Located at the intersection of Highways 30 and 330, the facility
was designed to serve as a demonstration of wise energy use.
A row of solar panels runs the entire length of the east side
of the building. The towers and nacelles for two wind turbines
sit behind the building, ready for installation, while inside,
antique Wincharger wind turbines provide interesting decorations.
The building's interior is awash in natural daylight, brought
in through Solartube skylights, which highlights displays of energy
efficiency products.
"Our goals in this new facility are to educate our members
about the value of energy efficiency and renewable energy and to
demonstrate our commitment to the environment," said Brian
Heithoff, Consumers Energy CEO.
Participants in the grand opening on June 29 were able to get
a first-hand view of the facility's two wind turbines. While
the original schedule called for the turbines to be up and going,
it actually worked out better for attendees to see them before
being installed, according to Kvinlaug. "Our members like
to see how things work. It's easier to take a look at the
equipment for our 65kW Nortauk wind turbine and 108kW Micon while
it’s still sitting on the ground than when it's 100
fee in the air," he said.
The 10kW solar array was also in the process of installation at
the grand opening. The system is a cooperative effort between Consumers
and Iowa Thin Film, a Boone company that manufactures an innovative
solar material. "We were looking for the most cost-effective
photovoltaic material, and Iowa Thin Film was interested in developing
its product for building-integrated systems," said Kvinlaug.
The array uses amorphous silicon, or thin-film, photovoltaic panels
built into racks attached to the side of the building.
The solar array and the wind turbines together will supply 100%
of the facility's electrical needs. Excess power will be
sold back to the cooperative's energy supplier.
Some of the innovative measures in the facility aren't quite
as visible but will show up in increased comfort, productivity,
and dollar savings. The cooperative converted a former trucking
warehouse and office and built on additional space. The new facility
now uses 60-70% less energy than the older, smaller building.
In the warehouse area, several measures were completed to make
a space once used for unloading trucks suitable for storing utility
meters and other equipment:
- Garage doors along the east wall were removed, reducing
air infiltration;
- The inside building skin was removed, Icynene sprayed insulation
was installed, and a new skin was put into place;
- A geoExchange heating and cooling system was installed, using directional
boring to install piping under the building in a horizontal loop;
and
- Existing skylights were double-glazed to provide natural daylighting.
Consumers Energy's efforts are one of the success stories
of the 2002 Farm Bill, which included provisions for energy efficiency
and renewable energy grants for farmers and rural business. Consumers
received two grants in 2003, which provided 25% of the cost of
the new systems and improvements.
According to Brian Heithoff, the cooperative's energy efficiency
and renewable energy efforts are just part of a continued orientation
toward member and consumer service since its formation in the 1930s.
"We've
always provided affordable, safe, reliable power. But that's
no longer sufficient. Now, in the 21st century, our aspiration
is to be our members' most trusted energy resource for research,
demonstration, and education as well," be said.
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