Ivana Micic, AIA LEED AP, Principal at San Francisco based Roma Architects, talks about the Union City Intermodal Project advancing towards a more sustainable urban development. Roma, the firm responsible for the design of the BART Station shows its commitment to energy efficiency, sustainability and cutting-edge clean technology adoption such as the BIPV canopy for the Station. A model to look at.

Question: How complex has it been to develop the BART project?

Answer: The Union City Intermodal Project advances a sustainable approach to urban development, with the BART Station at the centerpiece of a new Transit-Oriented Development District.  The District was created in an area previously occupied by low intensity industrial use.  In its place, the City is creating a new residential/mixed-use district with strong pedestrian connections, public open space and improved access to transit. When we began the architectural design for the Intermodal Station, we wanted to carry forward the efficiencies created by transit-oriented development into other elements of the project and at the same time, enhance patron comfort and satisfaction and improve operations.  One of the key and highly visible features of the Intermodal Station is the transit canopy, which was designed as part of the bus facility improvements.  Photovoltaics and all associated electrical components are completely integrated with the canopy structure.  Considerable effort was put into developing the design where all the miscellaneous elements – gutters, conduits, junction boxes, lighting – fit inconspicuously within the architecture of the canopy. We designed special closures that hide the distribution cables and developed a structural design that allows for full expression of the glazed PV panels. The canopy has been met with extraordinary enthusiasm on the part of the general public. The photovoltaic cells create a very pleasant, dappled shade for patrons to wait in, while the electricity production of the canopy satisfies the entire energy demand of the Union City Intermodal Station.

 Q: Why did you decide to go for BIPV, photovoltaic energy?

A: We wanted to create a comfortable, attractive environment for the numerous transit patrons that use the Union City Intermodal Station. As you know, in addition to Bay Area Rapid Transit, this Station is served by three other regional transit agencies as well as the local paratransit and over a thousand private vehicles, and is expected to grow even further in the near future. The Union City Station is a hub for local and regional transit and is used on a daily basis by thousands of transit patrons. At the same time, Union City is known for its abundance of sun and fair weather. We wanted to provide protection for all of the patrons waiting for different modes of transit and at the same time, take advantage of the natural resource that was readily available. Our client, the City of Union City and BART were both very interested in demonstrating their commitment to sustainable and energy efficient facility design.

Q: What is your overall feeling regarding the final result?

A: The project is very successful and has been very well received.  At any given time there is a high level of activity in the public areas of the Station.  We are very satisfied with the final appearance of the PV Transit Canopy. It  provides an excellent  transition from the surrounding areas, parking and bus facility to the Station itself. The scale of the canopy (25 feet wide and 800 feet long) creates a strong visual identity for transit and makes the Station Area feel comfortable and welcoming.

 Q: What new projects do you have in mind for the coming months? Are you planning to count on BIPV or any other renewable energy source for these projects?

A: ROMA is currently working on the design for the expansion of the San Francisco Downtown Ferry Terminal, which we designed following the Loma Prieta earthquake. This project will include significant pedestrian circulation, waiting and queuing areas and it is our intention to utilize PV-glazed canopies in critical locations.

Q: What are your impressions about Onyx Solar’s performance?

A: We have been very favorably impressed by Onyx Solar’s capabilities to create innovative solutions for the building industry. Their involvement has been crucial for implementation of the Union City Intermodal Station project. They were uniquely able to meet exacting design requirements of this project and deliver a high quality product under very difficult conditions, tight budget and short schedule. They were able to create a UL listed product where others could not. It would be a pleasure to collaborate with Onyx Solar on future projects.

Q: What does sustainable design mean for you Ivana?

A: Throughout its history, ROMA has been dedicated to creating sustainable solutions for both architectural projects and larger scale urban development. We pursue sustainability at several different levels. We have always been advocates for compact, smart growth and a prominent role of transit in creating vibrant, livable communities.  Sustainable approaches to urban development offer the greatest overall impact in terms of increasing the efficiency of human activities by reducing the ‘miles travelled’, reducing the overall footprint of the development and reducing the amount of raw material and energy needed for construction.  In addition, we pursue approaches which take advantage of site conditions and key characteristics such as solar orientation, natural ventilation, topography and so on.  This creates a huge first step toward not only achieving a more sustainable but also healthier and more livable environments. We are also very interested in pursuing renewable energy sources, high efficiency technologies and responsibly extracted materials in our effort to create successful, sustainable projects. Sustainability is a core value, both personally and for ROMA Design Group. It reflects our basic responsibility to one another, and utilizes technical knowledge and skill in creating high quality, healthy living spaces while leaving as light a footprint as possible on the earth, preserving resources for future generations.

Q: Nowadays, how important is energy efficiency within the industry?

A: Energy efficiency is becoming increasingly important within the industry, particularly in the context of the current economic conditions and increased awareness of global warming. As I said earlier, there are multiple levels in which this efficiency can be pursued and ROMA is always striving to work at all of these levels in order to achieve the maximum impact.

 Q: What is the trend for the architecture of the future?

A: There is no doubt in my mind that sustainability is quickly becoming a standard for any construction project. We have a very long way to go, particularly in the US, as a result of our reliance on the personal automobile and the development patterns it has produced.  But, I am very optimistic since I see a great opportunity for further development of innovation and creative growth in the field of architectural and urban design.

]]> http://onyxgreenbuilding.wordpress.com/2011/11/17/ivana-micic-from-roma-design-group-talks-about-their-project-in-california/feed/ 0 onyxsolar ivana_BART http://onyxgreenbuilding.wordpress.com/2011/10/20/new-photovoltaic-transparent-skylight-gets-installed-in-spain/ http://onyxgreenbuilding.wordpress.com/2011/10/20/new-photovoltaic-transparent-skylight-gets-installed-in-spain/#comments Thu, 20 Oct 2011 11:31:38 +0000 onyxgreenbuilding http://onyxgreenbuilding.wordpress.com/?p=418 ]]> INSTALLED IN BÉJAR, IT GENERATES 8,763 KWH PER YEAR AND AVOIDS THE EMISSION OF 5.9 TONS OF CO2 PER YEAR

This photovoltaic skylight represents a multifunctional solution by generating free electricity from the Sun on-site and adding bioclimatic properties to the building; in this way, it allows day-lighting, it filters harmful UV and IR radiation and it provides thermal inner comfort. The avoidance of premature ageing of materials will extend its lifespan.

This 2,900 SqF PV transparent skylight combines three different types of  a-Si , see-through IG Unit. A total of 110 units provide 6,750 Wp installed.

Self-consumption has been the energy management business model selected for the project, so part of the energy generated feeds the building straight away, and the remaining part is stored in batteries to feed exterior outlets.

Álvaro Beltrán, Onyx Solar's General Manager and Juan Verde, the Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) for Europe and Eurasia at the U.S. Department of Commerce

During the meeting celebrated in Washington, D.C., Juan Verde, the Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) for Europe and Eurasia at the U.S. Department of Commerce showed his satisfaction when learning first hand how fast Building Integrated Photovoltaics has evolved, thanks to the development of new, innovative technologies that in addition to generating clean and free energy, offer a great variety of designs that facilitate its integration within almost any application. “R&D Investment, innovative entrepreneurship in the field of renewable energies, and the commitment of the U.S. society with the environment, will be key factors in reaching a more sustainable growth and to increase the country’s energy independence”, stated DAS Verde when he learned about a new company expanding into the US market.

Thus, the innovation and efficiency showed by Onyx Solar´s solutions have awoken the interest of the Obama Administration in its bet towards distributed generation and the development of renewable energies: “we should encourage citizens and businesses to participate in the generation and distribution of energy actively, in order to promote energy efficiency”, DAS Verde noted.

At this time, Teodosio will have the honour to be part of the “Salamanca Social Sciences Festival: Social Sciences, what for? The little that we know and all what we do not”. This is the title for the panel where he will speak together with Nobel Prize Awarded Douglas C. North, Finn E. Kydland and Eric S. Maskin, among others.

All these worldwide experts will try to discover how social sciences can contribute to the understanding of current phase we are set up within world history. On Saturday, 8^th of October at 12:00PM, Teodosio will share his experience and vision, as well as he will bring some light to this topic, through a speech titled “Networks, finances and innovation: the capitalism of the nearest future”.

The event, which spreads scientific knowledge worldwide, is promoted by Fedea and it is focused on social sciences and economy. From 6 to 9^th of October, Salamanca will be a meeting point for professionals, students and society, where the most brilliant researchers will explain the importance of social sciences for society.

Please, click here for the complete program

Onyx Solar places a multidisciplinary, vast team at your disposal, who already works in more than 300 projects over more than 20 countries, meeting customer needs.

Its customized solutions will let your building envelope to generate free and clean electricity from the Sun, allowing energy savings, daylighting and thermal inner comfort, among others. All them by using 100% customized designs, colours, sizes, thicknesses or semi-transparency degrees.

Send us your project’s drawings and we will draw up a complete appraisal, containing a proposition of implementation of this cutting edge technology, resulting in a high performance envelope. It has never been so easy, smart, attainable and fun integrating solar photovoltaic energy into a building.

Valentín Montoya, Luis Rivera, Vicente Santamaría, Jaime Espinosa, Christian Gut, Manel Torreblanca, Juan Ignacio Entrecanales, Jaime Castellanos, Ignacio de la Rica, Teodosio del Caño, Alvaro Beltrán, José Manuel Entrecanales, Claudio Aguirre.

In a joint meeting was formalized the entry of the FIDES Group together with José Manuel Entrecanales Foundation in the capital of Onyx Solar. José Manuel Entrecanales Foundation, together with Fides Group and Onyx Solar Company, is consolidated the commitment of these two entities in eco building. The JME Foundation will participate in the Onyx Solar capital with a convertible participative loan. This commitment will be signed by the JMEF who will invest jointly with the Fides Group (Promotion of Innovation and Sustainable Development), recently formed by leading Spanish entrepreneurs in order to co-finance innovative business projects.

The founding president, José Manuel Entrecanales, was accompanied by Luis Rivera Novo, the FJME Manager and Ignacio de la Rica in representation of FIDES Group. Also from this group attended following entrepreneurs: Claudio Aguirre, Jaime Castellanos, Manel Torreblanca, Juan Ignacio Entrecanales, Christian Gut and Jaime Espinosa. From Onyx Solar attended Alvaro Beltrán and Teodosio del Caño, Managers and majority shareholders of this Spanish company which develops intelligent solutions for the integration of photovoltaic technology in buildings, and its new products have awaked the interest of the Foundation primarily for their efficiency.

Buildings are responsible for 40% of global energy consumption and the solutions proposed by this company are heading towards a significant reduction of the energy bill. The solutions developed by Onyx Solar replace conventional building materials for smart photovoltaic materials in ventilated façades and roofs, curtain walls, skylights, walkable floors, etc.  The idea is to create building envelopes with photovoltaic properties making it possible to generate clean and free energy from the sun and being also an aesthetic and viable solution.

About Onyx Solar

The solutions developed by Onyx Solar combine active and passive elements. Among the first ones, the in-situ electricity generation is the most important because it can be used for self-consumption or sold to the grid at a previously established price generating significant revenues. Passive elements are related to the design of the building to improve energy efficiency, increasing the insulation and reducing the energy needs of the construction. Onyx Solar has been chosen partner of the European Commission in recognition for the design of the transparent photovoltaic skylight installed in the new San Antón market in Madrid. Onyx Solar has a multidisciplinary team made up of physicists, engineers and architects who design from their Castile and Leon headquarters, photovoltaic materials that are integrated into buildings throughout the world and help to reduce CO₂ emissions. In addition to this, it has also been acknowledged as the company with most growth potential in Europe, an award given at the European Entrepreneurship Awards.

The company has offices in New York and Shanghai and has recently received the XXI Entrepreneur Award from La Caixa in the “Emprendes” category.

About JME Foundation

José Manuel Entrecanales Foundation for Innovation and Sustainability, set up in November 2009, includes among its main objectives the promotion of innovative business initiatives that contribute to sustainable economic development providing financial and technical support.

The other purpose of this foundation is to promote and contribute to the inclusion of the concepts of sustainability since the earliest levels of education. In addition to the efforts made in bringing sustainability to universities and schools, the Foundation also aims to promote the entrepreneurial spirit of students with various practical programs.

About the FIDES Group

It’s an investment group made up of renowned entrepreneurs such as Claudio Aguirre, Altamar Private Equity CEO; Jaime Castellanos, Willis Iberia and Lazard CEO for Spain; Ignacio de la Rica, Hepacyl Therapeutics CEO and Unidad Editorial board member; Daniel Entrecanales, Revolution PR agency CEO; Juan Ignacio Entrecanales, Acciona vicepresident; Jaime Espinosa de los Monteros, Amper CEO; Fernando Rodés, Havas vicepresident; Juan Antonio Samaranch, GBS Finances founder, and Manel Torreblanca, Barcel Euro Group CEO, among others. The objective of this initiative is to promote products, process and business models development fostering a sustainable development.

Ventilated Photovoltaic Skylight for a City Hall in Spain

The work for the installation of a ventilated photovoltaic skylight at Alzira’s City Hall, in Valencia, are about to finish. It’s an skylight with perimetral ventilation of the interior yard being covered.

A total of 48 semi-transparent modules have been necessary for an area of 115 m². It’s a triple laminated glass without air chamber, that allows the trespassing of 10% of the daylight facilitating natural illumination and repelling UV and infrared rays; thus improving inner comfort.

The total installed power is 5kWp and it will generate more than 6.000 kWh a year, avoiding the emission to the atmosphere of more than five tons of CO₂.

Until now, the tool was only available for Europe, Africa and Middle East, but due to the large amount of requests received from North America we have upgraded it.

These calculations, however, must be considered as estimative and in any case as conclusive. For a more detailed and precise study, professional tools as the ones used by Onyx Solar technical department should be used.