The Institute of Green Professionals has posted an article written by Keith Pehl.
You can read it at the following link:
http://www.consilienceblog.org/consilience-the-blog/2009/11/19/leed-silver-platinum-experiences-and-valuable-new-source.html
Mayor Pat McCrory toured Optima Engineering to congratulate Keith Pehl on obtaining Charlotte’s first Platinum LEED office.
Keith Pehl presented "How to Incorporate Solar Photovoltaics (PV) into your next Project" during the 2009 South Atlantic Region of the American Institute of Architects conference in Greenville, South Carolina.
His session covered what PV is, how it works, and how much the systems cost. He explained what the term “Net Zero Building” means and how PV can help the design team to achieve such a high goal. His presentation also included many different options for incorporating PV into your next project. BIPV (Building Integrated Photovoltaics) is one of the latest industry buzzwords: be aware of it and the costs and pitfalls of such systems. The slide presentation has been attached for your review.
Keith has presented similar presentations to the Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools Facility Group, Charlotte AIA , and many architectural firms in the Charlotte area. He also has purchased and installed a PV system on the roof of Optima Engineering, so he knows firsthand not only the design issues, but the owner’s side of PV Systems as well. He has designed many PV systems, one of which is an elementary school which is a Net Zero building. Keith, an electrical engineer in Charlotte with 25 years of design experience, is a registered PE in over 30 states. He has designed electrical distribution systems for all types of facilities. He has long been passionate about renewable energy, having a solar thermal and geothermal system in his home. If you would like Keith Pehl to present this topic please contact 704-338-1292 to check his availability.
View the slides presented during the presentation.
Optima Engineering is CES/AIA registered provider.
On October 19th, 2009 Optima Engineering is sponsoring a lunch and learn. The presentation topic “Eco-Remanufactured Furniture”.
Optima Engineering would like to welcome a new employee. Dan Ranson. LEED AP has joined our team to work in the Construction Administration Department.
Dan has over 25 years Mechanical Contracting experience covering phases of work from small one unit jobs to large projects in the Educational, Healthcare, Business and Industrial fields, having been involved with both Plan & Spec and Design Build Projects. Is LEED accredited with the belief that the Design & Construction professions must excel in the area of Sustainable Design with the emphasis on helping building owners maintain their buildings and systems to provide savings and quality of life for many years to come.
Optima Engineering participated as a Sponsor and Exhibitor during the 2009 South Atlantic Region of the American Institute of Architects Conference in Greenville, South Carolina. In appreciation of Architects; Optima held a drawing for a 32” LCD Flat-panel Energy Star television. Congratulations to LS3P’s Allen Taylor for winning the TV and his birthday was October 4th so we would also like to wish him a happy birthday.
Optima Engineering sponsored an Oyster Roast for the Johnston Design Group - Dining by Design Event in Greenville SC during the AIA South Atlantic Region Conference.
(click to enlarge)
Optima was recognized for its office space at 1927 South Tryon St., which recently received LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. The building’s architect, Tobin Dudley Starr, and general contractor, RT Dooley Construction Co., were also named on the award.
“We’re proud to receive this award from the American Institute of Architects,” said Optima Engineering President Keith Pehl. “We help other companies create environmentally sensitive office space, and this award proves our own commitment to sustainability.”
The 16,000-square-foot office building’s green features include skylights, electric daylight sensors and a highly efficient heating, ventilating and air-conditioning system. The building also features a rooftop solar photovoltaic system, which produces electricity to sell to Duke Energy and non-profit NC GreenPower, making Optima Engineering a utility in North Carolina.
The American Institute of Architects’ Committee on the Environment Award recognizes members that exemplify the committee’s measures of sustainability, which envision the enduring prosperity of all living things. The award is given to well-designed projects that exhibit an integration of natural systems and appropriate technology.
Optima Engineering, P.A. earned Platinum Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for its South End office at 1927 South Tryon St. The Platinum LEED rating for commercial interiors is the highest rating available, and Optima Engineering is the first to achieve this designation in the Charlotte area.
Some of the features of the office which helped it to achieve the Platinum rating include the use of rapidly renewable materials (bamboo flooring, reclaimed sorghum straw wood), skylights with daylighting sensors for the lighting, a dense urban location close to clients, light rail, and restaurants and retail, and a highly efficient HVAC system
In addition to meeting LEED standards, Optima Engineering’s 16,000-square-foot office building features a rooftop solar photovoltaic system, which produces electricity that is sold to Duke Energy. The building also has a solar thermal system, which provides free hot water for all of the tenants at 1927 South Tryon.
“We strongly believe that renewable energy can play a part in every building – new and existing,” Optima Engineering President Keith Pehl said. “Not only do we engineer such systems for others, but we also utilize their potential ourselves.”
LEED points are awarded in five key areas: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality. U.S. Green Building Council ratings include certified, silver, gold and platinum. With fewer than 150 platinum projects in the country, Optima Engineering is part of an elite group.
Optima Engineering received an honorable mention for their efforts in Sustainability at the Green Commercial Construction Projects Awards Luncheon.
Congratulations to Jeremy Register for becoming a LEED Accredited Professional.
Meeting time: 12:00pm-1:30pm
Photovoltaics for Commercial Architecture in the Southeast is not only a viable solution for reducing non-renewable energy consumption but it is one that is currently in place and working in the City of Charlotte. Optima Engineering, P.A. welcomes AIA-COTE for the April monthly meeting and will present on their renewable-energy engineering endeavors with small-group tours of the 8KW Photovoltaic rooftop installation on their own building.
Congratulations to Jeremy C. Ford for becoming a LEED Accredited Professional.
Charlotte, N.C. - Optima Engineering, P.A. has been recognized for their environmentally sustainable practices at the second annual Green Awards.
Working with the U.S. Green Building Council Charlotte Region Chapter, the Charlotte Business Journal identified companies, nonprofits and individuals that have made sustainability a priority in 15 categories.
Optima Engineering’s own office space, 1927 South Tryon, was named the Green Commercial Project of 2009.
“We had an opportunity to ‘put our money where our mouth is’ and we took it,” President Keith Pehl commented. “We believe we can save natural resources, yet maintain a high quality environment in our buildings. This provides a win-win scenario for the building tenants. We save money, save resources, and have a great office environment.”
Pehl hopes the building is the first in the Charlotte region to earn a Platinum-Level LEED-CI certificate. LEED points are awarded in five key areas: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality. At present, there are less than 150 total platinum projects in the country.
“We look forward to the day when we can tell our friends that the U.S. Green Building Council has verified that we have the highest attainable rating under their system,” said Pehl.
In addition to meeting and exceeding LEED standards, 1927 South Tryon also displays the firm’s commitment to renewable energy. The building features a solar photovoltaic system, which produces electricity which can be sold back to Duke Energy, as well as a solar thermal system.
“We strongly believe that renewable energy can play a part in every building, new and existing, Pehl said. “Not only can we engineer such systems for others—we utilize their potential ourselves.”
Optima Engineering has been recognized for sponsoring North Carolina State University’s 60th Year Anniversary of The College of Design.
Here are links to the sponsor page and the online schedule:
http://www.ncsu.edu/www/ncsu/design/60/sponsors/
http://www.ncsu.edu/www/ncsu/design/60/reunion-schedule/
Optima Engineering is hosting a “Lunch and Learn” on March 30th 2009 – 11:30 until 1 PM. Martha Gettys, Business Development Manager of NC GreenPower will be our guest speaker.
Optima would like to congratulate Brandon Miller on becoming LEED Accredited.
Optima would like to congratulate Scott Counts on becoming LEED Accredited.
Optima Engineering is honored to receive the American Builders and Contractors of the Carolinas 2008 Golden Eagle Award for ZMax Dragstrip of Concord. We have also been nominated for the Charlotte Green Awards 2009 – Finalist for Green Project of the Year.
Congratulations to David Tolley for becoming LEED Accredited!
Optima Engineering would like to congratulate Keith Rhinehardt, P.E. for becoming LEED Accredited.
Optima Engineering would like to congratulate Richard Smith and Brian E. Thompson for becoming LEED Accredited. Optima now has 16 LEED Accredited Professionals.
Congratulations Michael Callipari LEED® and Edward Chinnis LEED® for becoming LEED Accredited!
Congratulations are in order for George C. Fowler, III, P.E. and Daniel Revilla, CPD.
