 The Great River Energy Headquarters is one of the greenest buildings around, and it’s definitely the most eco-friendly building in Minnesota. Located in Maple Grove, Minnesota, the Great River Energy Headquarters has been given the U.S. Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Development (LEED) Platinum rating, a rating that has only been given to less than 100 buildings. Great River Energy is a non-profit electric utility cooperative that is owned by its members, and is the second largest energy supplier in the area. The new headquarters were designed to improve productivity, display energy-efficient technologies and make their headquarters the most energy-efficient building in the State of Minnesota.
The main goal of Great River Energy, aside providing a headquarters for the co-op, is to reduce the demand for giant coal-based power plants and to create renewable energy to meet the energy needs of the area’s residents. As their website proclaims, Great River Energy is leading by example. EnviroCitizen.org would definitely agree that they are doing just that.
The headquarters is outfitted with architecture that lends itself to natural daylighting, ideal indoor air quality and a high-quality working environment for its employees, without spending a fortune. Green River Energy is also looking to assist other organizations seeking the same goals (including their LEED Certification), freely provide information regarding the entire building process so that others can benefit from their experience. The document on the building process provided also goes so far as to offer a point-by-point explanation of each LEED credit that they received and why they chose not to seek other LEED credits.
The Green River Energy headquarters uses many green features, such as energy-efficient lighting, solar photovoltaic panels and low-flow toilets. However, the building includes green features that are a bit more advanced than some of the more simple alternatives we are able to install quickly in our homes. The building is powered by its own wind turbine and is heated and cooled with a state-of-the-art geothermal system that is supported by the adjacent reservoir. Rainwater is caught, which then is used for flushing toilets and to irrigate the property.
The parking lot encourages fuel-efficient vehicles and carpooling and bicycle racks and shower facilities promote biking to work. One of the more unique aspects of the Green River Energy headquarters is that it indirectly uses 100% green power. Approximately 15% of its power is created on-site (through the solar panels and wind turbine), while the remaining energy, although purchased from traditional plants, is offset by the purchase of electricity credits from renewable energy providers such as wind farms!
EnviroCitizen.org is truly impressed with the amazing effort that was put into ensuring that the Green River Energy headquarters is healthy and green in every possible way. |
