energy saving

Northbrook Park District Activity Center Earns Net Zero Energy Building Designation

A $1.78 million grant to the Northbrook Park District in Northbrook, Illinois, ensures its new Activity Center will achieve Net Zero Energy building status, by generating as much renewable energy as the building needs to operate. The funding, from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation, will support conservation measures for the 44,200 square-foot building located in Techny Prairie Park and Fields.
Northbrook Park District Activity Center Earns Net Zero Energy Building Designation
Nature area at Techny Prairie Park and Fields

Northbrook is the second Illinois park district to receive a grant to build a Net Zero Energy building. Receipt of the grant makes funding available for the district’s ongoing capital Improvement plan. The new project officially broke ground on July 10 and will open in early 2021.

The new Activity Center’s design, by Chicago-based Wight & Company, exceeds state and national sustainability standards and is part of the district’s ongoing commitment to enhancing the village’s green spaces now, and for future generations. This energy-efficient building will feature components and building materials chosen to meet Net Zero Energy building requirements, including:

  • An array of solar panels on the roof
  • HVAC systems and mechanical equipment with the highest efficiency ratings
  • Increased insulation values in the walls and roof
  • High-performing windows and strategic placement to help regulate temperature
  • LED lighting throughout the building and parking lot
  • Occupancy sensors in rooms and daylight sensors in perimeter spaces
  • EPA Indoor Air Plus requirements for paint and materials

In order to qualify for the grant, the Foundation requires that the building receive a third-party certification ensuring the building is aggressively efficient in its energy use. This building is slated to receive two certifications, PHIUS+ and Source Zero Certifications, both from the Passive House Institute US. In addition to funding construction and materials, the grant program requires that grantees provide educational opportunities to help residents learn about the building’s energy-efficient features. The new Activity Center will have educational panels and an energy usage display. Once the building opens, the District will also closely monitor the project to ensure the building meets the Net Zero Energy building benchmarks, and requirements for the final portion of the grant.

The new Activity Center is part of the 2018 – 2022: New Places to Play initiative, and is the culmination of a long, open community process that ensures the facility provides the highest-priority services for residents. These include an indoor recreational and fitness center, an indoor walking and running track, multipurpose rooms, and a gymnasium for pickleball, basketball, camps, and other activities.

The Net Zero Energy Building Program awards grants to nonprofit, government, and higher education organizations for exemplary buildings that maximize energy efficiency. Over a 12-month period, projects must achieve a Net Zero Energy building performance (or better). Net Zero Energy buildings offset their own energy consumption by generating required energy on-site from renewable resources.

Baterías con premio en la gran feria europea del almacenamiento de energía
El jurado de la feria ees (la gran feria europea de las baterías y los sistemas acumuladores de energía) ya ha seleccionado los productos y soluciones innovadoras que aspiran, como finalistas, al gran premio ees 2021. Independientemente de cuál o cuáles sean las candidaturas ganadoras, la sola inclusión en este exquisito grupo VIP constituye todo un éxito para las empresas. A continuación, los diez finalistas 2021 de los ees Award (ees es una de las cuatro ferias que integran el gran evento anual europeo del sector de la energía, The smarter E).