Greentech

PM Greene Engineers’ involvement in the fast-growing greentech revolution includes solar power, biofuels, low-energy LEDs, thin film and nanotechnology. PM Greene Engineers is a member of both the U.S. Green Building Council and The Green Grid, and is dedicated to environmentally sound and energy efficient designs. PM Greene Engineers’ LEED-accredited engineers assist clients with LEED certification for industrial and office projects.

FEATURED PROJECT: SoloPower Manufacturing Facility

SoloPower, Inc. is a technology leader in the field of thin film photovoltaics (PV) for low-cost module manufacturing and delivery of solar electricity for a variety of uses including grid-connected commercial, residential and distributed power applications. SoloPower’s goal is mass production of low-cost, high-efficiency PV modules that offer a viable alternative to electricity produced using traditional fossil fuels.

PM Greene Engineers was selected by SoloPower to perform the preliminary needs assessment and prepare the conceptual design program used to size all major systems for their new manufacturing facility.

• Mechanical systems include new air handlers, exhaust fans, scrubbers, chiller and boilers.
• Process systems include nitrogen, large process cooling water and clean dry air systems. A recirculating DI system was sized with point of use and central waste collection; specialty gas piping was also sized. Conceptual design included estimated lengths of all systems, as well as material selection for piping and valves.
• Electrical systems include new service with options for 12KV primary service or two 4,000 amps 277/480 volts secondary services, local substations and emergency power generation and distribution.

FEATURED PROJECT: Sun Microsystems Santa Clara “Green” Data Centers

Since 1982 Sun Microsystems has been an innovative industry leader in servers, storage, software and services with a focus on network computing. Sun is also dedicated to advancing energy efficiency in data centers and business computing ecosystems.

• PM Greene Engineers designed the electrical and mechanical systems and the new central plant for Sun’s new green data centers. This project encompassed a 180,000 sq.ft. remodel in buildings SC11, SC12 and SC14, and included the 82,000 sq.ft. data center upgrade. These upgrades have resulted in a dramatic decline in electricity usage at the Santa Clara campus.
• This site remodel employed three different cooling methodologies for the three separate data centers. This allows Sun Microsystems customers to compare energy efficient cooling strategies and select the best method for their own facility.
• The cooling methods chosen were: 1) Liebert extreme density overhead system (Freon based); 2) APC closely coupled system (chilled water based) and; 3) conventional data center raised floor system (CRACs).
• PM Greene Engineers designed a new 24,000 sq.ft. central plant to support the mechanical and electrical equipment in the data centers. The mechanical systems included four (4) 1,000 ton chillers and a primary chilled water pumping system. The electrical systems included three (3) 3000kVA 12kV to 480V substations and two (2) 1500kW generators.

FEATURED PROJECT: Confidential Biodiesel Production Facility Project

PM Greene Engineers performed the preliminary MEP systems design for a 28,000 sq.ft., 40 million gallon biodiesel production facility to be located in the western U.S. The project includes on-site storage of both the finished product and the catalyst (the agent that produces the chemical reaction in the process).

Biodiesel is a renewable fuel for diesel engines derived from vegetable oils and animal fats, including used oils and fats. Soybean oil is the leading vegetable oil produced in the US and the leading feedstock for biodiesel production. Biodiesel is not the same thing as raw vegetable oil. It is produced by a chemical process which removes the glycerin and converts the oil into methyl esters. This is the process that takes place in a biodiesel production facility. Biodiesel can be used in any concentration with petroleum- based diesel fuel with little or no modification to existing diesel engines.