From solar and wind power to geothermal systems, the pandemic has slowed adoption of renewable energy technology in institutional and commercial facilities. Nonetheless, facility managers remain interested in the potential benefits the technologies can bring, wherever the form might be. Consider the example of the Alliance Center in Denver.
The 40,000-square-foot facility is installing a bidirectional electric vehicle (EV) charger and advanced software technology in the parking lot that serves the building; the system will use energy stored in a Nissan Leaf battery to charge the building during peak demand times, according to Environmental+Energy Leader. The system will lead to energy cost savings and a reduction in the building’s carbon footprint, center officials say.
The Alliance Center is working with Fermata Energy on the project. Fermata’s vehicle to building (V2B) system “enables electric vehicle owners to make money while their cars are parked,” the company says.
The bidirectional EV charger transfers energy from an EV battery to a building to support the building’s electric loads, reducing the building’s energy costs. The system could add thousands of dollars to the value of an EV over its useful life while enabling building owners to save on energy costs.
Dan Hounsell is editor of Facility Maintenance Decisions.
