May 19, 2008—The US Department of Energy (DOE) recently highlighted its renewable energy and energy efficient building design assistance—valued at up to $1.25 million—in rebuilding the City of Greensburg, Kansas, one of the first cities in the country to power its homes and businesses through continuous renewable energy. Following the tornado that hit Greensburg on May 4, 2007, DOE dedicated a team of experts to advise Greensburg in construction of an advanced wind energy system and the use of efficient building technologies and designs.
The City of Greensburg announced plans early on in its rebuilding process to lead by example as a model for sustainability by pursuing common-sense green solutions including wind energy, while retaining its roots as a small rural community. In the state with the third highest potential for wind energy in the country, the City of Greensburg chose to pursue the development of a three to four megawatt wind energy system.
This system is expected to generate enough electricity over the course of a year to meet the pre-tornado base load of Greensburg, and most of its additional peak load. The community will be connected to the grid during the times that wind does not blow sufficiently, and the system will include biodiesel-powered generators for emergency backup, that also provide renewable power.
DOE joined with Greensburg to advise the city residents and commercial building owners on opportunities to improve energy efficiency in their new buildings. In conjunction with Berkebile Nelson Immenschuh McDowell, an architectural firm also advising the city on planning, DOE helped the city develop and pass a City Resolution for all city buildings larger than 4,000 square feet to be LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum with 42 percent or better energy savings—the first city in America to pass such a requirement.
To learn more about the City of Greensburg’s progress and continuing rebuilding projects, visit the city’s Web site.
