"Our Common Future"

In 1987, the United Nations released the Brundtland Report, which defines sustainable development as "development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs".

Seven generation sustainability is an ecological concept that urges the current generation of humans to live sustainably and work for the benefit of the seventh generation into the future. It originated with the Iroquois - Great Law of the Iroquois

"People don't want gas and electricity. They just want hot showers and cold beer" -Amory Lovins

Friday, March 2, 2012

KEC Greenhouse






The KEC includes a research greenhouse for students to conduct experiments as part of their studies at the environmental center.  The greenhouse was designed by greenhouse consultant Agritechnove, manufactured by Stuppy, and installed by Edwins Greenhouse Construction.  The greenhouse systems including the venting, lighting, and irrigation will all be software controlled by a dedicated computer.

The slab is fully insulated.  Specialized greenhouse per (plastic tubing) was used for radiant heat in the slab.  There is additional heating at the perimeter in fin tubed radiators.  The water is heated by a waste oil boiler as this was a more cost effective solution that the added expense of additional solar PV panels to offset the necessary heat load while maintaining net zero energy for the facility.



[ TrueLeaf radiant slab pex ]

The greenhouse structure is galvanized steel tube frame and trusses.  The glazing is an acrylic panel, Deglas.  The 16mm double-skinned sheet is a light-transmitting, heat-insulating and highly weather resistant acrylic sheet made from impact-modified acrylic, is lightweight, is impact resistant, and it has twice the insulation value as a single pane of glass.
















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