GreenAV

Draper, Inc. gets projection screens certified on Greenguard!

2007-10-19T16:11:00Z

New for October...

Draper, Inc. has been Greenguard approved for their projection screen materials meeting the standards for minimizing the offgasing of VOC’s and other harmful air born particles. They meet Greenguard standards for “Children or Schools” as well as general “Indoor air quality” certification (see attached links).

http://www.greenguard.org/Default.aspx?tabid=147

http://www.greenguard.org/Default.aspx?tabid=148

This may apply towards the LEED-NC category for "Indoor Environmental Quality" area. There is no specific credit accociated for this but could apply towards the project as a whole. A great step in our ongoing efforts to get AV Green!

Mike Dannenberg, Vantage Technology Consulting Group

LEED Article in October Fast Company

2007-10-02T19:39:00Z

http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/119/the-green-standard.html

Article from Pro AV magazine

2007-08-27T12:43:00Z

Here is a link to a great article on the LEED process in AV that features two of our blog authors!

http://proav.pubdyn.com/2007August/TakingtheLEED.htm

Michael Dannenberg, Senior Consultant

Vantage Technology Consulting Group

Best Buy joins green / LEED

2007-08-24T13:30:00Z

August 13, 2007

Best Buy Dives Head-First Into Eco-Friendly Building Program

Best Buy Co. Inc., is reportedly going green, with an announcement recently that starting in mid-2008 it will build only eco-friendly stores -- as certified by the U.S. Green Building Council -- through a rigorous certification and standards process called the LEED Program.

The first "big box" retailer of its size to make such a promise, the LEED certification will help to not only improve the standing of Best Buy with environmental activists, but also help the retailer drastically reduce energy costs. The USGBC contends that if all Best Buy stores received the LEED certification, the company could reduce overall energy use by one-third.

Best Buy is one of several national retailers participating with the USGBC in a pilot program to make bulk LEED certification possible for stores across the U.S. Starbucks, Target and Lowe's are among the other participating companies.

According to the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, Best Buy is working to have the prototype for its more eco-friendly stores certified by February 2008. The plans include a combination of more energy efficient lighting and electronics, widespread use of sustainable and eco-friendly building materials, as well as other innovative uses for renewable energy.

Show Opportunity

2007-08-22T16:49:00Z

We are considering an AV exhibit booth at the upcoming IFMA World Workplace show which is during AV Week, October 24 – 26, 2007 in New Orleans. The show attracts 5,000 facilities managers from around the world. Our booth would be located in the Green Zone on the show floor. This is new for 2007. It will focus on environmentally friendly, energy-efficient products and technologies. For more on the show, see: http://www.worldworkplace.org/exhibitors/prospectus.cfm

I’d like to know if there is enough interest from InfoComm members to support this effort. Most important, what do we have to say to this audience about Green AV products and technologies? Why should they care and what will they learn by visiting our booth? What do you have to contribute in the way of hand outs, case studies, resources, in-booth presentations for this audience?

Space is being held until Monday, August 27. If you are interested, please call me this week.

Thank you,

Cheryl

Cheryl Regan

Director of Membership Programs

InfoComm International

703.279.6393 OFFICE

A few green resources

2007-08-18T03:56:00Z

In participating in the "AV in LEED" session at the InfoComm Leadership conference this week (Bethesda, MD), I wanted to pass on a few points that we covered in this session as well as a few resources and links to get the industry (and anyone else interested) started in this process. Scott Walker did a very good post on what it takes to get LEED certified. I can appreciate this as I too am in the process of tackling this. Boy, is it a lot of memorization.

I really appreciated the amount of response that was received to the presentation on Thursday as it shows the industry as there is something here that needs to happen. We have an opportunity to make a difference as technology consultants to our clients (both end users and architects) in both environmental contributions as well as energy savings to the client firm and I am excited to be involved in getting this moving. At some point, InfoComm will be establishing a Special Interest Group to help facilitate getting all of us wanting to be involved collaborating together but in the interim, this blog will act as a messenger board where people can post ideas, comments, etc.

There was also discussion of tying multiple organizations together to help cross industry involvement. On the IT side, Europe is making great strides in data center energy reductions. This is being carried over here by use of energy efficient IT components. As InfoComm is working together to bridge the IT gap and help spur on convergence, this will tie in to us as well (collaborating to bring the two conferences together next year in Las Vegas). The International Facility Managers Association (IFMA) is also featuring a Green Pavilion at their annual conference (New Orleans - late October). It was discussed that InfoComm have a member staffed booth at the show just to get in the door with the facility mangers to promote hour technology will be getting involved.

We will also be talking to the USGBC to try and get on the council for the next LEED guide to help get AV technology better defined in relevant categories. This would help architects in their efforts to gain points towards higher LEED goals. The ICAT Council of InfoComm has discussed looking into this. Other avenues to try and fit LEED points into this is for manufacturer compliance with either Energy Star, RoHS, and/or ISO9001:2000. If we can establish this as a criteria, projects would start requiring this for implementation. If projects start requiring this, more manufacturers will get the process started to comply. It is a domino effect and the environment will be the primary recipient of the benefits. We talked also about looking into manufacturers possibly having a recycling plan for older materials to help the sustainability efforts. The "InfoComm Shines" program might also be able to utilize some of the older items being replaced with newer, more compliant equipment allowing non-profit firms gain technology - also part of sustainability...

Right now, this is an exciting time as people are coming up with so many good ideas to explore. Please contribute as it will take all of us to make this change in consciousness.

A few links for research...

• USGBC & LEED www.usgbc.org

• Green Technology www.green-technology.org

• ASHRAE www.ashrae.org

• California Green Solutions www.CaliforniaGreenSolutions.com

• International Facility Managers Assoc (IFMA) www.ifma.org

- Green Roadmap http://www.ifma.org/prod_briefs/2006/jul/07_13a.cfm

• IFMA World Workplace Conference http://www.worldworkplace.org/attendees/expo_zone.cfm

• EPA – Energy Star www.energystar.com

• Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) www.rohs.gov.uk

You can also check with certain manufacturers as some are already on board with this effort... Obviously Draper as Jim is part of this blog.

Thanks,

Michael Dannenberg, Senior Consultant

Vantage Technology Consulting Group

On Becoming LEED AP

2007-08-17T17:55:00Z

Since getting my LEED AP back in June, I have been asked by a number of people in the AV industry how one goes about getting this accreditation. As with anything in life, I imagine there are many paths one can take; however, I thought I would provide information on the process I undertook to assist those looking to become accredited.

My firm, Waveguide, joined the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Technically, you don’t have to do this, but it gives you a discount on the study guide and test and gets your firm listed on the USGBC directory. USGBC membership dues are based on your firm’s revenue. For the average AV integrator or consultant, your dues will range from $300 to $2,500 with most firms paying either $1,000 or $1,500.
I purchased the LEED New Construction Version 2.2 Handbook, which is $150 for members, $200 for non-members. This is the essential study guide and outlines all of the LEED points attainable on a project. It’s 300 some odd pages, but is well organized and serves as a good reference to pass the test and beyond.
I took a LEED study workshop course so I would know what the heck I was stepping into. This was a 3-day, 4 hour per day class I took between Christmas and New Years Day. Basically, an architect in Atlanta was getting all of their principals accredited, and they had hired a LEED trainer to come in and teach a class. They knew I was interested in pursuing my LEED AP so they let me sit in for $400 (which was what they paid per head). Even though I had a general working knowledge of the whole LEED point system prior to taking the class, I got a lot out of the class and strongly recommend taking such a course so you know what to expect and can understand how the test is structured. I believe the USGBC (www.usgbc.org) lists entities that offer this training.
Next, my goal was to take a 3-day weekend, read the handbook cover to cover, make my little flash cards, and basically cram for the test. Unfortunately, it took me six months to find that 3-day weekend.
I signed up for the test for which the exam fee is $250 for members and $350 for non-members.
I crammed one more time the night before the test. The test is basically about 80 multiple-choice questions and is offered at ProMetric test sites around the country. The test takes about two hours. Your score is calculated instantly so you can see if you passed about 15 seconds after you hit submit

Good luck!

Being Green minded

2007-06-25T14:14:00Z

The "Green Movement" is certainly becoming a buzz word for our industry along with our customers. Being green, however, does not automatically qualify a product or system to fit into a certified building. I attended a class taught by Clint Childress of Draper at Infocomm last week. He discussed that a certain product or system does not reach certification by the USGBC (United States Green Building Council), only a building can be certified (LEED) by the USGBC. This is important to know if you are supplying product to a contractor or customer pursuing a "Green" certification. Documentation/calculations showing how the product or system saves energy may be required to help the building reach certification.

Jim Hoodlebrink

Interesting Article on WSJ Online

2007-06-14T14:34:00Z

Here is an interesting article from WSJ's StartupJournal. It talks about the Green movement in general.

http://www.startupjournal.com/columnists/enterprise/20070613-osukoya.html

Introduction - Scott Walker

2007-06-13T13:42:00Z

I have been an independent AV consultant since 1989 and am currently the president of Waveguide Consulting, a multi-disciplinary AV, IT, and acoustical consulting firm. In addition to these traditional technology consulting services, Waveguide offers software programming services through our brainwave division and ongoing technology management and support through our firstwave offering.

I obtained my CTS-D in 2000 and my LEED AP in 2007. I am excited to contribute to this industry conversation where AV professionals can share "green AV" best practices, educational resources, and links to innovative LEED points earned for AV-related design issues such as energy managements via AV control systems, exemplary acoustical performance, videoconferencing, and other possible strategies. With manufacturers, integrators, consultants, software programmers, and the rest of the AV family working together, we can learn from each other and increase the value proposition of our goods and services while doing the responsible thing for the built environment at the same time.

Introduction - Peter Pekurar

2007-06-12T15:46:00Z

Hi,

My name is Peter Pekurar and I am employed with Christie Digital Systems, a manufacturer of high end projection products. I have been fortunate to have been involved with a variety of AV installations world-wide and this Green AV blog offers a wonderful opportunity to share ideas and learn.

My background started in the engineering of CRTs products progressing to LCDs and finally DLP projection. Currently I am responsible for Christie's Environmental Management System, our Quality System and our Customer Satisfaction processes.

Chrisite employees have become quite passionate about environmental issues and we want to do our part to help create a sustainable society. Over the past year I've also been quite busy with the expansion of Christie's management system towards that of increased environmental responsibility. I am very please to say that we have just certified our manufacturing facility to the ISO14001 Environmental Standard. Those of you attending InfoComm this year will see some of our initiatives first hand at our booth.

To me, being green means constant learning. It seems the more we learn about environmental issues the more we realize that we need to do more. I am very eager to hear your thoughts on what we as a manufacturer could do to improve our environmental performance and help expand our green initiative throughout the industry.

I'm planning to write a future article on the ISO14001 standard and the direct benefits it can have to our industry.

Best Regards,

Peter

Introduction - Will Craig

2007-06-12T15:44:00Z

I'm excited to be contributing to this GreenAV blog, and look forward to hearing from my co-bloggers and readers about how sustainable design can affect and be affected by audiovisual system design and the day-in, day-out work of dealers, integrators, consultants, reps, and manufacturers.

My company, Elert & Associates (www.elert.com), is a multi-disciplinary independent technology consulting firm. I lead E&A's multimedia design group. We are working on many projects that are in various phases of LEED certification. Before working as an independent audiovisual consultant, I held a variety of marketing, technical, sales and management positions with several audiovisual integration companies.

Introduction to Jim Hoodlebrink

2007-06-11T12:22:00Z

I have over 14 years of experience in the AV industry, working first in sales, then in product management and development. I have been involved in both home and commercial markets for display products and installation applications. I'm currently a product manager for Draper rear projection applications, and also working in electric screen product development. I have my CTS certification, and have successfully completed the infoComm AV Installation and Rental & Staging Tracks. I help provide infoComm certified training to Draper dealers. I am currently working toward LEED accreditation.

Through the window coverings part of Draper's business, we've become aware of the growing demand and need for sustainable products and facilities. We see a need and an opportunity in the AV market as well. We are happy to have the opportunity to share what we've learned...and are still learning...about ways that we can support our customers in their efforts to meet presentation technology needs with eco-friendly and sustainable systems.

Draper is a member of the US Green Building Council, and has provided LEED training for numerous employees. A growing number of these employees have become LEED Accredited Professionals (LEED AP). If you'd like to know more about this certification, here's a link:

http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CategoryID=1306

Draper sees the green movement as not only smart for the environment but an ideal focus for the future of new construction and renovation markets. Buildings alone consume over 30% of U.S. total energy and more than 60% of all electricity in the United States. AV products contribute significantly to that total.

I look forward to questions and comments.

Introductions to Mike Dannenberg

2007-06-10T05:55:00Z

There are many ways that the AV technology industry can help the sustainability process and working with people dedicated to the effort as well as some creativity (what this industry is best at), I am sure that we will see great strides in this since the demand is present.

There are definite things that can be (and have been) implemented to help the sustainable process. AV system controls can be linked with building management systems to shut energy draining system components down when not being used during the day or after hours. Systems and even their peripheral devices have had this ability to “time out” when not in use for so long or to even have built-in timers to have a shut down after 5 or 6 pm. This was mainly to help reduce lamp hours being incurred by people forgetting to turn off the display but is also used as an energy saving method.

I have seen progressively more vendors jumping on this process as well. Even some manufacturers are promoting environment friendly materials in products. Whether it be genuine effort to do their part or for marketing to a clientele base that is conscious and implementing LEED projects, either way it is good as both are helping to promote the process.

Even though current audiovisual technology in itself is somewhat limited in how it is able to help the process, it is key in the education process that can help promote and encourage the “Green” movement. I am interested in participating in this blog to see what other opinions people around the world will have on technology taking part in this effort and how the creativity of the industry can spur on ideas to help them come to reality.

Michael Dannenberg, Senior Consultant

Vantage Technology Consulting Group