Green Initiatives Grow in Atlantic City!
Located just blocks from the beautiful Atlantic Ocean, the Atlantic City Convention Center is committed to preserving its unique seaside environment while providing a safe, healthy atmosphere for our guests. “Going Green” has consistently been one of the Center’s main operating objectives. Several initiatives have already been implemented throughout the facility while others are in the works. Management remains committed to exploring new opportunities to better conserve and reuse our valuable resources. Below is a compilation of several of the green projects currently planned or in use at the Convention Center.
To download an information packet of Atlantic City’s Green Initiatives
click here.
Conservation Efforts
The Solar Project
In June 2008, the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority announced plans to install the largest single roof-mounted solar array in the United States on top of the Atlantic City Convention Center. A 20-year contract was awarded to Pepco Energy Services, a subsidiary of Pepco Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: POM), who will build, own, operate and maintain the 2.36-megawatt rooftop solar power system for the Center. Construction began during the month of June and was completed by the end of 2008. The Convention Center is operated by the management company SMG.
The completed solar power system, comprised of approximately 13,321 modules/panels, covers two-thirds of the main roof of the convention center or about 290,000 square feet. The Atlantic City Convention Center, as a result of the solar project, will save nearly $4.4 million in electricity costs over the 20-year contract. In greener terms, this avoids the release of 2,349 tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. That is equivalent to:
- Removing 390 passenger vehicles from the road or
- Reducing oil consumption by 4,956 barrels per year or
- The electricity used by 282 homes in one year or
- The carbon sequestered annually by 484 acres of trees or
- The carbon sequestered by 54,646 tree seedlings grown for 10 years or
- Preserving 14.8 acres of forest from deforestation or
- The recycling of 734 tons of waste instead of sending it to a landfill
- The Energy S.O.P. is updated twice a year in order to reduce electrical and thermal consumption.
- Energy usage and rates have been favorable this year to achieve some record low months. We reduced electricity usage by 10% and cooling by 52%.
- Atrium Ceiling Fans: Project was completed and is estimated to produce $80,000 in thermal savings per year.
- Solar Photovoltaic Panels: Project was completed and will produce approximately 26% of annual electrical consumption. We have produced Year-to-date 2,014,016 kWh. This is the equivalent to avoiding:
- 3,381,533 lbs. CO2
- 6,344 lbs. NOx
- 9,284 lbs. SO2
- 13,997,413 TV hours
- 15,492 computers running for 1 year
- 1 car running for 338 years
- 148 homes electricity for 1 year
Atlantic City Harnesses Wind Power
In 2005, five 380-foot high wind turbines were erected at the Atlantic County Utilities Authority Wastewater Treatment Facility in Atlantic City. The turbines power the facility, with any excess energy being directed to the main power grid. It is estimated that the energy produced by the wind farm will save the energy equivalent of 23,613 barrels of crude oil. Led by the city’s example, the Atlantic City Convention Center is currently researching the feasibility of installing a single wind turbine on the Center’s 31 acre site. The turbine is expected to produce approximately 16% of annual electrical consumption. Capital plan recommendations will be made for 2009.
In 2007, the Center’s Back-of-house Garage and Stairwell Lighting retrofit was completed, with a savings of over $20,000 in NJ Smart Start buildings rebates.
Green products now used by the Center’s operations staff include hand vacuums, floor mats, toilet paper, paper towels, hand towels, tissues, and foam soap.
Recycling Efforts
At the Atlantic City Convention Center, recycling efforts for 2009, to date, have included:
- Paper, cardboard: 26,220 lbs.
- Glass, Plastic, Aluminum, Bottles & Cans, Shrink Wrap: 6.25 tons
- Lamps: 1,650
- Ballasts: 2,350
- Carpet: 4,500 lbs.
- Miscellaneous Iron and Steel: 69,598 lbs.
- Solar Project: 11.17 tons of corrugated board and 9.5 tons of pallets.
- Show Materials Landscaping: Installed at the facility as part of Landscaping improvements.
- Recyclable replacement cartridges on soap dispensers
- Office printer cartridges
- Cooking oil
Operations Green Products
- Hand vacuums, floor mats, toilet paper, paper towels, hand towels, air fresheners, tissues and foam soap.
- Office paper and printer cartridges.
- Eliminating disposable cups in the office. Reducing paper use in the office by using recycled paper for notepads and using the computer for calendar functions, etc.
- Concrete areas are powerwashed versus the use of chemicals.
Current Projects
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BW Hall and ACCC Lighting retrofits were completed with respective NJ Smart Start rebates of $10,315 and $7,010 received.
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Thermal Plant Contract – Reviewing rate structure with Conectiv to consider rate reductions.
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Lighting Audit & Remaining Retrofits – completed Audit and preparing documents to be be considered for grant/loan considerations.
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Hot Water Heater replacement – replaced the unit with a more efficient model in late May. The NJ Smart Start rebate is $3,832.50.
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Steam System Survey and Modifications – Concord Atlantic Engineers reviewed systems for upgrades. They include steam trap replacements, isolation valves and insulation repairs. Preparing documents for grant/loan considerations.
Future Projects
- Wind turbine: System could produce approximately 16% of annual electrical consumption. Feasibility studies and surveying have been performed. A rebate application has been filed with the N.J. Board of Public Utilities. Investigating land permanent easement. ARRA Grant application was approved for $1.5 million.
- Replace ACCC outdoor marquee display and indoor astrovision.
- Replace Truss lighting at BW Hall with LED lighting.
- Water conservation projects such as the waterless urinals.
- Investigating feasibility for Solar Power installations at Rail Terminal & Boardwalk Hall
Community Outreach
The Convene Green Alliance
In March 2008, the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority was invited to participate in the Focus Forum for the Convene Green Alliance. This organization gives corporations, associations and business facilities guidance on how to lessen the environmental impact of both their personal and professional activities and practices. The Convene Green Alliance holds educational events and forums to teach participating associations and organizations how they can work together collectively to reduce their impact on the environment. As a panelist on this forum, Gary Musich, VP of Convention Development for the Atlantic City Convention &Visitors Authority, provided the audience with several of the green initiatives that have already been implemented at the Atlantic City Convention Center as well as ones that will be considered for the future. This interactive discussion provided feedback and advice on how to effectively incorporate green practices into modern day industry standards and operations. Promoting positive change and reducing our environmental footprints has not only become a national industry initiative, but has also become one of our main goals as global warming is becoming more imminent in our world today.
To learn more about the Convene Green Alliance visit
www.convenegreen.com.
To download an information packet of Atlantic City’s Green Initiatives
click here.
