A Very Green Future Indeed
We’re no stranger to the idea of green technology; its permeating through every facet of our world as a natural response to the evolution of technology. Buildings are evolving lock-step with the world surrounding them. What we’re seeing are some of the most fascinating advances in the construction industry that humanity has ever experienced. Welcome to a warmer workplace, humanity.
From the Ground Up
We all go to work in some form or another. Typically, we go to work in an office building surrounding by other folks doing jobs of a similar nature. But, a gradual rejection of the way we do business is handing the keys to the kingdom over to a new, friendly face in the world of business. If you’ve ever seen a movie from the 1980s like Wall Street with Michael Douglas, you’ll have a faint idea of what I’m referring to. Stuffy suits, ludicrous board rooms, etc…Its all going to be a relic of the past soon. The actual space we are working in is changing along with the attitude we have toward what makes a productive environment. The result: leaps in productivuty and interpersonal relationship.
Inside and out, an outright rejection of the traditional workplace is leading to some ingenuitive building tactics. Trends indicate that “green construction” is here to stay from an economic and feasibility standpoint. What is green construction? Business trends magazines laud it, LEED awards those who build it, but it’s a vague idea, right? Essentially, LEED is an award for the most forward-thinking builders who put special emphasis on sustainability. Water reclamation, sustainable components, and those that “take a more performance-based approach to indoor environmental quality to ensure improved occupant comfort.” That’s the coolest part: LEED, the most coveted certification in green construction, is awarded to the building with the most wholistic structure. Full circle from employer to employee.
What’s a Smart Grid?
Scrolling through the brief outline of LEED’s certifications qualifications, the words “smart grid” appear. Here’s the coolest part of the green energy revolution, and it goes hand-in-hand with the construction industry. The way we get our power is rapidly changing. The way we use that power is also rapidly changing. However, the source is the most important part of the equation. Its no secret that climate science is damning the petrochemical industry for its part in global warming — a debate I have no interest in writing about.
At the forefront, solar energy has been the workhorse of the alternative energy revolution. A creation of the infamous Bell Labs in the 1950s, solar tech is a very versatile staple of the energy revolution. Applications have ranged from defense satellites to powering early submarines in WWII. Today, they’re on the frontline of every conceivable application in the energy sector. Some of the most interesting advances are coming out of California and China from massive firms like Solarcity. Scalability certainly helps with something as capital-intensive as solar power. Large scale solar energy is finally available to consumers and businesses with the help of ingenuitive financing provided by these firms.
Smart grid tech is essentially the evolution of energy distribution technology utilizing “smart” monitoring of the grid to efficiently deliver power. Computers replace humans across the board and allow things to run smoothly with fewer breakdowns. Solar is only one very small part of the puzzle for now.
The Human Component
We’re in the mix, and this whole revolution thing is all about us. Workspaces are opening up, offices are getting smaller, and the entire operation is getting more efficient. Green technology is permeating our lives and it’s nothing but beneficial.
- Sustainability: lowering our carbon footprint goes hand in hand with sustainable office design. Renewable, carbon-neutral, and upcycled materials are not only good for the environment, but they’re good for your companies bottom-line. Saving money and promoting workplace efficiency is a win-win. Cutting energy costs is only the beginning. An office built ergonomically promotes workers efficiency and the overall experience of being at work. Workers who enjoy the space they’re working in have much higher rate of productivity and happiness.
- Responsibility: This isn’t a term exclusive to social responsibility any more. Responsibility to both your own employees, your fellow citizens, and to the environment now go hand in hand. Investing in a workplace founded on responsible principles gives your employees confidence in their environment and the managers responsible for creating a productive workplace.
- Tech+Productivty: Integrating technology into the workplace is a huge cost-saver for companies concerned with keeping energy costs under control — i.e. everyone. Optimizing the amount of energy usage through the use of programmable thermostats along with thermal shades are all components of establishing a comfortable workspace. These are all human-oriented initiatives that can be achieved through integrated building systems. Bright, open spaces with benches for interactive meetings and videoconferencing systems are able to connect people like never before and shouldn’t be overlooked.
The future is bright, indeed and its colored vibrant green. This is only meant to be an outline of some green tech bursting into the market. To attract top talent — which I outlined in my previous article — and keep them working at their peak, utilizing green technology isn’t a fad anymore; it’s the only way to move forward.
Next week we’ll take a macro-look at the economics behind green tech and the players influencing the real estate industry.
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