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Corporate Social Responsibility
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4.11.2008 - 08:00am ET
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Agilewaves Deploys Resource Monitor at Nueva School
First Ever Monitoring Solution for Living Roofs and Solar Cells
(CSRwire) PALO ALTO, CA - April 11, 2008 - Agilewaves, Inc., leading provider of
conservation technology solutions, today announced the deployment of its
flagship product, the Resource Monitor(TM) into the Pre K-8 independent Nueva School, in
Hillsborough, CA. The system is the most in-depth monitoring device ever
installed in a school and will be used to measure and display both
standard utilities (gas, electricity and water), and the impact of
innovative green architectural systems on the buildings' overall carbon
footprint. The information gleaned from the Agilewaves Resource Monitor
will be featured in the school's science curriculum and will serve as a
tool for facilities managers.
Based on the proven notion that quantitative feedback drives behavioral
change(1), the Agilewaves Resource Monitor delivers real-time information
about gas, electricity and water use so that consumers can make informed
choices about their consumption of these utilities. This system also
measures the impact of the innovative green building technologies that
contributed to the Nueva School winning the 2007 AIA architectural design
award.
The Nueva School's green innovations include a 30 kW solar system and two
"living roofs". Designed by ecological design firm Rana Creek, the school’s roofs are
planted with native grasses and wild flowers that not only preserve the
area's natural ecosystem, but also help to insulate the buildings, reduce
the energy required to heat and cool them, mitigate storm water runoff and
minimize the heat-island effect. The plants selected for the Nueva School
roofs also provide a natural habitat for the endangered Bay Checkerspot
butterfly.
Agilewaves and Rana Creek worked with the San Francisco Estuary Institute to
determine the performance characteristics of the roofs that the Agilewaves
Resource Monitor measures, including:
1) Thermal insulation and cooling through water loss by vegetation
and evaporation (evapotranspiration): Agilewaves monitors the temperature,
humidity and soil moisture to provide real time data about the efficacy and
general condition of the roof for maintenance and management.
2) Stormwater mitigation/retention: Agilewaves monitors the flow of
stormwater through the roof
3) Stormwater filtration: Agilewaves monitors the quality of the
water coming off the living roof as the soil and roots filter
pollutants
"The Nueva School is committed to teaching our students about human impact
on the environment, so we are thrilled with the deployment of this unique
innovation," said Diane Rosenberg, executive director Nueva School. "The
Resource Monitor gives Nueva School a way to measure the impact of our
proactive environmental initiatives and our students a state-of-the-art
pedagogic tool for learning about how we can mitigate climate change.
Additionally, it will be a vital tool for the facilities managers to
monitor the conditions and efficacy of the living roof to maintain the
roof's health."
"Agilewaves, together with Rana Creek and the San Francisco Estuary
Institute, has merged the disciplines of science, technology and design,
to deliver a solution to a significant and urgent problem: quantifying
energy waste from buildings that has until now, been impossible to
measure," said Peter Sharer, CEO Agilewaves. "We are excited to be pushing
the boundaries of the Resource Monitor to drive widespread adoption of
green technologies."
About Agilewaves
Founded in 2006, Agilewaves is a leader in conservation technology,
providing the most in-depth building utilities management solutions
available on the market. The flagship Resource Monitor™ displays on a
touch-screen or custom website a building's activity and vital statistics,
including gas, electricity and water usage and solar power input. Users of
the Resource Monitor are able to understand and therefore reduce their
utility consumption. Agilewaves' Resource Monitors are for residential,
small business, and educational use. Agilewaves is a member of the Business Council on Climate
Change (BC3). Agilewaves is based in Palo Alto and is privately held.
For more information, visit www.agilewaves.com.
About Nueva School
Founded in 1967, Nueva is a nationally recognized independent school
serving gifted and talented students. Nueva, prekindergarten–eighth
grade, emphasizes integrated studies, creative arts, and social-emotional
learning. Nueva offers a constructivist program, project-based learning,
and special area teachers in the arts, reading, math, science, music,
physical education, and social-emotional learning. For more information,
visit www.nuevaschool.org.
Rana Creek
Founded in 1997, Rana Creek offers a broad range of environmental
planning, ecological design/build and AEC services dedicated to
sustainable solutions for rural landscapes and built environments. Rana
Creek manages each project from concept design development to the complete
issuance of construction documents, including managing plant propagation,
landscape and living roof installation, ecological maintenance and
monitoring. Rana Creek is located in Carmel Valley and is privately held.
For more information, visit www.ranacreek.com.
(1) Research by Sarah Darby and PNNL shows typical 10% - 15% reduction in
consumption through behavioral change driven by feedback alone.
www.Agilewaves.com/research
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