Ferreira Construction Building Maintains ‘First Net Zero Electric’ Status

BRANCHBURG, N.J., Aug. 14 /PRNewswire/ — Ferreira Construction on July 12, 2008, located at 31 Tannery Road in Branchburg NJ, has once again maintained its ” First Net Zero Electric Commercial Site in the US” building status during their second year of occupancy. 31 Tannery, built in 2006, is a 41,508 sq. ft. shop/office building that serves as corporate headquarters for Ferreira Construction, The Ferreira Group, and Noveda Technologies. The building consists of a 2-story 15,318 sq. ft. office wing and a 26,190 sq. ft. garage/shop area used for servicing Ferreira Construction’s heavy road and highway equipment, as well as a fleet of trucks and SUV’s.

What sets this building apart from its contemporaries is the installation of a roof mounted 223 kW grid-tied photovoltaic system, high efficiency HVAC systems, solar domestic hot water system, and a proprietary web-based real-time building energy monitoring called SunFlow(TM) Monitor. The photo voltaic system consists of 1,276, 175-watt solar panels connected to two 100 kW 277/480V AC three-phase inverters. The inverters in turn are connected to the building’s main power and distribution panel. To date, the PV system has met 100% of our building’s electrical needs.

This project was feasible thanks to incentives provided through the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities and New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program. Ferreira Construction’s President, Nelson Ferreira, reinforces the principle of sustainability within the commercial building sector by successfully achieving its second year of Net Zero Electric status. “We are committed to continuous commissioning of any renewable energy project to ensure efficient results not only in its first day but during the life of the project.”

At our first year anniversary of July 12, 2007, the PV system had generated 16,800 kWh more in electricity than the building had consumed, thus making 31 Tannery the first ‘Net Zero Electric’ building in the United States. Our second anniversary, July 12, 2008, has just passed and we are pleased to announce that once again we have maintained a “First Net Zero Electric Building” status. At our second anniversary date, the PV system had generated an excess of 21,120 kWh of electricity since its inception which equates to one month’s worth of electric consumption.

“By taking advantage of the incentives available through New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program, Ferreira Construction was able to create an innovative combination of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies that allowed the company headquarters to achieve ‘Net Zero electric status’ for the second year in a row,” said Jeanne M. Fox, President of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities. “Ferreira’s success demonstrates that investing in clean energy is good for business and good for the environment.”

All three companies; Ferreira Construction, The Ferreira Group, and Noveda Technologies, have grown in workforce during their second year of occupancy at 31 Tannery. This resulted in more computers, additional computer servers, and increased air-conditioning loads when compared to our first year of occupancy. However, because 31 Tannery had incorporated high efficiency HVAC systems and renewable energy at the time the building was designed, we were able to increase our electric surplus even during our second year of occupancy.

Perhaps the biggest component in helping us maintain a Net Zero Electric building status at 31 Tannery was the installation of Noveda Technologies(TM) real-time energy monitoring system SunFlow(TM) Monitor. SunFlow(TM) Monitor through an outstanding graphics display, shows in real-time PV solar production, building electrical consumption, electricity exported to the electric grid, and electricity imported from the electric grid. In addition, SunFlow(TM) maintains a data base of all energy measurements allowing building staff to analyze building energy usage over time.

With the inclusion of SunFlow(TM) Monitor at 31 Tannery, “Net Zero Electric” is brought to “life”. People can actually see the results live on a screen versus being buried in monthly electric bills. 31 Tannery has garnered an enormous amount of attention from building owners, corporate executives, architects, and engineers from around the country. Due to the net zero status at 31 Tannery, Noveda Technologies(TM) has been able to capitalize on this unique distinction. “The 31 Tannery Building has become an international showcase for Noveda Technologies(TM). We have developed distribution and partnership relationships which will enable us to scale our web based energy monitoring products to many thousands of buildings over the next year.” said Noveda Technologies(TM) President and CEO Daniel Poore.

About Ferreira Construction;

Ferreira Construction is a large Heavy Highway, Road and Bridge Construction Company. From its 42,000 square foot headquarters located in New Jersey, Ferreira serves the tri-state area. Ferreira also maintains a Southern Division office which serves the State of Florida. Founded in 1988 Ferreira Construction has become a leader in the industry with a bonding capacity of $100 million and nearly 100 road and bridge projects to its credit.

About Noveda Technologies Inc.;

Noveda Technologies provides hosted, web-based solutions that monitor, diagnose, and track the performance of all conventional energy, renewable energy, and buildings’ mechanical — environmental systems in real time. Whether it’s a single solar energy system, a building, or an entire enterprise, Noveda Technologies provides instant access to critical systems information.

Noveda Technologies patent pending SunFlow Monitor(TM), EnergyFlow Monitor(TM) and Facilimetrix(TM) enables real-time monitoring, reporting and diagnosis of all the facility systems.

A few of our clients include Liberty Science Center, Atlantic County Utility Authority, Newark Public Schools, as well as Ferreira Construction’s first net zero electric facility.

http://www.ferreiraconstruction.com/

http://www.noveda.com/

Ferreira Construction

CONTACT: Tony Ferreira of Ferreira Construction, +1-908-534-8655,aferreira@ferreiragroup.com

Web site: http://www.ferreiraconstruction.com/http://www.noveda.com/