Vermont Green Offices will:
- be a fully integrated, state of the art, solar-assisted office building. It is intrinsically an energy-efficient building and is predicted to offset nearly 6 MWh a year. When successful, the building will be profiled nationally including an on-site flat screen display and web page depicting the system performance of the renewable energy systems in use.
- be a showcase for new sustainable technologies including SCADA systems for energy efficiency.
- act as a testing ground for new and existing solar and energy efficiency technologies.
- be used for classroom instruction of both university courses and workshops – institutions such as the University of Vermont, Yestermorrow and Solar Energy International (SEI). Vermont Green Offices will be a heavily instrumented facility with tools to teach principles of renewable energy.
- be an office environment dedicated to the development of green businesses focused on clean energy. A clustering of small businesses with a common goal will increase collaboration and decrease the feelings of disconnectedness that many small business proprietors experience. Heating, cooling, electricity and broadband Internet will be supplied by Vermont Green Offices so business owners can focus on core business functions, rather than making their offices green. Tenants will be able log in to the building’s server to see their electrical use trends.
- increase support for local businesses and public functions.
- try to minimize additional traffic congestion in the area by integrating a strong incentive program for tenants to not drive to work.
