May 11, 2012
LA JOLLA, CA—San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) named the Salk Institute for Biological Studies as an Energy Champion for their outstanding efforts in energy efficiency and conservation at an awards ceremony on May 10. The Institute is one of 13 local businesses recognized for “going above and beyond to save energy and money by taking advantage of the many rebates and incentives that are available through SDG&E’s energy-efficiency and demand response programs,” said Hal Snyder, vice president of customer solutions for SDG&E.
With a set of energy demands that has evolved since the campus was originally built in 1962, the Salk Institute completed an entire retrofit and expansion of their central plant mechanical and electrical infrastructure to improve overall energy efficiency, sustainability, and cost savings. “The ultimate challenge was trying to complete the full scope of the project within the confines of an historic and iconic structure,” said Tim Ball, Senior Director of Facility Services. “In addition to maintaining design integrity, changing out the entire infrastructure without interruption to the science was an endeavor in and of itself.”
The entire electrical infrastructure upgrade and new energy-efficiency measures has resulted in an annual savings of 3,000,000 kWh for the Institute. And in recognition of its environmental leadership and contribution to sustainable communities through its energy efficiency efforts the Salk also received $284,000 in incentives by working with SDG&E’s Energy Efficiency Business Incentives (EEBI) program and $974,346 California Solar Initiative incentives for a PV system consisting of more than 2,350 photovoltaic solar panels that sit on top of all four major buildings on the campus, generating 465 kilowatts of electrical power.
More than 2,300 photovoltaic solar panels sit atop the Institute’s four main buildings, generating 465 kilowatts of electrical power. The natural power provides a savings of nearly $10,000 per month.
Imagen: Cortesía del Instituto Salk de Estudios Biológicos
The environmental impact of the solar arrays and efficiency measures are significant; they keep approximately 846,000 pounds of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere annually – along with nearly 800 pounds of sulfur dioxide and 1,240 pounds of nitric oxide, two of the major pollutants produced by power plants. Over the next 25 years, the solar system and efficiency measure installations will be the equivalent to planting 128 acres of trees.
“Although challenging, the opportunity to enhance this infrastructure with energy efficiency improvements was monumental, as the Salk Institute is a haven for discovery with global impact on human health,” said Ball.
Acerca del Instituto Salk de Estudios Biológicos:
El Instituto Salk de Estudios Biológicos es una de las instituciones de investigación básica más destacadas del mundo, donde un cuerpo docente de prestigio internacional investiga cuestiones fundamentales de las ciencias de la vida en un entorno único, colaborativo y creativo. Centrados tanto en el descubrimiento como en la formación de las futuras generaciones de investigadores, los científicos del Salk realizan contribuciones revolucionarias a nuestra comprensión del cáncer, el envejecimiento, el Alzheimer, la diabetes y las enfermedades infecciosas mediante el estudio de la neurociencia, la genética, la biología celular y vegetal, y otras disciplinas relacionadas.
Los logros del cuerpo docente han sido reconocidos con numerosos galardones, entre los que se incluyen premios Nobel y la pertenencia a la Academia Nacional de Ciencias. Fundado en 1960 por el Dr. Jonas Salk, pionero en la vacuna contra la poliomielitis, el Instituto es una organización independiente sin fines de lucro y un hito arquitectónico.
Oficina de Comunicaciones
Tel.: (858) 453-4100
press@salk.edu
