New Tower for MoMA Gets Go-ahead
An 82-story extension to New York's Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) has been approved by the city council. The extension, to the west of the current museum building, will include three floors of new gallery space, hotel rooms and luxury apartments. Paris-based architect Jean Nouvel, whose previous work includes the Arab World Institute in Paris, will design the soaring steel and glass tower. More
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Hidden Costs of Energy Production and Use
A new report from the National Research Council examines and, when possible, estimates hidden costs of energy production and use—such as the damage air pollution imposes on human health—that are not reflected in market prices of coal, oil, other energy sources, or the electricity and gasoline produced from them. MoreMore
Plans to Rebuild Damaged CCTV Building Underway
The chief architect for the landmark new headquarters for China's powerful state broadcaster said the part of the complex that burned in a massive fire earlier this year can be repaired and does not need to be torn down. Architect Ole Scheeren said that initial inspections show that the high-rise's steel structure largely withstood the fire and that preparations were under way to repair the China Central Television building. MoreMore
Testing Cheap Wind Power
Federal stimulus funds awarded to a wind-energy research consortium led by Illinois Institute of Technology will accelerate testing of small wind turbines that could point the way toward more efficient utility-scale machines. The 8-kilowatt turbines, the product of Cedar Park, Texas-based Viryd Technologies, use a mechanical approach—continuously variable transmission technology—to convert fluctuating wind speeds into the precise stream of alternating current required by power grids. If it can replace the pricey power electronics that regulate power in most turbines today, the same technology could cut the cost of wind-power generation at any scale. More
Certified Plant Engineer (CPE) Online and Classroom Review Classes Now Scheduled!
Online CPE Review: Join instructor Jim Taylor of Machinery Management Solutions for an extended review of the CPE Review Pack. This online class is double the instruction time of the traditional week-long review to allow working professionals to dedicate the appropriate time to prepare. Classes will be held from 12-2 EST. Traditional Classroom Review: To be held Nov. 14, Nov. 21, Dec. 5 and Dec. 12,
2009 in Eastern Massachusetts.
For the schedule, pricing and registration, please click here. or contact Carol Lawrence at (571) 203-7238 or CLawrence@AFE.org.More
House of Music: Denmark's Solar Powered Symphony Hall
Multi-functional centers are great – same complex, different uses, minimal infrastructure. The House of Music in Aalborg, Denmark is just such a place, combining public and performance space with cultural and education functionality. Designed by Coop Himmelb(l)au this multifunctional center is a marvel of Solar passive design and features a south-facing facade covered with thin-film photovoltaics that help to reduce its energy use. With a concert hall, auditoriums, public courtyards and sustainable design features, Denmark has a wonderful addition to its cultural scene. MoreMore
Benchmarking for Your Facility
AFE is researching a benchmarking tool to offer as part of a member benefits package and we need your feedback! This benchmarking tool will help you identify the cost and consumption metrics for your facility, and then provide comparisons for similar facilities. Based on the comparison, you will be able to identify the best way for you to improve your metrics. AFE needs to know what areas are most important for you to track - Utility consumption? Maintenance? Custodial/Security? Operating Expenses? Sustainability?
To take the survey, please click here.More
How to Keep Track of Climate Change
It's a vexing problem—how to keep the public and policymakers informed and engaged on what many scientists say is the primary long-term challenge to humanity's well-being: global warming. MoreMore