2006 SANDEE AWARD WINNERS
Outstanding Organizational Achievement
Johnson & Johnson Research and Development
Johnson & Johnson received top honors for their overall commitment to environmental stewardship. J&J’s research and development facility in La Jolla has made outstanding achievements in energy and CO2 reduction through the installation of a 203 kW AC photovoltaic system and a 2.2 MW cogeneration system, purchasing carbon offsets, implementing energy efficiency measures to make the site carbon neutral, and LEED certified. Through these measures, Johnson & Johnson has saved approximately 15,327,000 kWh and $950,000 annually. Johnson & Johnson clearly lives up to their company credo, which states, “We must maintain in good order the property we are privileged to use, protecting the environment and natural resources.”
Outstanding Individual Achievement
Dr. Rob Wilder
“Living clean is easy and fun!” So says Dr. Rob Wilder, who applies this mantra to both his personal and professional life. At home, Dr. Wilder has installed photovoltaics, Solar Water Heating and Solar Pool Heating technologies. In addition Dr. Wilder has begun work on a pneumatic hybrid electric vehicle ( PHEV) that will run completely by solar power. At work, Dr. Wilder is responsible for starting the first clean energy stock indexes. Both WilderHill Clean Energy Index (symbol: ECO) and WilderHill New Energy Global Innovation (symbol: NEX) have been received well by Wall Street. Dr. Wilder still finds time to get out into the community and promote the importance of sustainability. You can find him being interviewed for the Discovery Channel or teaching a course at UCSD.
Special achievement in Energy by a Medium to Large Business
Pfizer, Inc., La Jolla Laboratories
Consistent with their corporate mission of improving the health and wellness of people worldwide, Pfizer Inc. considers effective management fo natural and workplace environment to be one of their highest priorities. To achieve these goals, Pfizer has instituted the Energy Efficiency Initiative (EEI). The EEI consists of a group of projects focused on managing and reducing energy consumption at the La Jolla campus including chiller optimization, installation of a 240 kW photovoltaic system, a “Lights Out Campaign,” and the “Slash Your SASH Program.” These activities allowed Pfizer Inc., to reduce their electricity use by 16 percent and natural gas use by 35 percent—saving an estimated $1,605,154.
Special Achievement in Energy by a Small Business
Sun Harbor Marina
Sun Harbor Marina is the first LEED certified marina in the world. All the building exceed California’s Energy Efficiency Standards, some by more than 41 percent. Sun Harbor had building commissioning done to ensure that all equipment was installed and working correctly. Concern over the environment lead the owner, Mary Lou LoPreste, to rebuilding the old marina using sustainable environmental practices. To conserve natural resources, bamboo flooring, compressed sorghum cabinets, and insulation made from recycled blue jeans were used. Other innovative measures include advanced lighting controls, high performance glass, automatic drip irrigation and low flow faucets, show heads and toilets.
Special Achievement in Energy by a Government or Institution
State of California, Department of General Services (San Ysidro DMV)
The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in San Ysidro recently opened its state-of-the-art, 14,656 square-foot building and is seeking LEED Gold Certification. By incorporating energy efficiency and energy conservation, the estimated annual energy savings will be 34 percent greater than required by California Energy Efficiency Standards. This project demonstrates innovative HVAC technologies, under floor air distribution system and thermal displacement ventilation. In addition, the DMV has 5.4 kW photovoltaic system, energy efficient fluorescent and high-pressure sodium lights, and 50 percent of the building’s construction waste was recycled.
Special Achievement in Transportation
University of California San Diego
In 2006, UC San Diego implemented its “Sustainable Fleet Management Plan” with the goals of reducing Green House Gas Emissions, saving energy and decreasing reliance on fossil fuels. In keeping with these goals, the University purchased 225 electric or “zero emission vehicles” ( ZEV) and 32 hybrid vehicles for its fleet. The University also converted to a blend of ultra low sulfur bio diesel for its diesel fleet eliminating more than 70 metric tons of CO2 emissions and reducing sulfur emissions by 97 percent. This project has successfully reduced green house and toxic gas emissions, reduces maintenance costs and led to removal of gas burning vehicles on campus.
Special Achievement in Energy by a Nonprofit
Zoological Society of San Diego
The Wild Animal Park is home to the Arnold & Mabel Beckman Center for Conservation Research and Science. The Beckman Center was designed as an animal and plant conservation research center and as a facility that puts energy conservation first. The Center uses a combination of day lighting strategies, high efficiency equipment, systems controls and a well insulated building envelope. The project also includes a 32 kW photovoltaic array on an adjacent hillside. The resulting savings are 338,824 kWh, 5,230 therms and $42,495 annually.
Special Achievement in Energy by a Homeowner
Ingrid Coffin
To Ingrid Coffin, living green means embracing products and lifestyles that do not deplete natural resources. At her home, the aptly named “Blue Sky Ranch,” she practices sustainable behaviors that make living green a high priority. Among her efforts are the installation of five photovoltaic systems totaling 26 kW, organic gardening, composting and recycling. In rebuilding after the Cedar Fire, Ingrid literally recycled an entire house.
Runners-up
Other organizations and individuals who were recognized included:
- San Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina for their retro commissioning (RCx) project which resulted in annual electricity savings of 1,470,615 kWh, gas savings of 8,830,500,000 BTU and cost savings of $272,000 annually.
- Black Mountain Ranch, L.L.C. for the development of the Del Sur Community and The Ranch House. The Ranch House serves as a model for homes that integrate environmental conservation and sustainable design. The Ranch has also been submitted as a candidate for LEED Platinum.
- City of San Diego for energy efficiency upgrades and installation of photovoltaics at municipal facilities such as the 1 MW photovoltaic system at the Alvarado Water Treatment Plant.
- RideLink (A SANDAG Program), for their work assisting people in finding alternatives to driving alone. RideLink has enabled the operation of 552 vanpools supporting 4,761 commuters and saving 544,052 gallons of fuel per month.
Judging
All submissions were evaluated by the following local energy and planning experts:
- Scott Anders – Administrative Director, Energy Policy Initiatives Center, University of San Diego School of Law
- Robert J. Gilleskie, P.E., C.E.M. – Senior Energy Engineer DMJM Harris
- Stephen Kapp C.E.M., LEED-AP – Technology Resources Manager, California Center for Sustainable Energy
- Richard Caputo, B.M.E., M.S.M.E. – President, San Diego Renewable Energy Society
- Christopher Weixelman, P.E. LEED-AP – senior Mechanical Engineer Project Manager, Randall Lamb
Legal Note: “The SANDEE Awards,” “The San Diego Excellence in Energy Awards” and program logo are copyright protected and/or service marks of The California Center for Sustainable Energy.
