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
SOURCE Ferreira Construction

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