The recently released UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report shocked everyone who was paying attention. In short, attempting to mitigate temperature rises to 1.5 percent by 2050 (which already seemed impossible to most) is too little too late. The globe is on a trajectory to see temperatures rise more than 3 percent by that time. The resulting flooding, droughts and superstorms will be catastrophic. A drastic shift in energy sourcing and usage is necessary to limit economic and humanitarian costs. Fortunately, drastic doesn’t mean impossible. Microgrids and carbon dioxide recycling are two available solutions that can make substantial impact. Microgrids Microgrids enable centralized power generation, storage and delivery. They offer more efficient power transmission, reduce costs for consumers, and decrease the duration of blackouts which can save lives and protect economies. A microgrid can “cut air pollution from the electric utility sector as much as 30 percent by 2030, saving 34,000 deaths a year,” states Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative. The systems offer more immediate benefits as well. Hurricanes Florence and Michael, for example, resulted in nearly $100 billion in property damages. After factoring in electricity outages and stalled commerce, Accenture estimates that such storms can cost economies $150 billion per year. The implementation of microgrids would reduce the economic impact of natural disasters by quickly restoring power. Microgrids also facilitate the integration of renewable energy sources with flexible scalability. Local organizations do not need to wait on utility companies or governments to implement more sustainable practices. Solar panels, roof-mounted wind turbines, and other sustainable energy devices can be used as the primary energy source on individual projects. Several power companies are exploring the power, efficiency and reliability of microgrids. Edison International, Central Hudson Gas & Electric, Duke Energy, San Diego Gas & Electric are just...

Innovations in wastewater treatment improve energy efficiency through resource recycling and energy production. Restrictions on water use and carbon emissions require companies to get creative with resource management. Companies that simultaneously seek ways to cut overhead costs have two unique solutions from which to choose: Cambrian Innovation reports that the United States spends about 3 percent of its energy use in treating wastewater. Rather than letting the wastewater go to waste, the company has discovered a low-cost, low-energy method to recycle it. The Boston-based company created the EcoVolt Reactor, a wastewater treatment system. The process results in potable water with minimal energy use. Natural methane gas, which can be used for fuel, is a byproduct of the treatment. EcoVolt Reactors give old technology a fresh, efficient twist. In traditional setups, energy is used to create bubbles that oxygenate and disperse microbes through wastewater. The microbes remove contaminates at the expense of high energy usage. The EcoVolt Reactor uses a different family of microbes that does not need air to work. As a result, users do not need to use energy to produce bubbles and agitate the water. Instead, the wastewater is poured through a filter that contains the microbes. Methane gas (and carbon dioxide that is converted into methane) are released through the chemical process. The fuel is trapped and used for other operations in the building. EcoVolt Reactors generate anywhere from 40KW to 300KW of energy depending on the number of modules that are linked together. Cambrian Innovation Founder and CEO Matt Silver estimates that a chain of reactors could provide nearly 20 percent of the energy required by the average American company. There are currently ten active EcoVolt Reactors throughout the US. In Scotland, Sharc Energy Systems produces clean, hot water using...

When it comes to new multifamily communities, nowadays it’s pretty much “Go Green or Go Home.” And that’s a very good thing. With more and more people conscientious about protecting and preserving the environment, developers are taking note and incorporating eco-friendly features into the buildings. Whether it’s building to qualify for a LEED rating, incorporating Energy Star appliances into the units, or including a charging station for electric cars, the multifamily industry is becoming more and more sustainable. And New York City has certainly stepped up its green game. The Helena, a multifamily community on the Upper West Side in Manhattan, is the first to utilize the Organics Collection Program. This program allows residents to compost items such as fruits, vegetables, egg shells, pasta, tea bags, coffee grounds and filters, bones, flowers, houseplants and soiled tissues. The residents are given small containers to sort their organics, which they deposit in bins in the trash room. So, they’re already making the trip down there—what could be simpler? All said and done, this program will divert an impressive 35 percent of resident waste at The Helena from landfills. Hopefully more communities in Manhattan—and throughout the country—will start to participate in this or similar composting programs. And we can be sure that multifamily will continue to show its true colors (shades of green, obviously!). Jessica Fiur is News Editor at Multi-Housing News. Find more of her insights on multifamily living on the “What Renters Want”...