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Santa Fe County has erected a 10 kW wind turbine to generate electricity for its new Public Works facility.  The turbine has been erected and is in operation.  When the facility opens, the turbine will generate electricity for the facility.  “The new Public Works facility and the wind turbine exemplifies Santa Fe County’s commitment to energy efficiency and green building” says Jack Sullivan, County Commissioner “It is important that we are conscientious to move into the future responsibly.”

The new Public Works Facility is located on a 37-acre site along Highway 599 northwest of the intersection with Airport Road and has approximately 45,000 square feet of new buildings and structures, including:

§        administrative office building

§        vehicle maintenance building

§        sign shop

§        vehicle wash bay

§        wind turbine to generate electricity

§        material and equipment storage yard

§        vehicle fuel station

The facility will take advantage of state-of-the-art technology and design to be energy and cost efficient along with low operations and maintenance costs.  Additional green elements in the project include:

§        All major buildings have passive solar heating features with heat stored in concrete mass walls.

§        Shading is provided to shield the walls from the summer sun.

§        Buildings are naturally ventilated with operable windows on the North and South sides for cross-ventilation.

§        Extensive use of natural light reduces electricity consumption.

§        VehicleWash Buildinguses 4 hydronic solar panels to pre-heat the wash water.

§        All buildings are heated by a single centrally located high-efficiency gas-fuelled boiler.  The system can be converted to burn other types of fuel including biomass.

§        Water efficient plumbing fixtures used throughout.  Circulation pumps eliminate the wait for hot water at faucets.

§        Vehicle wash equipment recycles water up to 7 times. 

§        Rainwater from the roofs is captured and stored in underground tanks to be re-used for landscape irrigation.

§        Native grasses and trees used for landscaping greatly reduce the need for irrigation.