In The Community
First Building at College's Future Campus Recognized for Sustainability
RALEIGH, N.C. (April 21, 2023) – Wake Tech is pleased to announce that it has received a 2023 City of Raleigh Climate Action Award for the college's new Central Energy Plant.
Designed by HH Architecture and constructed by Skanska, the 15,700-square-foot facility is the first green building completed at the college's future eco-friendly Eastern Wake Campus, which is under construction in Wendell. The plant won in the Energy category for its ability to provide renewable energy to the campus and serve as a teaching and learning site for students.
The awards were given out Friday during an Earth Day celebration at Dix Park.
"We're so pleased to receive this award illustrating our commitment to create healthy and sustainable buildings for our students, faculty, staff and environment," said Wake Tech President Dr. Scott Ralls.
The building includes the following green features:
- Sustainable building materials
- Nearly 300 geothermal wells that create a district heating and cooling system where water is pumped underground to all buildings, reducing the amount of energy needed to heat and cool the campus
- Rooftop solar photovoltaic panels, which convert sunlight into electricity
- High-efficiency lighting design
- Natural daylight and connection to nature
- Low volatile organic compound materials, such as paint, sealers and cleaning products, which make the air healthier to breathe
- Electric vehicle charging stations
Wake Tech will also use the Central Energy Plant to teach green technology courses. The college has created an EV teaching lab in the building, where students will learn how to safely install and repair charging stations supporting the electric vehicle industry.
Wake Tech is seeking Four Green Globes® certification, the highest awarded by the Green Building Initiative, for the Central Energy Plant. The three remaining buildings in phase one of the future campus also include sustainable design and energy-saving features. The future campus is expected to open next year.
