HomeMy WebLinkAboutProject InfoUS Department of Energy
National Energy Technology Laboratory
Award No: 08NT002836
Project Title: Miami Museum of Science Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Project (FL)
The Miami Museum of Science is currently developing a new 200,000 square foot
Museum building, which will act as a giant exhibit to demonstrate energy efficiency and
green technology in action. In parallel, the Museum is developing its sustainability policy
and creating museum programs and exhibits to educate the public about energy
efficiency and green technology.
The presentation of energy and environmental issues will be integrated throughout the
development, construction and operation of the Museum. The Museum aims to be a
continuing exhibition of best practice, revealing the issues and challenges, as well as the
principles underpinning the safe, environmentally friendly and economic use of energy
resources. Additionally the Museum's energy experience will strive to create change in
the community by educating visitors about energy usage and their own opportunities for
change. The building will also serve as a basis for research projects for school children,
students and scientists. Access in real time to the data streams from the building will be
possible, so that students can establish their own research projects.
Over the next year, the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Project will carry
out research to identify the availability of renewable energy resources at the new
Museum site, design for the optimum utilization of these resources, prototype
demonstrations to assess their practicality, develop of exhibits for public use at the
existing site, to raise awareness of energy efficiency strategies and renewable energy
resources and their application. The Museum has selected Grimshaw Architects, with
Arup, Syska Hennessy and Atelier Ten as the design team. An initial review of options
on the site has been carried out.
Over the next year, the designers and engineers will work with the Museum project team
to:
• Identify and assess the available alternative energy sources on the site, in the
first instance through installing a weather station.
• Research and model appropriate materials and efficiencies for use, including
glazing systems, massing, building orientation, green roof materials, availability
of grey water, seawater and /or ground water heat pumps.
• Research and model appropriate technologies for use, including wind, water,
solar, shading, cogeneration, ground source cooling and massing.
• Identify partnerships with universities and companies to utilize their existing and
emerging expertise as well as renewable energy technologies.
• Integrate these technologies in the building design.
• Develop programs to communicate the science and the opportunities behind
these technologies to the public, through exhibits, hands-on demonstrations,
workshops, special events, and Web -based resources.
The program will begin the March 2008.