How does a university uphold its
longstanding commitment to environ-
mental sustainability while building a
new ice arena? It wasn't necessarily easy,
but PSU proves it can be done.
With an innovative design and a focus
on energy efficiency, the Plymouth State
University Welcome Center and Ice Arena
is a showcase for energy efficiency and
green-building technology.
The facility was constructed with a
sophisticated geothermal heating and
cooling system: basically, a large radiator
with pipes going through the ground,
using the temperature of the earth to pre-
heat or pre-cool water. "To maximize the
sustainability of this facility, PSU
installed the large geothermal field and
uses other energy-saving devices that will
reduce energy consumption by at least 28
percent over a traditional arena," says Bill
Crangle, PSU's director of environmental
sustainability.
The geothermal system, combined
with the capture of waste heat generat-
ed by ice-making equipment, provides
the heat for the facility, removing
reliance on a traditional fuel-based
heating system.
Because of its design and operating
systems, the facility consumes less energy
than PSU's traditional academic and resi-
dential buildings of the same size, and is
anticipated to be one of the most energy-
efficient ice arenas in the nation.
14 R INK MAGAZ INE july/august 2010
STARrinks.com
featured rink
The facility has
an innovative
design and
plenty of
energy-efficient
features.
