• Arena Facts
• Arena Floor Plans
• Suite Catering
• LEED & Energy Reduction Strategies

LEED Certification

The DECC will be one of the first arenas in the world with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification. The arena will maximize energy efficiencies, recycling programs and many other "green" aspects, including the use of local, renewable resources throughout the facility. Our goal is to reduce energy use by approximately 60% over traditional arenas. Among the ways we'll reach this goal are as follows:

LEED Strategies

Goal is to achieve LEED Certified level which requires 26-32 points. Points are earned in each of six categories.

The following is a partial list of several strategies that will be pursued in each of the six LEED categories:

Sustainable Sites

• Effective erosion and sediment control during the construction phase
• Providing access to public transportation
• Providing storage space for bicycles
• Reducing the heat island effect by utilizing roofing system with high solar reflective index

Water Efficiency

• Water efficient landscaping requiring no permanent irrigation system
• The use of low flow water fixtures

Energy & Atmosphere

• Building commissioning
• Energy performance of 30% reduction from ASHRAE 90.1 2004 which is comparable to a 50% reduction from comparable benchmark buildings
• Avoiding use of refrigeration chemicals that lead to ozone depletion
• Incorporating monitoring devices to allow tracking of energy use of various building systems and equipment

Materials & Resources

• Storage and collection of recyclables
• Construction waste management to divert waste from landfills
• Utilizing materials that have recycled content where possible
• Utilizing materials that are manufactured or harvested locally
• Use of certified wood where appropriate and possible

Indoor Environmental Quality

• Carbon dioxide monitoring
• Indoor Air Quality program during construction
• Utilization of low-emitting materials where possible

Innovation & Design Process

• Green housekeeping
• Making the building available to the public as a learning tool
• Utilize a LEED accredited professional

60% ENERGY REDUCTION TARGET

Our goal is to reduce energy use by approximately 60% over traditional arenas. This is roughly equivalent to a 30% reduction from the ASHRAE 90.1 2004 Energy Standard. We fully intend to meet this target with a combination of conservation, efficiency and renewables.

COMPUTER BASED ENERGY MODELING

We have already been undergoing state-of-the-art computer modeling of the arena. We are exploring about 130 different alternative strategies ranging from different levels of insulation, different types of glazing, alternative mechanical systems, daylighting and alternative lighting systems and pump and motor efficiencies. We will select from these 130 different alternatives those options that appear to have the most promise for saving energy and at the same time are most cost effective. These options will then be computer modeled and we will then select the one with the best combination of energy savings potential and cost effectiveness for final design.

USE OF WASTE HEAT FROM DULUTH STEAM PLANT

One of the strategies that will likely have the most impact on energy reduction is the use of waste heat from the Duluth Steam Plant. Currently much of the heat generated from steam production simply goes into the atmosphere. Since the single biggest energy use in this type of facility is for space heating, the ability to use a renewable source of energy is an excellent, renewable opportunity. The waste heat at the steam plant will be captured with heat exchangers and distributed via hot water pipes to the new arena. The total heat load for the new arena will be satisfied with energy from this waste steam heat. This is truly a renewable source of energy utilizing no new fossil fuel for production.

OPTIMIZATION OF SPACE REQUIREMENTS

As many are aware, the real energy challenge is in reducing actual energy consumption. In the U.S., energy use per unit of GDP has fallen by 50% since 1975, yet total energy consumption has risen by more than 40%. The average house size in 1950 was 1,000 SF and today it's about 2,500 SF. If we design a building to be 20% more efficient but make the building 20% bigger than it really needs to be, we have not reduced energy consumption. This is often overlooked in the building design process, but not on this project. Through a disciplined owner and architect/engineer collaborative effort, every space and relationship have been challenged and fine tuned to build the optimum size facility. This creative effort actually was able reduce the final building size without compromising the function and operations of the facility by over 10% from the original program. Imagine the energy and carbon dioxide reduction over the life of the new arena as a result of this effort.

COMMISSIONING

We are implementing a formal commissioning process for the arena which will ensure that all mechanical and electrical systems are operating at optimum performance prior to owner occupancy. In most buildings today it is safe to say that as much as 20% of the energy is simply wasted because the building systems are not operated to achieve optimum efficiency. Prior to turning the building over to the DECC staff, all the critical systems will be actually given a test run to make sure that when handed over they are operating at optimum efficiency.

OTHER RENEWABLE ALTERNATIVES

The DECC is also exploring the use of solar and/or wind applications as demonstration projects. This will be highly dependent on available funding, but an example might be to power the skyway connection lighting with solar PV or small scale wind turbines. We are also considering use of LED lighting in portions of the facility where appropriate. We will be studying such options later in the design process.