Headwaters Center

Managed design, construction, budget and timelines for a 21,520 sf multipurpose community center powered by solar and batteries with natural gas generators as back-up built from a 4,400 sf historic barn relocated from Ohio. Utiized past renewable energy experience to provide design, budget and buildability direction. Also drove the controls scheme for the energy management system. The center is home to an ecology center with interactive exhibits around water usage, conservation, the effects of water rights on the fish, wildlife and environment on the first floor, a 4,400 sf event center with a 3,000 sf deck plus a full commercial kitchen on the second, and distance learning facility with ties to the Colorado College hotel and restaurant school with access to the commercial kitchen on the third.

 

Operational Details:

This building operates on DC power from a DC bus in which voltage is maintained by the battery power. DC energy from the solar panels charge the batteries and operate the building during the day. Batteries hold 6 to 10 hours of building operation depending on load. Backup generators, operating on natural gas, support the building load as needed to cover inclement weather or high building electrical demand. AC inverters prove AC power to operate those items not yet designed for DC operation.

• 85 kW of roof top and canopy solar. 380 w bifacial solar modules.

• 18 AMPT voltage regulators provide a constant voltage output from Solar to the DC bus.

• 300 kWh of Toshiba LTO batteries.

• 2 – 100 kWh generators for backup operation and assistance with load.