A climate rogue for the planet, USA sets green example here
James Debono
The United States might well be the highest producer of greenhouse gases globally (a close second to China in carbon emissions alone), but its new embassy in Malta is set to be the first locally completed LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified green building.
The embassy has applied to construct a photovoltaic carport and wind turbine within its new embassy complex in Ta’ Qali.
“Malta has invited us into one of the most welcoming and enjoyable green spaces in the country,” US ambassador Douglas Kmiec explains. “We are delighted to return the favour by building a new embassy compound that respects the beauty of Ta’Qali by reducing demand on the energy grid employing as many forms of renewable energy and the best technology has to offer.”
The new US embassy will be built over the site of the former counting hall in Ta’ Qali, just outside the national park.
The embassy will also have its own photovoltaic plant providing on-site renewable energy and substantially reducing the compound’s demand for power from the electric grid.
“Current plans for the installation will provide 30% of the embassy’s energy during peak hours and excess energy generated during off-peak hours such as weekends and holidays will be transferred to the Enemalta electric grid,” am embassy spokesperson said.
The proposed wind turbine will also be connected to the site’s power supply and be available for transfer to Enemalta. The new embassy will also be Malta’s first completed internationally LEED certified ‘green’ building.
In an effort to decrease the embassy’s impact on the environment, the building will include energy-efficient windows, sun deflection details, a water-catchment system and Building Automation Systems (BAS) that keep the building’s climate within a specified range and provide lighting according to how many people are actually inside the building.
Each workstation will have individually controlled energy-efficient task lights, allowing the occupants to make individual adjustments and allow overall lighting levels to be reduced.
Occupancy sensors will automatically turn off lights when the rooms are vacant.
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