A Global Focus on “Green” Issues

It was recently reported by the International Energy Agency (IEA) that by 2020, the U.S. would surpass Saudi Arabia as the world’s leading oil-producing nation. However, IEA also anticipates that by 2035 the world energy demand will have risen 35%, necessitating a rapid rise in the use of renewable energy sources, along with lowering dependence on nuclear power, caused in part by the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi earthquake-initiated power-plant disaster that occurred in Japan. In line with these predictions, we can expect to see the continuing development and use of wind and solar power to satisfy the world’s energy requirements, and this will continue to have a significant impact on the elevator industry, as evidenced by the recent announcement from Schindler of a solar-powered residential elevator reported on in this month’s annual Green Issue of ELEVATOR WORLD.

Also included in this month’s issue are a number of feature stories and reports pertaining to how our industry is continuing to be environmentally responsive. Numerous elevator companies are actively participating in new-installation and modernization projects that are in compliance with the U.S. Green Building Council’s national standard for the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) rating system for commercial, institutional and residential buildings. With the goal of such projects being to obtain the highest LEED ratings possible, it is essential the elevator industry play its part in this by providing energy efficient and sustainable equipment. Companies with equipment that can meet these criteria will have a significant competitive advantage, and this is the case not only in the U.S., but also throughout the rest of the world.

A report in this month’s issue by Dieter Roas of TÜV SÜD Industrie Service describes how the aforementioned situation affects elevator companies in Europe and the guidelines that have been established in Germany for elevator companies to follow in this regard. Additionally, an article by ORONA not only brings us up to date on the progress that has been made on the construction of its new corporate headquarters and R&D center in Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain, but also how it will comply with the Spanish Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method ES (LEED equivalent) system.

An article by Ana M. Lorente-Lafuente, José Luis Núñez-Bruis and Dr. Gina Barney presents the energy standards with which elevators in Europe must comply. Presented within this article are standards that have been adopted throughout Europe and the methods used to assess and classify the energy consumption of lifts when running, as well as when they are in the standby mode.

Sasha Bailey of ThyssenKrupp Elevator has also provided a fine article on the importance of indoor air quality and how this relates to the design of elevator cabs. In this article, Bailey discusses not only the responsibilities in this regard to elevator installation and refurbishment companies, but also how and why they must be sure the products of their suppliers are responsive to this need. This is a must-read article for all elevator contractors and cab designers. 

The environmental responsibilities of elevator contractors and equipment suppliers of hydraulic elevators is the focus of an article on Mongrain Vertical Transport (MVT). Designing equipment for the present and planning for the world’s future environmental needs are discussed in detail in this article. In addition, MVT’s plans for how it will face the environmental challenges of the future are also explained. As in years past, readers of this year’s Green Issue will obtain a great deal of insight and knowledge relative to how our industry is addressing the environmental challenges of the present as well as the future. The goal being to ensure that the world will be a better and more sustainable place for us all to live in the coming decades. So be sure to read this month’s issue from cover to cover, as it is one of the most, if not the most, important EW issues of the year.