Blue Tech Makes a Splash at Greenbuild

Day two of Greenbuild is a wrap, and what a whirlwind it’s been. Here are a couple of impressions after surveying the Greenscape:

1. Commercial builders just aren’t feeling the pinch like green home builders are. The big construction companies tell me that while big projects may be on hold, that doesn’t mean building owners are cutting green features.
2. It is impressive to see the number of “blue” water tech companies on display – especially on a day when my home town of Milwaukee announced that its water technology sector is hauling in $10 billion annually.

Blue really is the new green. Wisconsin company Kohler made a statement this year. Not only did the company showcase a full range of water-efficient gear but Kohler was one of the show’s platinum sponsors.

This has been a good year for the company’s sustainability bona fides. Last month, the EPA named Kohler WaterSense Partner of the Year. With 1/3 of the world facing fresh water shortages by 2025, Kohler’s water conservation evangelism is a welcome development.

Speaking of water, I spent some time talking with UTC Fire & Security about their Hi-Fog fire suppression product. Hi-Fog generates a fine mist to put out fires, using 90 percent less water than traditional sprinklers. It’s just as effective and causes less water damage. UTC tells me Hi-Fog is especially popular with museums and libraries. Its contribution to water sustainability? Probably negligible. But the product is still pretty cool and innovative.

I also dropped by old friend Cooper Power Systems’ booth for a tour of what’s new. Cooper is pushing soy-based transformer coolant to replace nasty old mineral oil. Not only is the stuff non-toxic and biodegradable, but it extends insulation life by a factor of five to eight times. You have to love it when the new green alternative outperforms what it’s replacing by almost every measure.

Naturally, lots of energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions were on display as well. With carbon caps and additional efficiency regulations on the horizon, the companies pioneering those solutions have bright futures. The president of Optimum Energy told me his “personal Pickens Plan” is to require that all commercial buildings meet ENERGYSTAR standards. It’s an aggressive idea. But it’s not quite as unrealistic as it may have seemed, say, November 3rd now is it?