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Sandy Grove Middle School
Project Summary
Sandy Grove Middle School in Lumber Bridge, N.C., is the United States’ first net-positive energy, LEED® Platinum designed, leased public school that produces more energy than it consumes. It also is North Carolina’s first public-private partnership (P3) financed school and the second P3 financed school in the country.
Hanson was the commissioning authority (CxA) for the 74,000-square-foot facility developed for Hoke County Schools. A single-story structure with mechanical mezzanines, its innovative features include a large photovoltaic system, geothermal heating and cooling systems, high-efficiency LED lighting and a whole-building generator. The heating, ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) system consists of multiple heat pumps connected to the geothermal well field, with three dedicated outdoor air systems providing pre-conditioned air to the facility. Domestic hot water is generated by means of water-to-water heat pumps, also connected to the geothermal well field.
Projections show the solar photovoltaic system will generate approximately 40 percent more energy than the building uses. Building energy consumption (and generation) is fed to a Web-based energy dashboard.
Sandy Grove Middle School is financed through a public-private partnership, which means the private sector assumes the risk of capital and resources for construction, while the public sector builds the facility to local and state standards.
Hanson’s services were provided in conformance with ASHRAE guidelines, along with the recommended practices of the Building Commissioning Association and the AABC Commissioning Group.