Related Links: Full BNEF Report on EPC Sector A new report suggests contractors that provide engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services in the renewable sector will need to adapt to a more competitive market.While the market is expected to double by 2021, the scarcity of large utility-scale projects will potentially require the largest EPC firms to change their business models, concludes the report, released Oct. 14 from Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) and Cohn Reznick, a tax and accounting firm with a renewable energy practice.Michael De Capua, head of analysis in the Americas for BNEF, says, "In an environment in
Photo Courtesy of DBOX Big Apple's Superslim, 1,396-Ft-Tall Supertower Tops OutWhen complete, the topped-out 432 Park Avenue in New York City will be the tallest residential tower in the Western Hemisphere. At 96 stories, the $1.3-billion building, designed by Rafael Vinoly Architects with architect-of-record SLCE Architects and structural engineer WSP Cantor Seinuk, stands 146 ft taller than the 1,250-ft Empire State Building. Its rooftop exceeds the height of the flat roof of the 1,776-ft, spire-topped One World Trade Center by 28 ft. The project, managed by Lend Lease Corp., is on schedule to be completed in 2016. The tower will
Related Links: Deadly Guardrails on Trial Again in Trinity Whistle-Blower Case Highway Guardrail May Be Deadly, States Say Virginia's transportation department this month followed Missouri, Nevada and Massachusetts in taking off a controversial guardrail end-terminal model from its approved highway-products list. The ET-Plus model, which includes a steel fixture that is meant to absorb a vehicle's impact, is the subject of various lawsuits claiming the fixture has acted, instead, as a deadly spear.In an Oct. 10 letter to a sales manager with Trinity Highway Products LLC, the manufacturer of the ET-Plus, the Virginia Dept. of Transportation requested additional documentation regarding
As promised earlier this year, the International WELL Building Institute has released the world’s first standard aimed at improving the fitness of building occupants through better-tuned indoor environments.The performance-based WELL Building Standard Version 1.0 is a system for measuring, certifying and monitoring commercial and institutional building features that have an impact on human health and well-being. Beyond the features targeted, which include air, water, nourishment, light, fitness and comfort, the standard even addresses the human mind, according to IWBI.“The public release of the WELL Building Standard v1.0 marks a momentous step forward in our efforts to bring health and wellness
Related Links: Homes That Float Quake-Resistant House Passes Shake Tests With Flying Colors A small but significant house in the U.K. is substantially complete and set to be occupied next month.The 225-sq-meter cottage, located on a flood-prone island 10 m from the edge of the River Thames in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, is the U.K.'s first amphibious house—but likely not its last. Called Formosa, the house, which sits on the ground, has a concrete tub-like basement foundation that floats during floods.The house is designed by BACA Architects with structural engineer Techniker and hydrological engineer HR Wallingfords, to handle up to 2.5 m
Photo courtesy of CERA The single placement is the largest of its kind ever performed on the South Island. Related Links: Christchurch Post-Quake Rebuild Picks Up Steam Engineers Surprised by Damage To Modern Buildings in Christchurch Earthquake-hit Christchurch, New Zealand’s second most populous city, on Sept. 23 celebrated a major milestone in its rebuilding with a successful 1,428.6-cu-meter concrete pour for the base of a major new transportation facility. The single placement is the largest of its kind ever performed on the South Island.In 12 hours, 234 ready-mix trucks discharged the concrete for the base of the city’s new $43-million
Request your approval for release of responses about LOGCAP support to Ebola region; LOGCAP, ACC-RICC assembled responses.1. What is $ value of the task order awarded to Fluor Corp. related to military housing and facilities for personnel to support Ebola relief, as I understand the purpose?Response: At this time, the total current value awarded to Fluor for support of this mission is $21.1M.2. What is the scope of the task order to construct what type of facilities, for whom, and for how many military personnel?Response: The scope is for emplacement of Force Providers for military use and Ebola Treatment Units
Photo courtesy Marcio Vieira / Tocantins Government The north-south railway line in Tocantins (pictured) is among 11,000 km of Brazil rail scheduled for improvement under the proposed concession program. Related Links: Letter From Brazil: New Subways, Highways Can't Arrive Fast Enough Brazil Privatizes Three Major Airports, Nets $14.3 Billion in Concessions Two years after the Brazilian government announced a huge package of concessions to stimulate investments in infrastructure, construction projects for the railway industry remain on the shelf. The delays have resulted from regulatory risks, which were identified by investors, and failed projects.Officials hope for a break in the impasse
Related Links: Project to Provide Woodland and Davis with More Sustainable Water Supply Roller-Compacted Concrete Dam Raise Project Will Store Water New Desal Project in Central Texas will Be Largest Inland Plant in U.S. U.S. Drought Monitor Desalination Advocates are Pinning Hopes on New Plant in Carlsbad The signs are hard to miss. Along freeways throughout California, digital billboards caution drivers: "Serious drought underway. Conserve water." Beyond the highways, a closer look at the landscape reveals record-low reservoir levels, smaller amounts of snowpack on mountaintops and large swaths of barren earth.California is in the midst of its third consecutive year
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