Environmental sustainability is infused throughout the teachings of the Ocean Discovery Institute, so it’s no surprise that the nonprofit’s state-of-the-art science education facility in City Heights - its Living Lab - is one of the greenest buildings in the region.
The institute was recently recognized for its leadership in energy efficiency and sustainability during SDG&E’s 14th annual Energy Showcase. Every year, we hold a special awards ceremony to honor a select number of local businesses, public agencies and nonprofits for implementing exemplary energy efficiency programs and adopting energy innovations, such as renewable energy and electric vehicles.
Watch this video to see why the Ocean Discovery Institute was voted a fan favorite at our Energy Showcase. The video opens with two Hoover High School students giving a tour of the facility!
Savings by design
From the beginning, leaders of the Ocean Discovery Institute knew they wanted their facility to be highly energy-efficient and sustainable, so it can serve as a complement to its science programs aimed at transforming the lives of undeserved youth.
Bean bags made from recycled sails, stools made from plastic that once polluted the ocean, drought-tolerant landscaping. These are just a few examples pulled from a long list of green features built into Ocean Discovery Institute’s Living Lab, where youngsters come to learn science.
The Institute participated in SDG&E’s Savings By Design incentive program, which encourages energy-efficient building design and construction practices. SDG&E worked closely with the Institute throughout the design process for the facility. The final design maximized natural daylighting, included energy-efficient appliances, LED lighting and a rain tube capture system to water the garden.
The Institute is working toward zero net energy and LEED Platinum status. A LEED Platinum building is a facility that has met the highest standards in Leadership and Environmental Design standards. A zero net energy facility is one where the amount of energy generated on-site offsets the amount of energy needed to operate the facility.
More information
To learn more about the Ocean Discovery Institute, visit https://oceandiscoveryinstitute.org/.