By Lena Babaeva Coradini

TVA's headquarters has been named one of the nation's most energy efficient buildings.  The headquarters, located in Knoxville, have received EPA’s Energy Star award.  The work on the 12-story building has led to:

TVA has been able to cut energy use in its headquarters’ offices by 1.5 million kilowatt-hours a year, or about 11 percent, since 2002. That is saving $129,100 a year in electricity costs at today’s prices.

The energy savings also have reduced the Knoxville offices’ environmental footprint by 1,384 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually – roughly equal to the yearly greenhouse gas emissions from 265 cars, 180 American homes or 25,638 gas barbeque grills.

The 698,287-square-foot Knoxville office complex was built in 1976 but has received significant energy-saving upgrades in recent years. The improvements include sensors that turn off lights in unoccupied spaces, added wall and roof insulation, double-glazed windows overlooking the towers’ plaza and energy efficient motors and controls for the heating and cooling systems.

TVA Facilities Management’s operations and maintenance staff continues to look for efficiencies. A recent sustainability study by consultants Barge, Waggoner, Sumner and Cannon Inc., identified additional lighting, water and electrical system upgrades that could lead to further reductions in energy use at TVA’s headquarters.

The article also notes that TVA participates in the TVA’s Green Power Switch program by buying blocks of green power.