Catawba County EcoComplex

Developing Components

LEED Cerified Smart Grid Education Facility will consist of a combined residential and commercial structure built to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification employing various green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions illustrated through wall cut-outs and other means. This facility will educate the community of the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the stewardship of resources through improved energy efficiency and other sustainabilty measures.

A Brick Specialties Company has verbally agreed to locate in the EcoComplex to produce specialty brick shapes and art once the expected waste streams necessary for this work are created by other EcoComplex partners. Kiln space for local potters use may also be added, as well as classroom type space for a community educational component.

A Composting/Soils Amendment Facility - Catawba County is talking with several composting and soil amendment companies that could become EcoComplex partners and with a local retailer about bagging and selling a compost/soil amendment product and, possible, bagged mulch.

A Greenhouse Facility - Discussions have been held with several companies considering the EcoComplex as a location for 25 to 100 acres of greenhouse space for growing vegetables and/or flowing plants once the expected waste streams are created.

Organic Waste Anaerobic Digester Facility - The Organic (Sewage, Animal and Food Waste) Anaerobic Digester Facility will consist of two newly constructed anaerobic digesters. One digester will be used to process sewage (wastewater sludge) from wastewater plants and the other digester will process animal and food wastes. Biogas from both digesters will be used to produce electricity and heat through the operation of GE-Jenbacher Generator sets. The SAFWAD design and development is being performed jointly with the Bio-Solids Processing Facility. Preliminary Engineering is being performed by Petra Engineering, CDM and Civil Design Concepts (CDC).

Biofuel Research - Catawba County, along with our partners, are looking at a research project that will combine landfill gas, biodiesel, and other fuels, into a combined fuel for generating green electricity.