In the wake of extreme weather events on both coasts – hurricanes in the east and south, fires in the west – the new Jones Beach Energy and Nature Center stands as an important educational landmark to raise climate awareness. The new net-zero facility is now open to visitors, and it is the perfect representation of New York’s state of mind: building resilience and sustainability. Enel X is proud to participate in this wonderful new center.
In 2018, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced a new Energy and Nature Education Center would be built at Jones Beach State Park. In the press release, Governor Cuomo stated: "The addition of the Energy and Nature Center highlights New York's progress in revitalizing historic Jones Beach State Park and our commitment to providing the very best recreation and tourism opportunities to both residents and visitors. This investment will continue to boost tourism across the region, while preserving our environment and encouraging visitors to support our State's outdoor resources."
The 12,000 square-foot Jones Beach Energy and Nature Center was designed by nArchitects. It was designed to produce as much electricity as it needs to consume – boasting solar panels, a large energy storage system and electric vehicle (EV) charging stations we provided. The building can serve as a microgrid for up to 6 hours at a time. Geothermal wells provide heating and cooling and the building also espouses passive design elements for solar shading. The facility also includes three dual-port JuiceStand Pro charging stations, with six JuiceBox Pro 40 units.
Exhibits will highlight how electricity is generated and distributed, how renewable power resources connect to a smart home and to the power grid, and how consumers can manage energy more efficiently to lower their own carbon footprint. There will be educational displays showcasing the building’s energy efficiency for visitors to see real-time data, in addition to a variety of hands-on exhibits and programs.