The Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC), owned by the City of Los Angeles and managed by AEG Facilities, has won the city’s Better Buildings Challenge (LABBC) Innovation Award for producing significant energy savings.
The LACC picked up its award at the fifth annual award ceremony on 27 March, 2019 at The California Endowment in Los Angeles.
“The Convention Center isn’t just talking the talk; when it comes to sustainability, they’re walking the walk,” said David Hodgins, Executive Director, LABBC.
The LACC was acknowledged for its 2.21 megawatt solar panel array, bringing the facility’s total solar power to 2.58 megawatts, making it the nation’s largest array on a municipal convention center. Since April 2018, the array has generated more than 3.3 gigawatt hours (GWh) and reduced facility energy use by 11.4%.
“Mayor Eric Garcetti has set the goal of making Los Angeles the most sustainable city in the United States,” said Doane Liu, Executive Director, City of Los Angeles Department of Convention and Tourism Development. “We are proud that the Los Angeles Convention Center is committed to operating in an environmentally responsible manner and is continuously seeking ways to reduce our environmental footprint and promote sustainable efforts within the tourism industry and with the millions of visitors to our great city.”
Other LACC initiatives include the upgrade of more than 3,000 interior and exterior lights to LED lamps, saving over 1.5m kilowatt hours annually and the installation of a 48,774sqm ‘cool roof’ that reflects sunlight and heat away from the building.
The LACC team credits their success in sustainability to being innovative, leading by example and utilising all resources. “Clear goals and a 100% commitment drive the team’s formula for success which includes buy-in from all stakeholders,” said Estella Flores, Interim Vice-President of Operations, LACC. “As sustainability is ever growing and changing, we must embrace change and build the road to a sustainable future.”
By employing AEG 1EARTH strategies, the LACC aims to decrease its carbon footprint across five areas: Energy and Climate, Water, Waste and Recycling, Responsible Purchasing, and Education and Communication.
The LACC facility will go dark for one hour on 30 May in honour of World Wildlife Fund’s Earth Hour.
