Optimal Electricity Distribution Framework for Public Space: Assessing Renewable Energy Proposals for Freshkills Park, New York City

Abstract

Integrating renewable energy into public space is becoming more common as a climate change solution. However, this approach is often guided by the environmental pillar of sustainability, with less focus on the economic and social pillars. The purpose of this paper is to examine this issue in the speculative renewable energy propositions for Freshkills Park in New York City submitted for the 2012 Land Art Generator Initiative (LAGI) competition. This paper first proposes an optimal electricity distribution (OED) framework in and around public spaces based on relevant ecology and energy theory (Odum's fourth and fifth law of thermodynamics). This framework addresses social engagement related to public interaction, and economic engagement related to the estimated quantity of electricity produced, in conjunction with environmental engagement related to the embodied energy required to construct the renewable energy infrastructure. Next, the study uses the OED framework to analyse the top twenty-five projects submitted for the LAGI 2012 competition. The findings reveal an electricity distribution imbalance and suggest a lack of in-depth understanding about sustainable electricity distribution within public space design. The paper concludes with suggestions for future research.

Adaptation of an Insulated Centralized Photovoltaic Outdoor Lighting Installation with Electronic Control System to Improve Service Guarantee in Tropical Latitudes

“…In our cities, electricity can be produced from renewable sources. For example, photovoltaic energy can cover up to 30% of the energy needs of a building, or 100% of the lighting required in roads [3]. Also, for example, biomass can cover 100% of the heating needs, and other types of renewable energy can be used in different areas [4].…”

Towards a Sustainability Assessment Model for Urban Public Space Renewable Energy Infrastructure

“…The optimal electricity distribution (OED) framework and its strategies were adapted and tested by assessing renewable energy projects designed for the Freshkills Park site in New York City [8]. A selection committee and multidisciplinary experts from the Land Art Generator Initiative (LAGI) design competition assessed and shortlisted twenty-five speculative projects [8].…”

“…The optimal electricity distribution (OED) framework and its strategies were adapted and tested by assessing renewable energy projects designed for the Freshkills Park site in New York City [8]. A selection committee and multidisciplinary experts from the Land Art Generator Initiative (LAGI) design competition assessed and shortlisted twenty-five speculative projects [8]. This study considers LAGI as an authority in this emerging topic because LAGI organizes design competitions since 2010 and has gathered an archive of speculative projects over four different countries attracting experts, designers, and artists who work on the verge of science, art and technology.…”

“…Part of the strategies presented in this study have been regularly used by the organizers in the last decade as criteria for judging schemes submitted to the LAGI design competitions. Both author's previous studies-as well as LAGI's frequently tested judging criteria-lay the groundwork for presented strategies in this study [8,9].…”

Incorporating Renewable Energy Science in Regional Landscape Design: Results from a Competition in The Netherlands

“…To answer this question we studied the results of the Ninth Eo Wijers Regional Landscape Design Competition (The Ninth Eo Wijers Competition), because it focused on integral, strategic landscape transformations and energy transition as a major theme. Other landscape design competitions that referred to energy transition, tended to focus on smaller levels of scale and/or land art (for instance [34][35][36]). It was decided to focus on a design competition instead of (implemented) design projects for two reasons.…”