Environmental Innovator Winner: Sacramento Kings

Sacramento Kings

Description of Project or Initiative: Please describe the program or initiative and how the applicant is leading the industry in encouraging environmental and social change in 500 words (4000 characters) or less. Be sure to include how the project or initiative embodies the 2017 Green Sports Alliance Summit Theme, PLAY GREENER ™: Engaging Fans, Athletes, and Communities.

‍Golden 1 Center, home of the Sacramento Kings, has exceeded expectations and opened as the only 100% solar powered – and LEED Platinum certified – indoor arena in the world. But it’s not just about the building; it’s about how the organization as a whole can give back and improve the community.  As Sports Illustrated notes, the Sacramento Kings designed Golden 1 Center “with Sacramento in mind.” The team commissioned a poll of Sacramentans when they decided to build the arena and overwhelmingly, respondents wanted the new facility to be a landmark for sustainability. That’s one of the reasons why the Sacramento Kings are committed to making basketball the “world’s greenest sport,” setting the standards for how organizations can operate sustainably and benefit their community.

Over 1.6 million guests will visit Golden 1 Center each year, and they will experience the endeavors in sustainability first hand. Millions of sports viewers and industry leaders will see the deliberate efforts the Kings have taken to be green – and potentially implement new environmentally aware strategies in their lives and venues. The arena is a supersized educational tool that demonstrates sustainability and comfort are possible to thrive together.

Golden 1 Center is stocked with industry-first innovations. The 100% solar energy solution demonstrates how the team intelligently uses region resources – Sacramento’s 300 days of sunshine. The arena utilizes the first implementation of a displacement ventilation system – an advanced, energy-efficient cooling system that enhances comfort and quality by adjusting the environment through vents at the seat level, instead of circulating high-volume forced air from the top of the arena. That system is complimented by the five hangar doors that open to take advantage of the region’s natural cooling phenomenon – the Delta Breeze. Green walls located on 1/3 of the arena’s exterior help reduce the urban heat island effect – making the 3-acre plaza more comfortable for visitors. At every turn, fans have a first-hand education about going green – and how you don’t have to sacrifice comfort or quality. The venue’s innovative solutions ensured that over 100,000 tons of waste were recycled through the Kings demolition process (representing almost 99 percent of the prior site,) a 40 percent reduction in annual water consumption, close the farm-to-court food cycle by diverting  organic materials from landfills, and solar energy will keep an estimated 2,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually out of the atmosphere – equivalent to emissions from approximately 4 million vehicle miles.

From fans to hundreds of teams that have toured the facility or the state legislature – where some of the globe’s most progressive climate policies are crafted – that sits six blocks away, Golden 1 Center showcases that green-thinking is within arm’s reach.   The Sacramento Kings aim to enhance the lives of those it touches, and by creating a global model of sustainability at Golden 1 Center, the team can demonstrate that everyone – fans, neighbors, and observers – all can have an impact on the environment.

‍If possible, provide qualitative or quantitative data that demonstrates the environmental or social impact of your project.

‍First LEED Platinum arena in the world We achieved 83 of a potential 110 points. 80 is the platinum threshold. Places arena in top 3% of ALL high performance buildings in the world.  98 percent of demolition materials were recycled. The total tonnage was over 100,000, which is roughly equivalent to nearly three years of recyclable material collected by the City of Sacramento (35,000 tons/year) or 50,000 cars (2 tons/per). 30+% regional and recycled content returned to the building.

100 percent of Golden 1 Center’s electricity will be derived from solar energy -- First true net zero arena – 365 days a year. Not just events. Nearly 2,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions will be kept out of the atmosphere each year, which is equivalent to the amount of emissions generated by over four million vehicle miles. 3,000 roof based panels generate over 1.2 million kilowatt hours per year. Urban smart grid system produces remainder of energy within 50 miles of the arena.   The arena’s downtown location reduces average miles traveled per attendee by 20 percent, cuts overall air emissions by 24 percent, and will reduce travel-related greenhouse gas emissions per attendee by 36 percent by 2020.  Advanced technology creates a 30 percent reduction in energy use over comparable facilities. The arena leverages energy efficiency strategies including LED lighting controls, green walls, heat recovery, enhanced ventilation through the large hangar entrance doors and other energy efficiency strategies to manage and conserve enough energy over the course of a year to power a 200,000 square foot office building. 90 percent of arena food/beverages is sourced within 150 miles – drastically reducing vehicle miles traveled, cutting the team’s carbon footprint.

The arena will save over two million gallons of water per year through the use of native and drought-resistant plants; smart landscaping strategies to reduce rainwater runoff; high-efficiency equipment and systems to reduce water usage; and low-flow plumbing fixtures. These features increase water efficiency and will save up to 35 to 40 percent annual water consumption – enough water to fill five Olympic swimming pools of water each year. The building features a future grey water tank built in, which will give us the opportunity to further enhance our water performance down the line. Five massive hangar doors allow the facility to take advantage of the region’s natural cooling phenomenon – the Delta Breeze – and reduce the energy needed to maintain guest comfort. They bi-fold and allow air to circulate through the arena passively.