Steinway Installs World's Largest Solar (Heating &) Cooling System

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://sev.prnewswire.com/music/20090124/NE6223524012009-1.html

Steinway Installs World's Largest Solar Cooling System

LONG ISLAND CITY, N.Y., Jan. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- With more than 11 acres of factory operations housed in a cluster of century-old buildings in Queens, Steinway & Sons is keenly aware of the need for energy-saving technology to power its piano manufacturing processes. That's one reason the 156-year-old company has installed the largest solar-powered rooftop system in the world to provide cool air to dehumidify the factory and protect the precision pianos inside. The $875,000 solar system is partly funded through a grant from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, and through federal tax credits. It will function as a beta site for the tri-state area.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090124/NE62235 )

"It's critical that we find energy-efficient ways to dehumidify our plant, and the solar panels are the answer," said Bill Rigos, Facilities Manager at the Steinway & Sons factory in Queens.

The system, which will be completed in late spring, pumps solar-heated water into an 80-ton double-effect absorption chiller that serves as a heat exchanger. The chiller removes the superheated water and leaves cool air for dehumidifying. Lower humidity in the factory provides a more stable environment, with no moisture to threaten the precision construction of the famed Steinway pianos. In winter, the system will convert water to steam to heat the factory.

"Steinway has always been an innovative and progressive company; it's part of the company's culture," said Andrew Horbachevsky, Steinway's Vice President of Manufacturing. "This begins with a bold vision. Our objective is to continue to challenge the status quo, whether in piano performance and quality, product offerings or factory operational efficiency. Using renewable energy sources reflects this same sensibility."

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[WhiteTara]

1. and so it begins

I hope we see this story again and again all over this country and through out the world.

[DCKit]

2. There is no doubt the initial investment was HUGE....

But I wish they'd printed the expected ROI to give people some perspective.

K&R for excellent news from an excellent company in a progressive state.

[quidam56]

3. Bye bye King Coal !!!

I can hope can't I ??? http://www.wisecountyissues.com

[givemebackmycountry]

4. I was born on Steinway Street in Astoria, Queens in 1955

When I got to be like 8 or 9 I used to walk down to where the factory was.
Huge men, wrestling even bigger pieces of wood into shapes that could only be described as works of art.
No a/c in the summer time so the doors were wide open, and at lunchtime the men would sit outside and eat their lunches and down iced beer in bottles.
They spoke in words I couldn't understand, like my Grandmother they too were German, most likely immigrants.

The first time I heard someone playing a Steinway inside, I understood that these men were true masters of their craft.

It's one of those childhood memories that are burned into my soul.

[Lerkfish]

5. what a beautiful post! I wish I could recommend just this post

it spoke to me on many levels...thanks for sharing