by Brianna Crandall — February 6, 2015—A unique modeling tool developed at Portland State University with strategic funding from state-supported Oregon BEST is helping local green roof manufacturer Columbia Green Technologies speed adoption of green roofs to meet legislation aimed at reducing combined sewer overflows during heavy rains and thereby grow the Portland-based startup’s national market share.
The result of a research project led by Graig Spolek, a PSU professor and director of the Green Roof & Design Lab, the new tool demonstrates that local public-private cooperation between industries and academia can result in innovations to help solve global problems. In this case, the tool is helping promote the growing awareness that green roofs and other green infrastructure approaches can be used to address aging public infrastructure.
Columbia Green uses the tool when working with civil engineers and architects who need accurate, quantitative data about how much stormwater a green roof in a specific geographical location will both retain and detain. The company says the ability to generate specific, accurate data has opened doors to some of the best engineering and architecture firms in the country, and bolsters the company’s reputation as being “innovative and technologically very forward looking.”
Eric Zickler, an associate principal at AECOM, one of largest engineering firms in the world, said his firm uses many different tools to measure performance of their stormwater management infrastructure designs, but the Columbia Green tool stands out.
“Generally the calculators and modeling modules are generic and do not provide a high level of confidence in predicted performance,” Zickler said. “The green roof stormwater management tool developed by Columbia Green is specific to green roofs and developed using both theory and empirical data for multiple geographies across varying storm intensities, making it a valuable resource in building our confidence in the stormwater management benefits of green roofs.”
The new tool, which can generate data specific to geographic areas and weather patterns, also gives Columbia Green a competitive advantage when the company interacts with potential clients.
Columbia Green Technologies offers innovative green roof solutions for extensive, semi-intensive and intensive roof gardens. The company’s products were engineered to maximize stormwater retention and create an environment for optimal plant health while addressing the urban heat island effect and loss of habitat. Columbia Green partners with leading manufacturers of waterproofing materials to offer a complete, single-source warrantied solution for every type of roof construction, and supports low-impact development and LEED building.
