WindStax Energy Receives 2021-22 Hire Vets Award from US Secretary of Labor

Pittsburgh, PA – November 10, 2021

For the second year in a row, the US Department of Labor recognized WindStax Energy as a recipient of the HIRE Vets Medallion Gold Award. WindStax earned the Award after applying earlier this year. The Honoring Investments in Recruiting and Employing American Military Veterans Act (HIRE Vets Act) Medallion Program is the only federal award program that recognizes job creators at the federal level who successfully recruit, hire, and retain veterans.

According to WindStax CEO Ronald Gdovic, “By meeting the criteria required for this award, WindStax demonstrates a model of patriotism to be proud of. More importantly, we recognize and appreciate the value veterans bring to the workplace with a can-do, problem-solving attitude.”

WindStax joined 674 companies from 49 states in 2020, plus the District of Columbia, who have shown a commitment to hiring veterans, but also ensuring that they have a long-term career and growth plan that uses the diverse skills they acquired through their military service.

The HIRE Vets Medallion Award is based on a number of criteria, ranging from veteran hiring and retention to providing veteran-specific resources, leadership programming, dedicated human resources, and compensation and tuition assistance programs – with requirements varying for large, medium, and small employers.

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NAIOP Awards of Excellence received for Innovative Project of the Year

Pittsburgh, PA – November 22, 2021

The Commercial Real Estate Development Association the NAIOP of Northern Ohio recognized the new 113,000 SF PITT OHIO trucking terminal and warehouse in Parma, Ohio as a major award-winner. This premier facility is the first trucking terminal of its kind due to its sustainable energy system. This project won three NAIOP awards; Industrial Construction Project of the Year, Innovation Project of the Year, and Industrial Architectural Design of the Year.

This is the second trucking terminal to use a major wind and solar-based microgrid designed by WindStax Energy. The microgrid combines solar and wind energy with battery storage to power interior and exterior lighting throughout the terminal. Awarded several US patents, the high voltage DC distribution-to-the-fixture design uses renewable energy with maximum efficiency. Utility power is available seamlessly as a backup while excess renewable energy is returned to the grid.

Wind and solar production combined with massive energy storage allows the terminal to function autonomously, independent of the grid. This type of energy resilience and carbon offset is unprecedented in the trucking industry and a major competitive advantage for Pitt Ohio and its customers.

Congratulations to the project team: PITT OHIO, Rycon Construction, Oxford Development Company McGill Smith Punshon, Inc., BDA-Engineering, WindStax Energy, and PVE, LLC.

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Energy Resilience and Carbon Offset is a Boon to Trucking Company

Pittsburgh, PA – July 6, 2020

Pitt Ohio is a leader in regional and national logistics services and sustainability in the transportation industry. The company is an early adopter of advanced distributed energy resources (DER) using renewable energy at its terminals to help achieve its sustainability goals. Pitt Ohio’s terminal in Parma, Ohio applies best practices in LEED-certified construction and renewable energy production to its newest terminal. Limited renewable energy choices helped make the case for on-site generation.

In Ohio, only 2.5% of the state’s net electricity is generated by renewable energy. Coal fuels 58% of generation, natural gas fuels 24%, and nuclear energy accounts for another 15% (US EIA 2017). Building upon past experience, Pitt Ohio partnered with WindStax Energy to design and install a ZeroFirst® high voltage DC microgrid using PV and wind turbines to generate, store, and consume renewable energy on-site. Excess renewable energy is sent back to the utility when generation exceeds demand. This schema strikes a balance between self-consumption and net metering to reduce the facilities’ annual carbon footprint.

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WindStax to Provide Microgrid for Midwest Transportation Hub

Cleveland, OH – September 1, 2018

New trucking terminal integrates multiple distributed energy resources to leverage renewable energy in the Midwest commercial and industrial market.

WindStax Energy is driving the future of electricity with innovative commercial distributed energy resource (DER) systems. Today, they announced the company has been selected to design and build a microgrid at a new modern trucking terminal for PITT OHIO in Parma, Ohio.

The microgrid combines solar and wind energy with battery storage to power high voltage DC lighting throughout the facility. Excess energy is sent back to the grid while stored energy provides backup power during grid disturbances. Eight six-story-tall WindStax^® vertical wind turbines add 32kW to 495kW of solar panels and one MWh of battery storage. These renewable energy sources will be integrated with utility power using WindStax’s ZeroFirst® power control system.

“Our multifaceted microgrid projects begin with careful understanding of customer needs, traditional and renewable energy potential at every site,” said WindStax Energy CEO Ronald Gdovic. “Together, we have designed a system that will deliver cost savings and reliable energy to PITT OHIO’s trucking operations.”

“Our latest trucking terminal reflects our goal to be sustainability pioneers in the freight transportation industry,” said Justine Russo, Director of Sustainability and Business Intelligence at PITT OHIO. “PITT OHIO is excited to partner with innovators like WindStax to enable our implementation of renewable energy. The renewable energy microgrid in Parma is a critical part of PITT OHIO’s Triple Bottom Line sustainability strategy around People Planet and Purpose.”

Construction has commenced and is expected to finish in the Summer 2019. Read more about the project at Microgrid Knowledge

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WindStax CEO Wins Mayor’s Award for Public Art

Pittsburgh, PA – May 8, 2018

Pittsburgh Mayor Peduto chooses artwork by artist Andrea Polli and Ron Gdovic of WindStax^®

Pittsburgh Mayor William Peduto announced today that Energy Flow – the bridge lighting artwork that took over the Rachel Carson Bridge from November 2016 – April 2018 is the winner of the 2018 Mayor’s Award for Public Art, an award from City of Pittsburgh Mayor Peduto and Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council with the Office of Public Art. Ron Gdovic, Founder and CEO of WindStax Energy received the award, a blown glass bowl by Pittsburgh-based glass artist Lyla Nelson, in a ceremony during the Annual Convening of the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council.

Energy Flow was commissioned by the Pittsburgh Bicentennial Steering Committee as a result of a national call for bridge lighting ideas. Over 27,000 multicolored LED lights positioned along the bridge’s vertical cables showed a real-time visualization of wind speed and direction as captured by a weather station on the bridge. The electricity needed to power Energy Flow was generated by 16 wind turbines attached to the catenary arches of the bridge. Energy Flow’s wind turbines and microgrid system were engineered and installed by Pittsburgh-based WindStax.

The Mayor’s Award for Public Art was established in 2007 to recognize the important work by artists, neighborhoods, architects, and developers to improve the quality of the built environment in Pittsburgh. The award acknowledges the power of public art to benefit the City economically, socially, and aesthetically, and to celebrate those who are most committed to supporting this important element of our arts community. A public call for nominations was managed by the Office of Public Art, and Mayor William Peduto selected the winner.

 Energy Flow was selected as it demonstrates the strength and power of bringing together our most creative minds in partnership. Mayor William Peduto asserted: “The project is the perfect marriage of art and science and a fitting tribute to the legacy of innovation in Pittsburgh.”

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WindStax President co-leads CEOs for Sustainability to Advance Economic and Social Prosperity

Pittsburgh, PA – June 20, 2017

WindStax^® and other Pittsburgh Region corporate leaders know sustainability is good for business and quality of life. Launches CEOs for Sustainability

Recognizing the strong link between business sustainability performance, financial performance, and regional quality of life, CEOs from throughout the Pittsburgh region have established the CEOs for Sustainability executive council. The effort is Co-chaired by WindStax Energy Founder and CEO Ron Gdovic and Covestro LLC President Jerry MacCleary.

CEOs for Sustainability was founded to provide a forum for CEOs of the region’s leading companies to share best sustainable business practices and collaborate in growing the ranks of those around the region that enjoy the benefits of a triple bottom line — for people, planet, and profits. The CEOs recognize that prosperous businesses are the foundation of a successful, strong region.

The vision: CEOs for Sustainability is exemplary executive leadership and collaboration to drive positive change in the region. By demonstrating responsibility and creativity in the use of precious resources (human, natural, energy, capital, and materials), we ensure enduring economic and social prosperity for our businesses and for our regional community.

CEOs for Sustainability is an outcomes-based leadership network. The group is facilitated by Bill O’Rourke, the former Vice President of Sustainability, Environment, Health and Safety at Alcoa and a former Sustainable Pittsburgh Board Chair. Sustainable Pittsburgh provides staffing coordination in concert with its Champions for Sustainability business network. To find out more about participation visit CEOs for Sustainability.

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Energy Flow honored as exemplary public art work by Americans for the Arts

Pittsburgh, PA – June 16, 2017

Energy Flow – a dynamic lighting display spanning the Allegheny River in Pittsburgh installed and powered by WindStax^® wins national public arts honor.

Image by Dave DiCello

Americans for the Arts today honors 49 outstanding public art projects created in 2016 through the Public Art Network Year in Review program, the only national program that specifically recognizes the most compelling public art. Chosen by a jury from 325 entries representing communities across the country, the roster of winning projects was unveiled at Americans for the Arts’ 2017 Annual Convention in San Francisco.

Three independent public art experts presented their choices for the most exemplary, innovative permanent or temporary public art works created or debuted in 2016. The artworks selected for Year in Review can be seen on this page. This is the 16th year that Americans for the Arts has recognized public artworks.

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