O2 Group Ventures Awarded the Sustainable Energy Project of the Year
O2 Group Ventures was awarded the North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association’s (NCSEA) Sustainable Energy Project of the Year in Building Performance/Energy Efficiency Award for its work on the Lovill House Inn project in Boone, N.C. This award is given to a business that has demonstrated professional excellence, uncompromising ethical standards, and has truly made a lasting positive impact on NC’s clean energy economy. Below are excerts from an interview with CEO Joel Olsen.
What goals did O2 Group Ventures have for its work on the Lovill House Inn?
The Lovill House Inn is a historic property where the charter for what is now Appalachian State was written. The goal of this renovation project was to preserve the history of a commercial property while modernizing its amenities and comfort and lowering its operating costs. Installing sustainable energy systems in new construction and renovations do not have to be a sacrifice, nor does it need to be expensive. We wanted to demonstrate that investing in solar, storage, and energy efficiency can increase revenues and decrease costs for commercial properties.
What does it mean for O2 Group Ventures to be recognized for its work on the Lovill House Inn?
We are honored that NCSEA awarded O2 Group Ventures the Sustainable Energy Project of the Year in Building Performance/Energy Efficiency Award for its work on the Lovill House Inn. This award will benefit all of the North Carolina based small businesses that were involved with the project. To hear our suppliers and sub-contractors say, “I worked on the Lovill House Inn project” or “I learned something new about sustainable energy and energy efficiency while working on the Lovill House Inn project” makes us proud. I believe this Project will be a solid reference for our partners future business.
What do you think the Lovill House Inn receiving the Sustainable Energy Project of the Year Award means to the Town of Boone?
On December 15th, 2016, Boone was one of the first towns in the Country to adopt a Clean Energy resolution that committed to:
Climate neutrality in municipal operations by 2030
Transition municipal operations to 100% clean renewable energy by 2040
Transition the entire town of Boone to 100% clean renewable energy by 2050
This project, that took place on an 11 acre luxury commercial property located just a ½ mile from downtown Boone, demonstrates that not only the municipal government has committed to Boone’s Clean Energy Resolution, but the private sector is embracing its goals as well. It is the first luxury commercial property in the Town and most likely that state, that is able to operate independently from the electric grid (Off-grid) using solar, batteries, energy efficiency and even micro-hydro power. It highlights the Town of Boone’s sustainability goals, and we hope the Lovill House Inn project will convince other commercial properties of the benefits of investing in sustainable energy solutions for their facilities.
