Pilot energy budgets
After executing the aforementioned strategy related to sharing energy consumption information with a much broader audience, implement a pilot wherein energy costs are pushed to the budgets of appropriate departments/ units. Savings could be shared between the departments/units and Facilities Management. This is currently only feasible for electricity consumption; steam/chilled water would need to be distributed based on square footage.
Create a living lab at University Village
In new residential buildings, consider creating a living lab. A portion of which might include meters at the outlet level: consumption data could be used on the academic side to study human behavior, use of new technologies aimed at energy conservation, and other new facets of sustainable living.
Utilities Master Plan
In the Electrical Volume of the 2015 UNK Utilities Master Plan, Appendix F, Chart 2 (Aggressive Reduction of Energy Consumption) and Chart 3 (Approaching Net Zero) include excellent high-level strategies for possible energy conservation. In all cases, these strategies should be considered and further evaluated, including a cost/benefit analysis, before implementation.
2015 UNK Utilities Master Plan, Appendix F, Chart 2:
Aggressive (50%) Reduction of Energy Consumption - Strategies to Consider
| Strategy |
Potential Energy
Impact (kBtu/ft2/yr) |
| Superior Envelope Performance |
7 - 10 |
| Daylight Harvesting with Dimming Controls |
1 - 2 |
| Demand Control Ventilation |
1 - 3 |
| Reduced Duct Friction Rate |
0.5 - 1 |
| Green Roof |
0.5 - 1 |
| Reduced LPD - .75% W/ft2 |
1 - 2 |
| Improved Light Source Efficiency, i.e. LED |
1 - 2 |
| Auto/Integrated Lighting Control |
0.5 - 1 |
| Occupancy Control of HVAC/Ventilation |
1 - 2 |
| Solar Heating for Building and Domestic Water |
1 - 2 |
| Dedicated Outside Air System w/ Total Energy Recovery |
2 - 4 |
| Chilled Beams (Active and Passive) |
1 - 2 |
| Under Floor Air Distribution |
1 - 2 |
Evaluate steam/chilled water meters
Consistently re-evaluate whether or not building-by-building steam/chilled water meters would be of any value. To date, UNK can only primarily identify a building’s electricity profile. Before pursuing this strategy, UNK’s Johnson Controls system should be fully utilized so that all relevant meters are on the system. Determining the full energy profile of a building will help determine which buildings need more attention and which do not.
Install building controls
Where high quality energy controls do not exist, install them. Ensure systems are only on when needed. This may require a building-by-building review with building managers (facilities) and building users.
Secondary IT strategies include the following:
- IT Guidelines. Develop and disseminate Green IT Guidelines (see UNO’s as a good reference) that instruct all colleges/departments on proper guidelines for conserving typical plug load energy. Create a strong education and engagement campaign around these guidelines to ensure wide adoption.
- Smart strips. Pilot smart power strips and deploy them more broadly (if appropriate) following the pilot.
- Desktop settings. Change to “plugged in” from “AC” or “on battery.” Doing so lowers the power draw of the computer.
- Thin Clients. In the short-term, upgrade to thin clients to replace existing classroom/lab computers. For users that will not transition to a mobile device in the short-term (a primary strategy), consider thin clients.
- Reallocation of Devices. Actively manage and re-deploy devices (primarily desktops, laptops, mobile devices) that are “replaced” with newer machines. Rather than allowing the user to retain the device, deploy it to a new user so he or she does not need to buy a new device as well.
Hire an energy manager
UNK might face difficulty creating and filling an energy manager position within the immediate future, but eventually having one on staff will enable the university to successfully implement energy strategies and achieve its energy-related sustainability goals. Verdis Group strongly believes this position would pay for itself through cost savings.
Analyze mechanical system replacement
When equipment fails and the process for analyzing its replacement is underway, fully examine the incremental cost to purchase the most efficient equipment on the market. Conduct a payback analysis on that marginal cost increase. Time limitations are often a challenge when conducting this analysis. As such, proactively prepare for the failure of equipment by pulling together some of the information that will be needed to conduct the analysis.
Replace filters
Institutionalize/formalize the excellent filter replacement program that is currently in place.
Assess building control scheduling
Ensure HVAC schedules accurately correspond with building occupancy. Ensure systems are only on when needed. This may require a building-by -building review with building managers (facilities) and building users. A special focus should be on reducing building energy demand during the summer when very few classes are held and not many faculty are present (Academic buildings may not need to be fully “on” during the summer). The energy manager position referenced above is critical to the implementation of this strategy.
Install a swimming pool cover
Swimming pools lose energy in a variety of ways, but evaporation is by far the largest source of energy loss. Evaporating water requires tremendous amounts of energy. It only takes 1 Btu (British thermal unit) to raise 1 pound of water 1 degree, but each pound of 80ºF water that evaporates takes a whopping 1,048 Btu of heat out of the pool. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, savings of 50% to 75% are possible by installing a cover.
Perform building envelope audits
Create and implement a more formal program to conduct building envelope audits with a focus on achieving superior envelope performance. One focus area is addressing door and window issues. These activities are occurring more and more often as of late with a general cycle where the carpenter and painting crews conduct audits. Where possible and needed, they are replacing door closers and adjusting doors and getting thresholds sealed appropriately. In some cases, complete entry replacements are occurring. Window seals are also being assessed. Per the 2015 UNK Utilities Master Plan, superior envelope performance has a potential energy impact of 7-10 kBtu/ft2/yr.
Expand infrared thermography
Continue expanding the infrared thermography program to assess building envelopes.
Consider a Building Automated System-based Power Demand Limiting strategy
Per the 2015 UNK Utilities Master Plan, pursue a detailed study of the potential for a BAS-based Power Demand Limiting strategy to identify if it is a valid tool for UNK to pursue in the future to help reduce its energy costs. Couple this strategy with a peak demand reduction communication and engagement campaign:
Deploy timers and automatic shut offs
Deploy timers and automatic shut offs for situations in which plug load equipment could be turned off during unoccupied hours.
Move all vending machines indoors
When vending machines, especially beverage machines, are subject to the heat and humidity of the summer, they must work much harder to keep beverages cool - thus unnecessarily using more energy than they would if they were indoors.
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