Revision0 September2016

2016ENERGYREPORT

MarkJ.Ferguson,P.E.CampusOperations&PlantManager

 

 2016 Energy Report

    

1Revision0 September2016

Table of Contents

ExecutiveSummary..................................................................2

UtilitiesOverview......................................................................3

AvoidedCost................................................................................4

CarbonFootprint.......................................................................5

BenchmarkingColoradoCollege.........................................6

Benchmarking Educational Facilities.................................9

Benchmarking Residential Facilities...............................10

Benchmarking Support Facilities......................................11

UtilityRates...............................................................................12

2016SustainabilityProjects..............................................13

2017SustainabilityProjects..............................................16

 

 2016 Energy Report

 

2Revision0 September2016

Executive Summary

TheFacilitiesServicesDepartmentatColoradoCollege(CC)iscommittedtotakingactiontomeettheCollege’scarbongoals.ThestewardshipofresourcesandutilitiesmanagementisoneoftheprimarystrategicinitiativesoftheTechnicalServicesDepartment.InFY16,CCexperienceda3.1%decreaseinenergyconsumption.Since2008campusenergyintensitypersquarefoothasdecreased25.8%.Cumulativeavoidedcostsforutilitiesareestimatedtobenearly$4.0Msincethe2008baselineyear.Notableaccomplishmentsfor2016are:

Cost – The College experience cost reductions in each utility area. A significantportion of the annual utilities budget was returned to support other missionessentialservicesandfunctions.

RenewableEnergyProduction‐Thisyear7.5%oftheelectricityusedoncampuswasproducedfromsolar.3.9%oftheelectricityconsumedwasproducedfromoncampusrenewableenergyplatforms.

Recognitions – In 2015, Colorado College achieved a gold rating from theAssociation for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (ASHEE)SustainabilityTracking,Assessment,andRatingsSystem(STARS).

2016SustainabilityProjects–ThisyearCCcompleteda largequantityofprojectswiththepurposeofsupportingcampusenergyefficiencygoals.Completedprojectsinclude the conversion to LED lighting in many facilities on campus, studentinstallation of PV solar at the Baca Campus, and sustainable design for the TuttLibraryProject. Repairsweremadetothepoolandcentralcoolingplantreducingwater consumption by approximately 4.1M gallons for 2016. More detail on thisyear’scompletedprojectsbeginsonpage13ofthisreport.

2017SustainabilityProjects–Wehaveanexcitinglistofprojectsonthehorizonforfiscal year 17. Projects include sustainable design for the East Campus HousingProject, continued LED lighting retrofits, and continued energy efficiencyimprovementsattheCentralPlant.Moredetailontheseprojectsbeginsonpage16ofthisreport.

 

 2016 Energy Report

    

3Revision0 September2016

Utilities Overview

Forthe2016academicyear,ColoradoCollege’smaincampusenergyrelatedcharacteristicswere:

o Approximately2,034,520squarefeet(SF)ofspaceo Approximately95acresoflando 162Buildings

Forthe2016academicyear,ColoradoCollege’smaincampusenergyperformance

statisticswere:

o Energyuseaveraged78.1kBtupersquarefoot(SF) 3.1%decreaseoverpreviousyear 7.5%ofelectricityfromrenewablesources

o Energycostsaveraged$0.82perSF 11.9%decreaseoverpreviousyear $4.0Minavoidedcostssince2008

o MTCO2emissionsfromenergyuseaveraged0.0090MTCO2eperSF 3.6%increaseoverpreviousyear 25.8%decreasesince2008

 

 2016 Energy Report

 

4Revision0 September2016

Avoided Cost

Thecumulativecampusutilitycostavoidancecomparedtothecampusbaselineof2008isestimatedat$4.0M. Theavoidedcost for the2016academicyear is estimatedat$706K.Thesenumbersreflectcombinedutilitysavings,which includeavoidedelectricity,naturalgas,water,andwastewatercosts. Belowisagraphicalrepresentationofoverallavoidedutilitycosts(areainblue).

 

 2016 Energy Report

    

5Revision0 September2016

Carbon Footprint

ColoradoCollege’scommitmenttobecomecarbonneutralstemsfromtheCollege’ssigningof the Presidents’ Climate Commitment in early 2009. The College’s carbon footprint, in2008, from energy use is estimated at 24,437metric tons of CO2 (MTCO2). Since 2008,ColoradoCollegehasmadesteadyprogresstowarditscarbonneutralitygoal.For2016,theCollege’scarbonemissionsfromenergyuseareestimatedat18,382MTCO2forareductionof24.8%comparedtothe2008baseline.Thisyearcarbonemissionsincreasedduetotheexpiration of the College’s wind purchasing agreement. These measurements assume aconsistentColoradoSpringsUtilities(CSU)fuelmixandincludeemissionsaschartedbelow:

 

 2016 Energy Report

 

6Revision0 September2016

Benchmarking Colorado College

ColoradoCollege has closelymonitored anddocumentedoverall campus energy and costintensity since 2008. For reference, the Association of Physical Plant Administrators(APPA),whorepresentsthelargestinternationalassociationofeducationalinstitutionsandtheir facilities departments, list the 2014 average energy intensity for higher educationfacilitiesat130kBtu/SF/Yr.APPAliststheaverageutilitiescostpersquarefootat$2.46/SF. The chart illustrates that CC’s performance far exceeds both figureswith an averageenergy intensity of 78kBtu/SF/Yr and energy cost of $0.82/SF. The chart confirmsCC’ssustaineddeclineinbothenergycostandconsumption(use).

One factor that is unclear is what effect CC’s block plan has on our overall energy useintensity. Theblock is thought to requiremore educational spacebecause all spaces areused simultaneously. For comparison, the following annual kBtu/SF/Yr numbers werecalculatedusingthemostrecentASHEESTARSdataatcomparableinstitutions:

ColbyCollege 144kBtu/SF 12/2014data ColgateUniversity 161kBtu/SF 07/2013data MiddleburyCollege 137kBtu/SF 05/2014data PomonaCollege 114kBtu/SF 10/2015data UniversityofDenver 104kBtu/SF 02/2016data UniversityofColoradoBoulder 144kBtu/SF 09/2014data WilliamsCollege 148kBtu/SF 02/2016data

 

 2016 Energy Report

 

7Revision0

Thechartabovebreaksdownexpensesbyutilitycommodity.Themostnotableinformationis the continued pressure on water rates and the sustained trend of reduction inconsumptionineachutility.Thechartsbelowgivemoredetailontheserelationships.

 

 2016 Energy Report

 

8Revision0 September2016

This is the fourth year for energy benchmarking at the building level. In 2011, thermalmetering was installed. Thermal metering has enabled CC to measure the amount ofheating and cooling energy flowing from the central plant to respective buildings. Thefollowingchartsaretheresultofbuildinglevelthermalandelectricalmetering.

 2016 Energy Report

9Revision0 September2016

Benchmarking Educational Facilities

 2016 Energy Report

10Revision0 September2016

Benchmarking Residential Facilities

 2016 Energy Report

11Revision0 September2016

Benchmarking Support Facilities

 

 2016 Energy Report

 

12Revision0 September2016

Utility Rates

CChasmadesignificantimprovementsinreducingutilityconsumptionsince2008.Becauseof these improvements, total costs are relatively unchanged evenwith increases inmostutilityrates.Thechartsbelowshowthevariationincommodityratesperunitexperiencedby CC since 2008. Electricity and water rate increases have seen larger than expectedupwardpressure.Naturalgascostshavedeclinedduetomarketconditions.

InJulyof2016theETLelectricratewhichaccountsformostofthebuildingssquarefootageatCC increased12%. On January1st,2017weareexpectingColoradoSpringsUtilities tochangeratesasfollows:

Electric12%increase(ETLrate) Water6%increase Wastewater4%increase

 

2016 Energy Report 

   

13Revision0 September2016

2016 Sustainability Projects

BacaPVSolarProjectStatus:CompleteProjectDescription:TheBacaPVsolarprojectisnearlycomplete.Thisprojectisdesignedtoprovidemorepower than isconsumedat theBacaCampus. Theproject isahandsonopportunityforstudentstolearnaboutrenewableenergy.ThepicturebelowisofstudentswhoparticipatedintheseconddayofinstallationaspartofearlynewstudentorientationAugust2016.ProjectHighlights:

Studentinstalled 2–15.5kWPVarrays

 

2016 Energy Report 

14Revision0 September2016

SchlessmanPoolWaterConservationProjectStatus:CompleteProject Description: The Schlessman pool water conservation project reduced waterconsumptionatthepool.Ourbenchmarkingeffortshaverevealedthatthepoolconsumedmore than760,000cubic feet (CF)ofwaterduring the2015academicyear. Evaporationcalculationsestimatedtheannualconsumptionfromevaporationforthepooltobe~57,000CF. FacilitiesServicesperformedextensivetestingandmaderepairstothepoolpipingtocorrect the problem. For the 2016 academic yearwater consumption on themeter thatserves the pool and central cooling plant water consumption has been reduced byapproximately4.1Mgallons.

TuttLibraryDesignReview

ProjectStatus:CompleteProject Description: The Tutt Library design review project was a continuous effort toensure the owners project requirements are accurately captured in the building’s designdocuments.ThenewTuttLibraryistobeabuildingwhosedesignteachescriticallessonsabouthowtocreateandsustainhealthy,productive,andflexiblestudent,staff,andfacultyspaces.ThepurposeofthisprojectistomakesurethatthedesignmeetsColoradoCollege’sinnovative high performance standards. High performance at Colorado College meansachieving the optimal balance between maximizing building performance and occupantcomfort while minimizing operational life cycle cost, energy consumption and carbonemissions. Achieving high performance design requires collaboration and integratedsolutionsfromeachdisciplineofthedesignteamandownercollaborationthroughoutthedesignprocess.ProjectHighlights:TheTuttLibraryProjecthighperformancedesigngoalistoachievethefollowinglevelsofsustainablebuildingperformanceinthenewlibrary.

NetBuildingEnergyUse=0kBtu/SF/Yrorless NetCarbonEmission=0MTCO2e/Yrorless AnnualEnergyCost=$0.50/SF/Yrorless TotalBuildingEnvelopePerformance(U)=.05orless IndoorAirQuality=700PPMCO2orlessduringoccupiedtimes OccupantComfort=±2°Forlessfromsetpoint ArtificialLighting=.3W/SForless BuildingPowerFactor=notlessthan0.95laggingattheutilitymeter A building that educates occupants about its sustainable features and how to

properlyusethem. Abuildingthatsupportscampusrecyclingpractices.

EastCampusHousingDesignProjectStatus:CompleteProject Description: The east campus housing design project is the production ofmechanicalandplumbingdesigndocumentsforeastcampushousingprojectconsistingof5separatestructures. Thedesignsarebeingcompletedin‐housebytheFacilitiesTechnical

 

2016 Energy Report 

   

15Revision0 September2016

ServicesDepartmentandincludeapremiumefficiencygeo‐exchangeheatpumpsystemforbuildingheating.

HonnenFirmNaturalGasTransportationProjectStatus:CompleteProjectDescription:TheHonnenfirmnaturalgastransportationprojectisachangeinthewaywebuynaturalgasforourHonnenIceArena.PreviouslywepurchasednaturalgasatHonnen Ice Arena on an interruptible rate meaning Colorado Springs Utilities can stopnatural gas delivery to us at any time. When this happens,Honnen IceArena iswithoutheat.Thisprojectmovesusfrominterruptibleservicetofirmservicemeaningourservicecannotbeinterrupted.ForthisprojecttheCollegeutilizeditsexistingcontracttopurchasenaturalgasfromCenterPointeEnergy.ProjectHighlights:

Firmnaturalgassupply Utilizesexistingcapacity

MonthlyBuildingAutomationReviewProjectStatus:OngoingProjectDescription: Themonthlybuildingautomationreviewprojectisaperiodicreviewwithstakeholderstoreviewbuildingperformancethroughthebuildingautomationsystemandmakeadjustmentsasneeded.Thisperiodicreviewisusedtocommissionnewprojects,troubleshootcontrolsissues,andretro‐commissionbuildingsthatarenotoperatingattheirpeakefficiency.

ElPomarEfficiencyUpgradesProjectStatus:OngoingProjectDescription:TheElPomarenergyefficiencyupgradesprojectincludeslightingandcontrols retrofits to improve building energy efficiency. El Pomar is one of the mostexpensive facilitiesoncampus forelectricityaveragingover$0.15/kWhmaking it agreatopportunityforefficiencyupgrades.SofarwehavecompletedLEDlightingretrofitsintheauxiliary gym, squash, and racket ball courts. These retrofits reduced lighting energyconsumptionbymorethan70%intheseareas.ThisyearwehavecompletedtheadditionofoccupancysensorsthatcontroltheHVACsystemoperationinlargespaces.

CampusLEDLightingUpgradesProjectStatus:OngoingProject Description: The campus LED lighting upgrade project is an ongoing project toreplace lightingoncampuswithmoreefficientLEDlighting. Thisproject leveragesutilityrebatestoassistwiththerestorationandreplacementofcampuslighting.ProjectHighlights:

Takesadvantageofutilityrebates Improveslightinglevels Reducesenergyconsumption

 

2016 Energy Report 

16Revision0 September2016

2017 Sustainability Projects

ElPomarElectricalServiceUpgradesProjectStatus:CompleteProjectDescription:TheElPomarelectricalserviceupgradesprojectwillsplitthebuildingselectrical service. Due to demand at El Pomar the building experiences rates as high as$0.18/kWhwhichismorethandoublethecampusaverageof$0.085/kWh.Thebuildingsuseprofileisuniquebecauseitspeakdemandoccursbetween4pmand10pmduringthewinterwhichisanon‐peakperiod.Duringthistimestudentareutilizingthefitnesscenterandthefieldlights.AddingmetersandmovethefacilityfromtheETLratetotheE2Cratewhich does not charge for demand. The project will yield approximately a 3 to 5 yearpayback.ProjectHighlights:

Reducesenergycosts

CampusControlsUpgradesPhase2ProjectStatus:ConstructionProject Description: This project is phase 2 of a 3 phase project to replace obsoletecontrols on campus with the latest platform of direct digital controls. The updatedcontrols allow the College to apply more sophisticated logic and manage energyconsumptionmore closely. In addition to updating controls, the project allowsmorespace for archiving data and alarms. This data is essential for benchmarkingcontinuousoperationalimprovements.

CentralPlantControlsUpgradePhase2ProjectStatus:ConstructionProjectDescription: Thecentralplant controlsupgradephase2projectwill improve theautomation of the central plant heating operation. The controls work includes addingcontrolsandsystemlogictoenableremotestartingandautomatetemperaturemodulationof the high temperature hot water generators and distribution system pumps. Thesecontrolsoptimize centralheatingplant reliability andefficiency. Theprojectwill expandalarms for safety allowing the plant to be controlled remotely and left unmanned forextendedperiodsbeyondjustthesummer.Theextendedperiodsoftimewillallowcentralplant operators time to perform maintenance activities on the distribution system andrespondtoafter‐hoursemergenciesoncampus.ProjectHighlights:

Improvescentralplantefficiency Improvessystemreliability Improvesafterhoursresponsetocampusemergencies

 

2016 Energy Report 

   

17Revision0 September2016

CutlerHVACSystemReplacementProjectStatus:DesignProject Description: This project will replace the existing heating, ventilation and airconditioning (HVAC) systems at Cutler Hall. Currently Cutler utilizes steam for heatingprovided from Bemis Hall. The system does not have good zone control, so as a resultoccupants are often too hot or too cold. The new system will utilize a new variablerefrigerant flow heat pump system to maximize occupant comfort and efficiency whilemaintainingthehistoriccharacteristicsofthebuilding. Thesystemwillalsohelpsupportrenovationtorepurposethesecondfloorofthefacility.ProjectHighlights:

Improvedsystemreliability&efficiency Improvedoccupantcomfort

BarnesRepair1st&3rdFloorHeatingPiping

ProjectStatus:PlanningProjectDescription:Barnesrepair1st&3rdfloorpipingisthethirdphaseofpipingrepairsin Barnes Science Center. The project includeswork toweld leaky Victaulic fittings andreplacepneumaticcontrolsonthe1st&3rdfloor.Theprojectsavesenergybecausetheoldpiping must be maintained at higher operating temperatures through the summer topreventleaking.Weldingthepipingwillallowheatingsystemtemperaturestobesetbackinthesummer.ProjectHighlights:

Summerenergysavings Improvedsystemreliability Improvedoccupantcomfort

CentralPlantWaterConservation&HeatRecoveryProjectStatus:PlanningProject Description: The central plant water conservations & heat recovery project willwork to optimizewater use and heat recovery at the central plant. Currentlywe utilizedomesticwatertocoolthebearingsonourcentralhightemperaturehotwaterpumps.Thisprojectwouldautomatetheflowofwatertothesepumpsandlookatrecoveringheatfromthiswater.Therecoveredheatcouldbesenttoeitherthelowtemperatureheatinglooporthechilledwater loopduringtheheatingseason. Theprojectwillalso lookatrecoveringheatfromtheicerinkcoolingtower.ProjectHighlights:

Improvescentralplantefficiency Reduceswateruseandcost

 

2016 Energy Report 

18Revision0 September2016

CornerstoneRetro‐CommissioningProjectStatus:PlanningProjectDescription: TheCornerstoneretro‐commissioningprojectwillreducetheoverallenergy intensity at Cornerstone Arts Center. The project is to evaluate the operation ofbuilding systems and return them to the intended design parameters. From thereadditional savingsopportunitieswillbe identifiedandpursued tomaximize thebuildingsenergyperformance.Currentlythebuildingutilizeslargequantitiesofoutsideair.Aspartof thisprojectwewill attempt tominimize theamountof conditionedair that leaves thebuildingwhenindoorairqualityisatacceptablelevels.Inmanycasescommissioningworkalsoimprovesoccupantcomfort.

FineArtsCenterEnergyAuditandCommissioningProjectStatus:PlanningProject Description: The Fine Arts Center energy audit and commissioning project willevaluateandproposeprojectsforreducingtheoverallenergyintensity,associatedcarbonemissions, and cost at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College. Theevaluation will study both utility supply and demand opportunities. The project willevaluatetheoperationofbuildingsystemsandcompletemakeminorsystemadjustmentsasneeded.