Sustainability 101: Project Systems and

Energy Impacts

Eric Oliver, PE, CEM, PresidentEMO Energy Solutions, LLC

www.emoenergy.com

NAIOP MD/DCMay 27, 2010

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Project Systems and Energy Impacts

Environmental Concerns Benchmarking with Energy Star Green Power Alternatives Energy Modeling and Analysis Commissioning Energy Performance Measurement

Energy Efficiency Overview

US Dept of Energy CBECS

Relationship between Energy and Environment

Generating kWh produces greenhouse gases

“In the U.S., 82 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions due to human activity is energy-related carbon dioxide. The buildings sector (residential and commercial) emits 35 percent of energy-related carbon, more than either the industrial or the transportation sectors.”

- Energy Information Administration

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Energy SourcesCO2 emissions/kWh produced

% of US electric generation mix

Petroleum 1.7 lb 3.5%

Coal 2.2 lb 52%

Natural Gas 1.1 lb 15%

Nuclear Electric 0.0 20%

Renewable Sources: Hydroelectric (3.90%) Solar (0.08%)Biomass (3.50%) Wind (0.01%)Geothermal(0.40%)

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Efficiency of the grid

Energy Conversion Losses from Source to Electricity • 40% - 62% is lost as waste heat at the generator• 3% - 8% is lost in the transmission of electricity• 1% - 2% is lost in the transformers

Benchmarking with Energy StarBuildings are rated on a 0-100 Scale

How does my building compare to other buildings?

• EPA Portfolio Manager online software tool• 12 consecutive months of energy consumption to

get a score• Normalized based on weather, occupant,

computers, functional breakdown… etc.• Compared to all other buildings of its type• Score of 75 or better gets Energy Star

https://www.energystar.gov/istar/pmpam/

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Green power Alternatives

Install renewable energy onsite Solar Wind

Purchase Green power

Using the sun• Passive vs Active

Passive ActiveUses the heat of the sun to offset fuel consumption

Uses photovoltaic process to convert sunlight to electricity

Low cost High cost

Needs heating end use Replaces purchased electricity

Can be 0-12 yr payback 20 – 35 yr payback without assistance

Variety of strategies Limited technologies

Renewable OpportunitiesPhotovoltaics (PV)

How a solar cell works:

http://www.eren.doe.gov/pv/pvmenu.cgi?site=pv&idx=1&body=aboutpv.html

Facts:• Enough sun hits 0.3% of the

land in the United States to supply all the electricity consumed in the U.S.

• The PV systems installed since 1988 in the developing world provide enough electricity to power 8 million homes.

Factors Affecting OutputA 1 kW solar panel does not generate 1 kW all of the time, and in fact may never generate 1 kW

• Geography• Positioning• Efficiencies

Under development

Wind Power• Where is there good wind?

10 kW wind turbineBergey 10kW BWC

Wind less expensiveSmall wind energy systems cost from $3,000 to $5,000 for every kilowatt of generating capacity.

(vs $6,000 - $8,000 for PV)

In a Class 3 area; 10 kW system will generate 16,000 kWh/yr and cost $32,000 to install

16,000 kWh x $0.12/kWh = $1,920/yr

$32,000 / $1,440 = 16.7 yrs (11.6 yr with 30% tax Credit)

But need a good wind resource – all wind is local

Green Power ProcurementPay for Green Supplied Power through your utility bill

Pepco: Green Power Connection (DC) http://www.pepco.com/home/choice/dc/greenpower/

Dominion: VA Green Power (VA) www.dom.com/dominion-virginia-power/customer-service/energy-conservation/green-power.jsp

BG&E: Energy Choice (MD) Choose your Green supplier

Clean Currents wind energy certificates

Green-e Certifier of wind energy suppliers RECs www.green-e.org

Saving Energy:Energy Modeling and Analysis

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What is Energy Modeling? Tool for smart, energy efficient design Predicts energy consumption of building every hour Uses basic engineering/heat flow/power equations

Conduction through walls/roof Solar gain through windows Calculation of all internal heat gains Thermal mass/time lag

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Benefits of Modeling

Benchmark building Quantify Energy

Breakdown Accurately model ECMs Model different rate

structures Assess impact of changes

in equipment and operations

LEED EA cr.

LightsCoolingHeatingPlugFansHot WaterMisc

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Modeling Inputs

Floorplans Elevations Window layouts Envelope specifics HVAC zoning Schedules Occupancy and Lighting

Density (Occ/sf, W/sf) Temperature and humidity

settings

Primary Lighting Schedule

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

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70%

80%

90%

100%

12:00

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11:00

AM

12:00

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1:00

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Classroom LTG Office LTG Corridor LTG

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Modeling Outputs

Annual energy consumption Monthly consumption Peak Demand and cooling

and heating loads End-use energy breakdown Loads by zone

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Run Alternate Simulations

Change parameters to simulate ECMs

Accounts for integrated effects of upgrades Cooling impact of lighting

upgrades Daylighting can be controlled by

fc level Run alternate with all ECMs,

avoid diversity factors Accounts for part load

performance

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Example: Compare insulation levels

Masonry w/wood framing “Design Wall” “Design option”Outside layer 4” brick 4” brick

1st layer 1”Air gap/furring 1”Air gap/furring

2nd layer 8” CMU 8” CMU

3rd layer R-13 polyiso insulation R-19 polyiso insulation

Inside layer Gypsum board Gypsum board

Energy consumption “Design Wall” “Design option”Total Electric 1,843,350 kWh 1,775,908 kWh

Total Natural gas 66,444 therms 62,300 therms

Total costs $213,045 $204,078

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How to use modeling as a tool

Model final design Final HVAC zoning Actual envelope/window

characteristics Actual lighting layouts per zone Actual equipment efficiencies Proposed schedules Proposed control strategies

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How to use modeling as a tool

Model Basecase

Design based on standard practices/requirements for purpose of comparison

LEED – basecase based on ASHRAE 90.1 minimum requirements for comparison Use same system types, occupancies, zoning

as design Minimum efficiency requirements for

equipment, LPD, motors, insulation, control strategies…

Modeled energy consumption 12% - 48% less than ASHRAE 90.1 basecase: 1 - 19 points

Saving Energy:CommissioningBuilding commissioning is the process of verifying, in new

construction, that all the subsystems for HVAC, Plumbing, Electrical, Lighting…etc. achieve the owner's project requirements as intended by the building owner and as designed by the building architects and engineers

has its roots in shipbuilding Good commissioning involves planning, coordination, and

proven efficient procedures.

LEED Commissioning addresses both Design oversight and Construction oversight

The Cost of Commissioning The budget for commissioning is commensurate with the

complexity of the system installed. ie. constant-volume system will cost less to commission than a

multi-zone variable-volume system. As a general rule of thumb, the commissioning effort will

be 1% - 7% of the project cost. Some of this is typically included in the

subcontractor's contracts; for example, the controls contractor should calibrate all instrumentation as part of his contract.

The Savings from Commissioning Why does commissioning save energy?

Reduces energy waste from improperly operating equipment Example: thermostats reading 1ºF high will cause chiller to run 5% more

than needed. Proper pre-occupancy commissioning can save 1% to 5% of energy

consumption

Energy Performance Measurement

• Submetering• Monitoring and Verification

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Questions?

EMO Energy Solutions, LLCwww.emoenergy.com