ENERGY AND WATER ANNUAL REPORT - Sustainability · 2021. 1. 6. · PROJECT COST ESTIMATED ANNUAL COST AVOIDED ... combustion turbine generator (CTG) which generates 5.5 MW of electricity,

2020 STRATEGIC ENERGY AND WATER

ANNUAL REPORT

2 NC STATE UNIVERSITY

Energy and water are among NC State’s most necessary and costly expenses. For more than a decade, the university’s campus-wide energy management strategies have enabled significant conservation of vital fiscal and environmental resources. This report provides an update on campus progress toward utility reductions, highlights specific projects and outlines strategies for the next fiscal year that will contribute to further reductions.

SAMPLING OF PROJECTS COMPLETED DURING FISCAL YEAR 2020

PROJECT COST

ESTIMATED ANNUAL COST AVOIDED

Holiday Energy Savings Initiatives $20,000 $380,000

Recommissioning - Alumni Center, Engineering Buildings II and III $345,000 $250,000

Main Campus Exterior LED (Partnership with Capital Project Management)$384,000 - ($2 million total budget)

$123,000

Chiller Pump Replacements - Cates and Yarbrough Utility Plants $115,000 $40,000

Whole-Building LED - Biltmore-Robertson and Pulp & Paper $302,000 $34,000

Building Audits: Envelope Study - Schaub Hall, Terry Vet Center $90,000 $30,000

ULT Freezer Rebate Program - Academic Departments $64,000 $11,000

Whole Building LED - CBC Utility Plant $60,000 $8,000

LED High Bay Lighting - Centennial Campus Utility Plant $55,000 $8,000

Events2HVAC Expansion - David Clark Labs, Engineering Buildings II and II, Kamphoefner $11,000 $7,500

Dairy Plant Washer Upgrade - Schaub Creamery $4,000 $2,500

LED Lighting - Softball Batting Cages $9,000 $1,000

32020 STRATEGIC ENERGY AND WATER ANNUAL REPORT

HIGHLIGHTSThe following are highlights and accomplishments of energy efficiency strategies implemented during fiscal year 2020:

Energy Management identified savings of more than $4.6 million from current and ongoing energy conservation projects during fiscal year 2020. The Reinvestment Act of 2010, also known as NC House Bill 1292, allows NC insti-tutions to capture a portion of energy and water savings for reinvestment in further conservation projects. Energy Management collaborated with other Facilities units to compile a Reinvestment Act claim for these savings.

NC State successfully funded more than $900,000 of campus energy projects that re-sulted in estimated annual savings of $350,000. Projects range from whole building lighting up-grades to building controls upgrades that were completed through cost-sharing programs with campus partners. The in-house Commissioning Team’s work continues to improve the efficiency of NC State buildings through mechanical equipment calibrations, HVAC sequence optimizations and occupancy schedule implementations. Partner-ing with Building Maintenance and Operations technicians, this achieved $2.4 million in savings in fiscal year 2020. The Central Campus Utility Plant is home to NC State’s second Combined Heat and Power project. Waste heat from power production will produce steam for Centennial Campus and excess steam during the warmer months will be used to generate electricity. This project is estimated to save approximately $1.6 million annually. Construction was funded through NC State’s fourth energy performance contract.

Construction on Thermal Energy Storage (TES) at the Centennial Campus Utility Plant completed in fiscal year 2020. TES will store 3.4 million gallons of chilled water and re-duces the need to operate electrically driven chillers during the day when electricity prices are high.

Failing equipment provides the opportunity to install higher efficiency equipment. Rath-er than replace old equipment with standard efficiency, Energy Systems has pushed for high efficiency replacements. In fiscal year 2020, this included equipment at the Ad-ministrative Annex, Toxicology, Broughton, and 512 Brickhaven. These replacements are estimated to save the university $35,000 annually.

The first phase of the Exterior Lighting LED Conversion project was nearly completed during fiscal year 2020. This phase con-verted 1,200 existing pole-mounted lights to LED, while also installing over 150 new pole-mounted lights in order to enhance nighttime safety. Upon completion, over half of NC State’s pole-mounted exterior lighting will be LED, and the remaining lights will be converted in subsequent phases. Overall the project aims to save over $270,000 a year in electricity costs with the more efficient LED lights.

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ENERGY PERFORMANCE CONTRACTING

13 BUILDING EPC (2012)

Contract Duration: 19 years

The 13 Building EPC encompasses the following buildings: Cox Hall, Poe Hall, Tompkins Hall, Caldwell Hall, Winston Hall, College of Textiles, McKimmon Center, Monteith Research Center, Research I, Dabney Hall, Carmichael Gym, Constructed Facilities Lab and MRC Parking Garage. The EPC included renovations and operational changes with the HVAC systems and fume hood controls, lighting upgrades, water reduction strategies and a solar hot water system in Carmichael Gym. Last savings year, this project saved approximately $2 million and avoided over 100,000 tons CO2e.

COGENERATION EPC ON CENTRAL AND NORTH CAMPUS (2012)


In 2012, this project replaced aging boilers in boththe Cates and Yarbrough Central Utility Plants with new high efficiency boilers and a cogeneration system. The cogeneration system, which is also called combined heat and power, utilizes natural gas to produce 11 megawatts of electricity while the waste heat from the process produces steam. Utility savings are realized due to a reduction in the total cost of electricity and steam production through increased efficiency. The most recent savings year reduced costs by over $6 million and reduced emissions by approximately 60,000 tons CO2e.


CENTENNIAL CAMPUS COGENERATION EPC (2019)


The Centennial Cogeneration EPC removed a boiler in the Centennial Central Utility Plant and installed a high efficiency cogeneration system. The cogeneration system includes a combustion turbine generator (CTG) which generates 5.5 MW of electricity, and a steam turbine generator (STG) which is capable of generating an additional 1 MW of electricity from the excess steam. Utility savings are realized due to a reduction in the total cost of electricity and steam production through increased efficiency. The new system is projected to also reduce the campus greenhouse gas emissions by about 4% (approximately 16,000 MT CO2e).

NC State utilizes energy performance contracting (EPC) to upgrade facilities and systems, avoid operational expenses and reduce emissions. The university currently has four EPCs. The four EPCs represent an investment of $98 million and a projected annual utility cost avoidance of $9 million. Each EPC is fully funded through energy savings generated by improved efficiency.

PHYTOTRON BUILDING EPC (2014)


Constructed in 1968, the Phytotron Building performs plant, animal and insect research by simulating environments from desert heat and drought to Alpine cold and jungle humidity. The Phytoron EPC addressed HVAC and lighting upgrades, as well as a connection to the central chilled water loop and research equipment improvements. Energy savings in Phytotron exceeded $600,000 in the most recent savings year.

6

FIGURE 1: NC STATE ENERGY USE INTENSITY (BTU/GSF)

190,000

180,000

170,000

160,000

150,000

140,000

130,000

120,000

110,000

100,000

2002

-03

2003

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2004

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2005

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2006

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-11

2011-12

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2015

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2016

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2017

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2018

-19

2019

-20

FISCAL YEAR

NC

STAT

E EN

ERG

Y U

SE IN

TEN

SITY

(BTU

/GSF

)

REDUCTION:

37%108,737

BTU/GSF

NC STATE UNIVERSITY

*Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Adjustment Methodology: NC State purchases electricity, natural gas, fuel oil, and potable and reuse water from third parties. Electricity is also generated on Main Campus using an 11 megawatt (MW) CHP system and on Centennial Campus with a 5.5 MW CHP system. As a result of CHP, fuel use for on-site power generation increases, fuel use for boilers decreases, and grid electricity purchases (or source energy) decrease.

The methodology for reporting the benefits garnered through the operation of CHP follows the U.S Department of Energy measurement protocol outlined by the Federal Energy Management Program in the Reporting Guidance for Federal Agency Annual Report on Energy Management issued October 2018. The purpose of the adjustment is to not penalize organizations under the site energy based performance metric for implementing cost-effective projects where source energy decreases but site-delivered energy increases.

ENERGYCampus energy consumption peaked in fiscal year 2009 and has trended downward since. A combination of unusually mild weather in FY 2016 and uneven fuel oil purchases in FY 2017 and FY 2018 contributed to the apparent uptick in those years. The COVID-19 pandemic and the university’s reduction in campus operations contributed to the energy use intensity decrease in FY 2020. Compared to the FY 2003 baseline, total energy consumption per gross square foot (GSF) has decreased by 37% in FY 2020 (see Figure 1).

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FIGURE 2: WATER CONSUMPTION PER GSF1 CCF = 748 GALLONS

0.070

0.065

0.060

0.055

0.050

0.045

0.040

0.035

0.030

0.025

WAT

ER C

ON

SUM

PTIO

N (C

CF/G

SF)

FISCAL YEAR

2001

-02

2002

-03

2003

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2015

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2017

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2018

-19

2019

-20

TOTAL POTABLE WATER

REDUCTION:

48%TOTAL CAMPUS WATER

55%


WATERIn FY 2016, NC State began utilizing non-potable reuse water supplied by the City of Raleigh on Centennial Campus. Reuse water is wastewater treated to a high standard and reused instead of being discharged into a waterway. Reuse water provides a more cost-effective and drought resistant supply of water for cooling towers, irrigation and toilet flushing. For total water consumption (potable and reuse), FY 2020 marked a level 48% below the FY 2002 baseline while potable water consumption decreased by 55% (see Figure 2).

Although reuse water is less expensive and more drought resistant than potable water, the central plant cooling towers use more reuse water to perform the same function of providing cooling to the campus. Cooling towers function by evaporating water for cooling. When water evaporates, any impurities in the water are left in the cooling tower basin and must be drained

regularly. Because reuse water has a higher concentration of impurities than potable water, the cooling tower basins must be more frequently drained, which increases water use. However, the benefits of reuse water – primarily decreased cost and drought resistance – outweigh the additional water use.

WHY DOES REUSE WATER INCREASE TOTAL WATER CONSUMPTION?


SUCCESS STORIESEach year, collaborative efforts to cut back on HVAC costs over winter break yield more than $350,000 in avoided utility costs. The Holiday Energy Savings Initiative over winter break involves setting back building temperatures and outdoor lighting during the week when the university is completely closed.

Ultra-low temperature (ULT) freezers, which operate at -80 degrees Celsius, are some of the most energy intensive appliances on campus. ULT freezers technology has been improving in energy efficiency and now there are many high efficiency versions available, though still at a cost premium. The High Efficiency ULT Freezer Rebate Program helps researchers in the biological sciences choose high efficiency freezers by providing a monetary rebate, which helps bring the cost in line with conventional models. Over the past two years, Energy Management has helped purchase 31 high efficiency freezers, which are saving over $20,000 annually on electricity costs.

The university completed a project to upgrade all lighting at Biltmore Hall, Robertson Wing, and the Pulp & Paper Laboratories with LED lights and wireless controls. The more efficient lighting will save more than $30,000 in electricity costs annually while enhancing the lighting levels in these older buildings significantly.

On March 16, 2020, NC State Facilities Division began a process to reduce operations in most campus buildings when the COVID-19 pandemic significantly reduced faculty, staff and student presence on campus. Facilities set back building lighting and HVAC systems in a way that ensured the long term health of the building while also saving energy during a time when the buildings were lightly, if at all, occupied. These careful measures helped the university reduce electricity consumption by 20% in the last quarter of FY 2020, as compared to the same quarter in the previous year.

The Energy Systems Commissioning Team successfully recommissioned the Alumni Center, Friday Institute, Textiles Complex, Harris Hall and Cox Hall. The team adjusted temperature and airflow setpoints, recalibrated HVAC sensors and implemented many more energy conservation measures resulting in $85,000 in energy savings in FY 2020.


The following goals were established in 2017 as part of development of NC State’s Sustainability Strategic Plan. The goals will be completed or re-assessed by 2022.

STRATEGIC GOALS

GOAL 1: REDUCE TOTAL CAMPUS ANNUAL ENERGY USE PER SQUARE FOOT BY 40% FROM THE 2002 BASELINE.

GOAL 2: EXPAND THE AMOUNT OF RENEWABLE ENERGY USED TO MEET NC STATE’S NEEDS.

GOAL 3: REDUCE CAMPUS WATER CONSUMPTION BY 65% FROM THE 2001 BASELINE.

GOAL 4: CONTRIBUTE TO NC STATE’S TOTAL GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS REDUCTION BY 25% FROM THE 2008 BASELINE.

Strategy A: Optimize building energy usage through retro-commissioning, persistent commissioning, maintenance and occupant education. (Goal 1, 3 and 4)

Tactic 1: Use Building Energy Assessment Tool (BEAT) to compare actual EUI to Target EUI based on industry building energy standards.

Tactic 2: Require building envelope commissioning for new capital projects.

Tactic 3: Implement predictive maintenance program for research buildings.

Tactic 4: Upgrade obsolete buildings controls and employ Direct Digital Controls (DDC) in campus buildings.

Tactic 5: Use a phased approach to switching air handler unit filter media to new technology. This will reduce energy, labor and filter media waste.

Strategy B: Reduce energy use in NC State’s five central utility plants by 5% from 2015 baseline. (Goal 1, 3 and 4)

Tactic 1: Incorporate variable frequency drives into campus chilled water pumps.

Strategy C: Explore and develop best practices for smart infrastructure and energy generation use in campus buildings. (Goal 1, 2, 3 and 4)

Tactic 1: Conduct solar and battery storage feasibility study for multiple campuses. Study complete. It was found that Centennial and Centennial Biomedical Campuses offer more promising returns on investments than Main Campus. Storage could also be a valuable tool to reduce peak loads.

Tactic 2: Integrate building utility meters to provide accurate, real-time data.

Strategy D: Reduce potable water consumption across all campuses. (Goal 3 and 4)

Tactic 1: Employ reuse (reclaimed or non-potable) water for toilets and irrigation on Centennial Campus.

Tactic 2: Reduce potable water use in campus buildings and utility plants. Assessments of novel and current technologies will guide efforts.


UTILITY COST PER GROSS SQUARE FOOT (GSF)

2002

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2014

-15

$3.00

$2.50

$2.00

$1.50

$1.00

2015

-16

2016

-17

$1.60

2017

-18

2018

-19

PROGRESS

Total Utility Cost per GSF has held steady over the past four years due to efforts in conservation, generation, and strategic procurement. For fiscal year 2020 the Total Utility Cost per GSF is $1.60/GSF, 19% lower than the 2002-2003 baseline. Meanwhile, energy prices have increased by 13% and water prices have increased by 336% since fiscal year 2003. Energy and water efficiency gains, coupled with low natural gas prices and Energy Management’s strategic purchasing of natural gas, have all contributed to the gradual reduction in Total Utility Cost per GSF.

Electricity: 52%

Natural Gas: 32%

Water: 16%

Each year, NC State typically purchases approximately $30 million in utilities. During fiscal year 2020, electricity accounted for more than half of our utility purchase total. Electricity is the utility most influenced by the campus community and, as such, has the greatest potential for reduction through conservation actions by individuals such as turning off lights, unplugging electronics not in use, closing windows and doors, shutting fume hood sashes in labs and turning off computers not in use.

ENERGY AND WATER EXPENSES

2019

-20


ENERGY USE INTENSITY AND CAMPUS GROWTH

Figure 4 illustrates the university’s growth and total energy consumption over time. As indicated by this figure, the university continues to make significant progress in reducing its Energy Use Intensity through energy efficiency strategies and efforts by the campus community (see page 4).

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (BASELINES ARE SHOWN IN BOLD)

190,000

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100,000

2002

-03

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2011-12

2012

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2019

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FISCAL YEAR

ENER

GY U

SE IN

TEN

SITY

(BTU

/GSF

)

16,000,000

15,000,000

14,000,000

13,000,000

12,000,000

11,000,000

10,000,000

9,000,000

8,000,000

GROSS SQUARE FEET OF CAMPUS BUILDIN

GS

CAMPUS GROWTH

FISCAL YEAR 2001-02* 2002-03 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-2019 2019-2020

% CHANGE (1 YEAR)

% CHANGE FROM BASELINE

UTILITY COST, $ / GSF $1.98 $1.78 $1.80 $1.85 $1.84 $1.60 -13% -19%

ENERGY COST, $ / GSF $1.87 $1.52 $1.53 $1.58 $1.56 $1.34 -14% -28%

WATER COST, $ / GSF $0.12 $0.11 $0.26 $0.28 $0.27 $0.28 $0.26 -7% 119%

ENERGY CONSUMPTION(BTU / GSF) 171,810 115,692 116,763 119,144 113,859 108,737 -5% -37%

POTABLE WATER CONSUMPTION (CCF / GSF)

0.066 0.054 0.032 0.034 0.031 0.033 0.030 -9% -55%

TOTAL WATER CONSUMPTION (CCF / GSF)

0.066 0.054 0.034 0.037 0.035 0.037 0.035 -7% -48%

CAMPUS AREAGROSS SQUARE FEET (GSF)

9,796,638 9,910,619 15,119,248 14,978,780 14,972,547 14,963,604 14,999,125 0.2% 51%

HEATING DEGREE DAYS 3,592 2,633 2,512 3,374 3,151 2,744 -12.9% -24%

COOLING DEGREE DAYS 1,656 1,761 1,783 2,149 2,034 1,942 -5.4% 17%

* Baseline year for water cost and consumption per gsf is 2001-2002 as defined in Executive Order Number 26. For all other KPIs, the baseline year is 2002-2003.

The Strategic Energy and Water Annual Report is produced by NC State Energy Management

go.ncsu.edu/[email protected]

FISCAL YEAR 2021 PLANSThe following is a sample of projects planned for fiscal year 2021.

PROJECT AND LOCATIONESTIMATED COST

ESTIMATED ANNUAL COST AVOIDED

Recommissioning - BTEC, Peele, Poulton, SAS, Partners I $350,000 $470,000

Holiday Energy Savings Initiatives $20,000 $450,000

Utility Plant Recommissioning - Yarbrough CUP $120,000 $435,000

BAS Controls Upgrade - Carmichael $100,000 $113,000

Envelope Repairs - Terry Center $600,000 $76,000

Rooftop Solar (Fitts Woolard Hall) and Battery Storage (Centennial Campus) TBD $63,000

Chilled Water Loop Improvements - Centennial Biomedical Campus $120,000 $53,000

Energy Audits - BTEC, Biltmore, Page $50,000 $38,000

Whole-building LED - Polk Hall $300,000 $33,000

Cooling Tower Replacement - Jordan Hall $60,000 $12,000

ULT Freezer Rebate Program - Academic Departments $50,000 $9,000

Events2HVAC Expansion Phase 3 (10 buildings, 77 classrooms) $11,000 $7,500

Additional LED Lighting - Centennial Campus Utility Plant $50,000 $7,000

Surface Water Condenser Reuse - Centennial Campus Utility Plant $10,000 $5,000

ENERGY AND WATER ANNUAL REPORT - Sustainability · 2021. 1. 6. · PROJECT COST ESTIMATED ANNUAL COST AVOIDED ... combustion turbine generator (CTG) which generates 5.5 MW of electricity,

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