The Campus Environmental Audit: Energy
Introduction
Energy is the cornerstone of the University's operations. It allows the
lights to go on, powers the motors in laboratories, fuels the computers,
and heats the facilities of the University of Pennsylvania. However, just
as energy allows classes to run, it also represents an opportunity to conserve.
Energy production affects land, air and water. Energy conservation is a
means to reduce impacts, improve efficiency and lower costs.
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Energy
Management at the University of Pennsylvania
Organizational Mission and Structure
Energy management at the University of Pennsylvania is organized through
the University of Pennsylvania Physical Plant. Located on the second floor
of Franklin Annex, the department has three primary objectives:
The department employs managers, engineers, electricians and service workers
to fulfill these responsibilities.
Energy Agreements
The University has a negotiated agreement for a rate per kilowatt hour(60,000
watts) of energy consumed. The overall energy usage is then computed by
the multiplication of this rate by the peak demand per month. The peak
demand is based on maximum consumption during four days of a billing cycle.
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Relevant Environmental Concepts
Electricity generation is a source of air pollution, accounting for 35
percent of all U.S. emissions of carbon dioxide, 75 percent of sulfur dioxide,
and 38 percent of nitrogen oxides.(1) : The effects
of energy occur at all stages of the fuel cycle: production, refining/processing,
transformation and conversion, transportation and distribution and consumer
usage/disposal. The impact is dependent on the source of energy and its
respective usage.
The primary impacts and risks of fuel types at each stage of the fuel
cycle can be seen in Table 7(See Appendix). Representative rates of air
pollutants from typical new power plants configurations is seen in Table
8(See Appendix). Most fuel types seen in these tables are referred to as
nonrenewable or non replenishing. Once a resource, like oil, is fully extracted
it is non-replenish able. Energy sources such as hydropower, wind and solar,
operate on renewable energy flows.
In order to conserve energy and reduce the environmental impacts, demand
side management and education can be utilized. These range from retrofitting
lights to encouraging employee conservation to maintaining pipes for leaks
to using energy saving computers. Each approach aims to reduce the kWh
consumption and levels of peak demand. According to the Environmental Protection
Agency:
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The Audit
To define the effects of the University of Pennsylvania's energy usage
on the environment, the Green University audit detailed the following questions:
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The Results
Energy Sources
Philadelphia Electric Company(PECO), Penn's electricity supplier, utilizes
fuel sources seen by Figure 10. The emissions per year of these fuel sources,
assuming consumption based upon PECO percentages, are(3)
:
Trigen, Penn's steam supplier, utilizes an oil based steam generation facility
and is presently constructing a cogeneration facility.
Energy Usage
Average yearly electricity consumption and monthly peak demand is respectively
330 million kWh per year and 58,500 kWh per month. Energy is transported
at 32 mV and converted to 480 and 120 volts. Current energy rates are $0.069/kWh.
Resulting yearly emissions are(4):
Energy Conservation(5)
:
Penn's approach to energy conservation can be described by a macro and
micro level demand side management approach. The overall goal is to reduce
energy usage in areas that will yield the highest return on investment.
In reference to steam, the University has an aggressive manhole insulation
program focusing all on piping and ball joints. Motors are regularly checked
for proper operation. Traps of steam are rare and attended to promptly.
The University tracks its usage by installing meters separate from Trigen
in order to verify consumption and identify leakage.
To control temperature the University has recently installed a Mod 6
chillier system that makes ice on off peak hours. This lowers peak consumption
levels and minimizes energy costs. Furthermore, the centralized system
has automatic pressure controls to monitor distribution. This system has
saved the University over 1 million dollars and does not need to be serviced
as frequently as a decentralized cooling system.
In order to supply cooling to maintain a constant research laboratory
temperature, the University has a ÒfreeÓ cooling system.
This utilizes the cold weather in the winter to cool condensate in a cooling
tower. Condensate is then circulated by pumps for distribution. This system
prevents the need for chillers in all research labs that are typically
inefficient.
In reference to lighting, the university utilizes energy efficient technologies
to control energy consumption. Retrofits have occurred in buildings including
Moore, Levy, and Stielter. All renovations incorporate the usage of energy
saving bulbs and ballasts. The University has surveyed all buildings and
has estimates to install energy efficient lighting on campus at an estimated
cost of 1.5 million dollars for 5 years. Return on investment is expected
to occur in the third years.
Overall energy usage has increased at 5% over recent years due to the
increasing usage of computers by University employees, faculty and students.
Consumption is expected to increase due to the reliance on technology at
a higher rate than efficiency improvements.
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Energy Management
at Other Universities
SUNY Buffalo
SUNY Buffalo has taken an aggressive approach to conservation with 300
projects that have reduced energy bills from 22.5 million to 20 million
dollars per year. Savings are expected to increase by another 2 million
dollars in coming years. The projects were funded 25% by utility rebates
and incentive programs. The energy officer, Walter Simpson, focuses on
long term and short term projects. He believes it is important to concentrate
upon long term projects because short term projects with quick paybacks
run out quickly. A balance is the most holistic way to approach energy
conservation. In addition, SUNY Buffalo is also approaching conservation
by energy reduction and education. The University has found that they could
reduce the corridor lights by 50% and still provide sufficient illumination.
Many lights were identified through the Òbuilding conservation contactsÓ
who volunteer to turn off unused lights and computers, report overheated
and undercooled areas, and areas where wattage could be reduced. A final
tactic used is that Simpson posts energy bills in building lobbies.
Rochester Institute of Technology
Rochester began their conservation efforts by determining that 30% of energy
is used on campus for lighting, 40% for heating, air conditioning and ventilation,
10-15% for processing equipment such as printing presses and teaching aids,
and 15-20% for office equipment, computers, and other appliances. The University
has employed conservation strategies including occupancy sensors, fluorescent
lights, electronic ballasts, insulated heating, ventilating, and air conditioning
policies, and encourage conservation minded computer and office equipment
habits.
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Recommendations and Conclusions
Structural
Physical Plant has an in-depth energy management strategy. I could not
foresee any structural changes necessary.
Greening
There are a myriad of programs and initiatives that aim to reduce energy
consumption through technology and education. Table 9 shows seven different
categories of energy systems and a checklist of conservation techniques.
From observations:
1. Problem: Many old buildings on campus have large building
envelopes and therefore loose heat and need extra cooling.
Solution: Utilize storm windows and floors, window treatments,
improved insulation, and door seals.
2. Opportunity: Penn is considering retrofitting its lighting
systems.
Solution 1: Joining EPAs Green Lights Program, a voluntary
energy efficiency program, allows participants access to ProjectKalc, technical
information, and training. ProjectKalc is a tool that calculates energy
and maintenance savings from user lighting initiatives. Technical Reports
focus on lighting fundamentals (http://www.epa.gov/docs/GCDOAR/fundamentals.html),
lighting upgrade technologies (http://www.epa.gov/docs/GCDOAR/upgrade.html),
lighting maintenance (http://www.epa.gov/docs/GCDOAR/maintain.html), lighting
evaluations (http://www.epa.gov/docs/GCDOAR/evaluate.html), and lighting
surveys(http://www.epa.gov/docs/GCDOAR/survey.html). EPA also holds 2 1/2
day lighting upgrade workshops across the country for free. Commitments
to the program include a signed agreement to evaluate all lighting opportunities
and install efficient solutions where it is profitable and upholds lighting
quality.
Solution 2: Independent performance test abstracts by Rensselaer
Polytechnic Institute are available on line.
3. Opportunity: Penn's energy consumers(students, faculty and staff)
can become partners in energy efficiency.
Solution 1: Building conservation contacts should be utilized
to turn off unused lights and computers, report overheated and undercooled
areas, and areas where wattage could be reduced.
Solution 2: Lighting bills should be distributed to relevant
departments and/or posted in buildings. A semester long competition should
be held to reduce energy consumption with the winner receiving a special
prize.
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Back to the Penn Environmental
Group Homepage
1US EPA. Energy Star Homepage. Http://www.epa.gov/~enrgy_star.html
2 US EPA. Energy Star Homepage. Http://www.epa.gov/~enrgy_star.html 3 Numbers
based of 60% nuclear usage. Nuclear primarily emits radon, releases nuclides
and requires long term storage of high level wastes. 4 Numbers based of
60% nuclear usage. Nuclear primarily emits radon, releases nuclides and
requires long term storage of high level wastes. 5 University of Pennsylvania
Physical Plant.