Pre-Retrofit Lighting Study at the University of Texas at Arlington

In the summer of 1993 the University of Texas at Arlington Physical Plant Department submitted a request to the Energy Systems Lab to conduct a lighting study to determine the most cost-effective method of implementing energy-saving lighting retrofits in U.T. Arlington classrooms without compromising the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) recommended minimum lighting levels. A preliminary series of field tests was undertaken to get a sampling of classroom lighting levels on the U.T. Arlington campus and to determine whether lamp locations within the fixture would impact the amount of light output. This was followed by a series of lab tests conducted at the Energy Systems Lab, located on the Texas A&M University campus, to compare the light output of fixtures with different combinations of lamp types and locations within the fixture. In order to evaluate the impact of the proposed lighting retrofit, a study was made to determine the capital investment required as weighed against energy cost savings. The results of the study are presented in the paper and a summary table is provided to take into account lamp and ballast performance compared with capital expenditure with respect to meeting IES minimum footcandle levels. Based on the report findings it was recommended that a full, comprehensive survey be undertaken at UTA, to ensure that minimum lighting levels will be maintained, while also ensuring that the capital investment is the most cost-effective

Self-assembled dynamic perovskite composite cathodes for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells

Electrode materials for intermediate temperature (500–700 ∘C) solid oxide fuel cells require electrical and mechanical stability to maintain performance during the cell lifetime. This has proven difficult to achieve for many candidate cathode materials and their derivatives with good transport and electrocatalytic properties because of reactivity towards cell components, and the fuels and oxidants. Here we present Ba0.5Sr0.5(Co0.7Fe0.3)0.6875W0.3125O3−δ (BSCFW), a self-assembled composite prepared through simple solid state synthesis, consisting of B-site cation ordered double perovskite and disordered single perovskite oxide phases, as a candidate cathode material. These phases interact by dynamic compositional change at the operating temperature, promoting both chemical stability through the increased amount of W in the catalytically active single perovskite provided from the W-reservoir double perovskite, and microstructural stability through reduced sintering of the supported catalytically active phase. This interactive catalyst-support system enabled stable high electrochemical activity through the synergic integration of the distinct properties of the two phases

A Methodology for Identifying Retrofit Energy Savings in Commercial Buildings

Measured energy savings resulting from energy conservation retrofits in commercial buildings can be used to verify the success of the retrofits, determine the payment schedule for the retrofits, and guide the selection of future retrofits. This paper presents a structured methodology, developed for buildings in the Texas LoanSTAR program, for measuring retrofit savings in commercial buildings. This methodology identifies the pre-retrofit construction and post-retrofit periods, normalizes energy consumption data, and quantifies the uncertainty associated with the measured savings. A case study from the Texas LoanSTAR program is presented as an example

Data on the fungal species consumed by mammal species in Australia

The data reported here support the manuscript Nuske et al. (2017). Searches were made for quantitative data on the occurrence of fungi within dietary studies of Australian mammal species. The original location reported in each study was used as the lowest grouping variable within the dataset. To standardise the data and compare dispersal events from populations of different mammal species that might overlap, data from locations were further pooled and averaged across sites if they occurred within 100 km of a random central point. Three locations in Australia contained data on several (>7) mycophagous mammals, all other locations had data on 1–3 mammal species. Within these three locations, the identity of the fungi species was compared between mammal species’ diets. A list of all fungi species found in Australian mammalian diets is also provide along with the original reference and fungal synonym names

Improved Analysis Methods for Retrofit Savings and Energy Accounting (ERAP #227)

A grocery store, two nursing homes, an institutional building, and a high school have been selected as preliminary case study buildings. All of the buildings except the nursing homes have been instrumented to provide sub-metered and total energy use data. Additional buildings in the Texas LoanSTAR program are also instrumented and are being analyzed.This report summarizes progress through November, 1990 for ERAP project No. 227, "Improved Analysis Methods for Retrofit Savings and Energy Accounting." The major objectives of this project are to: (1) determine the energy and dollar savings from energy conservation retrofits; (2) reduce energy costs by identifying and correcting operational and maintenance problems at retrofitted facilities; (3) identify savings from individual retrofits to help improve future retrofit selection; and (4) initiate an end-use data base for commercial and institutional buildings to facilitate the comparison and exchange of building energy use information

A Prediction of Energy Savings Resulting from Building Infiltration Control

Heat transfer through building walls consists of three main components: conduction heat transfer, solar gain and infiltration heat transfer. An interaction among these three heat transfer components alters the effective heat transfer through a wall, working to reduce or increase it. This study uses simulation to evaluate the potential energy impact of the interaction when several different strategies for controlling air leakage direction and velocity in building envelope components are implemented. The simulations performed in this study show that significant energy savings can be realized with the use of controlled airflow through non-airtight walls in a building. Comparing the energy load of a building which uses airflow control in its walls with the energy load found with a standard calculation (where the interaction effect is not considered), annual energy load savings were found in a warm climate as high as 17%. The results were less promising when compared against the performance of a building experiencing simulated natural airflow (and heat recovery) through its exterior walls: the best annual load savings percentage was 10% in a warm climate. It was found that in a cooler climate, the natural flow configuration performed about as well as any of the artificial airflow configurations, so airflow control is not recommended in cool climates

Sustainability Assessment and Roadmap for a Green Campus Initiative

Texas A&M International University and the Energy Systems Laboratory of the Texas Engineering Experiment Station have partnered to conduct a campus sustainability assessment and create a subsequent campus sustainability plan for TAMIU. This sustainable campus initiative will make TAMIU a leader in efficient and environmentally friendly campuses throughout the A&M system and the State. Energy System Laboratory conducted a site visit and interview TAMIU management, staff, contractors, and student representatives to obtain data for this assessment. The current progress, good practices, and opportunities for TAMIU are discussed for four areas: · Resource Conservation · Campus Infrastructure · Health and Well-Being · Academics and Culture The investigation revealed several points where TAMIU is already performing well and also revealed many opportunities. The authors of this assessment see the following areas as major opportunities. They are divided into immediate opportunities and areas that warrant additional study