Utility Public Benefit Funds Renewed Interest at the State and Federal Levels

Texas A&M University main campus in College Station consists of 114 buildings served by two central plants. The two main campus loops are more than 50 years old with a total piping length for each loop in excess of 13 miles. The main campus has long had a problem with thermal distribution to the 114 buildings served by the central plants. Pressure problems were encountered in the chilled water and hot water distribution system during peak demand periods. The differential pressure between supply and return headers at buildings far from the central plants was negative, in the middle area was neutral, and close to the plant was positive. Various modifications were performed over the years without completely solving this problem. Discovering the real cause could help improve the thermal distribution and help determine how to best operate the system. This paper presents the causes and recommendations for the correction of the thermal distribution problems, which include not only malfunctioning automatic building hydraulic controls, but also some building hydraulic configurations themselves. Based on the findings, the thermal distribution problems will be solved by repairing the controls and retrofitting building hydraulic configurations as needed

Programs of the Governor's Energy Management Center

The 70th Texas Legislature transferred the Energy Efficiency Division of the Public Utility Commission to the Governor's Office in September 1987 and directed the Governor's Energy Management Center (GEMC) to perform energy management services for state agencies and universities. The major new tasks include revision of the State Building Standards for Energy Efficient Construction, the possible establishment of a revolving loan financing mechanism using oil overcharge funds for energy retrofits in state buildings, and direct engineering and technical assistance to agencies on topics ranging from cogeneration to utility billing analysis. This paper describes those services and outlines how agency energy managers and consulting engineering firms are helping reduce the state's $200 million annual utility bill

Estimation of the Energy and Capacity Savings in Texas from Appliance Efficiency Standards

The purpose of this presentation will be to assess the technical potential for energy and capacity savings in Texas by the year 2006 by the statewide adoption of minimum appliance efficiency standards equivalent to those recently adopted by California and New York states

The Business and Technical Case for Continuous Commissioning for Enhanced Building Operations

This paper presents both the business and the technical case for the Continuous Commissioning (CC) of large, institutional buildings for building optimization. Continuous Commissioning is defined as the ongoing process to resolve operating problems, improve comfort, optimize energy use, and identify retrofits in existing commercial and institutional buildings, and central plant facilities. It is also known as retro-commissioning. A summary of the Energy Systems Laboratory (ESL) experience at Texas A&M University since 1991 will also be presented. The CC process described in this paper has been sucessfully applied in over 80 large and medium-sized buildings by the ESL, with accumulated savings in excess of $70 million [U.S.] since 1991. The practice is growing rapidly in the U.S. and has proven very cost effective

Cost Containment Through Energy Efficiency in Texas State-Owned Buildings

"The Energy Cost Containment Through Energy Efficiency" in Texas State-owned buildings project was begun in the spring of 1984 as a part of a multipronged effort to reduce rising energy costs in State operations. Energy audits of 21 million square feet (22% of total conditioned space) were conducted by three energy engineering firms and Texas Engineering Extension Service personnel under contract to the Public Utility Commission of Texas. Retrofits totaling $15.6 million with annual savings of$9.2 million were identified (59% ROI). This paper will detail the objectives of the project, summarize audit results, and outline financing options for individual projects

Energy Cost Reduction Measures Identified for Texas State Agencies

According t o energy auditors, state-owned facilities in Texas on the average consume over twice the energy of comparable facilities in the private sector. In 1984 and 1986 as part of the Texas Energy Cost Containment Program, two extensive energy audit programs examined a total of 35.3 million square feet of state-owned space. Energy cost reduction measures with paybacks of four years or less were identified. The purpose of this paper is to present the projects identified in 1986. Most relate to lighting, HVAC, and energy management systems. The type of facilities audited include colleges and universities, health science centers, state schools and centers, hospitals, and office buildings. The relation between the facility type and the energy cost reduction measures identified is discussed. In addition, the energy and dollar savings derived from the identified measures at the different facilities are presented. The total savings of the projects identified in both energy audit programs amount to $23.7 million annually

Continuous Commissioning® and Energy Management Control Strategies at Alamo Community College District

H&H Report: Continuous Commissioning at Alamo Community College DistrictThis paper presents an overview of energy savings through the optimization of facility Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems for the college campuses of the Alamo Community College District. This Continuous Commissioning® process includes energy management control strategies that focus on utility rate structures. Detailed commissioning activities of the College district and Central Plants are discussed and documented, and overall savings are provided. Continuous Commissioning® (CC®) of the Alamo Community College District (ACCD) main campuses located in San Antonio, Texas began in June 2002. The three largest campuses, San Antonio College, St. Philips College, and Palo Alto College underwent the CC® process. The project was completed in August of 2006. The success of the initial project created the opportunity to expand the CC ® process throughout the college district. Utility data was provided by the Alamo Community College District in conjunction with the local municipal utility company. ACCD’s enterprise energy strategy to achieve persistence of savings is to closely monitor savings deviation and by training facility HVAC personnel at each campus in the Continuous Commissioning® processes as well as the District-wide metering of individual building energy consumption; and the development of a strategic, District-wide Energy Management Plan

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