Sacramento State’s Progress and

Goals on Sustainability*

*In response to CSU Office of the Chancellor Executive Order 987

Energy Conservation

What we’ve done….

Over the years Sacramento State has aggressively adopted policies and procedures to reduce energy consumption – the simplest of which is turning lighting and HVAC systems off when buildings are not scheduled for classes. 

·         Sacramento State has a Strategic Energy Policy found on the Facilities Services website  http://www.fm.csus.edu/Energy_Conservation.htm   

·         Significant energy savings are achieved during semester breaks and summer when classes can be consolidated to fewer buildings. Space Management has developed Energy Use Building Guidelines which define the hours of operation for each building.  Classrooms with smaller HVAC systems are used first – rather than rooms in buildings which have systems that serve the entire building.  At the beginning and end of each semester time-clocks are re-programmed to match the changed schedules so that heating and cooling is only operated when and where necessary.  These time clocks are also changed to accommodate special events. 

·         Variable frequency drives (VFDs) control all 5 horsepower and larger air handler system and water pump motors; the VFD slows down the motor speed and produces significant energy and cost savings

·         Emphasis is placed on finding the most energy efficient equipment when it is replaced

·         Heating temperatures are set lower in winter and  higher in summer in order to minimize energy use and extremes swings in space temperatures compared to outdoor temperatures

·         Simultaneous heating and cooling is minimized by turning off the heating boilers during the summer;  additionally HVAC control strategies are designed to save energy

·         Old light fixtures were retrofit with high-efficiency electronic ballasts and T-8 lamps; new lighting is specified as electronic ballasts with either T-8 or T-5 fluorescent lamps

·         Domestic water heater set points are maintained at 115oF wherever possible

·         Energy reports are prepared monthly and submitted to the Office of the Chancellor

·         All self-supporting and external organizations pay their own utility costs via charge-back billings

·         Managers and staff attend available energy efficiency training offered by the Chancellor’s office, utility companies, and other entities

·         Three technical staff have successfully obtained their Building Operators Certifications from the Northwest Energy Efficiency Council

·         Supplementary funding for implementing energy efficiency improvement and utilities infrastructure renewal projects include: 

ü  2004 - received utility incentive for replacement high-efficiency 1,250-ton chiller at the Central Plant 

ü  2006 - received a utility incentive for replacement high efficiency lighting in Art Sculpture Lab and Parking Structure 3

ü  2007 – Pilot projects to evaluate energy efficient fume hood controls and LED street lighting

 

On the horizon….

We are pursuing the following strategies to increase sustainability and energy efficiency:

·         Develop and maintain a campus-wide integrated strategic energy resource plan.  We have recently hired a consulting firm specializing in sustainability to evaluate campus construction and operational practices.  They will evaluate activities within new construction, deferred maintenance, facility renewal, energy projects, water conservation, solid waste management, and a structured energy efficiency plan.  Their report will make appropriate recommendations for the campus to address these areas.

·         Develop an energy conservation awareness message/campaign to inform students, faculty, and staff of how they can help and its associated benefits.

 

·         Replace failing computerized energy management system (this system controls HVAC, lighting, and various other equipment).  An engineering study is in process; once this study is complete, a loan or lease-purchase agreement will fund the design and construction of the much needed and improved energy management system.  Energy savings will pay the lease or debt service. 

·         Purchase and install electronic metering for all billed auxiliary buildings; with the potential of expanding meters to measure General Fund buildings – in order to identify and reduce “energy hogs”.

 

Energy Independence

               

What we’ve done……

·         Cost effective renewable non-depleting energy sources:

ü  The University purchases energy from four privately owned solar generated hot water systems located at Yosemite Hall - serving the men’s and women’s locker rooms and the swimming pools; and River Front Center – serving the food service area. 

ü  There are two photovoltaic (PV) systems on campus that generate electricity.  One system provides lighting for the south overflow parking lot lighting; the other is a 6.5 kilowatt system on the roof of the Facilities Corporation Yard carport. It effectively charges our electric vehicles.

 

·         Evaluated cogeneration on four different occasions.  Cogeneration is not viable for Sacramento State.  Several feasibility studies have concluded it is not cost effective for the following reasons:

ü  Low electrical rates from SMUD; they purchase approximately 35% of their energy portfolio from the hydro system, Western Area Power Authority, and pass the savings to their customers.

ü  High and unpredictable natural gas rates; a cogeneration plant requires natural gas to operate and prices are driven by the market

·         Load shifting technologies:

ü  The first phase of Sac State’s chilled water thermal energy storage system has operated since 1993.  This system reduces electrical campus’ energy and associated costs by more than $200,000 per year because the chillers operate at night during off-peak hours, rather than during the on-peak hours of the day.  Chilled water is “generated” at night and used to cool the campus during the day.

ü  To accommodate campus growth the thermal energy storage tank was expanded in 2001 to one and one-half times its original size. 

ü  Sac State participates in electrical load shed procedures when requested by SMUD, usually the result of high summer demand.  These procedures involve slowing HVAC fans down along with turning off identified equipment.  This program is called the Voluntary Emergency Curtailment Program (VECP). 

 

On the horizon…..

·         Expansion of the campus chilled water thermal energy storage system with another tank the same size as existing to accommodate more campus growth.

·         Install photovoltaic (PV) electricity generating systems in 2 locations; because PV systems are so expensive, we are seeking funding from outside entities. 

ü  Roof of Parking Structure III; structural support for the system was incorporated in the design and installed

ü  Roof of Library II

 

Renewable Energy Procurement

 

What we’ve done……

·         12% of the electricity Sac State purchases from Sacramento Metropolitan Utility District (SMUD) is generated from renewable sources such as wind turbines, solar, geothermal, biomass & waste.  Another 41% of the power purchased is hydroelectric.

·         Evaluated the SMUD’s ReGen Program which is their provision of renewable energy; SMUD and the California Energy Commission are in a joint venture to offer Green Energy at a premium price.  This pricing would add from $90,000 to $360,000 to our current electricity expenditures.

·         The University acquired an allocation of Western Area Power Authority (WAPA) energy. This energy is generated by water driven turbines.  It is both economical and does not create pollutants when generated.

Sustainable Building Practices

 

What we’ve done….

  • The Academic Information Resource Center has an under-floor heating/air conditioning/ventilation system; this HVAC design won the UC/CSU competition for 2007 Best Practices for Energy Efficiency Partnership and Sustainable Transportation Program.

 

On the horizon…..

·         Design firms are directed by Facilities Services to follow CSU system Executive Order 987 which requires that newly constructed buildings outperform the 2005 Title 24 Standards by 15%.  It also states that renovation projects must outperform these standards by 10%.

·         Mechanical and electrical engineers are required to prepare a life cycle cost analysis for all equipment to be installed in new buildings.

·         As stated above, the sustainability consultant will develop a comprehensive list of no additional cost and/or low cost sustainable features to incorporate in all new and renewed buildings.  

·         Shasta Hall Capital Renewal Project to exceed Title 24 standards by 15%

·         LEED accreditation is being sought for the Recreation-Wellness Center

·         LEED accreditation is being sought for the new Residential Hall

 

 

You can view the Energy Data in the campus Sustainability Report to see average energy consumption per square foot. In more recent years, with the advent of computer server rooms all over campus and in certain cases where an occupied office is located in a formerly “off” wing, we have been required to operate these systems.  Therefore, it has been difficult to maintain the former lower energy usage.