UCSU Energy Efficiency Fund (EEF)

INTRODUCTION

In the spring of 2004, the University of Colorado Student Union (“UCSU”) voted to create a new fund for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in the three student-owned buildings on campus – Wardenburg Health Center, the University Memorial Center and the Recreational Center. The fund allocates approximately $115,000 a year plus 35% of projected savings for the next year to go towards capital improvements for a minimum of 5 years. In the spring of 2005, the fund was included into the Environmental Center budget, and the Environmental Center is tasked with managing the fund.

The part-time EEF manager at the Environmental Center works with the Assistant Directors of each student-owned building mentioned above and the CU Campus Conservation Officer, to identify and fund projects that will lead to a reduction in energy use.  Frequently, a pooling of resources from EEF, the buildings’ budgets and other sources is organized to fund large projects.

2004-05 EEF Project Summary

University Memorial Center: LEED Certification, solar film on selected windows, insulation on pipes and ducts, installation of solar panel system.

Recreation Center:  Solar film on selected windows, heat exchanger upgrade, installation of gas-fired microturbine and heat exchanger system.

Wardenburg Health Center (WHC):  Compact fluorescent lighting retrofit, HVAC system recommissioning, night-time thermostat setback.

2004-05 Projects Completed: Yearly Savings ($26,984) and Payback ($9,444)

Project

Steam Savings
(MMBTU)

Electricity Savings
(kWh)

Chilled Water Savings
 (ton-hrs/yr)

Yearly Savings Estimate*

35% Payback to EEF Fund

UMC Solar Film

 

7,374

 

$885

 

Rec Center Solar Film

 

11,293

 

$1,355

 

Rec Center Microturbine

537

91,980

 

$4,572

38% project funded by EEF

Rec Center Heat Exchanger

100

 

 

$2,419

 

WHC Lighting

 

7,237

 

$868

 

WHC Nighttime Setback

335

 

 

$8,104

 

WHC Rcommissioning

107

31,090

8,638

$8,781

 

Total

1079

148974

8638

$26,984

$9,444

Wardenburg Health Center Success Story

As seen in the following table, the most significant energy savings have been at Wardenburg Health Center.  Although Wardenburg is a great success story, it should be noted that the energy use figures listed below are due to a combination of EEF projects, other energy improvement projects and weather conditions.

 

2002-03

2004-05

Energy Change

Cost Change

Electricity (kWh)

777,242

$92,016

~660,000

$79,638

-15%

-13%

Steam (klbs)

2,680

$48,759

~2,100

$41,031

-22%

-16%

Chilled Water
(ton-hrs)

215,953

$48,055

~85,000

$20,932

-61%

-56%

2005-06 and beyond EEF Project Summary*

 

Budget Allocation

Estimated Energy Savings

Estimated Cost Savings

 

 

 

Project

2005-06 ($)

2006-07 ($)

2007-08 ($)
(not yet complete)

Steam (MMBTU/yr)

Electricity (kWh/yr)

Chilled Water
 (ton-hrs/yr)

Yearly Savings ($)

Simple Payback (yrs)

Other Funds
 Committed ($)

Source

Total Project Cost ($)

WHC Variable Speed Fans

$9,000

 

 

0

18750

0

$2,250

4.0

 

 

$9,000

WHC Entry Window Replacement

$15,000

 

 

295

0

315

$3,093

11.3

$20,000

WHC

$35,000

UMC Ceiling Insulation

$30,000

$30,000

 

261

0

0

$6,314

4.8

 

 

$30,000

Rec Center Heat Mirror Windows

$37,500

$37,500

 

0

39820

44618

$8,348

13.5

$75,000

Fac Man

$112,500

Solar Power Canopy

$10,000

$40,000

 

0

12318

0

$1,478

40.6

$50,000

Sust.
CU

$60,000

UMC Solar Panels

$8,000

 

 

0

7580

0

$910

8.8

 

 

$8,000

WHC Old Equipment Replacement

$1,500

 

 

0

2500

0

$300

5.0

 

 

$1,500

Carlson Pool Heat Exchanger

 

 

$26,000

100

0

0

$2,419

10.7

 

 

$26,000

UMC LEED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Solar Thermal Collectors

 

 

$40,000

172

 

 

$4,000

15.0

$60,000

Sust.
CU

$60,000

Staff

$6,000

$6,000

$6,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Misc

$250

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Totals

$117,250

$113,500

$72,000

828

80968

44933

$29,111

 

 

 

$342,000

* Energy rates used for analyses:

Electricity Cost ($/kWh)                  0.12      
Chilled Water Cost ($/ton-hour)        0.24      
Steam Cost ($/klbs)                         23.27     
Steam Cost ($/MMBTU)                 24.19
kWh/ton-hour chilled water              0.28       (typical)

 

2005-06 EEF Projects Cost Savings ($22,692) and Yearly Payback ($7,942)

$22,692 per year is expected to be saved with projects funded by EEF with 2005-06 budgets – although it should be noted that this sum will change with utility rates.  35% of this sum, or $7,942, will be put back into the EEF fund after the projects are complete.

 

2005-06 EEF Projects

Please see table above for energy and cost savings estimates.

WHC Variable Speed Fans

Variable Speed Drives will be installed in two fans that provide air to Wardenburg Health Center turning these single-speed fans into Variable Air Volume fans that will control the flow of air based on need.   Savings will be seen in a reduction of electricity required to run the fans.  For example, decreasing fan speed by half results in a 7/8 reduction in energy use.  Energy savings estimates are based on the Energy Efficiency Guide for Colorado Businesses.

WHC Entry Window Replacement

Wardenburg’s main entrance on the north side consists of glass doors surrounded by a two story glass wall installed when the building was built in the 1950s.  The glass is single-pane and allows a good amount of heat to be lost.  Two large heaters are located right next to the doors that are on constantly during cold months.  The heaters increase the temperature around the entrance to a comfortable level, but much of the heat is lost through the single-pane glass.  The heat also rises into the building causing that area to become too warm and, at times, receive unnecessary air cooling.  The installation of double-pained, heat mirror glass in the windows and doors will result in the heaters being used far less frequently.  The energy savings estimate shown in the previous table was made using the Energy10 modeling program.  This project will receive funding from both WHC and EEF budgets. 

UMC Ceiling Insulation

The bowling alley, gaming area and adjacent corridor and offices on the first floor of the UMC contain no ceiling insulation and are located directly below the UMC’s South Patio.  The result is considerable heat loss during cold months.  The ceiling insulation installed with this project will significantly reduce the amount of steam-heat required to heat that area and increase the comfort of the space.  The energy savings estimate was made using the eQuest modeling program.  The EEF funding for this project will be spread equally over two years.

Recreation Center Heat Mirror Windows

The frames of the window walls surrounding the Recreation Center’s main pool have corroded during the four decade life of the building and are in need of replacement.  Currently, the glass is single-pane and allows a good amount of heat to be lost during cold days and too much heat into the space during warm days.  The EEF funds provided will allow the Rec Center to install heat-mirror windows reducing the amount of both heating and cooling ventilation required into the main pool area.  Heat-mirror windows will also increase the longevity of the window wall by decreasing condensation which causes frame corrosion, and improve the comfort of the space.  The energy savings estimate was done using eQuest with a comparison of double-paned tinted glass filled with argon with double-pained tinted glass filled with argon with a heat-reflective coating.  This project is funded by both EEF and Facilities Management with EEF funds spread equally over two years.

Solar Power Canopy

A solar power canopy is a shade structure or awning that generates electricity using photovoltaic panels.  This project will be coordinated by the EEF program and result in a solar power canopy somewhere on campus.  A major goal of this project is to install a building-integrated PV system in a visible location on campus.  Leading locations include the Rec Center and Euclid Parking Structure.  The project will be approved by the Boulder Campus Planning Commission and include a design contest for students.   Rebates for solar power available from Colorado’s Amendment 37 will help fund the project.   EEF funds will be spread over two years and matching funds have been approved by the Environmental Center Board from the Sustainable CU Referendum budget.  Energy production estimates were made using the PV F-chart modeling program.

UMC Solar Panels

In 2004, the Environmental Center installed CU’s first solar photovoltaic system. It is a 7.5 kW solar system located on the UMC northeast roof. The system provides enough energy to meet 1.5 x the needs of the Environmental Center.  We also installed a kiosk in the UMC, next to the Alfred Packard Grill that displays real time energy output of the solar panels.  The EEF money dedicated to this system will be used to pay for its disassembly and reassembly required because of a new roof installation.  Energy production estimates were made using the PV F-chart modeling program.

WHC Old Equipment Replacement

Many energy improvements have been made to optimize Wardenburg’s energy use.  The remaining inefficiencies mainly revolve around the use of old electric devices.  This project provides a fund for the voluntary replacement of such equipment with new, more energy efficient devices.  A minimum of a five year payback is required for any replacement.

Carlson Pool Heat Exchanger

The Carlson Pool Heat Exchanger is an asbestos covered antique that could be replaced with a modern heat exchanger that would be at least 10% more efficient.  The energy savings estimate for this project is based on the measured energy savings that resulted after the EEF-financed upgrade of a very similar heat exchanger in the Recreation Center last year.

UMC LEED

The LEED Certification of the UMC is a project that began in 2004 and was completed in June 2006 (read press release).  EEF staff worked with the UMC staff and consultants at the Rocky Mountain Institute/ENSAR Group.  Although a good amount of staff time has been required in 2005, no capital funds from the 2005-06 EEF budget is expected to be needed to finish this project.

Solar Thermal Collectors

Solar thermal collectors use the sun’s energy to generate heat – usually for water.  Similar to the Solar Power Canopy project, this project intends to install a solar thermal collection system somewhere in campus primarily as a demonstration project.  The goals are to effectively integrate the system into an existing building and show that the technology is reliable.  EEF funds for this project have been allocated in the 20057-08 and augmented by Sustainable CU funds approved by the Environmental Center Board.