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Projects Updates for Building-Level Energy Efficiency

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  1. iCAP Energy Meeting November 2024

    Associated Project(s): 
    Energy iCAP Team
    Building-Level Energy Efficiency
    Rooftop Solar Potential
    Solar Power on Campus

    The Energy Team met on Tuesday, Nov. 12th, from 3:30 - 4:30 PM. We provided updates on building energy efficiency efforts, explored occupant engagement strategies, and continued progress on solar rooftop initiatives. A draft recommendation for campus-wide energy upgrades was reviewed, and we discussed the upcoming agrivoltaic solar project. The meeting minutes are attached!

    Our next meeting is December 10th, 3:30 - 4:30 PM.

    Attached Files: 

  2. FY20 College Energy EIU Documents

    Associated Project(s): 
    Building-Level Energy Usage Report
    Building-Level Energy Efficiency

    Hi Tony,

     

    Could you please provide files like these, for FY21, FY22, and FY23?  This is in support of the iCAP objective https://icap.sustainability.illinois.edu/objectives/222-reduce-building-level-energy.

     

    Thank you,

    Morgan

    -------------------

     

    Morgan,

     

    Can you refresh my memory on how this information is distributed and utilized to support the iCAP?  Since it has been three years since we last produced the reports I am wondering if there is still value in producing these.

     

    Best,

     

    Tony

     

     

    Attached Files: 

  3. ASHRAE Publishes First Zero Energy and Zero Carbon Building Evaluation Standard

    Associated Project(s): 
    Building-Level Energy Efficiency
    Energy iCAP Team

    News

     

     

    ASHRAE Publishes First Zero Energy and Zero Carbon Building Evaluation Standard

     

    ATLANTA (April 27, 2023) – ASHRAE has released a new standard to measure zero net carbon and energy goals in buildings.

     

    ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 228-2023, Standard Method of Evaluating Zero Net Energy and Zero Net Carbon Building Performance, sets requirements for evaluating whether a building or group of buildings meets a definition of “zero net energy” or a definition of “zero net carbon” during building operation. The standard draws from ASHRAE Standard 105, among others, to address energy and carbon flows across a site boundary, their measurement, and their balance.

     

    “Achieving a zero energy building has been viewed by many as a difficult goal to meet, with unforeseeable roadblocks and differing guidance,” said Keith Emerson, P.E., Life Member ASHRAE, chair of the Standards Project Committee 228. Standard 228 provides a consistent method for determining whether new and existing sites have reached zero energy. We hope this standard will become a helpful resource for building professionals in strategic decarbonization planning.”

     

    Additional features of Standard 228 are as follows:

     

    • Allowances for sites that lack the opportunity to produce adequate renewable energy, while placing additional requirements on the use of external carbon and renewable energy in the calculation.
    • Defined calculation of energy in terms of source—a multiplier on the energy crossing the site boundary to include energy used or lost in extraction, generation and transit to the site.
    • The main energy calculation made in terms of annual average factors. Allowance is made for the calculation of individual hours where data is available.

     

    Standard 228 does not apply to the establishment of building energy performance goals or limits; design guidance or design requirements; embodied energy of building materials and systems; and transportation to and from a building. The standard is also not intended to circumvent any safety, health, or environmental requirements.

     

    To purchase Standard 228-2023, visit ashrae.org/228 or contact ASHRAE Customer Contact Center at 1-800-527-4723 (United States and Canada), 404-636-8400 (worldwide) or fax 678-539-2129.

     

    Standard 228 has been published on continuous maintenance. A Standing Standard Project Committee (SSPC 228) has been formed to update the standard through the publication of addenda or revisions to any part of the standard. SSPC 228 is chaired by Dr. Paul Torcellini. Instructions for how to submit a change can be found on the ASHRAE website at ashrae.org/continuous-maintenance.

     

    About ASHRAE

    Founded in 1894, ASHRAE is a global professional society committed to serve humanity by advancing the arts and sciences of heating ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration and their allied fields.

     

    As an industry leader in research, standards writing, publishing, certification and continuing education, ASHRAE and its members are dedicated to promoting a healthy and sustainable built environment for all, through strategic partnerships with organizations in the HVAC&R community and across related industries.

     

    The Society is showcasing integrated building solutions and sustainability in action through the opening of the ASHRAE Global Headquarters building in metro-Atlanta, Georgia.

     

    For more information and to stay up-to-date on ASHRAE, visit ashrae.org and connect on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

     -------------------------------------

    Big news from ASHRAE:

     

    Ralph DiNola

    ---------------------------------------------

     

    Hi Team,

     

    Came across this announcement from ASHRAE this morning and pertains to our recent discussions.

    I don’t have access to the full standard. Maybe Damon has access to the full pdf.

     

    Best,

    Andy

     --------------------------------------

    Saw this too, pretty interesting and worthwhile read!

    I don’t have the full PDF yet but have access to the site to purchase it as a member, but perhaps F&S would be willing to do so?

    DM

    ------------------------------------------

    It would be great to have it. I also interested to know more.

     

    Best

    Yun

     

  5. Energy iCAP Meeting 3/27/2023

    Associated Project(s): 
    Energy iCAP Team
    Building-Level Energy Efficiency
    LEED Certification
    Changing Usage of Individuals

    The Energy iCAP team met on Monday 3/27/23 to discuss recommendations on energy standards for newly constructed buildings and improving communication of energy research on campus between labs and the broader campus community.

    View the recording: https://mediaspace.illinois.edu/media/t/1_9vmyh6sl

    Attached Files: 

  7. Energy iCAP Meeting 1/30/2023

    Associated Project(s): 
    Clean Energy Plan
    Energy iCAP Team
    Building-Level Energy Efficiency
    Improve Space Utilization

    The Energy iCAP Team met on January 30th, 2023 to discuss recommendations on building energy efficiency and revitalizing the energy scholars council at UIUC.

    Link to meeting recording https://mediaspace.illinois.edu/media/t/1_2dwlpz7l

    Attached Files: 

  8. Energy iCAP Team Meeting 12/2/22

    Associated Project(s): 
    Energy iCAP Team
    Building-Level Energy Efficiency
    Facility Standards

    The Energy iCAP Team met on Friday, December 2nd, 2022 to discuss potential recommendations on standards for new buildings and developing a committee of energy researchers to share knowledge across campus.

    Attached Files: 

  9. April Energy iCAP Team Meeting 4-27-22

    Associated Project(s): 
    Energy iCAP Team
    Building-Level Energy Efficiency

    The Energy iCAP Team met on April 27th at 9:00 A.M. for an update on an ongoing student-run study of CO2 district heating and cooling feasibility as well as to discuss two recommendations pertaining to ensuring compliance of new campus buildings with existing state energy codes and F&S energy use standards. One draft recommendation that would use students in architecture or energy related disciplines as a means of ensuring compliance was tabled, while a second recommendation requiring new buildings to more carefully comply with existing standards will undergo further conversation for potential submission as a recommendation over the summer or in the early fall.

    Attached Files: 

  10. Energy iCAP Team March Meeting

    Associated Project(s): 
    Energy iCAP Team
    Building-Level Energy Efficiency
    Energy Conservation Efforts

    The Energy iCAP team met on 3/30/2022 to discuss efforts to increase energy efficiency on campus. The primary topic of conversation was a recommendation that some educational program be created for students to learn about the building design process and advocate for energy efficiency in buildings.

    Attached Files: 

  11. Energy iCAP Team February Meeting

    Associated Project(s): 
    Energy iCAP Team
    Building-Level Energy Efficiency
    Centralized Energy Efficiency Efforts

    The Energy iCAP team met on Wednesday, 2./24/2022 at 9:00 A.M. on Zoom to discuss the following topics:

    • CO2 District Heating and Cooling Research Update
    • Requisitioning data on current energy and square footage
    • Upcoming energy webinars.

    More details in the attached file.

    Attached Files: 

  12. Energy iCAP Team Meeting Minutes from 3-10-21

    Associated Project(s): 
    Energy iCAP Team
    Clean Energy Plan
    Improve Space Utilization
    Building-Level Energy Efficiency
    Green Lab Program

    The Energy iCAP Team met on March 10th, 2021 to discuss next steps on a recommendation for a Comprehensive Energy Master Plan after F&S has published their Energy Management Plan that aims for a 50% reduction in energy utilization by 2026. The team also discussed recommendations for a Green Labs Program and ways to manage space usage on campus. Given how the COVID-19 pandemic has changed in-person activites and created a hybrid workforce, the team believes it will be important to study underused spaces on campus to reduce building-level energy use. 

    Meeting minutes, agenda, and chat log are attached!

    Attached Files: 

  13. Energy iCAP Team Meeting Minutes from 1-21-21

    Associated Project(s): 
    Energy iCAP Team
    Clean Energy Plan
    Energy Performance Contracting / ESCO
    Building-Level Energy Efficiency
    Centralized Energy Efficiency Efforts

    The Energy iCAP Team had their first meeting of the Spring semester on January 21st, 2021. The meeting focused on obtaining supporting materials for a recommendation to start the Comprehensive Energy Plan, which will serve as an university-wide guide on energy conservation. A recommendation to model buildings for energy code compliance will likely be ready next month. Future discussions are planned with F&S representatives. A subcommittee of Energy team members will brainstorm concrete actions on energy efficiency in labs and residence halls. The agenda and meeting minutes are attached. 

    Attached Files: 

  14. archived info - previous project description

    Associated Project(s): 
    Building-Level Energy Efficiency

    From the 2010 iCAP:

    The projected carbon emissions for a business-as-usual scenario show significant increases in emissions due to additional square footage. The University will pursue strategies that slow the amount of increased square footage by judiciously examin- ing existing space. The business-as-usual projection also presumes energy efficien- cy at historic levels. The University has implemented green building requirements that should improve performance levels, including a LEED Silver certification re- quirement for major new buildings and renovations. Results by the Rocky Moun- tain Institute show that there is no correlation between the level of LEED achieved by a building project and the project cost.19 Further, federal, state and local codes, ASHRAE, and AIA are targeting widespread deployment of net-zero commercial buildings by 2030, and the Department of Energy is seeking to make net-zero buildings financially viable by 2025. A net-zero building is one that generates as much energy as it uses over the course of an average calendar year. Projects that seek to do better than meet minimum campus standards should receive campus support or credit for the improvements compared to the baseline.

    The campus will implement a freeze on new buildings and building additions once current planned projects are completed. Any new space must take an existing space of equal or greater size (or of equal or greater energy usage) out of commis- sion. Furthermore, any building retrofit will be required to “do no harm”; that is, it should not increase the energy consumption of a building—if necessary by pack- aging together additional energy conservation and renewables as part of a project. New building projects will be net-zero or replace an existing building. These can be facilitated by a marketplace for space. All projects currently in planning require at least a 30 percent improvement in the proposed building performance rating compared with the baseline building performance rating, as calculated using the latest version of ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1. Finally, the campus space market will include the demolition of certain buildings with poor energy performance, high deferred maintenance burdens, and low his- torical value. Campus buildings that are seen as approaching a deferred mainte- nance deficiency value that is higher than their current replacement value will be considered for removal or renovation.20

  15. Provost describes iCAP in space inventory letter

    Associated Project(s): 
    2015 Illinois Climate Action Plan (2015 iCAP) [ARCHIVED]
    Building-Level Energy Efficiency
    Improve Space Utilization

    Provost Andreas Cangellaris included this statement about the iCAP in the April 2019 letter (attached) to colleges and instructional units about the Space Inventory:

    "I also want to take this opportunity to recap several campus initiatives regarding space stewardship. As you may be aware, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign established the Illinois Climate Action Plan (iCAP) in May 2010 and updated the document in 2015. The document outlines strategies, initiatives, and targets toward meeting the stated goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. The targets and strategies detailed in the plan represent a series of commitments the University is making in order to achieve its sustainability goals, including the Net Zero Space Growth Policy as found in the CAM. I encourage you to review our commitments as outlined in the climate action plan and the Net Zero Space Growth Policy"

    Attached Files: 

  16. Stewarding Excellence Reports

    Associated Project(s): 
    Reduce Emissions from Energy Consumption
    Building-Level Energy Efficiency

    In 2010, the Chancellor's Office coordinated a program called "Stewarding Excellence." This process formed teams about key financial issues on campus, and developed reports on Next Steps to make improvements.  The files for Utilities and Space are both posted here.  The full list is available online at http://oc.illinois.edu/budget/. 

    Attached Files: 

  17. ECBS SWATeam Meeting Minutes

    Associated Project(s): 
    Energy Conservation and Building Standards (ECBS) SWATeam
    Energy Dashboard Project
    Certified Green Office Program (CGOP)
    Building-Level Energy Efficiency

    Energy Conservation & Building Standards SWATeam meeting minutes for December 2.

    Major agenda items included a report on the Green Building Conference, discussion of the Certified Green Office Program, Design Center, space utilization, and potential feasibility studies. 

     

    Attached Files: 

  18. Indoor Air Quality info

    Associated Project(s): 
    Building-Level Energy Efficiency

    The Radiation Safety Section of the Division of Research Safety addresses all matters relating to radiation safety on the campus.

    About campus radon policies, our approach is to use the EPA action levels as the standard for radon exposure. We do not have an ongoing testing program on campus, but when the issue was first raised many years ago there was a comprehensive testing program in campus buildings and they showed low radon levels. - David Scherer, Associate Director of the Radiation Section at the Division of Research Safety