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Projects Updates for ECBS Recommendations Summary

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  1. ECONS007 Energy Conservation Funding 2018 - Returned to SWATeam

    Associated Project(s): 
    ECBS Recommendations Summary
    Utility and Energy Services Funds
    iCAP Working Group (iWG)

    After the iWG meeting on September 17, 2018, Dr. Cai sent the following response to the SWATeam regarding ECONS007:

    Dear ECBS SWATeam,

    Thank you for your strong commitment to campus sustainability.  The iCAP Working Group met on Monday this week and discussed the ECONS007 Recommendation (https://icap.sustainability.illinois.edu/project-update/econs007-energy-conservation-funding-2018-recommendation-submittal).

    We invited Josh Whitson and Kent Reifsteck to speak with us, and there was a good discussion about the benefits and usefulness of Energy Performance Contracting.  However, the iWG decided that there is not an actionable next step in this recommendation, as it currently stands.  We strongly support campus funding for energy conservation, so we are returning this recommendation to your team for further information.  For example, where do you recommend the suggested funding come from?  Also, are there specific projects identified for the funds in the first year? How will those projects coordinate with other efforts for dealing with deferred maintenance?   The iWG members are willing to discuss this issue with you and Kent’s team further, to strategize ideas. 

    Please let us know if you would like to arrange a meeting with your SWATeam and members of the iWG.

    Thank you,

    Ximing Cai

    See related iCAP Working Group meeting notes here.

    See SWATeam recommendation ECONS007 Energy Conservation Funding 2018 here.

  2. ECONS006 Energy Conservation Funding 2017 - Successful

    Associated Project(s): 
    ECBS Recommendations Summary
    iCAP Working Group (iWG)
    Utility and Energy Services Funds

    Matthew Tomaszewski responded to the iWG Chair, Dr. Ximing Cai, with the following email:

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

    Good morning, Ximing,
    I have had a couple conversations with Provost Cangellaris about this recommendation.  We will include it for consideration as part of our broader discussion of the campus budget.  As you know, budget reform has implications for space and utilities use, so this is a timely submission.  

    Thank you,
    Matthew

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

    For any future updates on this item, please visit the Utility and Energy Services Funds project.

    See Transmittal of ECONS006 Energy Conservation Funding 2017 to the Provost Office here.

    See iWG Assessment of the ECONS006 Energy Conservation Funding 2017 here.

    See SWATeam recommendation ECONS006 Energy Conservation Funding 2017 here.

     

  3. ECONS007 Energy Conservation Funding 2018 recommendation - Submittal

    Associated Project(s): 
    Energy Conservation and Building Standards (ECBS) SWATeam
    ECBS Recommendations Summary
    Utility and Energy Services Funds

    The ECBS SWATeam submitted a recommendation, to the iWG, stating, "We recommend $10M per year (scalable) of funding for the next 5 years to implement critical projects that work in concert with energy performance contracts (EPC).  EPC contracts are fulfilled by specialized, accredited firms known as energy service companies. The university uses EPCs to manage complex projects targeting facilities with high energy use, such as laboratories, maximizing energy efficiency and addressing sizable volumes of deferred maintenance issues along the way.  The campus backlog on deferred maintenance is approaching $1 billion."

    See attached the SWATeam recommendation, ECONS007 Energy Conservation Funding 2018, complete with comments from all the ECBS SWATeam members.

    Also attached is the EPC Analysis report as submitted by the ECBS SWATeam.

    Attached Files: 

  4. ECONS006 Energy Conservation Funding 2017 recommendation - Transmittal

    Associated Project(s): 
    Utility and Energy Services Funds
    ECBS Recommendations Summary
    iCAP Working Group (iWG)

    The iCAP Working Group (iWG) Chair, Dr. Ximing Cai, forwarded the ECONS006 Energy Conservation Funding 2017 recommendation to the Provost following the completion of iWG assessment of the same. 

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

    Dear Provost Andreas Cangellaris:

    On behalf of Illinois Campus Sustainability Working Group (iWG), I’m sending you a recommendation on energy conservation funding, which was made by Sustainability Working Advisory Group on Energy Conservation and Building Standards (SWAT-ecbs). The recommendation was then evaluated by iWG. 

    Energy conservation is vital to maintaining our energy savings and emission reductions and has a strong payback. iWG suggests that the Provost’s Office considers this recommendation when reviewing Facilities and Services’ budget for FY19. Attached please see the original recommendation made by SWAT-ecbs and the evaluation of by iWG.

    If you have any questions about the recommendation, please let us know. We would appreciate any responses regarding your perspective on this recommendation.

    Thank you for your consideration and support to campus sustainability.


    Best regards

    Ximing Cai

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

    For any future updates on this item, please visit the Utility and Energy Services Funds project.

    See iWG Assessment of the ECONS006 Energy Conservation Funding 2017 here.

    See SWATeam recommendation ECONS006 Energy Conservation Funding 2017 here.

     

  5. iWG meeting minutes April 9th, 2018

    Associated Project(s): 
    iCAP Working Group (iWG)
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)
    Solar Farm 2.0
    Student Sustainability Leadership Council (SSLC)
    Sustainability Council
    ECBS Recommendations Summary
    Green Lab Program
    Bike Sharing
    iSEE Campus as a Living Lab (CALL) Projects
    EPA SmartWay Affiliate
    Geothermal on Campus
    Energy Generation, Purchasing, & Distribution (eGen) SWATeam
    Topical iCAP Teams

    Attached are the meeting minutes from the iWG meeting that was held on April 9th, 2018.

    Attached Files: 

  6. ECONS006 Energy Conservation Funding 2017 recommendation - Assessment with all comments

    Associated Project(s): 
    Utility and Energy Services Funds
    iCAP Working Group (iWG)
    ECBS Recommendations Summary

    The iCAP Working Group (iWG) met on November 30th, 2017, to discuss the ECONS006 Energy Conservation Funding 2017, and started the assessment of this recommendation. Their official comment was:

    "Energy Conservation is vital to maintaining our energy savings and emission reductions and has a strong payback. The Provost’s Office should consider this recommendation when reviewing Facilities and Services’ budget for FY19 and should consider this in light of the larger budget reform process."

    See the attached file for the complete assessment of this recommendation complete with official comments from all the iWG members.

    See SWATeam recommendation ECONS006 Energy Conservation Funding 2017 here.

    Attached Files: 

  7. ECONS006 Energy Conservation Funding 2017 recommendation - Submittal

    Associated Project(s): 
    Utility and Energy Services Funds
    Energy Conservation and Building Standards (ECBS) SWATeam
    ECBS Recommendations Summary

    The ECBS SWATeam submitted a recommendation to the iWG stating, "We recommend the following actions and funds to implement critical projects key to energy conservation efforts at UIUC. Total funds needed: $3.55M

    1) RESTORE funding of ~ $1.5M in FY19, compensating for loss of DCEO grants (Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity), to continue the Retro-commissioning (RCx) work. Retro-commissioning = Identifying and implementing operational and maintenance improvements to existing buildings (first pass) to ensure continued optimal performance over time.

    2) INCREASE the Recommissioning (REx) and Preventive Maintenance (PM) teams. Re-commissioning = Building operating and maintenance systems are examined, parts may be fixed or replaced, and systems reset as if they were being installed new. REx is usually performed about 5 years after RCx has passed thru a building and reoccurs about every 5 years going forward. Preventive Maintenance = actions to preserve life of equipment and prevent breakdowns (cleaning of coils, review of air handling unit systems, review of hydronic systems.) Occurs before re-commissioning. The PM group reports to the maintenance side of the organization whereas the RCx and REx teams report to Utilities and Energy Services. In terms of priority:

    • Change the 5th recommissioning team that is temporary for FY18 to make it permanent in FY19 ($350K/year)
    • Increase Building Maintenance and Preventive Maintenance teams from 1 to 2 for FY19. ($350K for 2nd team)
    • Implement systematic building control upgrades to enhance further energy conservation and/or replace outdated equipment (IT audit item) ($1M/year).
    • Increase Recommissioning teams from 5 to 6 for FY2019 ($350K for 6th team)."

    See attached the SWATeam recommendation ECONS006 Conservation Budget Funding 2017 complete with comments from all the ECBS SWATeam members.

    Attached Files: 

  9. ECONS005 Illini Lights Out Continuation recommendation - Transmittal

    Associated Project(s): 
    Illini Lights Out
    ECBS Recommendations Summary
    iCAP Working Group (iWG)

    Following the completion of iWG assessment, the SWATeam recommendation ECONS005 Illini Lights Out Continuation was transmitted to iSEE.

    For future updates, please refer to Illini Lights Out.

    See iWG assessment of ECONS005 Illini Lights Out Continuation here.

    See SWATeam recommendation ECONS005 Illini Lights Out Continuation here.

  10. ECONS005 Illini Lights Out Continuation recommendation - Assessment with all comments

    Associated Project(s): 
    ECBS Recommendations Summary
    iCAP Working Group (iWG)
    Illini Lights Out

    The iCAP Working Group (iWG) met on May 2nd, 2017 to discuss the ECONS005 Illini Lights Out Continuation recommendation and started the assessment of this recommendation. Their official comment was:

    "This is an important part of the iCAP and iSEE should take on long-term management and coordination of this program. Moving forward, data on total lights shut off should be collected and shared with building occupants and an educational component should be developed. Perhaps a competitive aspect for participation could be added as well."

    See the attached file for the complete assessment of this recommendation complete with official comments from all the iWG members.

    See SWATeam recommendation ECONS005 Illini Lights Out Continuation here.

    Attached Files: 

  11. Conservation Budget Recommendation (ECONS003) - Chacellor's approval

    Associated Project(s): 
    ECBS Recommendations Summary
    Sustainability Council
    Energy Conservation Efforts
    Retrocommissioning (RCx)

    Attached is the Chancellor's reply to the ECONS003 Conservation Budget recommendation.

    See Transmittal of ECONS003 Conservation Budget to the Provost Office

    See iWG Assessment of ECONS003 Conservation Budget

    See SWATeam Recommendation of ECONS003 Conservation Budget

    Attached Files: 

  12. March 2017 Sustainability Council Recommendations Approved

    Associated Project(s): 
    Sustainability Council
    iCAP Working Group (iWG)
    Rooftop Solar Potential
    Clean Power Agreements Off-Campus
    Energy Conservation Efforts
    Utility and Energy Services Funds
    ECBS Recommendations Summary
    eGen Recommendations Summary

    Interim Provost Wilkin, on behalf of Chancellor Jones, approved moving forward with the recommendations discussed at the March 2017 Sustainability Council meeting. See attached file.

    See iWG follow-up on the March 2017 Sustainability Council meeting here.

    See Transmittal of EGen005 Rooftop Solar Standards here.

    See iWG Assessment for SWATeam recommendation EGen005 Rooftop Solar Standard here.

    See SWATeam recommendation EGen005 Rooftop Solar Standards here.

    See Transmittal of EGen003 PPA term to the Sustainability Council here.

    See iWG Assessment of EGen003 PPA Term here.

    See SWATeam recommendation EGen003 PPA Term here.

    See Transmittal of ECONS003 Conservation Budget to the Provost Office here.

    See iWG Assessment of ECONS003 Conservation Budget here.

    See SWATeam Recommendation of ECONS003 Conservation Budget here.

    Attached Files: 

  13. March 2017 Sustainability Council Recommendations & Next Steps

    Associated Project(s): 
    Sustainability Council
    iCAP Working Group (iWG)
    Rooftop Solar Potential
    Clean Power Agreements Off-Campus
    Energy Conservation Efforts
    ECBS Recommendations Summary
    Utility and Energy Services Funds
    eGen Recommendations Summary

    Director of iSEE, Evan DeLucia, summarized three recommendations presented at the March 2017 Sustainability Council meeting: EGen005 Rooftop Solar Standard, EGen003 Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) Timeline, and ECons003 Conservation Budget, as well as the next steps, for Chancellor Jones’ approval.

    We followed up with the Sustainability Council on April 25, 2017, with the attached file.

    See Transmittal of EGen005 Rooftop Solar Standards here.

    See iWG Assessment for SWATeam recommendation EGen005 Rooftop Solar Standard here.

    See SWATeam recommendation EGen005 Rooftop Solar Standards here.

    See Transmittal of EGen003 PPA term to the Sustainability Council here.

    See iWG Assessment of EGen003 PPA Term here.

    See SWATeam recommendation EGen003 PPA Term here.

    See Transmittal of ECONS003 Conservation Budget to the Provost Office

    See iWG Assessment of ECONS003 Conservation Budget

    ee SWATeam Recommendation of ECONS003 Conservation Budget

     

    Attached Files: 

  14. ECONS005 Illini Lights Out Continuation recommendation - Submittal

    Associated Project(s): 
    Energy Conservation and Building Standards (ECBS) SWATeam
    ECBS Recommendations Summary
    Illini Lights Out

    The ECBS SWATeam submitted a recommendation to the iWG stating, "The ECBS SWATeam recommends conducting the ‘Illini Lights Out’ program on an ongoing basis. It is currently being implemented two Friday nights each month during the academic year (September – April). This recommendation is based on the current successes of the project that originally was piloted on April 15th, 2016. The ECBS SWATeam led the pilot event and the Illini Lights Out events in fall 2016 with support from iSEE for promotion on Facebook and in the iSEE Newsletter. Starting in spring 2017, iSEE staff have begun coordinating the effort with support of the ECBS SWATeam. We recommend that as an ongoing program, iSEE assume coordination of Illini Lights Out, with help from students and the ECBS SWATeam

    Pairs of students accompanied by campus security/other personnel (as necessary) are assigned buildings to audit on the main Quad to turn off non-essential lights in classrooms/bathrooms not in use. Volunteers meet at a designated location to sign in, review safety protocols and receive their tally sheets. Students use these sheets to indicate any empty rooms where they turned off lights. After the audit is complete, students return all forms to designated staff and are then eligible for their free meal (pizza/burritos).

    Previous buildings audited include: Altgeld Hall, English Building, Lincoln Hall, Gregory Hall, David Kinley Hall, Foreign Languages Building, Davenport Hall, and Noyes Laboratory. Recently, additional buildings such as Morrell and Medical Sciences and Engineering Building were added. Two to three students per building are needed for a total of about 24 to 36 student volunteers needed. At a recent Illini Lights Out event, 2018 lights were turned off for an estimated savings of $615.62 if those lights had stayed on all weekend. Over the five ILO events so far in the 2016 -2017 academic year, 6394 lights have been turned off and 41 windows closed."

    See attached the SWATeam recommendation ECONS005 Illini Lights Out Continuation complete with comments from all the ECBS SWATeam members.

     

    Attached Files: 

  15. Green Labs Coordinator Recommendation - Assessment with all comments

    Associated Project(s): 
    ECBS Recommendations Summary
    iCAP Working Group (iWG)
    Green Lab Program

    The iCAP Working Group (iWG) met on Dec 6, 2016. They supported the Green Labs Coordinator recommendation. The Assessment was completed with comments from all the iWG members on March 27, 2017. The iWG's official comment for this recommendation was:

    "The iCAP Working Group strongly supports the creation of a formal and campus-wide Green Labs program, led by a full-time coordinator and assisted by a team of student interns and a faculty advisory committee.  Many of our peer institutions have successfully implemented such programs.  Such a program is almost certain to lead to significant cost savings: for example, if the program led to the decommissioning of just 1% of our campus's 1700 fume hoods, the recurring energy savings would pay for a full-time position.  However, we anticipate that a much larger fraction (perhaps 10-20%) of hoods could be decommissioned, and there would be additional cost savings from behavior changes, freezer and refrigerator management, and other improvements.  The fiscal benefit to the campus as a whole, in addition to the sustainability benefit, is clear.  However, given current uncertainties about budgets and even budget models, it is not obvious which unit(s) stand to realize the cost savings over the long term.  We therefore suggest that this position be supported centrally, by the Office of the Provost, as a cross-cutting cost-saving strategy.  In terms of organizational placement, we suggest that the OVCR is the natural home for this program, because this office already oversees many programs related to the responsible conduct of research, including safety, compliance, and animal care.  As suggested by the SWATeam, this program could also receive communications/marketing support from iSEE staff."

    See attached the iWG assessment complete with official comments from all the iWG members.

    See SWATeam recommendation ECONS004 Green Labs Coordinator.

    Attached Files: 

  16. Conservation Budget Recommendation (ECONS003) - Transmittal to the Council

    Associated Project(s): 
    ECBS Recommendations Summary
    Sustainability Council
    Retrocommissioning (RCx)
    Energy Conservation Efforts

    ECONS003 Conservation Budget Recommendation was transmitted to the Office of the Provost on March 6, 2017. The Council discussed the recommendation at this meeting.

    See iWG Assessment of ECONS003 Conservation Budget

    See SWATeam Recommendation of ECONS003 Conservation Budget

  17. ECONS004 Green Labs Coordinator Recommendation - Submittal

    Associated Project(s): 
    Green Lab Program
    Energy Conservation and Building Standards (ECBS) SWATeam
    ECBS Recommendations Summary

    The ECBS SWATeam submitted a recommendation to the iWG stating, "The ECBS SWATeam recommends funding a full-time Green Labs Coordinator position. The coordinator would implement, with the help of students, a Green Labs Program. Major components of the program would include energy conservation through analysis of fume hood usage (needs and possible consolidation), a Shut the Sash fume hood initiative, freezer and refrigerator management, space efficiency and utilization, water conservation, recycling (e.g., batteries, Styrofoam) and collaboration and education of effective energy efficiency and sustainable methods for management of lab chemicals and hazardous waste disposal."

    See attached the SWATeam recommendation ECONS004 Green Labs Coordinator complete with comments from all the ECBS SWATeam members.

    Attached Files: 

  18. Conservation Budget Recommendation (ECONS003) - Assessment with comments

    Associated Project(s): 
    ECBS Recommendations Summary
    iCAP Working Group (iWG)
    Energy Conservation Efforts
    Retrocommissioning (RCx)

    The iCAP Working Group (iWG) met on May 31, 2016, to discuss and start the assessment of the SWATeam recommendation ECONS003 Conservation Budget. They supported the Continued Funding for Energy Conservation (ECONS003 Conservation Budget) recommendation. The iWG's official comments for this recommendation was:

    "Strategic investment in energy conservation, including recommissioning and preventive maintenance, offers the campus a unique opportunity to achieve long-term savings in utility costs while also advancing the objectives of the Illinois Climate Action Plan. In contrast, failure to invest in conservation, while it may appear to offer short-term financial savings, will only lead to higher future utility costs; this is analogous to “eating the seed corn.” Campus efforts have already led to $8M/year savings.
    This SWATeam recommendation describes a number of key issues and needs that we recommend be addressed. Due to the major impact of this recommendation, the    iCAP Working Group plans to transmit this to the Sustainability Council. However, due to the timely nature of budget discussions, we recommend that iSEE meet with the Provost to share this recommendation."

    See attached the iWG assessment complete with official comments from all the iWG members.

    See SWATeam recommendation of ECON003 Conservation Budget

     

    Attached Files: 

  19. Conservation Budget Recommendation - Supplanted by ECONS003

    Associated Project(s): 
    ECBS Recommendations Summary
    Energy Conservation and Building Standards (ECBS) SWATeam
    Energy Conservation Efforts

    The Conservation Budget Recommendation (ECONS001) was supplanted by an updated Conservation Budget Recommendation (ECONS003).

    See iWG assessment of ECONS001 Conservation Budget

    See SWATeam recommendation of ECONS001 Conservation Budget

    See SWATeam recommendation of ECONS003 Conservation Budget

  20. Conservation Budget Recommendation (ECONS003) - Submittal

    Associated Project(s): 
    Energy Conservation and Building Standards (ECBS) SWATeam
    ECBS Recommendations Summary
    Energy Conservation Efforts

    The ECBS SWATeam submitted a recommendation to the iWG stating, "We recommend continuing to fund critical projects that are key to energy conservation efforts at UIUC. Given the budgetary constraints of the University of Illinois, the team has developed a prioritized list to guide decision makers about funding priorities. Please see noted references for additional rationale for our recommendations.

    Priority 1 (Top—Most important): RESTORE funding for energy conservation work to FY 15 levels (total of ~$2M) to allow the recommission teams to continue their work. Specifically:

    • Restore $610K in Systems & Controls / Energy Conservation FY 16 cuts (includes $250K Quick Payback.)

    • Provide funding to maintain the $1.15M needed for the 3 existing Recommissioning teams.

    • Protect this initiative from FY 17 budget cuts (including another $ 250K proposed cut in Quick Payback.)

    Priority 2: INCREASE the Recommissioning and Preventive Maintenance (PM) teams. IMPLEMENT systematic upgrades of building control systems.

    • Increase Recommissioning teams from 3 to 4 for FY2017 (increase of $ 350K for FY 17).

    • Provide funding for systematic building control upgrades at $1M/year to allow further conservation.

    Priority 3: MAINTAIN the State Utilities Budget (currently ~$65M/year). This will allow campus to reinvest energy savings in more conservation work while maintaining the ability to cover possible future fuel and power price increases. Future Energy Performance Contracts with ESCOs could be supported by this reinvestment, as well as providing funding support for debt service payments on borrows. We anticipate that another ~$100M will need to be spent on future ESCO/deferred maintenance projects.

    Priority 4: COORDINATE with the Campus Master Plan to retire campus space and reduce overall campus square footage. New capital projects must be optimized for energy conservation. Coordinate campus deferred maintenance estimated at (~$750M) with deferred maintenance projects, campus energy conservation efforts, and campus master plan efforts."

    See attached the SWATeam recommendation ECONS003 Conservation Budget complete with comments from all the ECBS SWATeam members.

    See Supplanted ECONS001 Conservation Budget

    Attached Files: 

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