| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 75.28 |
| Liaison | Chris Frantsvog |
| Submission Date | Feb. 25, 2022 |
Luther College
OP-5: Building Energy Efficiency
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.29 / 6.00 |
Jay
Uthoff Director of Facilities Facilities Management |
Electricity use, performance year (report kilowatt-hours):
| kWh | MMBtu | |
| Imported electricity | 10,242,679 Kilowatt-hours | 34,948.02 MMBtu |
| Electricity from on-site, non-combustion facilities/devices (e.g., renewable energy systems) | 1,853,838 Kilowatt-hours | 6,325.30 MMBtu |
Stationary fuels and thermal energy, performance year (report MMBtu):
| MMBtu | |
| Stationary fuels used on-site to generate electricity and/or thermal energy | 100,393 MMBtu |
| Imported steam, hot water, and/or chilled water | 0 MMBtu |
Total site energy consumption, performance year:
Gross floor area of building space, performance year:
Floor area of energy intensive space, performance year:
| Floor area | |
| Laboratory space | 25,000 Square feet |
| Healthcare space | 4,777 Square feet |
| Other energy intensive space | 9,153 Square feet |
EUI-adjusted floor area, performance year:
Degree days, performance year:
| Degree days | |
| Heating degree days | 5,480.60 Degree-Days (°F) |
| Cooling degree days | 1,315 Degree-Days (°F) |
Total degree days, performance year:
Start and end dates of the performance year (or 3-year period):
| Start date | End date | |
| Performance period | June 1, 2020 | May 31, 2021 |
Total site energy consumption per unit of EUI-adjusted floor area per degree day, performance year:
Electricity use, baseline year (report kWh):
| kWh | MMBtu | |
| Imported electricity | 15,368,440 Kilowatt-hours | 52,437.12 MMBtu |
| Electricity from on-site, non-combustion facilities/devices (e.g., renewable energy systems) | 0 Kilowatt-hours | 0 MMBtu |
Stationary fuels and thermal energy, baseline year (report MMBtu):
| MMBtu | |
| Stationary fuels used on-site to generate electricity and/or thermal energy | 112,109 MMBtu |
| Imported steam, hot water, and/or chilled water | 0 MMBtu |
Total site energy consumption, baseline year:
Gross floor area of building space, baseline year:
Start and end dates of the baseline year (or 3-year period):
| Start date | End date | |
| Baseline period | June 1, 2003 | May 31, 2004 |
A brief description of when and why the energy consumption baseline was adopted:
2003-2004 was our peak energy usage year. We have continually used this year for all of our comparative data. Luther College continues to make improvements in its use of energy. We have reduced our electricity consumption year over year since 2003. Remarkably, this has been achieved while adding square feet to the campus with a science lab, aquatic center, additional square feet to the Union, and renovation of our old science building.
Source-site ratio for imported electricity:
Total energy consumption per unit of floor area:
| Site energy | Source energy | |
| Performance year | 0.09 MMBtu per square foot | 0.14 MMBtu per square foot |
| Baseline year | 0.12 MMBtu per square foot | 0.20 MMBtu per square foot |
Percentage reduction in total source energy consumption per unit of floor area from baseline:
Documentation to support the performance year energy consumption figures reported above:
A brief description of the institution's initiatives to shift individual attitudes and practices in regard to energy efficiency:
Energy Conservation Program
In February 2010, Luther officially adopted an Energy Conservation Program. A $45,000 grant from the Rocky Mountain Institute funded the creation of the program. The creation of the program developed with consultants from Sebesta Blomberg. Through innovative programming related to energy conservation, we hope to reduce energy consumption two percent per year through behavior change and will continue our work on energy efficiency (three percent per year), as well as larger projects like the wind turbine, biomass project and building improvement projects.
In 2017 and 2018, the Center for Sustainable Communities developed the Baker Energy Monitoring Project. Residents of Baker Village now have access to Energy Genius, a website that allows them to monitor their energy usage. The information displayed on the site is specific to each unit and can display real-time data as well as data from past days and months. Students can also view an anonymous comparison to other units as well as track progress for reducing personal energy consumption. A monthly email report is sent to Baker Village residents, updating them on their energy consumption. This report compares their apartment to other apartments in the Village.
More information on our energy conservation education and outreach initiatives can be found here: https://www.luther.edu/sustainability/energy-climate/conservation/
A brief description of energy use standards and controls employed by the institution:
Luther College has set its building temperature standards and works diligently to maintain them as close as possible, while also looking at ASHRAE charts for human comfort levels. Currently we operate our DDC controlled buildings with an average 6 degree offset from heating to cooling. We have retrofitted many classrooms, offices, and larger venues with occupancy sensors that integrate with the lighting and HVAC controls.
A brief description of Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting and other energy-efficient lighting strategies employed by the institution:
Luther College has been installing TLED lamps and drivers as replacements for all fluorescent lamps. We are also installing LED replacement lamps as replacements for our 26 watt to 42 watt compact fluorescent fixtures. Our exit lights are LED. Almost all future lighting projects will be LED. Luther College transitioned all 3,040 light bulbs in Preus Library to LED in 2018. Our efforts are ongoing on replacement lamps/ fixtures. In 2021 we started replacing some high-bay 400 watt metal-halide fixtures in our theater department with high-bay LED fixtures. We plan to continue as time allows. There are still a significant number of fluorescent fixtures on campus, and we are working through the replacements as we can.
A brief description of passive solar heating, geothermal systems, and related strategies employed by the institution:
Luther College utilizes expansive south facing windows for passive solar heating. Baker Village, a 33,632 sq. ft. residence hall utilizes GSHP for heating and cooling and assisting with domestic hot water production. Our Center for the Arts is a 59,825 sq.ft. teaching, studio, and performing arts building that uses GSHP. In addition all ventilation air is exchanged with an air to air heat exchanger.
A brief description of co-generation employed by the institution:
We have evaluated the technology and utilized the Energy Resources Center at the University of Illinois to determine a payback. With our utility tariff structure the payback was in the 55 year time frame. We do not utilize CHP at this time.
A brief description of the institution's initiatives to replace energy-consuming appliances, equipment, and systems with high efficiency alternatives:
Luther participated in a building retro-commissioning program with our local utility. While not completed on every building, the process found many savings opportunities. We have campus-wide policies on Energy Star and EPEAT purchases. (Attached)
Website URL where information about the institution’s energy conservation and efficiency program is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.