Michigan State University
OP-5: Building Energy Consumption

The baseline of July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010 was used consistently as that is the baseline data used in the developing the energy transition report of January 2012.

Between 2014-2017, in conjunction with the 10 year retro-commissioning initiative, building occupant energy engagement events were conducted. These spartan treasure hunts were modeled after GE Treasure Hunts whereby a team of engineers from GE worked with stakeholders from MSU to develop an approach to engaging building occupants in identifying opportunities for improved energy efficiency, behavior changes with respect to sustainability and develop better working relationships between operations staff and departments across campus. Additionally through collaborations with our Environmental Health and Safety Division, a monthly Safe Sustainable Labs meeting was established bringing together building lab facilities staff, departmental representatives EHS and operations professionals from our Infrastructure Planning and Facilities team. The discussions focused on how to balance safety with sustainability and energy efficiency. Last, over the past 4 years, various IPR team members from Sustainability and Building Performance Services have sponsored student Capstone Deigns projects with the Department of Applied engineering. These projects have focused on energy savings and efficiency topics such as a mobile steam insulation calculator, HVAC filer optimization, ideas for changes to campus district energy production and distribution (in conjunction with Johnson Controls, Inc) and the development of an enforceable campus temperature control guideline.

In 2002 a campus temperature control guideline was drafted and distributed across campus to all Deans, Directors, and Chairs by the office of Vice President for Finance and Operations. This continues today and a version of the document can be found in the attachments. Further , this is possible through our comprehensive building automation and control system (BAS) that dates back to the early 1980s. Our system covers approximately 17 million square feet of campus and allows for the scheduling and monitoring of HVAC systems across campus. However, only approximately 50 % of campus buildings are controlled down to the room level via Direct Digital Controls (DDC) and it ins our construction standards to always deploy integrated occupancy sensors for lighting and HVAC renovations and new builds. Every year as energy conservation measures (projects) are funded and implemented this technology, along with other advanced control sequence strategies, such as CO2 control, static pressure reset and others, are included in the project execution.

MSU has incorporated LED fixtures in our design standards and invested over $4 million in LED upgrades and lighting control systems over the past 6 years as part of renovation projects and through investments in energy conservation measures. In many cases, LED is the best solution. For example the Athletic Facilities use of LED, street and parking lot exterior lights. Many universities are struggling with the wholesale replacement of linear florescent fixtures with LED fixtures. the discussion is around actual long-term cost of replacement of fixtures when the LED fixture has reached is rated life. Currently when an LED fixture reaches its end of life, the entire fixture must be replaced. Florescent light fixture and lamp technology has also advanced over time becoming close to being as energy efficient as an LED while allowing for the replacement of just lamps and the end of their rated life. Florescent lamps have very limited potential to be a health hazard. There have also been debates around the LED fixture high color temperatures that may increase cortisol levels creating negative health effects. with all this said MSU is committed to energy efficient design and will continue to incorporate energy efficient lighting systems in its renovation, construction and capital renewal projects.

"MSU powers campus through the T.B. Simon Power Plant. http://ipf.msu.edu/green/energy/generating-power.html. It is a co-generation plant that provides steam, heat and electricity for the university. It utilizes steam to generate electricity. The power plant capacity is 1.3 million pounds of steam and 100 megawatts. The historical peak demand of the campus is 63 megawatts. Since the plant is co-generation, about 60 percent of the stored energy in fuel is converted to direct energy. For most conventional electric power plants, that number is only 35. The high efficiency is significant in keeping utility costs low."

MSU supports and practices its commitment to reducing its carbon footprint through embracing green methods and materials. Beginning in 2009 all construction standards were modified to facilitate the construction of facilities that could achieve a "certifiable" rating through the U.S. Green Building Councils LEED program. Focusing on existing building fleet, and that same year, a 10 year campaign to carry out energy audits and retro-commissioning of existing campus facilities was initiated. This work consisted of systematic assessments of campus facilities connected to T.B. Sion Power Plant in an effort to optimize the performance of mechanical systems, identify energy efficient maintenance and operations practices, and to identify energy conservation measures. The program was completed in June 2018 and was successful in receiving over $20 million in funding from the Office of the Executive Vice President for energy conservation measures with simple paybacks between 5- 7 years. To date, across the 103 buildings in the program, steam and electricity have been reduced by over 15%. Additionally , as part of the work, a campus-wide steam trap management program was developed resulting in a reduction of device failures from 20 % to 3% and an overall reduction in send out steam to buildings of over 20 % . Since 2012, capital projects with a focus on system upgrades and building renovations have completed another $20 million in energy conservation projects.