Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 57.84
Liaison Paul Edlund
Submission Date Feb. 19, 2019
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Montana State University
OP-5: Building Energy Consumption

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.65 / 6.00 Duke Elliott
Resource Conservation Engineer
Facilities Services
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Part 1

This credit is based on energy inputs from offsite sources and electricity produced by onsite renewables. When the institution purchases one fuel and uses it to produce heat and/or power, you should enter only what is purchased. For example, if the institution purchases natural gas to fuel a CHP system and produce steam and electricity, only the purchased natural gas should be reported.

Figures needed to determine total building energy consumption:
Performance Year Baseline Year
Grid-purchased electricity 167,434 MMBtu 169,546 MMBtu
Electricity from on-site renewables 208 MMBtu 0 MMBtu
District steam/hot water (sourced from offsite) 268,099 MMBtu 341,179 MMBtu
Energy from all other sources (e.g., natural gas, fuel oil, propane/LPG, district chilled water, coal/coke, biomass) 64,236 MMBtu 62,583 MMBtu
Total 499,977 MMBtu 573,308 MMBtu

Start and end dates of the performance year and baseline year (or 3-year periods):
Start Date End Date
Performance Year July 1, 2015 June 30, 2016
Baseline Year July 1, 2007 June 30, 2008

A brief description of when and why the building energy consumption baseline was adopted (e.g. in sustainability plans and policies or in the context of other reporting obligations):
We are using data used for our greenhouse gas report for our performance year. We chose to use the baseline data we had for prior greenhouse gas reports so our data sets would be consistent.

Gross floor area of building space:
Performance Year Baseline Year
Gross floor area of building space 4,625,109 Gross square feet 4,243,259 Gross square feet

Source-site ratio for grid-purchased electricity:
3.14

Total building energy consumption per unit of floor area:
Performance Year Baseline Year
Site energy 0.11 MMBtu per square foot 0.14 MMBtu per square foot
Source energy 0.20 MMBtu per square foot 0.24 MMBtu per square foot

Percentage reduction in total building energy consumption (source energy) per unit of floor area from baseline:
16.70

Part 2 

Degree days, performance year (base 65 °F / 18 °C):
Degree days (see help icon above)
Heating degree days 6,724 Degree-Days (°F)
Cooling degree days 313 Degree-Days (°F)

Floor area of energy intensive space, performance year:
Floor Area
Laboratory space 317,460 Square feet
Healthcare space 17,828 Square feet
Other energy intensive space

EUI-adjusted floor area, performance year:
5,343,011 Gross square feet

Building energy consumption (site energy) per unit of EUI-adjusted floor area per degree day, performance year:
13.30 Btu / GSF / Degree-Day (°F)

Optional Fields 

Documentation (e.g. spreadsheet or utility records) 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 (e.g. outreach and education efforts):
MSU maintains a solid link between Facilities Services (building management and maintenance) and academic and administrative functions. Specifically, MSU staff regularly respond to requests for campus tours of energy systems, campus presentations, guest lectures and student mentoring with engineering Capstone projects and other projects and enquiries. MSU Engineering and Utilities participates in the Campus Sustainability Council as a voting member and also maintains regular contact with Residence Life with monthly meetings about energy efficiency opportunities. MSU Engineering and Utilities maintains regular contact with projects and consultations with MSU Sports Facilities also as a way to shift campus wide practices toward the implementation of the most efficient technologies and practices.

A brief description of energy use standards and controls employed by the institution (e.g. building temperature standards, occupancy and vacancy sensors):
Heating and Cooling Guidelines Facilities Services fully understands the relationship between building internal temperature variation as it relates to occupant comfort and productivity. With these criteria in mind, the following guidelines have been developed to assist in the understanding of our goals for providing an optimal working environment. Heating Guidelines During the heating season from October through April, the goal is to maintain a space temperature above 66 degrees F in campus buildings. Cooling Guidelines During the cooling season from May through September, the goal is to maintain a space temperature above below 78 degrees F in campus buildings. A majority of buildings have designated occupied/unoccupied hours. In order to save energy, the building temperature will change from the normal operating set points of occupied mode. Temperatures during unoccupied periods will be approximately 62ºF during the heating season and 82ºF during the cooling season. It is highly recommended to be prepared with appropriate clothing and have extra layers available if possible.

A brief description of Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting and other energy-efficient lighting strategies employed by the institution:
MSU employs LED lighting in most new construction including the upcoming Norm Asbjornson Hall. LEDs are also used in most remodel projects. LEDs will be used to replace existing t-8 flourescent light fixtures in locations receiving the highest use and as funding is available.

A brief description of passive solar heating, geothermal systems, and related strategies employed by the institution:
MSU has solar walls to preheat makeup air on Jake Jabs Hall, Yellowstone Hall and Cooley Lab and the same is planned for the Norm Asbjornson Hall.

A brief description of co-generation employed by the institution, e.g. combined heat and power (CHP):
MSU uses a steam turbine to generate approximately two million KWH of electricity each year. The turbine is fed by 185# steam from the central heat plant boilers which is then reduced to 45# steam in the turbines for campus distribution.

A brief description of the institution's initiatives to replace energy-consuming appliances, equipment and systems with high efficiency alternatives (e.g. building re-commissioning or retrofit programs):
We have engaged a private firm for recommissioning of auxiliary buildings (residence Halls, dining facilities, sports facilities) beginning in 2009. We have ongoing major maintenance program that addresses certain needs each year including energy efficiency projects.

The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
---

Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
MSU has approx. 62,000 sq ft of biosafety (BSL) level two and three space included in the laboratory space reported square feet. MSU is only including GSF for buildings served by utilities.

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.