| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 61.53 |
| Liaison | Rachael Wein |
| Submission Date | March 2, 2020 |
Smith College
OP-5: Building Energy Efficiency
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.24 / 6.00 |
Michelle
Smith Energy Manager CEEDS |
Electricity use, performance year (report kilowatt-hours):
| kWh | MMBtu | |
| Imported electricity | 9,421,069 Kilowatt-hours | 32,144.69 MMBtu |
| Electricity from on-site, non-combustion facilities/devices (e.g., renewable energy systems) | 405,744 Kilowatt-hours | 1,384.40 MMBtu |
Stationary fuels and thermal energy, performance year (report MMBtu):
| MMBtu | |
| Stationary fuels used on-site to generate electricity and/or thermal energy | 376,594 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 | 37,135 Square feet |
| Healthcare space | 10,943 Square feet |
| Other energy intensive space | 40,000 Square feet |
EUI-adjusted floor area, performance year:
Degree days, performance year:
| Degree days | |
| Heating degree days | 6,327 Degree-Days (°F) |
| Cooling degree days | 825 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 | July 1, 2018 | June 30, 2019 |
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 | 23,320,800 Kilowatt-hours | 79,570.57 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 | 229,246 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 | July 1, 2005 | June 30, 2006 |
A brief description of when and why the energy consumption baseline was adopted:
Oldest complete data available for building energy consumption. Additionally, FY 2006 is a date we have been trying to use in all areas of STARS for consistency.
Source-site ratio for imported electricity:
Total energy consumption per unit of floor area:
| Site energy | Source energy | |
| Performance year | 0.13 MMBtu per square foot | 0.15 MMBtu per square foot |
| Baseline year | 0.11 MMBtu per square foot | 0.17 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:
There was a “Shut the Sash” campaign to inform and encourage lab users about lab energy use and best practices to prevent wasted energy from keeping sashes open.
There have been "Ice Cream Social" events to encourage the community to shut down their offices, rooms, and classrooms and gather in the student center in an effort to reduce energy consumption during peak electricity events during the summer.
A brief description of energy use standards and controls employed by the institution:
In 2019 energy efficiency projects included replacements of 11 gas water heaters, reductions in ventilation at Ford Hall, and retro-commissioning of multiple buildings. The gas water heater replacements will result in a large reduction in natural gas capacity at multiple buildings and efficiency gains of 15-20% per heater. This provides an offset that allows for the installation of gas equipment in the new Neilson, enabling an efficiency improvement of 20% above the central plant boilers. Further metering work has progress this year as well, including at the Lyman Plant House, Indoor Track & Tennis, Fine Arts Center, and Mendenhall Center for the Performing Arts.
A brief description of Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting and other energy-efficient lighting strategies employed by the institution:
The campus continues to install LED fixtures, including LED exit signs. Occupancy and vacancy sensors are used and are continuing to be installed across campus.
A brief description of passive solar heating, geothermal systems, and related strategies employed by the institution:
In 2017 Smith College completed a Campus Decarbonization Plan which outlined a need to shift from a centralized steam based thermal distribution system to a centralized low temperature hot water system. Since that time, our plan has led to a number of similar studies at other institutions. We have just recently finalized a District Energy Master Plan that details phasing options for transitioning to a ground-source geothermal heating and cooling system using a proposed low temperature hot water distribution system. The endeavor would enable significant progress and provides a path to achieving carbon neutrality by 2030.
A brief description of co-generation employed by the institution:
3.5 MegaWatt Solar Centaur 40 gas combustion turbine that supplies about 50% of Smith's heat (on annual average) and a about 65% of its electricity usage.
A brief description of the institution's initiatives to replace energy-consuming appliances, equipment, and systems with high efficiency alternatives:
An increase to funding in 2019 of energy efficiency improvements was made. This funding enabled the replacement of several gas water heaters, significant reductions in ventilation were made in Ford Hall, and retro-commissioning of several buildings. There is a natural gas moratorium in western Mass, which also encourages creative solutions to thermal and domestic hot water heating needs and solutions.
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.