| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 56.45 |
| Liaison | Bambi Ingram |
| Submission Date | Feb. 7, 2020 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Alabama at Birmingham
OP-5: Building Energy Consumption
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.50 / 6.00 |
Julie
Price Sustainability Coordinator Sustainability |
Figures needed to determine total building energy consumption:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Grid-purchased electricity | 1,276,760 MMBtu | 1,273,423 MMBtu |
| Electricity from on-site renewables | 0 MMBtu | 0 MMBtu |
| District steam/hot water (sourced from offsite) | 0 MMBtu | 305,992 MMBtu |
| Energy from all other sources (e.g., natural gas, fuel oil, propane/LPG, district chilled water, coal/coke, biomass) | 1,260,614 MMBtu | 709,720 MMBtu |
| Total | 2,537,374 MMBtu | 2,289,135 MMBtu |
Start and end dates of the performance year and baseline year (or 3-year periods):
| Start Date | End Date | |
| Performance Year | Oct. 1, 2017 | Sept. 30, 2018 |
| Baseline Year | Oct. 1, 2010 | Sept. 30, 2011 |
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):
UAB's Energy Mgmt Department expanded in FY 2010-2011 to include additional staff and funding for energy efficiency projects, energy conservation projects, a comprehensive energy plan, etc. We still compare every year to 2010-2011.
We purchased externally sourced steam in the baseline year because we did not yet have an on-site steam plant.
Gross floor area of building space:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Gross floor area of building space | 15,430,003 Gross square feet | 14,522,174 Gross square feet |
Source-site ratio for grid-purchased electricity:
Total building energy consumption per unit of floor area:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Site energy | 0.16 MMBtu per square foot | 0.16 MMBtu per square foot |
| Source energy | 0.34 MMBtu per square foot | 0.35 MMBtu per square foot |
Percentage reduction in total building energy consumption (source energy) per unit of floor area from baseline:
Degree days, performance year (base 65 °F / 18 °C):
| Degree days (see help icon above) | |
| Heating degree days | 2,519 Degree-Days (°F) |
| Cooling degree days | 2,347 Degree-Days (°F) |
Floor area of energy intensive space, performance year:
| Floor Area | |
| Laboratory space | 1,744,645 Square feet |
| Healthcare space | 4,158,069 Square feet |
| Other energy intensive space |
EUI-adjusted floor area, performance year:
Building energy consumption (site energy) per unit of EUI-adjusted floor area per degree day, performance year:
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):
UAB Energy Management and UAB Sustainability regularly publish articles in the university/hospital newsletters, been guest speakers during classes, mentored senior design projects, hired interns for energy management projects, and been on local/national news.
A brief description of energy use standards and controls employed by the institution (e.g. building temperature standards, occupancy and vacancy sensors):
UAB uses standard building automation systems to employ holiday temperature setbacks, nightly setbacks, summer temperature standards of 85 degrees unoccupied and 74 degrees occupied, winter temperature standards of 55 degrees unoccupied and 68 degrees occupied. UAB also uses lighting occupancy sensors in offices, classrooms, common areas, and hallways.
A brief description of Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting and other energy-efficient lighting strategies employed by the institution:
As funding and time permits, UAB is replacing all standard fluorescent lighting with LED in all buildings, and LED lighting is standard for all new construction and renovation.
A brief description of passive solar heating, geothermal systems, and related strategies employed by the institution:
A brief description of co-generation employed by the institution, e.g. combined heat and power (CHP):
UAB cannot utilize co-generation because our local utility policy prohibits us from distributing on-site generated electricity across the street.
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):
UAB has retro-commission several buildings in order to make the buildings more efficient and increase occupant comfort. UAB also continually completes energy efficiency projects that include lighting control upgrades, new control valves, new ultra-low temp freezers for research, HVAc equipment, autoclaves, fume hood controls, high efficiency filters, and chiller/boiler upgrades.
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:
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.