| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 45.79 |
| Liaison | Larry Cook |
| Submission Date | Dec. 4, 2020 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of South Carolina
OP-5: Building Energy Consumption
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
| -- | 2.21 / 6.00 |
Brian
Wiggins Measurement and Verification Manager Facilities |
Figures needed to determine total building energy consumption:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Grid-purchased electricity | 741,748 MMBtu | 713,789 MMBtu |
| Electricity from on-site renewables | 50.02 MMBtu | 50.02 MMBtu |
| District steam/hot water (sourced from offsite) | 0 MMBtu | 0 MMBtu |
| Energy from all other sources (e.g., natural gas, fuel oil, propane/LPG, district chilled water, coal/coke, biomass) | 699,257 MMBtu | 696,888 MMBtu |
| Total | 1,441,055.02 MMBtu | 1,410,727.02 MMBtu |
Start and end dates of the performance year and baseline year (or 3-year periods):
| Start Date | End Date | |
| Performance Year | Jan. 1, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2018 |
| Baseline Year | Jan. 1, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2015 |
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):
The baseline year was selected due to available and reliable data.
Gross floor area of building space:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Gross floor area of building space | 10,497,640 Gross square feet | 13,270,645 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 | 0.14 MMBtu per square foot | 0.11 MMBtu per square foot |
| Source energy | 0.29 MMBtu per square foot | 0.22 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 | 2,262 Degree-Days (°F) |
| Cooling degree days | 2,710 Degree-Days (°F) |
Floor area of energy intensive space, performance year:
| Floor Area | |
| Laboratory space | 1,117,830 Square feet |
| Healthcare space | 106,338 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):
We are currently exploring chilled water and steam submetering of dormitories and using a web-based platform to display the utility information to students. This would encourage behavioral modification to reduce energy usage at the dormitories.
A brief description of energy use standards and controls employed by the institution (e.g. building temperature standards, occupancy and vacancy sensors):
We have Metasys Control system which we use to schedule occupied/unoccupied setbacks in our HVAC system. In our University Energy Policy, we condition building spaces to +/-3 degrees of 72 for heating and +/-3 degrees of 75 for cooling. The only exception to these standards are lab spaces, vivariums, and any other space that may require special conditioning.
A brief description of Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting and other energy-efficient lighting strategies employed by the institution:
We have installed Wattstopper/Lutron and other lighting controls to prevent lights staying on in zones when they are not needed. We also have installed LEDs as opposed to T8 flourescent lighting in Major renovations and new construction projects for the past year. LED lighting has been installed in buildings and parking garges on campus.
A brief description of passive solar heating, geothermal systems, and related strategies employed by the institution:
In one of our dormotories we have a passive solar heating system that provides hot water.
A brief description of co-generation employed by the institution, e.g. combined heat and power (CHP):
There are none.
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):
Although we do not do re-commissioning/retrofiting in an organized manner, we did have an Energy Performance Contract as well as Controls Service Contracts that are designed to reduce our energy footprint as a campus.
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 following energy conservation measures are employed here at USC. Revised building temperature standards, On-gowing upkeep and repair of our steam/condensate system, which results in energy and water savings. Installation of pressure independent control valves on the air handling units of all our major buildings which drastically reduces our HVAC costs. Installation of M2G boiler controls on all of our smaller independent boilers that are ont on the central distribution system. Two new efficient 27,600 lb/hr boilers with economizers replaced and old inefficient water tube boiler. Plate frame heat exchanges in 4 of our energy plants to provide free cooling during certain parts of the year. Installation of electrical sub-metering on almost all of our buildings. We have had numerous lighting projects to replace older flourescent lights with T-8 and LED lighting. We have converted some of our older pneumatic thermostats with electronic thermostats. We have installed VFD drives on almost all of our pumps, major air handlers, cooling towers, and chillers, and distribution equipment. We have installed low NOx burners for the East and West energy plant boilers. The on-going installation of Metasys Building Automation Controls has allowed us to continually monitor energy usage and have more effective control of our building HVAC systems from a central location. We save on average more tha 5 million dollars a year in avoided energy costs due to implementation of an energy performance contract from Johnson Controls. We have also installed LED lighting in the Bull, Senat, and Blossom Street parking garages which save money compared to the high-pressure sodium lights that was used before.
The following energy conservation measures are employed here at USC. Revised building temperature standards, On-gowing upkeep and repair of our steam/condensate system, which results in energy and water savings. Installation of pressure independent control valves on the air handling units of all our major buildings which drastically reduces our HVAC costs. Installation of M2G boiler controls on all of our smaller independent boilers that are ont on the central distribution system. Two new efficient 27,600 lb/hr boilers with economizers replaced and old inefficient water tube boiler. Plate frame heat exchanges in 4 of our energy plants to provide free cooling during certain parts of the year. Installation of electrical sub-metering on almost all of our buildings. We have had numerous lighting projects to replace older flourescent lights with T-8 and LED lighting. We have converted some of our older pneumatic thermostats with electronic thermostats. We have installed VFD drives on almost all of our pumps, major air handlers, cooling towers, and chillers, and distribution equipment. We have installed low NOx burners for the East and West energy plant boilers. The on-going installation of Metasys Building Automation Controls has allowed us to continually monitor energy usage and have more effective control of our building HVAC systems from a central location. We save on average more tha 5 million dollars a year in avoided energy costs due to implementation of an energy performance contract from Johnson Controls. We have also installed LED lighting in the Bull, Senat, and Blossom Street parking garages which save money compared to the high-pressure sodium lights that was used before.
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.