Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 66.30
Liaison Andrea Trimble
Submission Date March 1, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

University of Virginia
OP-5: Building Energy Consumption

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.02 / 6.00 Andrew Pettit
Sustainability Analyst
UVA Office for Sustainability
"---" 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 1,120,803.10 MMBtu 1,067,224 MMBtu
Electricity from on-site renewables 61.38 MMBtu 0 MMBtu
District steam/hot water (sourced from offsite) 954,161.20 MMBtu 898,780 MMBtu
Energy from all other sources (e.g., natural gas, fuel oil, propane/LPG, district chilled water, coal/coke, biomass) 2,203,128 MMBtu 1,431,131 MMBtu
Total 4,278,153.68 MMBtu 3,397,135 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, 2016
Baseline Year Jan. 1, 2010 Dec. 31, 2010

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):
This energy consumption baseline was selected to comply with the DOE Better Building Challenge.

Gross floor area of building space:
Performance Year Baseline Year
Gross floor area of building space 17,078,000 Gross square feet 15,157,645 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 0.25 MMBtu per square foot 0.22 MMBtu per square foot
Source energy 0.40 MMBtu per square foot 0.39 MMBtu per square foot

Percentage reduction in total building energy consumption (source energy) per unit of floor area from baseline:
0

Part 2 

Degree days, performance year (base 65 °F / 18 °C):
Degree days (see help icon above)
Heating degree days 3,952 Degree-Days (°F)
Cooling degree days 1,546.50 Degree-Days (°F)

Floor area of energy intensive space, performance year:
Floor Area
Laboratory space 3,431,000 Square feet
Healthcare space 3,000,000 Square feet
Other energy intensive space

EUI-adjusted floor area, performance year:
30,302,724 Gross square feet

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

Optional Fields 

Documentation (e.g. spreadsheet or utility records) to support the performance year energy consumption figures reported above:
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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):
Outreach, Engagement, and Communications Sustainability Advocates (students) Student Employees – recycling, promotions, water, energy, and student outreach teams (students) Green Labs Program (students, staff, and faculty) Green Workplace Program (staff and faculty) Sustainability Partners (staff and community) Annual Events (i.e. Earth Week, U.Va. Sustainability Day, Game Day Challenge) Annual Competitions (i.e. Dorm Energy Race) Greening existing events (i.e. zero waste support) Community support (i.e. Georgetown University Energy Prize) Communications support - signage, website, social media, Sustainanewsletter, Green Tips

A brief description of energy use standards and controls employed by the institution (e.g. building temperature standards, occupancy and vacancy sensors):
The over 500 existing buildings at U.Va. present continual opportunities for sustainability upgrades. In addition to the primary existing buildings sustainability program, Delta Force, Facilities Management, with the help of student workers, continues to identify and upgrade inefficient lighting fixtures throughout the University. This year eight facilities were selected for full building re-lamping. In addition, 155 exterior pole lights, bollards & other exterior lights were converted to LED. These projects saved the University $97,300 in electricity costs in 2014-15 because they were completed mid-year. These lighting projects are estimated to save the University over $130,000 annually. Delta Force is a building efficiency initiative led by a team of engineers in Facilities Management. Since 2007, $7.9 million has been invested in the Delta Force retro-commissioning initiative. With an avoided cost to date of nearly $22 million, the simple return on investment is 2.5:1 since the program inception.

A brief description of Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting and other energy-efficient lighting strategies employed by the institution:
UVa has installed LED replacements for CFL and incandescent lamps at several buildings, including Gilmer Hall, the Chemistry Building, Runk Dining Hall, O'Hill dining Hall and Campbell Hall.

A brief description of passive solar heating, geothermal systems, and related strategies employed by the institution:
None

A brief description of co-generation employed by the institution, e.g. combined heat and power (CHP):
The University has completed an Alternative Energy Study, and is beginning a detailed study for combined heat and power. This is a major consideration for two reasons, it will reduce our carbon footprint and also improve overall reliability and customer service. A detailed co-gen analysis and feasibility study is currently being conducted by Jacobs engineering.

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):
Delta Force is U.Va.’s interdisciplinary team-based approach to optimize the performance and sustainability of the most energy intensive existing buildings on Grounds. Each building’s Delta Force team includes facility coordinators, trades and staff, building occupants, external consultants as needed, and is led by Office for Sustainability Energy Engineers. The Delta Force program has two main goals in planning, implementing and tracking projects. One goal is to select a building and maximize sustainable practices in a cost-effective manner, with a focus on energy and water use. The other goal is to encourage building occupants to maintain and exceed sustainability goals set for the building. The program is funded through actual (metered) utility cost savings from projects implemented through Delta Force. Delta Force projects typically run 12-15 months and include: A comprehensive assessment of building control systems, including a point-to-point check of all monitored systems including the building automation system (BAS) An engineering assessment of all HVAC system components, including air handler units, exhaust systems and hoods, enthalpy recovery devices, supply pipes, valves, ducts and air distribution systems The operation of VAV and terminal boxes throughout the building including area-specific pressurization, air exchange rates and when possible, occupant comfort Lighting retrofits including the replacement of all 32 Watt T8 fluorescent lamps with 25 Watt lamps that have no more than 2mg of mercury The installation of water flow restrictors in restrooms

The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.