| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 71.94 |
| Liaison | Emily Vollmer |
| Submission Date | Dec. 19, 2017 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Virginia Tech
OP-5: Building Energy Consumption
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.12 / 6.00 |
Ruben
Avagyan Campus Energy Manager 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.
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Grid-purchased electricity | 659,185 MMBtu | 683,716 MMBtu |
| Electricity from on-site renewables | 432.04 MMBtu | 502.20 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) | 1,390,666 MMBtu | 1,340,206 MMBtu |
| Total | 2,050,283.04 MMBtu | 2,024,424.20 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, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2013 |
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):
There was a significant increase in GHG emissions in the 2013 baseline year used. This year was chosen to demonstrate the progress made by Virginia Tech in the three year time period to reduce campus-wide energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.
Gross floor area of building space:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Gross floor area of building space | 10,140,464 Gross square feet | 10,048,489 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 | 0.20 MMBtu per square foot | 0.20 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:
1.66
Part 2
| Degree days (see help icon above) | |
| Heating degree days | 4,664 Degree-Days (°F) |
| Cooling degree days | 915 Degree-Days (°F) |
Floor area of energy intensive space, performance year:
| Floor Area | |
| Laboratory space | 1,529,278 Square feet |
| Healthcare space | 100,000 Square feet |
| Other energy intensive space |
EUI-adjusted floor area, performance year:
14,322,902
Gross square feet
Building energy consumption (site energy) per unit of EUI-adjusted floor area per degree day, performance year:
25.66
Btu / GSF / Degree-Day (°F)
Optional Fields
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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):
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A brief description of energy use standards and controls employed by the institution (e.g. building temperature standards, occupancy and vacancy sensors):
The university uses a Siemens APOGEE-based Building Automation System (BAS) to provide normal temperature and humidity control for ~80% of campus buildings. Beginning in 2009, Virginia Tech’s Facilities staff began implantation of time-of-day scheduling of HVAC Air Handler Unit operation and associated chilled water flow based on occupancy rates in non-critical buildings. Academic year nighttime and weekend automatic schedules are programmed for ~30 of campus buildings as well as further reduced schedules for extended breaks and summer operation.
A brief description of Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting and other energy-efficient lighting strategies employed by the institution:
LED fixtures were installed in Virginia Tech’s Perry Street Parking Garage which opened in august, 2010. LED fixtures were also installed for the Upper Chicken Hill Parking Lot Improvements project completed in summer, 2010.
To view an article highlighting the sustainable features of the Perry Street Parking Garage please see: http://www.vtnews.vt.edu/articles/2010/08/082310-tcs-garageopening.html
To view specifications of the project please see: http://www.pdc.facilities.vt.edu/mediawiki/index.php/Upper_Chicken_Hill_Parking_Lot_Improvements
To view the specifications for the LED lighting please see:
http://facilities.vt.edu/documents/sustainability/unlinked/Sawyer_Submittal_Exterior_Lighting.pdf
A brief description of passive solar heating, geothermal systems, and related strategies employed by the institution:
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A brief description of co-generation employed by the institution, e.g. combined heat and power (CHP):
VT campus has a 6 MW steam turbine paired with 2 coal fired and 4 natural gas boilers. Steam is produced at a pressure of 600 psi and superheated. The turbine generates more electric energy during the heating season when steam requirement in the campus is at its maximum.
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):
Virginia Tech has developed a five year energy action plan with the ultimate goal of reducing campus-wide energy use and greenhouse gas emissions at the Blacksburg, VA main campus. Lighting upgrade projects are currently being implemented across campus, gradually replacing lights that have burned out with either a more efficient 25W tubular light or an LED tubular light. Building re-commissioning is regularly being performed on campus, occurring when older buildings that may or may not have been commissioned are revisited and the equipment is checked for performance. In addition, building automation upgrades are being implemented in buildings at Virginia Tech, where a Siemens automation system is updated as standards change. Mechanical insulation is also being upgraded to ensure heated or cooled air or water being transported does not lose its desired temperature, saving energy use behind the heated or cooled air or water.
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
In 2016, the Virginia Tech community held the annual event Light’s Out!/Power Down! For more information see https://vtnews.vt.edu/articles/2016/07/adm-fspowerdowngoal2016.html
The baseline year of calendar year 2013 was compared to the performance year of calendar year 2016.
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.