Building Metering & Benchmarking: It’s Worth the Energy American University Emily Curley, Sustainability Coordinator Chris O’Brien, Director of Sustainability April 16, 2013

2 AU Office of Sustainability: Staff

3 Strategic Plan Goal #7: “Act on our values through social responsibility and … an active pursuit of sustainability...” AU Office of Sustainability: Vision

4 ACUPCC Carbon Neutral by 2020 LEED Certify 25 Existing Buildings STARS Achieve a Platinum Rating Mayor’s College & University Sustainability Pledge Comprehensive Sustainability Plan Driving Frameworks

Climate Action Plan 5 Reduce Consumption Produce Renewable Energy on CampusPurchase Renewable EnergyPurchase Offsets

6 AU Greenhouse Gas Emissions

7 Benefits of Increasing Energy Savings  Comply with DC Green Building Act  Reduce utility costs (electric, gas, water, chemical)  Reduce operations & maintenance (labor, equipment)  Reduce reliance on RECs and Offsets  Fulfill Presidents Climate Commitment  Improve occupant comfort  Earn LEED recognition

LEED Checklist – Existing Buildings

9 Energy Efficiency & Occupant Comfort Studies 1 show that Energy Star rated & LEED certified buildings:  Increase productivity by 1%-5%  Increase employee morale  Reduce turnover  Improve recruitment  Reduce allergic reactions and stress 1 CBRE & University of San Diego, 2009; McGraw-Hill, 2009; Michigan State, 2009;

10 Energy Saving Strategies  Install meters  25 ASHRAE level I audits  $1.2m energy-saving projects complete  Library Lighting  Butler Tunnel Lighting  Arena Lighting  ASHRAE level II audits: Bender Library, Katzen, MGC, Sports Center, Ward Circle

11 Case Study: Bender Library  117,940 gsf with electricity, district steam & chilled water, solar PV  5 th largest energy using building on campus

12 Case Study: Bender Library  Results not so encouraging…  LEED requires ENERGY STAR score of 19 or source EUI 19% better than national average

13 Bender Library Energy Savings  ASHRAE Level II Audit Identified ECMs:

 Have since completed relighting/delamping project in Library for additional low-cost savings  On target to meet prerequisite pending improvements Bender Library Performance After 14

15 Case Study: Katzen Arts Center  3 rd largest energy using building on campus  335,476 gsf with electricity, natural gas, solar PV  Large parking garage = 60% of total area Museum and performance space = 20% Art “lab” space = 10%

16 Case Study: Katzen Arts Center  Special case for LEED given difficulty of comparison with other buildings  LEED requires source EUI 19% better than 3 year historical baseline average

17 Katzen Energy Savings  ASHRAE Level II Audit Identified ECMs:

 Identified ECMs together reduce consumption to LEED prerequisite level  Katzen would qualify for 1 additional LEED point with new total Katzen Art Center Performance After 18

19 Target Campus Energy Use* LEED compliance level = 69th percentile * 25 targeted existing buildings.

20 Target Annual Cost Savings targeted existing buildings. 2 Assumes savings in proportion to current electric/gas consumption (56% electric/44% gas). Total savings range is based on splitting savings from 33% electric & 67% gas, to 67% electric & 33% gas. Fiscal Year 2

21 Financing Options 1.Invest $8-$10M, 8-10 yr payback a.$3.3M/yr for 3 yrs b.Increase energy project funding from $700k/yr to $1.7/yr for 6 years i.Consider revolving fund 2.Third Party Financing – $0 cost to AU but cost savings are minimized

22 Next Steps -RFQ for energy conservation measures -Determine financing & contracting approach -RFPs for design & construction -Finalize contracts & financing -Implement projects

23 Lessons Learned  Building-level metering is teaching us which buildings consume the most energy and cost the most to operate  Energy benchmarking is teaching us which buildings are the most inefficient relative to buildings like it  Energy auditing is teaching us that making investments in energy efficiency are often financially prudent and allow us to meet our environmental goals

24 Thank you!    Twitter.com/GreenAU  facebook.com/GreenAU