Case Study: Improving Sustainability of an Existing Building Presented by Michael Meenan, PE Regional Environmental Manager, Burns & McDonnell NDIA Environment, Energy & Sustainability Symposium June 14-17, 2010
Sustainability Case Study Objectives Approach Sustainability Initiatives Lessons learned
Objectives Corporate culture of employee-ownership Investment Engagement of employees & community Awareness Involvement Education
Approach Existing building Constructed in 1987 468,000 square feet, class A office building Stakeholder challenges Multiple parties Building owner Property manager Tenant Differing vested interests Costs
Approach Phased approach currently in year 4 Phase I: Energy audit, results implementation Phase II: Sustainability audit Phase III: Implement sustainability initiatives Phase IV: Energy update and LEED Silver audit Phase V: Implement energy updates and LEED Silver initiatives
Initiatives Energy management Stormwater management Water and wastewater conservation Sustainable design Alternative transportation Sourcing/recycling
Energy Management Phase I (year 1) implementations Lighting retrofit in building and garage Chilled water and hot water variable-volume pumping, new pump motors Boiler replacement with natural gas condensing units Chiller replacement Removal of inlet vanes on air handling units LCD screen replacement Water conservation
Energy Management Building temperature Saves 100,000 kilowatt-hours and 77 metric tons of CO 2 e annually Equivalent of removing 15 cars off the road 74 72
MMBtu Energy Management Energy Management Savings 25000 23000 21000 19000 17000 15000 Prior to Implementation 16% annual savings After Implementation
Energy Management Phase I (Year 1) results 16% annual energy savings Initiatives Cost: $300K-$5K Savings: $55K-$2.5K per year 7-year average payback U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Energy Star Award
Energy Management Phase V (year 4) measures in progress High efficiency transformer retrofit Demand-based ventilation control Demand-limiting strategies Demonstration projects Hybrid solar lighting Solar photovoltaic
Energy Management Hybrid solar lighting Currently in beta testing Natural light without heat and glare 50,000 peak lumens Illuminates 1,000 square feet of office space
Energy Management Solar photovoltaic Bifacial Panels Offsets 50 work stations at peak capacity Produces 5,000 watts of electricity
Stormwater Management Phase III (year 3) implementations Bioretention cells StormTreat unit Rain garden Demonstration projects Green roof Pervious pavement
Rain Garden Pervious Pavement Pervious Pavement Bannister Road StormTreat Unit Bioretention Summit Street
Stormwater Management
Stormwater Management Green roof Reduces rate and volume of runoff Reduces heat island effect Natural setting Reduces building heating and cooling needs Three optional areas identified
Stormwater Management Placement of Green Roof Option 1 Option 3 Option 2
FLOW RATE (CFS) Stormwater Management 1.2 UNIT HYDROGRAPH BARE ROOF VERSUS GREEN ROOF 1 0.8 0.6 0.4 BARE ROOF BARE ROOF DRAINAGE MIMICS STORM EVENT - FREE DRAINING WITH PEAK DISCHARGE CORRESPONDING TO STORM PEAK WATER INTO STORAGE (DELAYS OUTFLOW.) WATER IN STORAGE IS LOST TO PLANT UPTAKE AND EVAPOTRANSPIRATION. 50-70% RUNOFF REDUCTION. 0.2 GREEN ROOF 0 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 TIME (Minutes)
Stormwater Management Pervious Pavement Void spaces allow water to infiltrate the pavement Reduces runoff volume Removes pollutants from stormwater runoff, improving water quality
Stormwater Management Program Summary: 19 million gallons of total site rainfall 37% treated or captured 18% runoff reduction
Water/Wastewater Conservation Initiatives implemented Phase III (year 2-3) Waterless urinals Eighth-gallon urinal Dual-flush handle for toilets Low-flow aerators Results Achieved 77% reduction in water consumption 1.5 million gallons conserved annually
Water/Wastewater Conservation
Millions of Gallons Water/Wastewater Conservation 2.00 1.80 1.60 1.40 Water Consumption by Fixture Type Before Retrofits After Retrofits 1.20 1.00 0.80 0.60 0.40 0.20 0.00 Toilets 3.5 to 1.6 gpf Sinks 2.2 to 0.5 gpm Urinals 1.0 to 0.125 gpf
Sustainable Design LEED Silver certification (Phase V) Document design and construction upgrades First existing building in Kansas City to achieve LEED Silver certification Current APs
Lessons Learned Coordinating vested interests Tenant participation, desire to be environmentally responsible Educating and communicating to building users prior to and during implementation Prioritizing Starting small, not trying to tackle everything or large initiatives immediately Community awareness Benefits to the surrounding community
Questions? Michael Meenan, PE Regional Environmental Manager Burns & McDonnell Phone: 832-214-1236 E-mail: mmeenan@burnsmcd.com Web: www.burnsmcd.com