Energy Management of Facilities

• Laboratories typically consume 5 to 10 times more energy per square foot than office buildings.

• The challenge for architects, engineers, and other building professionals is to design and construct the next generation of laboratories with energy efficiency, renewable energy sources, and sustainable construction practices in mind.

• The basic energy challenge confronting laboratory designers is the high cost of conditioning the large volume of ventilation air needed to meet safety requirements and building codes.

• During the planning and programming phase, it is advisable to zone lab modules based on classification-driven ventilation requirements.

• During building design, the development of clear, flexible distribution plans are stressed. During the selection of mechanical systems, energy-efficient technologies such as variable-air-volume (VAV) fume hoods and heat recovery systems, and variable speed drives are considered.

The Following Energy management measures are typically considered during the development of the project.

Planning and Programming:

• Emphasize life-cycle cost when making energy decisions.
• Establish energy efficiency and the use of renewables energy as project goals.
• Conduct codes and standards review; understand the difference between cods and Standards.
• Understand the implications of narrow operating Ranges.
• Catalogue opportunities for energy efficiency and renewables in non-lab spaces.
• Segregate energy –intensive process by creating mini-environments.

Designing:

• Select A-E professionals with experience in sustainable lab designs.
• Pursue whole building approach.
• Insist on clarity and convenience in mechanical system distribution.
• Try to isolate office and support spaces from lab modules.
• Plan adjacencies by considering mechanical system requirements.
• Do not forget about people.

Engineering:

• Right size equipment.
• Select equipment by considering part-load and variable operating conditions.
• Specify premium high-efficiency equipments.
• Carefully consider the number, size, location, and type of fume hoods.
• Low-pressure-drop design.
• Take advantage of the project unique climate and location.
• Separate low-and high temperature cooling loops.
• Consider using energy recovery systems.
• Incorporate energy monitoring and control systems.

Commissioning, Operating, and Maintaining:

• Whole building commissioning.
• Benchmark, monitor, and report annual energy performance.

Powering:

• Investigate the use of on site power generation.