AASHE Campus Sustainability Hub

In February of 2019 Jefferson Community College began a one-year commitment to provide a one-half time FTE On-site Energy Manager position in partnership with NYSERDA under project code OsEM17-C, (PON 3710). The project was initiated to continue the work started in NYSERDA REV Grant (PON 3438) for an energy study of campus facilities that was completed in 2018. The College was still using outside consultants, Trane Service and A&E firms to provide guidance on energy savings projects but lacked time to drill down to the micro-level controls in the Trane building automation system that runs its facilities.

The attached JCC Application narrative contains more in depth examination of the topics below. Other supporting documents are available upon request.

In 2012 the Governor issued Executive Order 88 which required state owned or managed facilities to reduce average source energy use intensity by at least 20% from a baseline of 2010-2011. While Community Colleges were not mandated in this same way, SUNY Jefferson Community College recognized its responsibility as a member of the SUNY system to take action in a similar manner. Using the current Facilities Master Plan, a concerted effort was made to improve the energy efficiency of campus buildings through envelope improvements, HVAC upgrades and energy management systems improvements. By 2018 FY the College had reduced energy use (BTU/SF) by 14% despite having added over 32,000 square footage from new construction during that time.

in 2017 the College was awarded $52,000,528 through the NYSERDA REV Grant program (PON 3438) for an energy study of campus facilities. The project was done in partnership with Trane and the project deliverables were received in 2018. The information received included: • Review of existing energy data in order to establish a baseline • Detailed site survey (ASHRAE level 1 and level 2) of the buildings • Energy Conservation Measure (ECM) Analysis • Recommendations for ECM Implementation • Inventory of all mechanical systems components • Inspection of building envelopes including thermal imaging • Retro-commissioning of the Building Automation Systems

The timing of 2018 OsEM program was ideal and represented a once in a lifetime opportunity for the college. It provided a perfect segue for an on-site energy manager to utilize the information gathered in the just completed REV Grant energy study to create a Campus Energy Management Plan. After meeting with college administration it was clear to all that this was a very appropriate project to pursue. The College applied for the grant and began assembling an Energy Management Team consisting of JCC Staff, Trane consultants, and principals from the college’s A&E firm. The project was launched in April of 2019.

The goals of this project were to develop a long-term energy management plan that would achieve measurable operational savings, maximize building efficiencies, reduce the College’s carbon footprint, promote sustainability and raise awareness among students, faculty, staff and the local community. A 7% reduction in energy use intensity measured in BTU/SF was targeted as an achievable metric.

The OsEM collected baseline and ongoing data logs on all equipment to view operating trends for comparative purposes. These were used to identify problems and help take corrective actions. An regularly updated “work list” was created so JCC Staff and Trane Technicians could prioritize repairs and update BAS programming. A cross functional energy team consisting of the OsEM, JCC Administration, Trane Energy Group and the college’s A&E firm met on a regular basis to help guide the project.

Feb. 2019: Begin trend log data collection and set up recordkeeping Focus on heating system equipment first quarter Update / setup server for data

March 2019: Complete retro commissioning and verification of trend collection Setup trend logs and attributes for buildings and equipment Initial walk through audit and inspection

April 2019: Project officially starts April 1 Trend log data collection and set up recordkeeping Focus on HVAC system equipment and economizers Adjust all building schedules

May 2019: Kickoff meeting - May 15 Trend log data collection and recordkeeping Acquire portable data logging equipment - Trane Begin systematic review of Energy Management Plan recommendations Develop a strategy for energy savings Measurement & Verification Monthly check in call with NYSERDA - met in person

June 2019 Begin team efforts to prioritize Management Plan recommendations Begin efforts to assign costs and payback of work items identified Compile 1st quarter report Monthly check in call with NYSERDA - Begin PM program in AIM (scheduled to go live May 30th) waiting on SUNY implementation

July 2019: Trend log data collection and recordkeeping AIM PM Program - setup HVAC equipment Monthly check in call with NYSERDA

Aug. 2019: Trend log data collection and recordkeeping (ongoing) AIM PM Program - setup HVAC equipment (ongoing) Monthly check in call with NYSERDA

Sept. 2019: Trend log data collection and recordkeeping AIM PM Program - setup HVAC equipment Compile 2nd quarter report Monthly check in call with NYSERDA

Oct. 2019: Trend log data collection and recordkeeping AIM PM Program - setup HVAC equipment Monthly check in call with NYSERDA

Nov. 2019: Trend log data collection and recordkeeping AIM PM Program - setup HVAC equipment Monthly check in call with NYSERDA

Dec. 2019: Trend log data collection and recordkeeping AIM PM Program - setup HVAC equipment Compile 3rd quarter report

March 2020 Trend log data collection and recordkeeping AIM PM Program - setup HVAC equipment Monthly check in call with NYSERDA

Feb. 2020: Trend log data collection and recordkeeping AIM PM Program - setup HVAC equipment Monthly check in call with NYSERDA

March 2020: Complete retro-commissioning and trend collection Compile project summary report Complete deliverables for submission Exit meeting

NYSERDA - Grant: the College was awarded $52,000,528 through the NYSERDA REV Grant program (PON 3438) for an energy study of campus facilities in 2017. (Prequel to OsEM Project)

NYSERDA - Grant: The College was awarded $48,412 1n 2019 and project commenced in April of 2019. Total NYSERDA OsEM dollars for the 12 month period was 44,198 (75% total)

Campus Share: 25% of the OsEM cost was covered by JCC - $14,585

Energy Conservation Measures paid for by JCC: $7,426

Energy Savings Results The energy use data from the project was evaluated by the Trane Energy Group. The results from FY 18-19 vs. FY19-20 showed an overall (electric and natural gas) improvement of 14.81% using the ENPI EXCEL application for utility regression analysis. This is twice the original project goal of a 7% reduction.

Greenhouse Gas Mitigation JCC is a signatory of the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment and has a goal of eventually achieving a “net-zero” campus. CO2 emissions are tracked annually. In 2018 Scope 1 Emissions (Natural Gas) were 658 MTCO2e and Scope 2 Emissions (Electricity) were 483 MTCO2e for a total of 1,173 MTCO2e. This project mitigated 271 MTCO2e, a 23% reduction for Scopes 1 and 2.

Financial Savings Results A straight line comparison shows an estimated overall yearly savings of $68,782.42 from FY 18-19 to FY 19-20. This is a 28 % reduction in direct operating expense. The cost / payback analysis showed that the $58,948 OsEM cost measured against the savings achieved resulted in a ten-month payback.

The College plans to continue the OsEM position by re-allocating existing staff resources post-project and re-assigning the work activities developed during the past year. This may be the most significant ECM that has been found to date in terms of long-term energy conservation at zero cost. Staff hours are “sunk costs” and many of the routine tasks established can be performed by staff in existing positions. The most important tasks for these future efforts identified so far include:

• Daily routine checks of alarms, spaces and equipment via BAS - HVAC Technicians • Review of trend logs on a systematic basis each season - Director • Weekly energy use trend log data gathered for all building electrical meters - Director • Schedule adjustments on a weekly basis to manage building occupied times - HVAC Technicians • Schedule adjustments on a semester basis to adjust for changes in use - HVAC Technicians • Regular comparisons of current energy use trends with Energy CAP - Director • Updating BAS, HVAC and mechanical systems “to do” work lists - Energy Team • Preventative maintenance on equipment to be scheduled in AIM - Director • Monthly meetings between the campus staff and the Trane energy team - All • Investigate possible new and innovative ECM projects - Team • Enhance Employee and Community Awareness - EverGREEN Committee • Improve O&M Procedures and Preventative Maintenance: Team • Continued training for Facilities Staff - Director

This list of post-project practices is readily transferrable to any facility that desires to enact low cost/no cost measures that will improve energy and operating efficiencies.

• Bruce Alexander - Director of Administrative Services | SUNY Jefferson Community College

• File: JCC Application Narrative