SAMPLE OBSERVATIONS – Energy and Sustainability as of 12 Jan 2015
All organizations have examples of excellence with potential to do more. Under the proper conditions, the exception can become the norm. Sample observations at UHH are displayed with observations made at other academic institutions, private business, public entities and government initiatives:
Sample Observations – University of Hawaii at Hilo (UHH)
4 days zero waste– Incoming freshman class 4-day orientation session succeeded in using everything at the campus dining facility to create essentially zero landfill waste. The small metal lids of the cans that could not be recycled were turned into a piece of artwork that is now hanging in the Chancellor’s Building. (Lead Dr. Cam Muir)
Recycle Efforts – The campus pays local contractorsfor waste removal and recycling.Faculty, students and community actions contribute to reducing recycled waste. 90% of recycling is cardboard. When there are surges of reusable/recycling items at the end of the semester, some students use the Give and Take Cubby reducing waste. Dr. Norman Arancon and his students facilitate composting.
Give and Take Cubby at K Building – Unknown who created it. These are bins where people leave things they want to give away. Hit or miss on specific items but those who monitor it have found good deals.
Participation and Activities of Women’s Center On Campus and In the Community-example of a growing team of volunteers and paid individuals creating activities on campus (creating cards, talking about violence and abuse, women mentoring, and many others) and in the community (family violence prevention, women’s leadership forum) to create healthier norms and greater self esteem. Student and community feedback indicate a meaningful difference being made.
Sustainability Committee and Chair – A full time sustainability and energy POC could easily save the campus $180k per year - capable and talented but with many competing priorities for time and focus. Sustainability Chair with one member provided update(attached to packet) in September2014 to quantify issue of PV panels. Past chairs have made specific campus recommendations (smart sockets, building meters). Increased recycling and reduced trash by recent activities that reconfigured recycling bins around K-building (added lids, moved barrels). First “Sustainability Speaker” in Series (HELCO Pres.)
Rich Hawaiian history and culture- The Hawaiian College and the many other cultures on campus could make all energy, sustainability, and conservation actions relevant and meaningful. At one time the island was sustainable. The Hawaiian culture (such as engineering and taking care of our kuleana, history & archaeology) and other cultures could be used to reinforce desirable norms and actions.
New Engineer Professor – under the right conditions, Dr. Shihwu Sung will enable the campus to be a leader in bioenergy conversion and sustainability. With UH/UHH support,
Sample Observations - UHH (Cont.)
facilities and equipment, funding, engineer program implementation approval, and campus and community support, he can be a catalyst for needed change.
Installation of Energy meters on campus buildings – Unclear why the Sustainability committee report that outlined installing devices recommended by HPA’s Bill Wiecking were not purchased. Those devices do not depend on the campus LAN and were designed to make the data available to everyone without proprietary software. Instead, E-MON meters were purchased by UHH Planning and installed on most buildings in preparation for the next possible energy performance contract. The campus LAN does not support all installed meters. Data that is availableor could be available has the potential to improve efforts to conserve locally and gives a baseline for all future actions. Currently, only one person monitors the data to create a baseline for a planned energy performance contract until campus energy person is hired. Unknown if campus must purchase additional software to load on other computers so more people can monitor and manage data at other locations.
Early Leader - UHH was the first organization in Hawaii to implement an energy performance contract. Achieved savings by hiring outside contractor. Early reports had mixed reviews and contract not renewed. Current options unlikely to be as generousas the initial contractterms where there were no upfront UHH costs.
Campus Improved Community Sewer and Water Lines as Part of Campus Projects –Lesser known to the community, UHH has been a good neighbor installing better water and sewer lines that also allows future growth. Usage is centrally monitored or computed by rough estimates. Current methods provide minimal abilityto assess and monitor usage more closely to improve conservation and lower campus costs.
Operational Maintenance –Significant potential for additional conservation and investment to achieve long-term savings. UHH energy usage per SF already compares favorably with state and national institutions. Manyupgradespossible, although unclear available incentives/grants to minimize costs.LEDs alone save 50-75% on energy bills and none used. Technology upgrades and behavioral changes could enhance future options to increase sustainability and reduce costs to maintain campus infrastructure. Currently, the SF of buildings is increasing and the staff to maintain it has not increased, taxing the system. Phantom consumption of energy is large and central billing and devices increase the likelihood of errors. Estimates of recent Cornell team identify potential of $7K/month in billing errors. PV panels installed 3 years ago but not hooked up. Cost savingsonce they are hooked up are estimated at $25K/month.
New Construction Opportunities–Incorporating traditional design that takes advantage of the island resources with the latest technology and design features (like HPA Energy lab), Pharmacy school can be far more sustainable with reduced energy requirements. When combined with campus efforts, may not increase campus costs.
Students Eager to Begin Projects to Make a Difference – Students already active, willing and able to make a difference with minor support from faculty and funding.
Sample Observations –Brigham Young University - Hawaii (BYUH)
Best example of what can happen on a campus in 4 years or less. Started with a single person catalyst, then a core team leading many more. Most recent year added 7 new buildings with no additional energy requirements from the previous year. Actions in others areas by reducing/recycling waste stacked benefits. For example, the Give-and-Take Operation started out as a need to reduce waste going to the landfillat the end of each semester. Led to $330K annualtangible benefitsand many more intangible ones to enhance the campus and community. Except during the first step of removing bulbs, students are an integral part of every solution.
BYUHAdds new buildings + initiatives = no additional $ + intangible benefits
Maintain Lighting Standards While Removing Excess Bulbs – With a light meter, ladder and tools, a single volunteer became the catalyst for huge savings by removing excess flourescent light bulbs, while meeting recommended lighting standards. See ies.org for more info on lighting recommendations
Inventory of Campus Lights Led to Conversion of More Energy Efficient Lights Through Savings and Grants/Discounts – Old costlylights systematically replaced with more efficient lights. LEDsused where appropriate without degrading quality. Research, cooperation and engagement with those affected by recommended changes created mutually beneficial outcomes. Many lights replaced at little or no expense.
Baseline Inventory of Energy Usage Devices Led to Energy Conservation Plan and Technology Replacement/Conversion Where Appropriate – Refrigerators were consolidated/replaced, timers placed on devices (such as water fountains) not required 24 hours/day, computer overnight shutdown procedures, replacement/conversion to more energy efficient or smarter devices. Outdoor lights replaced with dual-setting sensor LEDs(very low when no movement and greater light with movement) increasing security awareness with less manpower. LEDs substantially reduce energy usage and last longer. Ice machines assessed/converted for appropriateness of condenser (air or water cooled) and location to other electrical devices such as AC to reduce costs and maintain capability.
Solar Tubes - (1/4 cost of skylight)tested for low-cost daylighting, (natural light) in offices. A 10” tube is equivalent to three 100-watt bulbs for 200sf of space and a 14” tube can brighten 300sf. Several buildings were tested and worked really well for daylighting.
Tree Removal – complaints of excess heat in the main dining facility led to requests for AC. Instead, the facility and surrounding area were analyzed. Natural cooling was achieved by the removal of trees blocking the main source of trade winds, replaced by smaller ornamentals and foliage, plus interior fans.
On Campus Recycling–Off-Campus Recycle Service Contract replaced by On-Campus Operation largely run by students. Equipment acquired through a variety of means (incl. donations). They now can crush cans and palletize cardboard. A donated vehicle allows them to take the items to a recycling center and earns the campus income. A few students are paid part time. Volunteers obtain valuable work experience/conservation expertise.
Sample Observations - BYUH(Cont.)
Review all Operational Expenses – Review of campus water bill identified improper billing and led to a $1M correction for years of errors.
Engage All On Campus With Proposed Changes – changes are not mandated but achieve buy-in by raising awareness/seek input (e.g., track lighting initiative took several iterations to get the right light, make free Eco-friendly detergentavailable for all)
Baseline Study and Student Observations Led to Give-and Take Operation – it was noted that at the end of each semester a number of students could not give away or sell items that wound up in the dumpsters increasing quantities (and campus costs) taken to the landfill. Because these items were reusable and potentially new, students began to assist in creating clean bins to handle reusable items previously thrown away. The campus obtained several containers to organize the items (books, clothes, household items, bikes and many more). Students created a committee and established guidelines. Those who worked 30 min to organize donated items, could then take 10 free items. Because a number of students come from poor homes, they may arrive with a single bag. Previous solution was to take new students to a local store and buy a few necessity items. Today, they have a reliable source for all types of things students and families can use to improve their quality of life at no added expense. Community members from local churches also volunteer or benefit from items that flow through the operation. The operation has created an estimated $330k of tangible annual value, improved student self-esteem andcommunity relations, and kept studentsfrom falling into survival mode and possibly into trouble.
Student Housing – Original housing design takes advantage of tradewinds and no AC required. Additional constructed student housing does too. Full occupancy. Continuously assess and review the need to update or improve campus facilities when needed, instead of using an inflexible plan. Schedule may be moved up or spread out based on accurate reviews (e.g.,carpet or HVAC review looks at actual wear and tear or performance).
Mulching On Campus- Staff acquired non-functioning local mulcher and campus person fixed it. Now BYUH handles all aspects of landscaping and maintenance of campus grounds. Mulched clippings enhance landscaping efforts.
SWATT–(Sustainable World Action Technology Team) Two staff are program managers relying on teams of students working on approximately 20 ongoing projects that help the students and the community.
Sample Observations –Hawaii Preparatory Academy (HPA)
HPA’s Energy Building (built 2011) is our island’s best example of state-of-the-art sustainable building construction and equipment to achieve desired Energy and Sustainability outcomes. HPA’s approach to sustainabilitydemonstrateswhat can be accomplished by well-led high school students and otherson campus. Bill Wiecking has harnessed available technologies and unleashed student potential to achieve real sustainability though conservation and innovation. Faculty and studentscontinuously examine and implement ways to improve quality of life conditions in the classrooms, and other locations on campus and the community.
Global Leader in Sustainability and Current Technology Implementation –All one has to do is visit the energy lab at HPA and talk to Bill Wiecking to validate this.
Best Teacher/Selfless Leader - Bill Wiecking understands, utilizes and shares his knowledge with everyone to achieve sustainability every day – I have observed no one better. He integrates all the needed technical aspects and behavioral realities to get things done to achieve a Net Zero (or close to it) footprint. He lights up his kids and empowers them to achieve what other educational institutions cannot.
HPA Energy Lab - One of the World’s Greenest Buildings –LEED Platinum plus Living Building Challenge. 6000sf building operates on essentially a blowdryer worth of energy each day. Buildingconstruction certified 6 areas relating to site, water, beauty, energy, health, and materials. Building features take advantage of technology and environmental conditions (such as wind, sun, water, temperature differentials) and track key indicators throughtechnology. Building conserves resources (water, energy) and provides quality gathering/teaching space and air.Real-time monitoring.
Helping Local Businesses –HPA students developed sufficient expertise to make recommendations to local businesses to explain and reduce energy costs.
Improve Water Usage – Students established a baseline, studied daily water usage, made recommendations (such as change shower heads), implemented them and analyzed the outcomes. They also factored in behavioral studies to optimize desired outcomes.
Students closely monitor energy use and other indicators - When a sudden power outage occurred at the Energy building, students were already monitoring their real-time data feeds. When it happened, they found the source of the problem immediately and alerted those who needed to know, minimizing downtime. Most other organizations rarely discover problems quickly, increasing expenses by not monitoring real-time data usage or fluctuations.
NOMAD initiative is one of many to continuously improve QOL conditions – Equipment was identified and put together to monitor quality of campus facilities (sound, pollen/VOG, carbon dioxide, light). Students move the device to allkey locations, analyze the data and make recommendations.
Sample Observations –HPA (Cont.)
Collaboration With Local Partners – Bill Wiecking has a tremendous network of like-minded professionals in all sectors advising each other, staying on top of and testing energy initiatives. Parker Ranch is one group developing the capability to create 180MW of power. Working with the private sector, Bill is helping one company improve its technologies for daily applications.
Net-Zero Footprint Plan – Bill Wiecking is working on a plan to help the campus be self-sufficient in energy. He is helping them continuously improve conservation of campus resources, purchase energy producing technologies such as PV, wind, hydro, and others to reduce external demand for energy, and find ways to store sufficient amounts to meet overnight demand. Best advisor for creating a microgrid and understanding the required steps prior to considering creating one.
Transparency - Energy Lab Blog– Bill Wiecking created and posts an EnergyLab blog that follows the progress and lessonsto explain ongoing initiatives and activities at the Energy Lab. As much can be learned about what didn’t work, but was attempted, as what did work. This is just one example of the power of communication and transparency.
ROI/Run The Numbers – One thing is quite clear -- decision making and comparisons require a foundational understanding of the termsused in whatever field is studied. Energy-speak has its own language and units of measure. Return on Investment decisions are fairly easy to calculate. However, our bureaucracies often emphasize and reward only the shortest payback windows in the approval process, foregoing $millions in potential savings to make organizations truly sustainable. Bill Wiecking is teaching everyone how to run these numbers.
Constantly Pushing the Envelope. – With the proper focus and support, Bill Wiecking is constantly exceeding what others would consider possible. His students are up to the challenge and gaining valuable experiences and understanding.Similar models could be used to develop expertise at other high schools in important areas (energy, agriculture, water, others). HPA students are being accepted at prestigious colleges. Recent question, “What would have to happen for HPA tuition to be free?”
Sample Observations – HGG/State Energy Sustainability Group