Arup conducted an energy efficiency assessment on the Sandler Neuroscience Building, focusing on reducing energy consumption by addressing high airflows. The study decreased airflows in laboratory and circulation areas, resulting in significant estimated energy savings, including a 9% reduction in fan electricity, a 7% decrease in heating hot water use, and a 6% decrease in chilled water use.
Background: The Sandler Neuroscience building is located at 675 Nelson Rising Ln on the Mission Bay campus in San Francisco, CA. It is a 237,000 Ft^2 medical research laboratory building constructed in 2012 with electricity provided by UCOP and natural gas provided by PG&E. The following Energy Conservation Measures (ECMs) were implemented at Sandler starting in 2013:
- Switch gear room AHU optimization (2013): Reprogrammed AHU to turn off when temperature requirements are satisfied and widened the deadband.
- HHW temperature reset (2013): Reset HHW temperature based on outside air temperature.
- Exhaust shut-off (March 2015): Shut down fans EF-R-24 and EF-R-25.
- Laboratory exhaust optimization (August 2015): Revised the sequence of operations to run all 8 laboratory exhaust fans at variable rather than constant volume.
- Lab zone control (April 2016): Reprogrammed lab supply to control to BMS-mandated set point during occupied hours and to minimum flow during unoccupied hours.
- Bypass valve (September 2016): Closed 3-way CHW and HHW bypass valves on certain AHUs and Bays.
- Air Handling Unit (AHU) valve update (December 2016): Programmed controls to close CHW and HHW valves when the temperature is within a few degrees of supply air temperature setpoint.
- Radiant floor optimization (December 2016): Added a schedule to control the radiant floor.
- Fan Coil Unit (FCU) optimization (February 2017): Programmed controllers to turn FCUs on and off within a widened temperature deadband and CHW valves to open 100% during operation.
- CHW and HHW dynamic temperature and pressure reset (February 2017): Reset differential pressure and HHW supply setpoint based on demand calculated by VAV reheat valve and AHU CHW valve position.
- CHW pump optimization (March 2017): Reprogrammed CHW pumps to shut down during low demand and open bypass valve.
Variable Air Volume (VAV) box night setback (March 2017): Reprogrammed VAV boxes serving S-curve and interior atrium offices to turn down to 0 cfm if no activity is sensed by occupancy sensors 6pm-7am.
Results: The overall predicted energy savings totaled 69,745 KHW and 16,235 therms, equivalent to an annual cost savings of $51,900 and 85.88 metric tons of carbon emissions.
