VIII. 15% lower energy usage intensity by 2025

The UW has increased the amount of money allocated for energy efficiency work at the Seattle campus starting in FY23, and will continue to work on energy conservation projects identified as having the most impact and return on investment. The energy conservation work includes updating HVAC and other infrastructure in buildings across the Seattle campus, namely: installing additional energy meters and digital controls, upgrading existing control systems, and analyzing energy data to better identify and track energy conservation opportunities.  The State of Washington’s Climate Commitment Act has been identified as a new source of funding for on-going energy conservation work across UW. 

UW Tacoma is also working to upgrade some campus control systems, and will be upgrading the Joy Building to LED lights, including motion and daylight sensors.

The UW selected a new beverage partner in 2023, signing a contract with Pepsi after the expiration of the previous 10-year contract with Coca-Cola. This new beverage contact also provided an opportunity to upgrade vending machines on campus. Working with Pepsi, Housing & Food Services is overseeing installation of 177 new vending machines, replacing older machines that consumed more electricity than newer machines. These new machines have greatly reduced energy consumption and comply with updated industry standards for refrigeration.

A committee of staff and faculty from a variety of departments and disciplines has been working on crafting updated Green Building Standard for the UW. These standards will set out specific requirements for construction projects at the UW that look at energy, water and embodied carbon. Whereas the current standard only addresses new construction, the updated standard will include a variety of project types, including new construction and major renovations, minor renovations and partial fit-outs, and HVAC system replacements. 

The draft standard is expected to be complete in late Fall 2023, with a goal to get UW Facilities leadership approval to incorporate it in the Facilities Design Standard in the spring of 2024. UW Sustainability, in partnership with other units in Facilities, will provide education and training across the university to help ensure successful implementation. 

Steps we will take in FY 2023

1. Create a process to reinvest in energy savings into new efficiency projects.
2. Implement efficiency projects that align with GRF and State/Local mandates.

The UW has been exploring the creation of a Green Revolving Fund to support energy conservation projects by putting realized utility savings from completed projects toward funding future projects. This year the UW has allocated about $3 million in seed funding for energy conservation projects from prior utility rebates and a small influx from the Treasury. The UW will implement energy conservation projects with this funding, and work to determine the utility savings for possible future reinvestment in energy projects. Such reinvestment helps to lower energy and utility costs, and allows Facilities to take on more and larger conservation projects. The results of this pilot will be evaluated with an eye toward possibly implementing a Green Revolving Fund at the UW.

The UW will work to implement the plan for additional meters, digital controls and data analytics, and to secure funding for all aspects of the project.

In 2015, comprehensive energy engineering audits of 112 campus buildings identified energy conservation opportunities requiring $25 million of capital investment but avoiding $5 million in energy waste annually. Once the initial $25 million capital investment is made, additional conservation investments can be pursued at $5 million per year, resulting in optimization to the built environment by 2025 operating at least 15% more efficiently than the 2015 baseline audit condition. Once optimized the building stock will be monitored (see Expand Campus Meter Monitor O&M Program below) both to insure persistence of the energy cost avoidance, and to identify additional conservation opportunities.

Steps we will take in FY 2022

1. Execute 17 minor conservation projects in 32 campus buildings avoiding an estimated $1 million annual utility cost (completing mid FY22). Estimated capital cost will be $3.2M, of which $1.6 million can be recovered in utility rebates.

2. Begin initial design, permitting and equipment procurement for a UW Tower Energy Improvement Project. This project will demonstrate hot water energy transfer from data center waste heat to heat the office tower. The project will replace end-of life, inefficient electric resistance boilers at the tower, using one or more replacement heat recovery chillers at the data center. The project will involve DDC controls upgrades and potentially thermal storage.

3. Conduct in-house energy engineering analysis in coordination with the One Capital Plan and other initiatives to identify one or more co-funding opportunities for a major renovation or deep retrofit in FY2023-FY2025, that can support future revolving fund revenues.

Responsible party

UW Facilities Campus Energy, Utilities and Operations

Statuses and linkages

From 2015 to present, the resource conservation program has invested $5 million in 32 projects capturing $2.2 million in utility rebates and avoiding $624,000 in annual utility cost. These past and future building efficiency activities incrementally bring the campus into compliance with Washington State Clean Buildings Code, City of Seattle Benchmarking and Tune-up Ordinances. These Actions also support the overarching initiative to meet State greenhouse gas reduction targets (see Target X).

Future investments must be coordinated and augmented with the One Capital Plan, facility preservation fund and program renewal investment funds. Additionally, resource conservation investments must be coordinated with self-sustaining units’ capital investment programs.

Financing

• A Green Revolving Fund (GRF) has been conceptually approved by senior leadership. Last year, the detailed design of the fund model was completed and broadly socialized with stakeholders. Assuming the GRF is approved by UW decision makers, the revolving fund will be seeded with sufficient funding to generate future revenue to sustain the $3.2 million in conservation projects going forward. Additional larger projects could be funded via debt.

Metrics

• Energy Use Intensity (EUI): energy consumed per year per gross square foot of conditioned space (weather and occupancy normalized). Campus reduction is measured against the baseline of 2020 EUI. Campus target as measured against Washington State Clean Buildings Code Annex Z.7.
• Net Savings (NS) (present value of lifetime utility cost avoided less the discount rate).
• Savings to Investment Ratio (SIR) (Net Savings divided by net capital investment).

Expand and fully fund the UW Facilities Meter Monitor Program. Hire a full time program manager, and modernize data collection technology. Formalize, document and begin automation of program business processes, measures and outputs. Track and report key performance indicators no less than quarterly.

Steps we will take in FY 2022

1. Operationalize the Meter Monitor Program’s “MBCx process“ in seven additional campus buildings. Replace the legacy Campus Energy dashboard. Implement the research and academic data portal tool in OSiSoft to greatly expand access to campus energy data.

2. Fund $250k in on-going annual program operations & maintenance, and hire a Meter Monitor Program Manager to manage the MBCx process and new building integrations in 14 buildings by end of FY2022.

Responsible party

UW Facilities Campus Energy, Utilities and Operations

Statuses and linkages

The Meter Monitor Program is an extension of a American Recovery and Reinvestment Act legacy Smart Grid program.

In addition to ensuring the persistence of utility costs avoided by the Action Implement Cost Effective Conservation Investments above, this Action is an early contributor to the Portfolio Management Strategy that is a UW Facilities strategic priority for FY2022. This Action will significantly improve UW Facilities operational and maintenance efficiency.

Financing

• Financing for this Action is currently funded by the electrical budget to meet state and local reporting requirements. Step 2 is not funded and will require a budgetary allocation from central administration.

Metrics

• Maintenance of net EUI reduction over time.

• Reduction of annual Operations and Maintenance cost, divided by work order cost of implementing target EUI outcome.

A significant untapped opportunity for conservation existing within the control of campus programs and academic units at the building use management and administration level. Building upon the existing ‘Green Labs” program developed by UW Sustainability, the DSM will engage sustainability champions in our buildings to self organize for the purpose of raising awareness and modifying occupant behaviors that affect building energy consumption.

Steps we will take in FY 2022

1. Develop, publish and communicate: program overview, goals and guiding principles document; a building champion roles and responsibility guidance document; sign-up seven “pilot” facilities by close of FY22.
2. Develop program education materials plans and a program building level execution methodology. Develop communications plans with requirements. Launch beta test materials and plans in seven “pilot” facilities.

Responsible party

UW Facilities Campus Energy, Utilities and Operations

Statuses and linkages

Positive proactive communication with building occupants increases goodwill and opens doors to active communication and higher understanding. Empowering building occupants to actively modify wasteful behaviors builds trust and alignment of purpose. A strong engagement program will lead to greater campus support and alignment for future energy transformation decisions.

Financing

Funding requirements will be assessed and developed using experiences from the seven building “pilot” at the end of FY 2022. There is no additional funding needed for FY22.

Metrics

• EUI reduction per pilot building per month and in the future per year.

In 2015, comprehensive energy engineering audits of 112 campus buildings identified energy conservation opportunities requiring $25 million of capital investment but avoiding $5 million in energy waste annually. Once the initial $25 million capital investment is made, additional conservation investments can be pursued at $5 million/yr, resulting in optimization to the built environment by 2025 operating at least 15% more efficiently than the 2015 baseline audit condition. Once optimized the building stock will be monitored (see Expand Campus Meter Monitor O&M Program below) both to insure persistence of the energy cost avoidance, and to identify additional conservation opportunities.

Steps we will take in FY 2021

1. Execute 17 minor conservation projects in 32 campus buildings avoiding an estimated $1 million annual utility cost (starting mid FY22). Estimated capital cost will be $3.2M, of which $1.6 million can be recovered in utility rebates.

2. Begin initial design, permitting and equipment procurement for a Phase II expansion of the West Campus Utility Plant. This project will pilot seasonal hot water energy transfer to a select group of high-EUI buildings in west and south campus, using a new, 1,300-ton heat recovery chiller.

3. Conduct in-house energy engineering analysis in coordination with the One Capital Plan and other initiatives to identify one or more co-funding opportunities for a major renovation or deep retrofit in FY2022-FY2023, that can support future revolving fund revenues.

Responsible party

UW Facilities Asset Management

Statuses and linkages

From 2015 to present, the resource conservation program has invested $5 million in 32 projects capturing $2.2 million in utility rebates and avoiding $624,000 in annual utility cost. These past and future building efficiency activities incrementally bring the campus into compliance with Washington State Clean Buildings Code, City of Seattle Benchmarking and Tune-up Ordinances. These Actions also support the overarching initiative to meet State greenhouse gas reduction targets (see Target X below).

Future investments must be coordinated and augmented with the One Capital Plan, facility preservation fund and program renewal investment funds. Additionally, resource conservation investments must be coordinated with self-sustaining units’ capital investment programs.

Financing

A centralized energy management revolving investment fund has been conceptually approved by senior leadership. Currently, the detailed design of the fund is underway. Assuming the conceptual intent is borne out in the detailed design and approved by UW decision makers, the revolving fund will be seeded with sufficient funding to generate future revenue.

For Phase II expansion of the West Campus Utility Plant, an ongoing feasibility study suggests a $1.2M utility cost avoidance on an $8M capital investment. $1.8 million of the initial investment is required in FY2021.

Metrics

• Net energy usage intensity (EUI) reduction (weather and gross square footage use intensity normalized).

• Return on investment (lifetime utility cost avoided/net value invested).

• Simple payback (net capital invested/annual utility cost avoided).

This action may impact STARS credits OP-2 Greenhouse Gas Emissions where UW shows a points gap of 3.91, and OP-5 Building Energy Efficiency where UW shows a points gap of 2.16.

Formalize and fully fund the UW Facilities Meter Monitor Program. Hire a full time program manager, and modernize data collection technology. Formalize, document and begin automation of program business processes, measures and outputs. Track and report key performance indicators no less than quarterly.

Steps we will take in FY 2021

1. Fund $250k to purchase, configure, and document equipment, and train UW Facilities operators. Existing staff time will be turned toward new information technology hardware and software per May 11, 2020 recommendations by the UW Meter Monitor Team. Operationalize the Meter Monitor Program’s “MBCx process“ in seven additional campus buildings.

2. Fund $250k in on-going annual program operations & maintenance, hire a Meter Monitor Program Manager, operationalize MBCx process in 14 buildings by end of FY2021.

3. Conduct analysis for future Meter Monitor investment strategy, including investments in additional steam and water meters at all state funded buildings.

Responsible party

UW Facilities Asset Management

Statuses and linkages

The Meter Monitor Program is an extension of a American Recovery and Reinvestment Act legacy Smart Grid program.

In addition to ensuring the persistence of utility costs avoided by the Action Implement Cost Effective Conservation Investments above, this Action is an early contributor to the Portfolio Management Strategy that is a UW Facilities strategic priority for FY2021. This Action will significantly improve UW Facilities operational and maintenance efficiency.

Financing

Financing for this Action is shared with Action Implement Cost Effective Conservation Investments above.

Step 3 will likely identify a funding gap in the $6 million to $7 million range for some metering equipment that cannot be fully covered with the associated return on investment.

Metrics

• Maintenance of net EUI reduction over time.

• Reduction of annual Operations and Maintenance cost, divided by work order cost of implementing target EUI outcome.

This action may induce indirect points gains in STARS credits OP-4 Building Operations and Maintenance where UW shows a point gap of 3.50, and OP-5 Building Energy Efficiency where UW shows a point gap of 2.16.

A large percent of building operations energy utilization comes from appliances and other building related equipment. In accordance with the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA), as amended, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) implements minimum efficiency standards for a wide range of appliances and equipment used in residential and commercial buildings. These federal efficiency standards compel product designers and manufacturers to reduce the amount of energy and water necessary for the proper operation of appliances and other building equipment. The voluntary Energy Star Program, jointly administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the most widely recognized symbol for energy efficiency in the world and promotes products that are even more energy efficient than those that meet the minimum federal standards. The University’s commitment to energy conservation includes ensuring Energy Star certified appliances and equipment requirements are incorporated into the University’s Facilities Design Guide and Procurement Policies.

Steps we will take in FY 2021

1. Develop regular communications highlighting Procurement guidelines for Energy Star purchasing requirements.

2. Develop annual reporting for Energy Star appliances.

3. Work with UW Facilities and HFS to promote Energy Star appliances for all new buildings.

Responsible party

Procurement Services and UW Facilities Finance & Administration

Statuses and linkages

Procurement Services promotes environmentally preferred purchasing (EPP) as defined by the National Associate of Educational Procurement, meaning that environmental and social considerations are “taken with equal weight to the price, availability and performance criteria that colleges and universities use to make purchasing decisions.”

The University’s buying staff leverage current supplier relationships to raise awareness of the purchasing considerations necessary to reduce our environmental impact and to maximize resource efficiency.

In order to further the University’s commitment to sustainability, individual departments are encouraged to purchase recycled and environmentally preferable products, when quality, performance and price are comparable to alternatives.

Procurement works with manufacturers and Seattle City Light to identify equipment subject to Seattle City Light energy rebates.

Financing

No additional financing needed in FY 2021.

Metrics

• Percentage of Energy Star appliance purchases compared to total spend on a quarterly basis.

This action may impact STARS credit OP-5 Building Energy Efficiency where UW shows a points gap of 2.16.