Resource Venture’s 4th Annual BEST Awards
Resource Venture is a program of the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce that recognizes local companies for their notable environmental achievements with their Annual BEST Awards. BEST (Businesses for an Environmentally Sustainable Tomorrow) Awards are presented in categories for waste prevention and recycling, water conservation, energy conservation, stormwater pollution prevention, sustainable building, innovation and environmental leadership. Last year at the 3rd Annual BEST Awards, Facilities Services won the Water Conservation Award and an honorable mention for energy conservation.
This upcoming June at the 4th Annual BEST Awards, Facilities Services, along with the Capital Projects Office, will receive the Mayor’s Environmental Leadership Award. This award showcases businesses that document significant accomplishments in at least three of the five environmental areas listed above, thereby demonstrating a broad commitment to sustainable business development.
Electricity Conservation Projects
Allen Lighting Retrofit
The Allen Library lighting retrofit project was completed at a cost of $127,000.
Seattle City Light (SPU) provided an incentive rebate of $47,700 for a net project cost of $79,300. Estimated yearly electricity reduction is estimated to be 478,000 kWh equating to an annual savings of $23,000.
Mechanical Engineering Building and Merrill Hall Solar Arrays
The solar arrays at Mechanical Engineering and Merrill Hall are now operational. Real time data generated at these two sites may be viewed at http://monitor.fatspaniel.com by clicking on the UW sites listed under Seattle City Light.
LEC Exit Light Upgrades
Several buildings were retrofitted with new technology exit lights that use an electroluminescent known as Light Emitting Capacitors (LEC). First used in military aircraft, LEC consists of a thin layer of zinc sulfide phosphorus-impregnated material sandwiched between two layers of conducting material, one of which is transparent. The phosphorus layer produces light when voltage is applied across the two conductive layers. LEC light panels use only 1/4 watt of electricity compared to incandescent, fluorescent or LED which ranges between 3 to 40 watts in a typical exit sign. Other advantages of LEC panels are perfect uniform illumination and maintenance-free operation. The Nordstrom Indoor Tennis Facility, Pavilion Pool, Husky Stadium, Fisheries Teaching, Waterfront Activities and the Women’s Addition are now fitted with LEC exit signs.
White LED Technology Pilot
Red indicator Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) have been around since the 1960s. LED technology has evolved at a constant pace since then. A new cousin of the indicator LED the White Light LED is increasing in momentum and proliferating not just in styles of technology, but also in earning a variety of market applications away from traditional light sources such as incandescent and fluorescent.
A pilot project which would retrofit existing light fixtures in selected campus buildings with LED White Light is under consideration. The purpose of the pilot would be to evaluate this new technology’s effectiveness and energy savings potential as a lighting source. Although the cost of this application is still somewhat expensive, at this time it may prove cost effective because LEDs use less electricity and may last 10-50 times longer than fluorescent or incandescent lamps. Theater and lecture hall safety step lighting is the most likely candidate for the pilot retrofits.
East Asian Library (Gowen) T-5 Lighting
Existing modular lighting will undergo a retrofit to reduce electricity consumption in the East Asian Library located in Gowen Hall. There are 10 light fixtures each containing two 1000 watt metal halide lamps totaling 20,000 watts an annual operating cost of $10,000. By replacing the two metal halides in each fixture with ten T-5 high output lamps that draw 540 watts per fixture, the operating cost will be reduced by more than 70%. An additional benefit to retrofitting these light fixtures will be a reduction in heat output which contributes to above normal ambient temperatures in the library especially during summer months. Final design for the retrofit is underway.
Seattle City Light Incentive Rebates Paid
Facilities Services recently received an incentive rebate check from Seattle City Light for $141,010 for various electricity conservation projects. Housing and Food Services will be credited $23,323 for their projects completed in Mercer Hall and Lander Hall.
Water Conservation Projects
Toilet Program Upgrade Program
The toilet replacement program is on track to be completed by the end of this biennium. About 400 toilets must still be replaced with ultra-low-flush fixtures. Approximately 2000 toilets will have been replaced at the conclusion of the program. It is estimated that 40 million gallons of water will be saved annually equating to $450,000 in annual avoided combined water/sewer bills.
Gerberding Cooling Tower
The Gerberding Hall Cooling Tower Project currently under construction will create a significant water savings. The cooling tower along with the installation of air-cooled chillers will replace the existing single-pass through air conditioning equipment. Estimated savings and the Seattle Public Utilities incentive rebate are still being determined.
Seattle Public Utilities Incentive Rebates Paid
Facilities Services has received $95,640 in incentive rebates over the last two quarters for toilet retrofits.