Energy Savings Performance Contracting

In mid 2003, the UW entered into an interagency agreement with the Office of General Administration (GA) to engage in Energy Savings Performance Contracting (ESPC). ESPC is a “risk free” way to get new energy efficient equipment and a means to use utility savings to pay all costs. ESPC is a partnership between the owner (UW), the ESCO (Energy Service Company) and the GA Energy Team. McKinstry was selected as the ESCO for the University’s ESPC projects.

An ESCO Steering Committee composed of Capital Projects, Facilities Services and McKinstry staff was appointed to define the ESCO process with the UW and modify as needed and to prioritize and approve ESCO projects. The ESCO steering Committee is chaired by Brad Spencer of Capital Projects.

Water Conservation

Toilet Replacement Program

The Toilet Replacement Program for water conservation was completed during the quarter. A total of 1,823 toilets have been retrofitted with 1.6 gallon-per-flush fixtures. Capital cost for the project was $900,500. The Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) incentive rebate was $220,920 resulting in a net project cost of $673,250. The annual estimated water savings is 50,000,000 gallons resulting in over $500,000 per year in avoided combined water/sewer charges. The simple payback period for this project is 1.21 years.

Low Flow Urinals

Now that the Toilet Replacement Project is nearing completion, consideration is being given to retrofitting or replacing some campus urinals so that they use less than a gallon of water per flush.

Cooling Tower Water Quality Study

In order to assist the University of Washington to evaluate the effectiveness of chemical and non-chemical water treatment options for the evaporative side of cooling towers, Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) agreed to sponsor water quality testing over a period of time at a number of UW cooling towers.

Water samples were collected and analyzed from eight UW cooling towers on three different dates. Of the towers sampled, five were chemically treated towers and three were towers equipped with Dolphin non-chemical treatment systems.

One of the questions that this study is attempting to answer is whether or not there is a significant difference in water efficiency between the chemically treated towers and the Dolphin non-chemically treated towers.

Roger van Gelder, consulting engineer for SPU and a CPDT member, headed up the study and will be providing a full report of the findings and recommendations.

Electricity Conservation

East Asian Library Lighting

A lighting retrofit project has been completed in the East Asian Library at Gowen Hall. Ten existing wall mounted up lights each using two 1000 watt metal halide lamps have been retrofitted with T-5 fluorescent high output fixtures. Each of the new fixtures contains 10 lamps that draw a total of 550 watts. This is a 72% reduction in power consumption equating to a savings of $3,500 annually and a simple payback period of approximately 6 months. The project reaped other benefits as well. The lighting output is higher with improved color. In addition, the high heat output from the original fixtures has been eliminated resulting in a more pleasant indoor environment during the summer months.

White LED - Outdoor Pathway Lighting Pilot

Our team is always on the lookout for cutting edge technology products that can help reduce the University’s energy and water consumption. As mentioned in the last quarterly report, White LED lighting has been under consideration as a retrofit for some exterior step and pathway light fixtures that currently use high wattage lamps. We have now identified the West Campus Garage and the Penthouse Theatre as two locations that use 70 watt high pressure sodium lamps in their exterior step lighting fixtures.

White LED light modules are still relatively costly, however, they can last for a period of ten years before replacement is required resulting is reduced labor costs. We believe it is important to evaluate them for future consideration. If you are interested in learning more about White LED light products click on: http://www.permlight.com/INDEX.ASP