September 8, 2009 edition of the Daily Texan includes article (pdf) on university’s efforts to support the City of Austin’s drought management restrictions, including turning off landmark fountains.
On average, an American household uses about 260 gallons per day, but this amount climbs to around 1,000 gallons per day during peak water use season with some households using as much as 3,000 gallons a day. Visit EPA’s WaterSense site for water saving tips.
How do you save energy during a heat wave?
Keeping cool in hot weather usually takes energy - turning up the air conditioner, driving to a swimming spot, and more. But using more energy can affect the environment, too. Share how you keep from losing your cool.
Share your answer: http://blog.epa.gov/blog/2009/07/27/qotw-save-energy/
PowerfulAdvice, a service of the Public Utility Commission of Texas, provides education and information on energy conservation as a means to lower electricity bills, encourage efficient use of energy and reduce the strain on the state’s electric grid during summer heat. Check out the PowerfulAdvice Web site at http://www.puc.state.tx.us/ocp/conserve/index.cfm
With campus buildings unoccupied or at a low level of use during the summer, it’s a great time to minimize wasted energy and maximize savings!
In a typical school, lighting accounts for 30% of all electricity used. Turning off lights is one of the simplest ways to save energy over a break – even just a long weekend – and everyone can get involved with helping flip the switches.
As with homes, heating and cooling typically demand the greatest use of energy on campus. If only a few rooms of a building are being used during the summer months, try to contain these areas - the whole building does not need to be cooled! (Thermostat temperature and cooling practices should ultimately be determined by the energy or facilities manager.)
Desktop computers add a significant load to university energy budgets. Turning off one typical computer and monitor over a 7-day break saves $2.70 on average. While this may seem inconsequential, savings add up quickly when multiplied by the number of computers in use on a campus. Visit the Green IT@UT Web site to read about IT conservation initiatives on campus.
Summer break is a great time to get rid of appliances that aren’t needed. Take home personal items such as mini-fridges, microwaves, and coffee makers—at least for the summer. Even if an appliance is turned off, it still draws a small amount of energy called “phantom load.” While small (usually around 1-5 watts) for each individual appliance, phantom load can quickly add up. Almost any product having an external power supply, remote control, continuous display (including an LED), or that charges batteries, draws power continuously. Plug appliances into a power strip and cut the power off with one switch.
For those interested in a detailed analysis (spreadsheets: BEWARE!) of DSEMC campus-wide lighting, water and steam projects . . .
We have used a measurement and verification program* based on industry standards to measure and verify energy and water savings for phase 1 projects. For details about savings related to the specific projects, visit our Project Update or the individual Lighting, Steam or Water projects.
Reductions of CO2 emissions accomplished by our demand-side energy and water projects have been translated into equivalent usage in homes and vehicles as well as equivalent acres of pine and fir forests storing carbon (in the form of cellulose, lignin, and other compounds). Inputs for the conversions are CO2 emissions from the university’s electric power production and Environmental Protection Agency conversion factors. View this Greenhouse Gas Reductions chart to see the translations.
Each paragraph below contains a link to a larger supporting document.
DSEMC’s Measurement and Verification Program
The MV Documentation describes the bases, in terms of industry standards, for protocols used in measuring and verifying energy and water savings for the major UT conservation projects in 2008-09 (campus-wide lighting, water and steam upgrades). MV Documentation.
GHG Reductions
This table (see calculation doc below) translates the reductions of CO2 emission and water use accomplished by the major UT conservation projects in 2008-09 (campus-wide lighting, water and steam upgrades) into equivalent usage in homes and vehicles, and into equivalent acres of pine and fir forests storing carbon in the form of cellulose, lignin, and other compounds. Inputs for the conversions are CO2 emissions from UT Austin electric power production and the conversion factors found at http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-resources/refs.html. GHG Reduction Calculation
Lighting Savings Calculation
The following document describes the methods of measuring and calculating energy savings from the lighting upgrades on the Main Campus and the J.J. Pickle Research Campus in 2008-2009. Lighting Saving Calc. Overview
Lighting Savings Summary
This following tabulation summarizes building-by-building results of electricity demand and usage reductions accomplished by the lighting upgrades in 2008-2009 on the Main Campus and the J.J. Pickle Research Campus. Lighting Savings Summary Overview
Water Savings Calculation
Narrative describing methods of measuring and calculating water savings from the 2008 upgrades to domestic water fixtures (toilets, urinals, shower heads and faucet aerators) on the Main Campus and the J.J. Pickle Research Campus and installation of laboratory process cooling equipment (chillers) on the Main Campus. Water Saving Calc. Overview
Water Savings Summary
This tabulation summarizes building-by-building water savings accomplished by the 2008 upgrades to domestic water fixtures (toilets, urinals, shower heads and faucet aerators) on the Main Campus and the J.J. Pickle Research Campus. Not included here are the estimated savings from installation of laboratory process cooling equipment (chillers) on the Main Campus. Water Savings Summary Overview
Steam Savings Calculation
Methods and results of energy savings calculations for the steam system upgrades in 2008, which consisted of replacing malfunctioning steam traps (valves) and insulating steam pipes and tanks on the Main Campus and the J.J. Pickle Research Campus. Steam Saving Calc Overview
Energy Efficiency Lighting Upgrade:
Steam Efficiency Upgrade:
Water Efficiency Upgrades:
LIGHTING RECYCLING RESULTS:
Celebrate Earth Week 2009, April 20 -24. Vist the Earth Week site to take the Earth Pledge and view the calendar of events.
As the global scientific community continues to deliver conclusive evidence pointing to forthcoming climate changes due to human actions - thousands of Austin citizens will be showing their support for ecological sustainability and conservation this Earth Day, April 22nd.
Thank to the Austin Chronicle, we’re able review The City of Austin’s (CoA) climate protection progress and look for information that may help improve UT’s steadily growing sustainability efforts.
Quick CoA ACPP Background
Over two years ago, The City of Austin pledged to:
Current Status - 2 Years Since ACPP Enactment
Achievements
“(…) the municipality itself has made impressive strides. The big positive changes at Austin Energy, Austin Water Utility, the fleet department (..), and other city departments.”
“The consciousness of council, city management, and city staff across city departments has been raised. The entire organization now regards climate protection as a core value, like environmental protection.”
Difficulties
“(…) difficulty of translating a big municipal climate-protection plan into specific practices communitywide [Austin-wide] (…)”
“Asked about the unmet goals, ACPP Director Ester Matthews described a frustrating series of bureaucratic slow-downs, interdepartmental breakdowns, lack of authority to resolve problems at the right organizational levels, inability to effectively address public outreach, and difficulties created by the program’s dual residency at Austin Energy and the city of Austin.”
UT Austin should try to learn from CoA’s difficulties as we build the detail and instruction necessary to spark an institutionalized commitment to sustainability.
The CoA has had many green successes due to the incredible team of ACPP staffers - who are directed by measurable goals, implementation plans and delegation of responsibilities.
I hope that CoA staff succeeds greatly in their attempt to implement a comprehensive climate strategy.
Want to help take charge?
Help us find and eliminate wasted energy by reporting over-cooling, over-heating, unnecessary lighting or other energy waste to the Facilities Service Department (DSEMC program) at 512-471-0492 or e-mail al.lewandowski@austin.utexas.edu or patrick.mazur@austin.utexas.edu.
DSEMC staff will try their best to address your request or comment. Thanks for your help!