Sieben Blog

SEA Shares MBCx Success with BOMA Conference Attendees

SEAadmin — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 10:35:00 GMT

On Sunday, June 26^th, Jerry Burin and Chris Philbrick presented “Monitoring Based Commissioning Success” at the International Conference of the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) in Washington, D.C. Their presentation explored the monitoring-based commissioning (MBCx) process, an innovative, data-driven approach to achieving improved energy efficiency. SEA’s MBCx assignment at 311 S. Wacker Drive, Chicago, served as a case study for the presentation. 311 S. Wacker is one of the city’s most recognizable skyscrapers.

The presentation provided attendees an overview of the new technologies driving MBCx and the benefits of tracking and acting on building performance data. MBCx uses web-based data tracking that enables SEA to identify energy saving opportunities. Jerry and Chris demonstrated how MBCx generates information that enables building owners to optimize HVAC performance while maintaining occupant comfort. Data-driven energy management is nothing new to SEA. MBCx is an emerging trend in the industry, however, and Jerry and Chris were pleased to present SEA’s success in MBCx to the international conference audience.

For more information about SEA’s 311 S. Wacker Drive MBCX assignment, read our press release announcing it.

SEA at USGBC Commissioning Panel Event

Erin Hatcher — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 14:11:00 GMT

The USGBC Illinois Chapter is hosting a Commissioning Panel Discussion on Thursday, April 7^th and SEA will be well represented. Mike Kuk, SEA’s Director of Technical Services and Commissioning, is one of four panelists speaking at the event. The firm is also sponsoring the event, and additional staff members (myself and Bart Lazarczyk) will be there for the discussion and to answer questions and meet attendees at the SEA table.

The event promises to be an interesting and informative discussion of the value of Commissioning, Retro-Commissioning, and how the process is integrated into LEED. For more event info, visit the USGBC website.

Possible Big Changes For Commissioning Scope in LEED 2012

Bart Lazarczyk — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 16:53:00 GMT

The USGBC is hard at work on its latest Building Design and Construction LEED Rating System, simply referred to as LEED 2012. Among the sea of changes that have been proposed, I will briefly discuss the vastly expanded scope of commissioning services under both Fundamental and Enhanced commissioning.

Under the previous LEED guidelines, commissioning services typically focused on heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning equipment, as well as the building automation systems that drive the sequence of operations for HVAC systems and lighting controls. LEED 2012 proposes that the process go beyond HVAC to include the following under the Fundamental Commissioning guidelines:

Building envelope, which includes roofing assemblies and systems; and thermal, air, and vapor transmission properties of walls, roofs, windows and doors
Any monitoring and measuring devices for potable or reclaimed water entering the buildingAutomatic sensing devices in plumbing
Irrigation systems
Cooling tower chemical treatment and bleed rates
Rain water collection systems
On-site waste water treatment systems

The proposed scope of work under the Enhanced Commissioning guidelines includes:

Subterraneans water-proofing and penetrations
Exterior wall assemblies and fenestration systems
Above grade penetration
Stormwater control and removal systems and associated pumping systems

While this is a significant change to the scope of work for commissioning, in my opinion it’s a good change. Commissioning has been proven to provide real value, both practical and financial, to new construction projects so it makes sense to expand into additional areas. A building envelope can greatly impact a building’s energy usage and occupant comfort levels, so an owner would want to know that the envelope has been built to design. Reduction in water usage is also playing a growing role in the LEED guidelines, so it makes sense to start including the multiple water systems under the commissioning scope.

The LEED 2012 guidelines are not finalized yet and will inevitably go through multiple iterations, so the above list will undoubtedly see changes. However, it is encouraging to see that the USGBC continues to raise the bar and challenge us to build better, more efficient, and more comfortable buildings for us to work, live, and play.

Time Well Spent Peeling the Onion

Phil Keuhn — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 10:41:00 GMT

My colleague Chris Philbrick recently posted a blog entry regarding the MEEA Midwest Energy Solutions conference. Chris highlighted ComEd receiving the Impact award for its retro-commissioning program. Sieben Energy Associates has been a service provider for this program since its inception, and I have had the opportunity to work with multiple buildings participating in the program and would like to share some of my experiences.

The ComEd program subsidizes the consulting fees associated with retro-commissioning, leaving the building responsible only for implementation costs. With an aggregate simple payback target of 1.5 years and no obligation to pay consulting fees, participation seems to be a no brainer. There is, of course, a time commitment required from building personnel to assist during site visits, collect information such as drawings and utility bills, and manage implementation.

I have found that this commitment results in more than just facilitating the retro-commissioning program. Based on my own observations and feedback from program participants, the retro-commissioning process has assisted in better documenting equipment operation and developing functional testing that can be continued after program completion. More generally, it has enabled them to develop an organizational culture that continually looks for energy reduction possibilities.

I have started to envision this program as peeling the outer layer from an onion. It provides an excellent foundation for energy management and, once the first layer is peeled away, it becomes clear that additional potential energy savings exists. We have seen buildings leverage the program to work towards LEED EB certification and to increase their Energy Star score with hopes to become Energy Star Certified. Many buildings have also continued to implement additional energy reduction measures after program completion, such as capital-intensive measures.

The program allows our engineers to take the time to collect and analyze large amounts of trend data—an effort that almost always uncovers operational issues that are not readily apparent by making spot checks. Correcting these issues, such as outside air damper modulation or simultaneous heating/cooling, provides a foundation for implementing more advanced and new processes, such as more sophisticated sequences of operation, or even starting monitoring-based commissioning or automated diagnostics.

For all of these reasons, the ComEd retro-commissioning program was definitely deserving of the Impact award. I look forward to working with the next group of properties that decide to take advantage of this great opportunity.

America’s Building Stock – The Second Saudi Arabia

Dan Bailey — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 16:29:00 GMT

The energy (reduction) potential in America’s building stock is a tremendous resource, equivalent to tapping a second Saudi Arabia. The energy appetite of America’s buildings is enormous, but we can begin to cut back on the excess without sacrificing comfort or performance.

Craig Sieben spoke to this theme last week before the Realty Club of Chicago in a speech entitled “America’s Building Stock – The Second Saudi Arabia.” Craig referenced the excellent work of Art Rosenfeld, an award-winning scientist, one of the earliest promoters of energy efficiency in the U.S.—and one of Craig’s personal mentors.

In his speech, Craig emphasized smart and simple examples of what building owners and managers can do to cut back on their energy consumption. Reducing the energy appetite of our buildings is one small step towards a goal of U.S. energy independence. How can this be? Let’s do the math.

In 2008, the U.S. imported 1.5 million barrels of oil per day from Saudi Arabia. We consumed about 19.5 million barrels per day, which means that 8% of our appetite was satiated by Saudi Arabia’s vast oil reserves. Also in 2008, total U.S. energy consumption (all types) was 100 quadrillion BTU—3% of that total, or 3 quadrillion BTU, was the oil imported from Saudi Arabia. Our nation’s buildings accounted for 40 quadrillion BTU, or 40% of our total energy consumption in 2008.

If we’re able to cut the energy consumption of our buildings by just 15%, or 6 quadrillion BTU, we would reduce our total energy consumption by 6%, and we would offset twice the amount of energy that we import each year (in the form of petroleum) from Saudi Arabia. That’s a huge opportunity.

Retrofitting existing buildings is essential to reducing their energy consumption. Even simple steps, however, such as painting roofs white so that they reflect rather than absorb a greater amount of sunlight, can help mitigate cooling costs. Chicago alone has over 23,000 commercial, institutional, and industrial buildings—in addition to over one million residential units that range from single-family homes to condominium towers.

From the experience of hundreds of projects that Sieben Energy Associates has completed over the years, the energy consumption of a typical commercial, institutional, or industrial building can be reduced by 2–10% with very inexpensive (or even essentially free) energy efficiency measures. With a little more up-front investment that pays for itself with two or three years through lower energy bills, a reduction target of 15%, or even greater, is often easily achievable. Reducing energy consumption also reduces corresponding greenhouse gas emissions.

Trends show that America is moving in this direction. In June 2009, The U.S. House of Representatives passed the American Clean Energy and Security (ACES) Act, or Waxman-Markey bill. For new buildings, this legislation calls for a national commercial building code with energy use reduction of 30% relative to ASHRAE 2004 (upon signing), 50% by 2015, and 75% by 2030. And for existing buildings, the bill requires implementation of a Retrofit for Energy and Environmental Performance (REEP) program, administered by the states, to help spur retrofitting throughout the country.

In July 2009, McKinsey & Company projected a 23% decrease in energy demand and energy savings of $1.2 trillion (net $680 billion) through 2020 from energy efficiency improvements in our nation’s buildings.

And in December 2009, New York City passed a substantial energy legislation package with energy audit and lighting retrofit laws that apply to existing buildings.

As more and more building owners and managers work to understand their energy usage and environmental impact, more and more are turning to energy efficiency as a cost-effective solution for their business and their community. Sieben Energy Associates has over two decades of experience in the energy efficiency industry and can help your organization improve the performance of your buildings while reducing your operating expenses.

Energy Efficiency Earns

Craig Sieben — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:20:00 GMT

Every business needs to optimize its energy use, particularly in a tough economy. A recent McKinsey study, “Unlocking Energy Efficiency in the U.S. Economy,” concluded that energy use in all of our 100 million buildings can be reduced by 23% through an investment of $520 billion in efficiency measures by 2020. These investments would save a combined $1.2 trillion (net present value) and prevent 1.1 gigatons of greenhouse gas emissions each year.

While this is a fascinating macro analysis, Sieben has recently completed a set of five studies for clients looking for low cost energy efficiency savings that they could immediately implement. Our engineers identified an average of 7% savings, requiring an $80,000 investment, returning $200,000 per year. On a simple return basis, these clients will earn over 200% on their investment!

Efficiency Street is a new Wall Street, with earnings that just can't be beat. Kudos to our friends at McKinsey for writing an excellent document that shows how energy efficiency can generate huge earnings.