Energy Conservation Potential Analysis for the State of Tennessee

Project Summary

State of Tennessee, Division of Finance and Administration
Nashville, Tennessee

Project Type:
Energy Conservation Potential Analysis Study

Size:
Fourteen buildings encompassing 3.7 million square feet

Project Details

The State of Tennessee enlisted Architectural Energy Corporation to perform a study to investigate energy conservation opportunities at 14 State buildings in downtown Nashville, encompassing 3.7 million square feet of conditioned space. These buildings receive chilled water and steam from a municipally owned district heating and cooling system, and include high-rise office buildings, academic buildings, museums, theaters, and the State Capitol building. Estimated annual energy consumption and demand cost savings resulting from the recommended energy conservation measures totaled $2,265,780 (or $161,841 per building on average) for a 35% reduction in operating costs. Implementation of the suggested energy saving measures and tune-up activities were estimated to cost $5,883,837, for an estimated simple payback period of 2.2 years.

Project Highlights

Walk-through audits performed, including as-built plan and document review, facility personnel and occupant interviews, and review of EMS trend data.

DOE2.1E building energy simulation models developed for energy end-use analysis and energy conservation measure savings estimates at each facility.

Short-term monitoring performed on selected buildings to analyze system performance and investigate potential energy conservation measures. AEC's patented ENFORMA software and hardware system used for all data collection and analysis.

Energy conservation measures recommended included:

Lighting fixture retrofits and improved lighting controls, including time clocks, occupancy sensors, and daylight controls.
Window retrofits.
Building automation system upgrades from pneumatic to DDC systems.
Supply air temperature reset on air-handling units.
Improved HVAC scheduling including optimized start-up algorithms.
Installation of enthalpy-based economizers.
Conversion of constant volume systems to variable air volume systems with variable speed drives.
Installation of premium efficiency motors.
Conversion of constant speed chilled water and hot water distribution loops to variable speed pumping.
Elimination of simultaneous heating and cooling through improved controls.
Miscellaneous tune-up and repairs for improved HVAC control and occupant comfort, including thermostat relocation, repairs to louvers and ductwork, and refurbishment of induction and fan-coil units.

Go to the Building Energy Evaluation section to learn more about how AEC can help with this type of project.