The Science & Technology Facility: The Next Step in Sustainability for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Craig Randock, AIA and Russell Healey, P.E. SmithGroup
Nancy Carlisle, AIA, National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Abstract:

The scientific mission of NREL is to develop new technologies and materials that will lessen the nations reliance on fossil fuels and promote energy efficiency and environmental stewardship in partnership with private industry. The existing scientific facilities on the NREL campus demonstrate sustainable strategies that foster creativity, increased productivity and illustrate building technologies that can be applied to all types of facilities.

Each major laboratory facility constructed on the NREL campus has been a case study in applying sustainable design initiatives within a fixed construction budget. The Science & Technology Facility will serve the NREL National Center for Photovoltaics and the Basic Science Center. The labs will be used to conduct basic scientific research contributing to the development of renewable energy technologies and advance research in the development and manufacturing process of photovoltaic systems. The Science & Technology Facility demonstrates the Department of Energy goal of creating a research laboratory environment that promotes the R&D initiatives of the National Energy Policy in an environment that affords exterior views and provides ambient daylight for open office areas and in the laboratories.

A highly interactive and collaborative design process was conducted on site that included all project stakeholders and consultants. The Workshop process provided the dynamic environment to explore multiple ideas and gain consensus that resulted in the facility design for the S&TF.

Findings:

The ST&F has been designated by NREL as a Labs21 Pilot Project and the Environmental Performance Criteria in conjunction with LEED™ criteria will guide the sustainability design initiatives. Sustainable laboratory design requires a holistic approach that integrates site selection, building orientation, weather and climatic influences with a clear scientific programmatic statement that illustrates client goals and expectations. The 71,000 GSF project will meet the LEED™ Green Building System Rating certification level of Silver, with the expressed goal of achieving Gold, within a construction budget of approximately $230.00 per square foot.

The building has been articulated into four distinct parts based on program needs; the entry lobby, the collaborative office environment, the wet and dry support laboratories and the Process and Development Integration Laboratory (PDIL). Each component expresses the integration of natural daylight and views of the surrounding campus in a unique way.

Scientific collaboration happens not only in the laboratories but also in spaces that encourage interaction in an informal setting. Programmed spaces that promote intellectual exchange in the interior and at the exterior of the S&TF are an important aspect of the design.

The Science & Technology Facility has been designed to sit gently on the land, tucked into the natural slope of Table Mountain. The building will harvest the limited rainfall to naturally irrigate appropriate local plant materials at the exterior patios and terraces. Utilization of recycled and locally manufactured building materials will be incorporated throughout the facility.

Labs21 Connection:

As a team we will commission the equipment and controls for this project. The commissioning process starts with design in the consideration of the controls and monitoring points required to properly monitor the building systems.

The following outlines our approach to sustainable energy and water efficiency:

• Chiller plant optimization–high efficiency chillers selected, variable frequency pump motors, utilize a plate and frame heat exchanger for "free cooling."
• Air handlers – variable frequency drives on fan motors, utilize both direct and indirect evaporative cooling to reduce cooling load.
• Supply and exhaust distribution optimization – Supply make-up air handlers feed into a common header to minimize the amount of air and static pressure required to supply the labs. The lab exhaust system is collected in a common header to reduce the amount of fan energy required.
• Under-floor supply air distribution in the open office and closed office areas.
• Energy recovery optimization – Implement a "run around loop" to recover energy, both heating and cooling, from the laboratory exhaust stream and transfer it to the make-up air streams to the labs.
• A variable air volume mechanical supply system with a night setback control option will be utilized in the labs.
• Installation of waterless urinals and creation of DI water without first producing RO water thus eliminating the waste stream.

Our approach to measurement:

• Via the Building Management System, the building will be monitored for energy consumption including chilled water, tower water, heating water, process water, electricity, and environmental conditioning.
• Monitor water use for domestic, lab and tower water make-up.

Biographies:

Craig Randock, AIA is an architect and Design Principal in the Phoenix Office of SmithGroup, a national Architecture, Engineering and Planning firm with a 150 year legacy of providing design solutions for the natural and built environment. With professional experience in Urban and Campus Planning, Office/Workplace, Academic, and Research projects, Mr. Randock has completed research laboratory facilities at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratories and at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). In addition to leading the SmithGroup design team for the Science & Technology Facility (S&TF) Mr. Randock also participated in the design process for the Solar Energy Research Facility (SERF) at the NREL campus. Each research building is uniquely crafted to support the scientific mission, reflect the context and community in which a project is located and to promote energy conservation and environmental sensitivity. Professional recognition has resulted in over ten American Institute of Architects Design Excellence Awards.

Russell Healey, PE is a Chemical Engineer and a Lead Engineering Associate in the Phoenix Office of SmithGroup. His professional knowledge entails expertise in fluid transfer, thermodynamics, process piping, HVAC, process controls, building management systems, fire protection and commissioning. Mr. Healey has applied his practice to numerous laboratory, industrial, institutional, medical, and municipal projects. In addition to leading the SmithGroup mechanical engineering design for the Science & Technology Facility (S&TF) at the NREL Campus, Mr. Healey has taken part in research laboratory projects at Merck Pharmaceutical, Roxane Pharmaceutical, Princeton Microscopy Lab for DNA Research, Cornell University teaching and research labs, USDA Agricultural Research Center and is currently leading the design for the International Genomics Consortium Research Headquarters in Phoenix. He is also the recipient of the Chairman's Award, for exceptional performance and superior client relation's abilities with Raytheon Engineers.

Nancy Carlisle, AIA, is a Senior Program Leader at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden Colorado and a licensed architect in the state of Colorado. At the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, she is leading the effort to develop NREL's 25 Year General Development Plan, and is the team leader overseeing the technical assistance activities provided by NREL to the Federal Energy Management Program to support energy efficiency and renewable applications in building construction. Ms. Carlisle has been a member of the Labs21 core technical team since the program's inception. She has worked at NREL over 20 years, in research, analysis, design and outreach activities to promote the design of sustainable low energy buildings. She is a LEED™ accredited professional and recognized as a Fellow in the American Solar Energy Society. She holds Masters degrees in both Architecture and Urban Planning and a Bachelor's degree in Economics (with an emphasis in environmental studies).