| |
Using Energy Efficiency Benchmarks to Evaluate Laboratory
Design and Operation: New Developments
Paul Mathew, Ph.D., and Dale
Sartor, P.E., Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Laboratory owners and operators know their buildings are expensive
to operate, but are often not able to tell how good or poor they
are in terms of energy use. Therefore, they can benefit from energy
benchmarking during design, commissioning, and operation. However,
there have been limited efforts thus far to benchmark laboratory
facilities, and no national efforts akin to EnergyStar®. Recognizing
this need, Labs21 launched a benchmarking initiative, which defined
key metrics and developed an energy benchmarking database to collect
data from labs across the U.S. The database currently has data from
about 70 laboratory facilities.
In this presentation, we present new developments and results from
the Labs21 benchmarking initiative. We begin with the summary of
the key metrics, which include whole-building metrics such as site
energy use intensity (BTU/sf-yr) as well as system metrics such
as ventilation system efficiency (W/cfm). For selected metrics,
we present the results from the Labs21 benchmarking database, identify
standard and best practice benchmarks where available, and discuss
how these metrics and their benchmarks can be applied in the course
of laboratory design and operation. Since many of the proposed benchmarks
involve engineering judgment, we close with an invitation to the
audience to challenge these benchmarks with a view to refining them
and improving their credibility and applicability in practice.
Labs21 Connection:
Uniqueness: The inherent complexity and variety of laboratories
makes comparative assessments and benchmarking of their energy performance
a unique and challenging task, when compared to most other building
types. Labs21 is the only organization that has a national initiative
to benchmark laboratory energy use.
The most noteworthy aspect of this presentation is that it will
present benchmarks to distinguish standard practice from best practice.
This is done through a combination of empirical data, technical
analysis, and engineering experience and judgment. Consequently,
it serves a starting point for a broader discussion within the Labs21
community to refine and further develop these benchmarks.
Relevance to Labs21 principles: One of the main Labs21 principles
is to "Establish goals, track performance, and share results
for continuous improvement." Benchmarking plays a critical
role in fulfilling this principle in that it establishes specific,
quantitative building and system energy use goals that can be tracked
during design and operation.
Biographies:
Paul Mathew is a Staff Scientist
at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, where he works on applied
research in energy efficiency and environmental sustainability in
the built environment. His current work is focused on energy efficiency
and green design for laboratories and other high-tech buildings;
energy benchmarking tools and techniques; and risk analysis of energy
efficiency projects. He has a Bachelor's degree in Architecture,
and a Ph.D. in Building Performance and Diagnostics from Carnegie
Mellon University. His work experience includes technical research
and consulting, tool development, and training in energy efficiency,
sustainable design, and risk management. Prior to joining LBNL,
he worked at Enron Energy Services and the Center for Building Performance
at Carnegie Mellon University.
Dale Sartor, P.E., heads the LBNL
Building Technologies Applications Team, which assists in the transfer
of new and underutilized technology through project-focused multidisciplinary
teams. Mr. Sartor has an A.B. in Architecture, and a Masters in
Business Administration. He is a licensed Mechanical Engineer, and
a licensed General Building Contractor. He has over 25 years of
professional experience in energy efficiency and renewable energy
applications including 10 years as a principal of an architecture
and engineering company, and 7 years as the head of LBNL's in-house
Energy Management Program. Mr. Sartor is an active volunteer in
professional organizations and lectures extensively.
Back to Agenda
|
