Right-Sizing Energy-Efficient Cleanrooms: Lessons Learned from Harvard LISE and other peer institutions

Jacob Werner, Wilson Architects
Jacob Knowles, Bard, Rao + Athanas Consulting Engineers

As everyone in the industry knows, cleanrooms are energy and load hogs. We also know that load and energy consumption in cleanrooms can vary significantly, based on their actual use. So, how do you right-size systems and balance the desire for robustness and future flexibility with energy efficiency?

The LISE cleanroom facility at Harvard University began operation in 2006. With a desire to design electrical infrastructure and cooling capacity for nearly any potential demand, the design team aimed high. Using metered data and input from the user's process of fine-tuning since occupancy, this presentation uses Harvard LISE as a case study to walk through one example of this quest for right-sizing in cleanrooms. We will show how this project taught the team a few hard lessons that we can help you avoid.

The presentation will also use benchmarking data on cleanrooms at other institutions which is informing the next generation efficient cleanroom design. This data bears-out the theory that cleanrooms vary significantly. But, it also illustrates some of the key parameters that teams should consider in targeting a right-sized energy-efficient cleanroom design. This session will provide an overview and approach that may prove useful for your future projects or help you identify opportunities to reduce the energy consumption of your existing cleanroom.

Learning Objectives

  • Identify key load and energy-drivers in cleanroom facilities
  • Identify key metrics for tracking cleanroom performance
  • Show how benchmarking data can be useful in right-sizing and efficiently operating cleanroom systems

Biographies:

Jacob specializes in the planning, design, and construction of laboratory buildings. He guides teams to success through collaborative listening and attention to detail. Jacob builds strong, long term relationships with clients, including the University of Massachusetts for which he's participated in four different major projects over the course of seven years. Jacob mentors young designers both in and outside of the firm and has taught design at the Boston Architectural College.

As Director of Sustainable Design at BR+A, Jacob Knowles heads our building simulation and sustainability consulting team. His work focuses on the integration of strategies that reduce environmental-footprint, while supporting occupant well being and maximizing return on investment. Over the past decade, he has championed the sustainability agenda for major healthcare, research and other commercial and institutional projects.

 

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