Cleveland State University Basic Science and Science Research Energy Conservation Program
Constantin Draganoiu, Cleveland State University
Kelly Tilsdale, The Brewer-Garrett Co.
Janet Mann, FirstMatrix Corporation
Under the State of Ohio House Bill 7 legislation, the Brewer-Garret/First Metrix/URS team was selected to renovate and modernize the Basic Science and Science Research Laboratory Buildings at Cleveland State University. The energy conservation project included the conversion of 87 laboratories and 121 fume hoods from constant volume to variable volume and implementation of a Dynamic Air Change Approach consistent with the principles of Labs21. The energy conservation/renovation project also included: new base cabinets and fume hoods; upgrade/replacement of the existing laboratory air handlers; expansion of the existing Johnson Metasys BAS; full commissioning of all new and existing HVAC equipment; replacement of existing plumbing fixtures with new low-flow fixtures to reduce water consumption; and the retrofit of the existing 32-watt T8 light fixtures with 25-watt T8 lamps and ballasts.
The team utilized a collaborative design and implementation approach that resulted in a co-authored project scope. The following stakeholders were involved at key points in the process: maintenance staff during both the design and for the witnessing of functional testing during commissioning; environmental health and safety staff for establishing the minimum occupied, unoccupied, and emergency ventilation rates; and the associate dean for curriculum and facilities representing the researchers and professors at all design and construction meetings, as well as post-occupancy commissioning meetings.
There were multiple benefits to this collaborative approach. Weekly team design review meetings with all stakeholders allowed maintenance staff and users to express their concerns and have them addressed, leading to a smooth implementation process. The team was able to include non-energy conservation upgrades that were of high value to Cleveland State, such as a new emergency generator and emergency power distribution upgrades and replacement of the existing base cabinets. Another benefit was vendor neutrality and the ability to select the best product. The team conducted a vendor interview process where potential suppliers presented their products to the entire team. The final product manufacturer was then evaluated and selected based on input from all stakeholders. For example, Johnson Controls was the only competitor for this project, and the team utilized Johnson Controls for all of the BAS upgrades as a result of this vendor selection process. Samples and mock-ups were provided and reviewed by users to ensure that proposed materials and equipment were accepted by users prior to full implementation.
Ultimately, the team learned a valuable lesson about engaging maintenance staff very early on to help identify existing problems.
Biographies:
Constantin Draganoiu is a graduate of Polytechnic Institute of Bucharest. He worked for ten years in a steam plant in Romania, and also served as the mechanical operations and maintenance supervisor for a cannery.
Mr. Draganoiu immigrated to the United States in 1981. After two years as a mechanical maintenance employee, he began his 25 year service to Cleveland Sate University as the energy conservation analyst and interim director.
Mr. Draganoiu maintains a certified energy manager certification and is also a certified building commissioning professional. He has been a member of the AEE since 1995 and ASHRAE since 1998. He is also a member, board member, and recent president of the Ohio Public Facilities Maintenance Association.
Kelly Tisdale is the general manager of The Energy Services Division of The Brewer-Garrett Co. The Brewer-Garrett Company is one of region's largest providers of mechanical engineering, design-build service, HVAC service, energy services, and performance contracting to the commercial and industrial marketplace.
Mr. Tisdale is a certified energy manager, distributed generation certified professional and a certified demand-side management professional. He has over 20 years experience in controls, project development, system design, installation, service and auditing of energy projects. Mr. Tisdale has served as chairman for the Energy Division of the Cleveland Engineering Society as well as chairman for The Northeast Ohio's Annual Energy convention.
His teams' projects have won multiple awards for exceeding projected performance, such as the Ohio Governor's Award for Excellence in Energy Efficiency for three separate projects over the past four years. His team has designed one of the most progressive LEED® projects in Ohio.
Mr. Tisdale has appeared on TV, radio, and in newspapers and trade magazines. He has made over 30 public presentations over just the past few years. He is clearly a leader in the development of comprehensive and progressive energy solutions.