Case Study for Energy-Efficient Design for an Incubator Laboratory
Aaron Saggars, CRB Engineers
Gary Micheel, Kansas Bioscience Authority
We will present a case study describing the various types of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems that the design team used to detail the design and construction of a new 39,720-square-foot highly sustainable incubator laboratory/office headquarters for the Kansas Bioscience Authority (KBA).
The KBA was created by the Kansas Economic Growth Act of 2004 with the sole purpose of advancing the state's leadership in bioscience research, innovation, and industry. One of our project goals was to design the MEP systems that resonated this image by designing a facility that minimized energy consumption but not at the expense of safety for the building occupants. We looked at the MEP systems as a whole in order to maximize the total building impact, in lieu of looking at each component individually. A large majority of the systems in our project utilizes some type of energy conserving component whether it be variable frequency drives (VFDs), energy recovery devices, or controllability. We utilized modular water source heat pumps, lake source plate and frame heat exchangers, energy recovery wheels, solar water preheat systems, daylighting control, and laboratory air monitoring systems all in the spirit to maximize energy recovery and lower operating costs.
This case study will share the selection and decision process made by the design team that allowed us to realize an anticipated energy savings of 36 percent and cost savings of 29 percent.
This case study will cover the following topics:
- Project is submitting for a minimum LEED® Silver rating.
- General overview of the mechanical and electrical systems used on the project. (Three custom air handling units [AHUs], modular heat pumps, lake plate and frame heat exchangers [HEXs], pumps for lake water, condenser water, heating hot water and chilled water systems, laboratory utilities, natural gas standby generator, laboratory exhaust fans, etc.)
- We will share the lessons learned and difficulties of designing an open water intake system for the modular water source heat pump system.
- The benefits we expect to see using a laboratory air monitoring system and its anticipated effect on the safety of the end users while maximizing energy savings.
- The use of a solar hot water preheat system for the domestic heating needs and how we expect it to benefit from its use.
- We will share lessons learned with using an under floor air distribution system for the office area of the building while designing around an open ceiling system.
- Anticipated success of using daylighting and occupancy senor control systems to lower energy costs for the laboratory and general purpose office areas.
Biographies:
Aaron Saggars manages a team of engineers and designers dedicated to the life sciences market in the Kansas City office for the Midwest region for CRB Engineers. He is a registered professional engineer and has more than 15 years of experience as a project manager and senior design engineer.
His expertise is in managing and designing projects of varying size and varying levels of complexity for projects related to mechanical systems for pharmaceutical, biotechnology, research and development, Biosafety Level (BSL)/Animal Biosafety Level (A-BSL) laboratories, and vivariums that require good manufacturing practices and CDC compliant mechanical systems.
Gary Micheel, as facilities project manager of the Kansas Bioscience Authority, makes certain full value is obtained for all building and infrastructure investments and serves as owner's representative.
With more than 30 years engineering experience, he has led teams of professionals designing and constructing complex facilities for sites throughout the United States and in several international locations. Prior to joining the KBA, Mr. Micheel served as a project engineer and construction manager for Black & Veatch.
Mr. Micheel earned a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Purdue University and a master's degree in civil engineering from the University of Kansas. He is a registered professional engineer and a member of both the American Society of Civil Engineers and the Structural Engineers Association of Kansas and Missouri.