Texas A&M Energy-Conservation Efforts Paying Off

            COLLEGE STATION, Oct. 27, 2009—Energy consumption at Texas A&M University has been reduced by almost 25 percent over the past seven years despite an increase of over 16% in the gross square footage (GSF) of facilities served on the 5,200-acre campus, officials there report.  They have calculated that energy efficiency improvements and conservation have resulted in cost avoidance totaling $90 million since 2002.

            James G. Riley is director for utilities and energy management at Texas A&M, one of the largest universities in the nation with 21.5 million GSF of facility space.  Riley said the reduction in overall energy consumption means that the university is “consuming only two-thirds of the energy it was seven years ago, when calculated on a consumption per square foot basis.” 

            Riley noted that with the addition of several new facilities at Texas A&M, square footage in the more than 750 buildings and structures on campus has increased from 18.5 million GSF in 2002 to 21.5 million GSF this year.

            He emphasized that although the cost avoidance is significant, there have also been significant environmental benefits as well: “In addition to the financial benefits, the reduced energy consumption achieved on campus also results in lower green house gas emissions, reducing energy dependence and helping to create a more sustainable environment.”  The cost avoidance allows the university to maximize institutional funding in support of teaching, research and other programs, Riley emphasized.

            To put the scope of the energy usage at the university into perspective, he pointed out that even with the significant consumption reduction, the university and agencies headquartered on the College Station campus still consume 5.2 trillion BTUs (British thermal units) of energy annually.  “You don’t hear numbers this large very often unless you are discussing the national debt,” Riley quipped.

            Riley pointed out that Texas A&M operates four utility plants, generating a significant amount of the electrical power and most of the thermal energy for cooling and heating on campus.  “With over 50,000 tons of cooling capacity in the four utility plants, Texas A&M has sufficient capacity to cool 15,000 average homes.  Overall plant operating efficiency has improved by 40% since 2002,” he explained.  

            He said the efficiencies and savings derived to date are the result of several key initiatives, including improved plant operation, installation of new high-efficiency chillers and boilers to add capacity and replace aging equipment, upgrading plant monitoring and control systems, implementing a predictive/preventive maintenance program with performance indicators to minimize “down time” and optimize operations.  “Improved utility plant operating reliability and forecasting have also allowed for a better decision-making process to support energy procurement,” he noted.

            In campus buildings, space temperature standards have been implemented for occupied and unoccupied times, cooling/heating controls have been improved, energy audits have been conducted, utility meters installed, lighting retrofits completed, and a significant retro-commissioning program is closely managed.

            In a new pilot program, the university has assigned energy stewards to work cooperatively with building occupants, provide energy-related information, raise awareness to support conservation, and implement initiatives to improve service and reduce energy consumption, Riley said.

            Even more savings and efficiencies are forthcoming at TAMU with the recent approval by The Texas A&M System Board of Regents authorizing installation of a state-of-the-art combined heat and power (CHP) generation system for the campus. The $70.25 million CHP upgrade in the central utility plant includes replacing two turbine generators that have exceeded their expected operating life with larger and more efficient generation, replacing a heat recovery steam generator, and upgrading the campus electrical distribution system.

            Riley said projected efficiency-related cost avoidance will offset the debt service expected to be incurred for the project. The university has applied for a $10 million Department of Energy grant to help offset the project cost and expects to know before the end of the year if DOE funding is approved.

            “The new CHP system will reduce university greenhouse gas emissions associated with energy consumption by over 30 percent,” Riley added. “In addition to the financial and environmental benefits, the new CHP generation upgrade will provide the university with the capability to meet a significant portion of the total campus power requirement in the event of an interruption of service from the incoming campus power supply.”

            He said construction on the CHP project is scheduled to begin in January 2010 and will be completed in 2011, with major equipment operating by summer 2011.

            “The new CHP system is a giant step forward to ensure safe, reliable and efficient utilities for our students, faculty and staff for many years to come,” Riley concluded.