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Energy Conservation Program Reduces Utility Costs at OSU Campuses
History
In an effort to reduce energy consumption on each of its five campuses, Oklahoma State University implemented an Energy Conservation Program in 2007.
- Developed a people-oriented energy management program at each of the OSU campuses.
- Promotes conservation of electricity, chilled water, steam condensate, gas, and water.
- Reduce consumption mechanically by adjusting heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system run times to match events and occupancy in buildings.
- Worked to increase energy awareness of faculty, staff, and students through presentations, promotional materials, website and Facebook interaction.
- Emphasizes reductions during unoccupied times and promoting behavior changes of "energy consumers" to "energy savers."
- Established Energy Management and Conservation Policy #1-0520. and OSU Energy Guidelines with web access.
Energy Managers (EM)
- Key to the success of the Energy Conservation Program.
- Gather data and monitor energy consumption for assigned buildings.
- Apply knowledge about the operation of the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems.
- Determine the occupancy patterns in each of the buildings.
- Work to educate the occupants of each building on ways their efforts can contribute to reducing energy costs at OSU.
- Perform energy audits in assigned buildings to look for energy savings opportunities around the clock, especially during predominantly unoccupied times of the day, including weekends and holidays.
- Generate energy reports to building administrators, custodial staff, and others who may then share that information with building occupants to promote behavior changes that contribute to energy savings.
What the ECP does NOT do
- Does NOT compromise the university's research and education mission.
- Does NOT limit laboratory operations.
- Energy reduction measures do NOT purposely disrupt classroom comfort.
Expectations
- All students, faculty and staff are asked to do their part to conserve and help create a culture of conservation at Oklahoma State University and our campuses in Stillwater, Tulsa, Oklahoma City, and Okmulgee.
- OSU strives to become a model of thoughtful stewardship through energy management and conservation, not only for the benefit of natural resources and the environment but also for taxpayer and tuition dollars.
Through the efforts of OSU energy managers, and with the cooperation of OSU faculty, staff, and students, the Energy Conservation Program is expected to save more than $22 million within the first seven years (2007-2014).
Energy Technologies in Use
At OSU, cutting-edge technology assists in the ongoing effort to reduce energy usage and costs, thereby, reducing our carbon footprint. Below is a list of some of the technologies used for energy management at OSU:
Building automation systems (BAS) provide web-based, digital controls for heating, air-conditioning and ventilation (HVAC) systems for the purpose of energy management at OSU. The BAS involves air handlers, the chilled and hot water systems, damper controls, exhaust fan controls, pump controls, and lighting controls in various campus buildings. The BAS enables energy managers to schedule HVAC and lighting to match the occupancy patterns in OSU buildings. Direct digital control allows energy managers to monitor temperatures by zone within each building within the system and make adjustments in scheduling or temperature, as needed.
Automated lighting systems are used in several OSU buildings, which enable energy managers to schedule lighting based on occupancy patterns.
Automation of energy meters allows energy managers to be digitally monitor data at repeated intervals for real-time review of energy use in OSU buildings.
Utility meters for natural gas, electric, chilled water, and steam condensate are used and monitored closely at OSU to ensure that energy usage is accurately accounted for each month.
Vending machine controls at OSU utilize a passive infrared occupancy sensor (PIR) that can turn off the compressor and fluorescent lights in the vending machine when the area is unoccupied. A temperature sensor can power up the machine at intervals to keep the products cool enough.
Reference: Hordeski, M. Dictionary of Energy Efficiency Techologies. Fairmont Press: Lilburn,
GA. 2004.
OSU is going green for a brighter orange!
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