Sustainability & Building Optimization

BUILDING OPTIMIZATION

ENGINEERING | TECHNOLOGY + EQUIPMENT PLANNING COMMISSIONING | SUSTAINABILITY | BUILDING ENCLOSURE

GET TO KNOW US

Since its founding in 1968, SSR has become a leader among engineering firms in designing, consulting, and commissioning projects for public and private clients across the United States and around the world. Whether it’s new construction or modernizing existing spaces, we have the depth of experience required to respond to client needs.

SSR professionals offer a full range of engineering system designs and consulting services required by today’s complex facilities. Our team focuses on providing system solutions

that are operationally flexible, efficient, and sustainable.

Our Sustainability Consulting and Commissioning division, SSRCx, works to position facilities to perform optimally on a sustainable basis. SSRCx helps owners achieve their sustainability goals through a variety of services, including:

• Sustainability Consulting

• Energy Modeling

• Commissioning

• Building Performance Analytics and Optimization

• Net Zero Consulting

• Green Building Certification Consulting

• Daylight Modeling

• Lifecycle / Carbon Analysis

• Resiliency Planning and Analysis

• Benchmarking and ASHRAE Audits

• Facility Water Consulting

• Sustainability Master Planning

Working across a diverse array of markets and project types, our team of building performance engineers and sustainability consultants partner with our clients to deliver exceptional client experiences.

For over two decades, SSR has served as a onestop shop for our sustainability consulting needs. From strategic planning to project execution, SSR works with its partners through every phase of sustainable developments. As a full-service firm, SSR’s strategic approach coupled with the tenacity to work through any challenge are critical to the success of many of our projects. SSR is more than a partner – they’re a valued resource we can’t live without.

Patrick Emery, CEO, Hall Emery Real Estate Development

BUILDING ENCLOSURE

Building Enclosure Commissioning

Roof Consulting

Enclosure Testing

Facility Condition Assessments & Investigations

Design & Design Consulting

CIVIL

Site Planning & Development

Grading & Drainage

Erosion & Sediment Control

Stormwater Management

Surveying & Mapping

Hydrology

COMMISSIONING

Total Building Commissioning

Retro-Commissioning

Continuous Commissioning®

COMPLIANCE AND FACILITY MANAGEMENT

Continuous Compliance Readiness

Environment of Care Reviews

Day 2 Compliance

Facility Management Consulting

Compliance Education/Training

CONTROLS AND INTEGRATION

Process Control

SCADA

Wireless Communications

Machine Control & Guarding

Data Collection

WHAT WE DO

ELECTRICAL

Power Distribution

Interior & Exterior Lighting

Daylighting

Standby Power Facilities

Uninterruptible Power

Power Conditioning

Coordination Studies

ENVIRONMENTAL

Water Treatment & Distribution

Wastewater Treatment & Collection

Water Reclamation/Reuse

Integrated Water Planning

Financial Analysis

Program Management

FIRE PROTECTION

Wet & Dry Sprinkler Systems

Clean Agent Systems

Foam Systems

Hydraulic Modeling

GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

SYSTEMS (GIS)

System Design & Implementation

Infrastructure Mapping & Asset

Management

Data Migration

Mobile & Web-based Geospatial

Solutions

Location Analytics

Training

MECHANICAL

Central Energy Plants

Building Automation Systems

Energy Management

CFD Analysis

Geo-Exchange

Campus Distribution Systems

High Performance HVAC

Cogeneration

PLUMBING

Building Water Supply & Sewer

Gas Systems

Water Use Audits & Management

Greywater & Rainwater Systems

Process Pure Water

Solar Water Heating

STRUCTURAL

Foundations, Deep & Shallow

Reinforced, Pre-Stressed, & PostTensioned Concrete

Steel Fabrication

Failure Analysis

Seismic Evaluations & Retrofit

SUSTAINABILITY

Green Building Certification

Consulting

Sustainability Consulting

Building Performance Consulting

TECHNOLOGY + EQUIPMENT

PLANNING

Healthcare Technology + Equipment Planning

Healthcare Consulting

Equipment Planning

Communication Systems Design

Security Consulting

Audiovisual Design

Asset Management

Procurement

Transition Planning

Move Management

TRANSPORTATION

Roadways & Bridges

Signalization

Airports

Port Facilities

Roadway Planning & Safety

Audits

Intelligent Transportation Systems

Construction Engineering

Inspection

Continuous Commissioning®, CC® and PCC® are registered trademarks of the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station, a member of the Texas A&M University System, an agency of the State of Texas.

SUSTAINABILITY CONSULTING SERVICES

GREEN BUILDING CERTIFICATION CONSULTING

SSR’s proven process for green building certification consulting (LEED, WELL, Fitwel, Living Building Challenge, Green Globes, and others) results in expedited certification achievement and reduced costs. We have consulted on 250+ certified green buildings including new construction, existing buildings, commercial interiors, healthcare, government, sports, education, commercial, and multiple building (volume) projects.

FEASIBILITY STUDIES / GAP ANALYSES

For clients considering a high performance building or project, our feasibility reports provide a snapshot of where projects stand today and present a road map to reaching their sustainability goals.

FACILITY WATER CONSULTING

With increasing cost and limitations on water use and wastewater production, water efficiency is becoming extremely important for many building owners. SSR’s comprehensive approach to facility water consulting begins with a water audit, with the potential for a water efficiency investigation, efficiency implementation, and ongoing periodic water consulting services.

NET ZERO CONSULTING

To achieve a net zero energy building, a project team utilizes a holistic approach to reducing the energy consumption, starting with the building’s physical location, moving through best practices for architectural and structural design, and highly efficient mechanical, electrical, and plumbing design. The final energy consumption estimate is then offset with a renewable energy system. SSR consults to our clients in designing their projects for Net Zero energy.

ENERGY MODELING

SSR’s energy modeling services can be used as an integral design tool to help your team achieve energy and cost savings goals. Typically, a baseline model is built, against which the project’s design can be compared and contrasted. Options for building envelope and systems can be compared to determine potential energy savings and inform the owner and design team.

DAYLIGHT MODELING

SSR provides modeling and consulting services to help our clients optimize daylighting in built environments to help create a connection to the outdoors for building users, maintain circadian rhythms, reduce glare, and optimize controls for energy efficiency.

LIFECYCLE AND CARBON ANALYSIS

Reducing carbon emissions and embodied carbon is important to managing global climate change. SSR provides lifecycle analysis and carbon reduction consulting for various building systems to help our clients achieve their carbon reduction goals.

RESILIENCY ASSESSMENTS & CONSULTING

Building owners face many challenges in the long term reliability of their properties and campuses. SSR has deep expertise in assessing the resiliency of buildings and infrastructure to a range of factors including climate change, grid disruptions, and extreme weather events. We consult to our clients on potential risks and mitigation measures to help increase the sustainability of their portfolios.

BENCHMARKING & ASHRAE ENERGY AUDITS

An engineering energy audit/analysis strives to help facility managers and owners of existing buildings understand their building’s energy use characteristics while providing recommendations for energy and cost savings. This process offers a chance to benchmark performance against peers through the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager Tool. Following the guidelines provided in ASHRAE’s Procedures for Commercial Building Energy Audits, an owner can choose between Level I (Walk-through Analysis), Level II (Energy Survey and Engineering Analysis), or Level III Energy Audit (Detailed Analysis of Capital Intensive Modifications).

COMMISSIONING SERVICES

SSR has been in the facility commissioning business for over 20 years, having commissioned over 2,500 new and existing building projects employing new building commissioning, retro-commissioning, and monitoring-based commissioning. SSR understands the importance of systems and equipment function and integration to optimize a building for longevity and energy performance. Our Cx process consistently helps to deliver better performing buildings to our clients.

ENERGY MODELING APPROACH

Our process for developing Building Energy Models (BEMs) begins with understanding the Owner’s Project Requirements (OPR) in regards to energy performance goals as well as the role in BEM in meeting those goals. We understand our clients’ critical success factors include the design, construction, and operation of high performance, cost-effective buildings that comply with local energy codes, are green building certifiable, and may even target Net Zero Energy (NZE) performance where feasible. BEM is a critical tool in meeting these goals, but waiting until the end of the design process to use it is ineffective. Therefore, our BEM process generally follows ASHRAE Standard 209-2018 “Energy Simulation

Aided Design for Buildings” to promote early and iterative analysis and collaboration among the project team in order to inform design decisions and develop potential solutions to achieve those goals.

PROJECT KICK-OFF AND GOAL-SETTING

In accordance with ASHRAE 209, we advocate for an energy-focused design charrette early in the design process in order to discuss how BEM would be used for the project and identify project team representatives to participate in subsequent Quality Assurance reviews of BEM inputs and outputs. Additionally, the charrette would present an opportunity to review the building function as well as the local site and climate in order to identify an initial list of project-specific passive and active design strategies that could be analyzed

as the project progresses. Finally, the charrette would discuss existing benchmarks, baselines, and performance metrics in order to establish project energy goals.

Energy performance goals can be relative or absolute in nature. For example, energy codes and LEED EA Optimize Energy Performance reward energy efficiency relative to the performance of a hypothetical baseline building. Therefore, one energy goal must be to achieve a margin of savings relative to these baselines. Furthermore, achieving NZE status or the LEED IP Integrative Process credit require establishing an absolute goal in terms of site energy use intensity (EUI), source EUI, or greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Consequently, the energy metrics that are reported to the team must include these at a minimum.

DESIGN ASSISTANCE ENERGY MODELING

Our energy modeling workflow follows the following process throughout the design, construction, and operational phases of a project in order to assist in the evaluation of system-level and whole-building level design decisions.

While SSR has developed BEMs for all of these modeling cycles across many projects, the specific BEM scope items are tailored to individual projects based on project type, scope, and goals. On a typical LEED project, the Load Reduction cycle most closely aligns to the analysis requirements of the LEED Integrative Process credit. In order

to comply with the additional energy analysis requirements of the LEED Optimize Energy Performance credit, we usually perform the HVAC System Selection, Design Refinement, and/ or Design Integration/Optimization cycles later in design. Finally, we perform the As-Designed Energy Performance cycle in order to document compliance with LEED and/or code.

SSR is a 450-person engineering consulting firm comprised of professional engineers and designers skilled in the design of high-

performance buildings. Within the firm is the Building Optimization and Sustainability (BOS) group, which specializes in sustainability consulting and building performance analysis for new and existing buildings. This team includes six highly trained and qualified energy modelers, holding licenses and credentials as Professional Engineers, Certified Energy Managers, LEED Accredited Professionals, and Building Energy Modeling Professionals (BEMP). On average, these team members typically complete 40-50 simultaneous and overlapping energy modeling projects each year, most of which include multiple iterations / modeling cycles conducted throughout the design process. Our team is trained to follow standardized tools, templates, and workflows in order to facilitate work-sharing and deliverables of consistent quality.

In order to design high performance buildings, SSR has committed to using high performance tools. Our primary tool for building energy modeling is Integrated Environmental Solutions <Virtual Environment> (IESVE). This state-of-the-art software uses one 3D analytical model that integrates numerous modules and applications, allowing us to analyze multiple building performance parameters from the same model, including climate/weather analysis, thermal comfort, solar shading, daylight simulation, natural ventilation, computational fluid dynamics (CFD), HVAC load calculations and system sizing, renewable energy design, as well as whole-building energy performance. In IESVE,

APPROACH

we can rapidly develop geometrically simple buildings early in design in accordance with the LEED Integrative Process credit or the Simple Box Model modeling cycle of ASHRAE Standard 209. Later in design, we can model detailed HVAC

system design and control configurations to match just about anything the mechanical engineer can imagine.

That being said, we believe in the philosophy that there is no “one-size-fits-all” BEM tool. All tools have their pros and cons, and when a project requires analysis of a design that IESVE cannot sufficiently model, we will utilize other BEM tools, such as Trane TRACE 700. While TRACE 700 lacks many of the features of IESVE, there are some situations where hourly HVAC coil loads from IESVE can be transferred to TRACE 700 to model chilled water plant designs and control configurations for which IESVE doesn’t yet have the capability to model.

With modern BEM tools like IESVE, there are numerous ways to output simulation results to meet almost any need. Furthermore, when output results are needed in a form that the BEM software doesn’t natively provide, we often develop custom outputs in Microsoft Excel to better communicate BEM results and our recommendations.

When comparing ECMs, energy consumption and costs can be shown in tabular form, but providing these results graphically can be more insightful. Because our energy models are capable of modeling multiple aspects of building performance besides energy, we are capable of outputting results that illustrate daylight availability, natural ventilation potential, and thermal comfort in

support of other LEED credits. For example, on a recent project for an office building, we analyzed the benefits of daylight harvesting controls against three different glazing selections (Similar to the “Design Integration & Optimization” modeling cycle). We were able to show graphically that even though the alternate glazing selections might have saved cooling or lighting energy, those savings came at the expense of daylight quality.

APPROACH

On another project, we were able to illustrate through building performance simulation that providing insulation to the floor slab above a parking garage not only saved energy but also helped to achieve adequate thermal comfort in compliance with ASHRAE Standard 55 for the office space above.

DEVELOPING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ENERGY CONSERVATION MEASURES (ECMS)

BEMs provide very little value if they are only used to demonstrate compliance with energy codes or LEED at the end of a project. Instead, when used early and often throughout the design process,

BEMs are one of most useful tools in designing cost-effective, high performance buildings. To accomplish this, SSR advocates for a collaborative, integrative design process that roughly aligns with the following steps in the following order:

1. Define the needs and goals of the facility during an energy charrette and incorporate into the OPR.

2. Review the building program and local site/ climate. Referring to the Commercial Building Energy Consumption Survey (CBECS) or creating a Simple Box Model in accordance with ASHRAE 209 can aid this process. The

end result is a list of prioritized energy end uses as well as building-specific and climatespecific ECMs to investigate during later stages of design.

3. Apply passive design measures associated with the building envelope and internal loads in order to reduce the size of the mechanical and electrical systems or eliminate systems altogether. This step is equivalent to the LEED Integrative Process credit or the Load Reduction Modeling cycle from ASHRAE 209.

4. With loads minimized, analyze and select appropriate and efficient HVAC systems. Some efficient systems, such as chilled beams, aren’t feasible until loads have been reduced sufficiently. Then design system layouts to reduce distribution energy from fans and pumps. This step is equivalent to the HVAC System Selection Modeling cycle from ASHRAE 209.

5. Seek synergies for energy recovery and reuse and optimize the design for part-load operations through controls and demand response measures. This step is similar to the Design Refinement or Integration & Optimization modeling cycles from ASHRAE 209.

6. Explore renewable energy technologies to meet project net zero energy goals.

These steps are generally repeated at subsequent phase of design, with the analysis focusing on design questions that are most relevant to that phase. For instance, a focus on massing and orientation are more appropriate early in design when design concepts are less defined, while performing the same analysis late in design would have little real value. Furthermore, energy modeling in later design phases naturally focus on refining and optimizing the systems currently designed, since budgetary and schedule constraints rarely allow for new systems and concepts to be introduced at this time.

SSR’s BOS team regularly works with other architectural and engineering firms, developing energy models and collaborating on developing ECMs and acting as the owner’s energy advocate. In this role, we follow an iterative process of communication with other project team members in accordance with the General Modeling Cycle Requirements of ASHRAE 209. Recognizing the expertise of all project team members involved, we take time during each modeling cycle to collaborate with the project architects and engineers to discuss any ECMs that we collectively believe to be potentially beneficial and appropriate for the analysis of that modeling cycle. After the analysis is complete, we provide the results to the project team for review and discussion in order to determine which ECMs should be incorporated in the design.

PROJECT TEAM COLLABORATION

SSR’s BOS team regularly works with other architectural and engineering firms, developing energy models and collaborating on developing ECMs and acting as the Owner’s Energy Advocate. In this role, we follow an iterative process of communication with other project team members in accordance with the General Modeling Cycle Requirements of ASHRAE 209. Recognizing the expertise of all project team members involved, we take time during each modeling cycle to collaborate with the project architects and engineers to discuss any ECMs that we collectively believe to be potentially beneficial and appropriate for the analysis of that modeling cycle. After the analysis is complete, we provide the results to the project team for review and discussion in order to determine which ECMs should be incorporated in the design.

VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY

NASHVILLE, TN

E. BRONSON INGRAM

COLLEGE

The new E. Bronson Ingram College provides a living-learning community for roughly 340 upperclassmen including apartments for the faculty director and residential area coordinator. The Residential Colleges encompass more than student housing, developing areas where students can collaborate, and critical thinking can thrive. The project was awarded LEED Gold in 2019, representing its achievement in high performance and sustainable design. SSR completed the mechanical design, as well as the energy modeling which encompasses VU’s central energy plant.

RESIDENTIAL COLLEGES

A, B, AND C

SSR is consulting with VU on three new Residential College Projects. The residential college is a student residence in which academic experience is integrated into residential life. Unique challenges include shared underground parking, added central plant connections, and LEED Platinum design targets. SSR conducted an analysis for standalone mechanical systems, a new smaller central plant, and connection to the existing VU central plant. Ths analysis helped drive the decision to continue to utilize the campus CEP based on cost savings potential.

PROJECT EXPERIENCE

SCHOOL OF NURSING, FRIST HALL

The Vanderbilt University School of Nursing completed a 30,000 SF addition, connecting to its existing buildings as part of Frist Hall. The new, four-story atrium all glass façade combines the differing levels of existing building and addition, filled with natural light and views. The project also has a green roof overlooking the campus. The expansion houses an innovative nursing simulation and observation lab for hands-on student experience. The project incorporated multiple WELL Building Certification Features and has achieved LEED® Gold certification.

ELECTRIFICATION OF THE CEP ANALYSIS

As part of “Future VU,” the university sought to reduce their carbon footprint and use of fossil fuels. Having a large central energy plant—including combined heat power for electricity generation, steam convectors for hot water generation, and steam and electrically-driven chillers—a proposed move to electrification could have far reaching effects on the campus. SSR used three campus buildings to test the potential impact of switching all hot water generation to heat pump chillers, eliminating combined heat power and reducing loop supply temperatures.

CHASE CENTER

SAN FRANCISCO, CA

The Chase Center showcases our team’s ability to manage the sustainability consulting on a multibuilding, multi-phase project, with a joint-venture partner. This project has a team of over 50 design consultants, requiring very tightly managed communication and project management from our team. Our scope of work on this project included LEED consulting and energy modeling for the Golden State Warrior’s new arena, retail space, two office towers, and fit-out of the office towers.

To successfully accomplish the project scope, SSR partnered with a small business enterprise based in San Francisco. Similar to our approach for other projects our joint-venture partner accomplishes much of the work locally, with support and technical expertise from SSR.

The arena achieved LEED Gold certification and the Office Towers have achieved LEED and WELL certification.

DPR CONSTRUCTION

NASHVILLE, TN

When DPR Construction decided to convert an existing warehouse into a Class A open office concept, an opportunity to strive for lofty goals presented itself- WELL Building Platinum and LEED certification for the new office. From the beginning, they relied on an engaged project team to see these goals to fruition. SSR was brought on to serve as the MEP design engineer and sustainability consultant for the project.

Creative solutions were implemented to meet the project’s WELL Building and LEED objectives. Sustainable design elements including abundant natural light, a wellness room with a daylighting system, sit-to-stand desks, and natural wood features were incorporated throughout the space. Earning credits in the various WELL Building categories, DPR implemented unique features and policies related to nourishment, mind, and movement among others. It not only provides a modern and well-being-focused environment, but also provides an opportunity for WELL Building certification education and as a showcase of their capabilities for future clients.

GAILLARD CENTER

CHARLESTON, SC

The City of Charleston reconstructed and expanded the Gaillard Center which features the 1,800-seat Martha and John M. Rivers Performance Hall, a 15,000 SF exhibition hall, and three floors of City offices. The Gaillard Center was sustainably designed and constructed and achieved LEED® certification. The project is part of the Gaillard Center Arts Precinct, partially funded by the National Endowment for the arts, which includes open-air public performance spaces and artistic infrastructure. The Gaillard Center is the home for performing arts events, dance recitals, touring and local theatre, lectures, and community events.

STANLEY J. ROSKOWSKI U.S. COURTHOUSE

ROCKFORD, IL

Covering more than 210,000 SF on 5.5 acres, the Roszkowski U.S. Courthouse contains five courtrooms and offices for the U.S. Courts and other court-related agencies. The courthouse also provides 52 secured indoor parking spaces and 18 outdoor spaces for federal agency use. The courthouse features a forest consisting of 104 crab apple trees planted on an orchard-like grid, visually aligned to complement the architecture of the courthouse. These features were granted the Art in Architecture award. The project is LEED Gold certified.

NATIONAL SECURITY CAMPUS

KANSAS CITY, MO

The new National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) National Security Campus in Kansas City, MO, protects some of the nation’s premier security assets. The facility’s nearly 2,500 workers manufacture non-nuclear mechanical, electronic, and engineered materials for national defense systems. The project includes nearly 1.5 million SF of manufacturing spaces, laboratories, office space, and warehouses. This project is LEED Gold certified.

I-55 WELCOME CENTER

MEMPHIS, TN

The I-55 Welcome Center was designed as a Net Zero Energy building, giving it the potential to produce as much energy on-site as it utilizes on an annual basis. SSR served as the sustainability consultant, energy modeler, MEP engineer, and civil engineer for the project. To achieve a Net Zero design, a high performance design process was implemented from the Concept Phase through Construction Documents, with Commissioning occurring during the C/A and warranty phases. The building utilizes the site design, massing, high efficiency enclosure systems, optimized HVAC and lighting systems, and smart controls to achieve a high level of energy efficiency.

NET ZERO DESIGN

NET ZERO DESIGN

SSR has provided energy modeling on numerous projects across the U.S. With regards to Net Zero Design, SSR has provided energy modeling, MEP design, commissioning, and energy consulting services for several such projects within the US. These projects include the I-55 Welcome Center Net Zero Design, Countryside City Hall and Police Headquarters, Lake County Maintenance Facility concept, Vanderbilt Child and Family Center, and a confidential corporate headquarters in the Southeastern U.S. In addition to the key activity of energy modeling for Net Zero buildings, SSR brings expertise in systems design, commissioning, energy and renewable energy consulting.

Simplified Graphic of Net Zero Energy Design Process:

Energy modeling for Net Zero projects requires careful planning from concept through operations. For the I-55 Welcome Center Net Zero design project, we began with defining baseline energy performance based on building type/location, and the leading the project team through a methodical process to strategically reduce energy usage of the design case building. First, we assisted the team with siting and massing the building to minimize loads. If a project were an addition or renovation, we would analyze those factors applicable to the project scope.

I-55: Excerpt of Concept Phase Net Zero Scorecard Review

Recommended

Roof Slope

Usable roof

Solar Heat Gain

Air Infiltration

Thermal Mass/ Insulation

Daylighting

Lighting

HVAC Systems

Ventilation

Ideal Roof slope for PV exposure is 35 deg from horizontal

Ideal roof for PV is continuous & free from obstructions

Minimize during summer and maximize during winter thru orientation, shading

Minimize through vestibules, continuous air barrier, sealing of joints & penetrations

Use building mass for passive solar heating, or will minimize external loads

South-facing glass with shading allows for daylight penetration while blocking Solar Heat Gain

Minimize connected lighting load; adjust control via daylight and occupancy sensors

Use high-efficient HVAC systems to condition only when needed

Provide minimum ventilation only when necessary; Use Exhaust Air Energy Recovery

Current

Design

Concept drawings are close to this

Drawings show split level roof.

Current design not ideal for passive solar; Adjust windows & shading to minimize solar

No entry vestibules shown; Other elements to be determined

Current design not ideal for passive solar; Low-mass, high-insulation may be better

Daylighting in corridor or Brochures still possible; glare control necessary on E&W

Sensors and low lighting power density will be utilized to the fullest extent feasible

Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) system to be utilized

Energy recovery will be utilized; Ventilation is currently provided 24 hrs/day

For the I-55 Welcome Center, enclosure systems were then designed to mitigate external loads. SSR analyzed various wall, roof, window, and architectural configurations. Internal loads (such as lighting, occupant density, equipment) were then carefully considered within the design and programming requirements. Several iterations comparing MEP systems and equipment were performed, to find the most efficient systems that were life cycle effective for the building. System controls strategies, setpoints, and occupant expectations were the next critical step in optimizing building performance. After designing the most efficient project feasible within the budget, onsite PV systems were sized to offset the remaining energy usage in order to achieve a Net Zero design. During the construction phase, MEP system and enclosure commissioning were important activities to verify proper installation, function, and integration of building systems.

I55: DD Phase Percentage of Energy Consumption and Savings

I-55:

Energy Use Comparison of Bundled Energy Measures

After substantial construction completion of Net Zero projects, operations phase performance monitoring and analysis of energy efficiency is vitally important to validating and maintaining Net Zero energy status. SSR partners with our clients to optimize operations phase performance through energy modeling and/or system monitoring. No project aligns perfectly with addressing each of these steps to achieve Net Zero, and SSR collaborates with our project teams to work creatively and collaboratively to overcome issues to meet the program, budget, and schedule goals, in addition to energy efficiency.

METHODIST OLIVE BRANCH HOSPITAL

OLIVE BRANCH, MS

Methodist Olive Branch Hospital is a 216,000 SF, 100-bed hospital and features an innovative, high performance design. The facility is a full service hospital featuring emergency services, obstetrics, cardiology (including open heart), a diagnostic and therapeutic cardiac cath lab, and MRI. The project was designed and constructed under an integrated project delivery team. The hospital design employed sustainability strategies in site design, water and energy efficiency, materials, and indoor environmental quality. This facility was the first inpatient facility in the U.S. to achieve LEED® for Healthcare Gold certification. Methodist Olive Branch Hospital has remained high performing throughout its occupancy, achieving and maintaining Energy Star certification. It is one of only a few LEED for Healthcare New Construction certified facilities in the world.

EXTERIOR ENERGY MODEL RENDERING

ANTICIPATED ENERGY PERFORMANCE

Potential savings of 20,297 MBtu and $305,506 annually.

LOBBY DAYLIGHT ANALYSIS RENDERING

PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

• A geoexchange heat pump system was installed to reduce HVAC energy use, which resulted in a projected energy cost savings of 34.7% when combined with other efficient design and construction practices.

• The geoexchange system also allowed a reduction in floor to floor heights and an increase in usable floor area, further increasing the system’s life cycle value.

• An M&V process was implemented for both energy and water use to compare actual performance to predictions during design.

• Energy model compared energy efficiency and costeffectiveness of five alternative HVAC systems as a part of a life-cycle cost analysis.

• Energy model analyzed daylighting controls and electrochromic glazing in main lobby, reducing energy cost and HVAC equipment sizes.

• Energy model optimized control sequences of heating and cooling operation in dedicated outdoor air systems.

TOTAL COST OF OWNERSHIP

As the architectural design was developed for this project, we analyzed wall and roof system efficiencies, and glazing types and efficiencies. Internal loads are also an important factor for energy efficient design. Depending on the type of building and its equipment and occupant density, internal loads can be as significant as the external loads. For this vertical expansion project, SSR analyzed several factors for internal loads, including lighting power density, equipment type and location, comfort setpoints, plug load schedules, and occupant density. Data on the effect of external and internal loads for this project were presented in a detailed table, and graphically, for the project team to understand and rank energy efficiency measures and their effect on loads.

Vertical Expansion Project: Graphical Representation of Energy Efficiency Measure and Cooling Loads

The above analyses are often consolidated into an A3 style reporting format to assist the project team in making critical decisions with a simplified presentation of the relevant data for the decision.

Below is an HVAC system analysis A3 reporting example. In this example, the owner asked the project team to explore which HVAC system (in combination with architectural cost and program area impacts) would result in the lowest Total Cost of Ownership.

CATERPILLAR FINANCIAL HEADQUARTERS

NASHVILLE, TN | LEED® O+M: Existing Building

Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation headquarters is an 11-story, 312,000 SF Class A office building

in a thriving area near downtown Nashville. SSR has provided energy and sustainability consulting services since 2008. The building is LEED for Existing Buildings Gold® certified. To date, the facility has experienced $2,007,000 in energy savings.

WILLIAM R. SNODGRASS TENNESSEE TOWER

NASHVILLE, TN | Continuous Commissioning®

SSR is currently under contract to provide CC® Phase 2 service to the William R. Snodgrass Tennessee Tower, where CC® engineers will implement the approved CC® measures, outlined in the CC® Phase 1 report, based on the priority list and agreed-upon schedule. After measures are implemented, the CC® engineers will fine-tune the measures to insure optimal operation.

PROJECT SAVINGS

• Electric Consumption (January 2013 - November 2014): $179,961

• Electric Demand (January 2013 - November 2014): ($2,595)

• District Chilled Water (January 2013 - November 2014): $277,114

• District Steam (January 2013 - November 2014): $115,250

• Total Savings: $569,730

• Green House Gas: 5,044 Mt CO2e

• Energy Star: Baseline 28; Current 57