Energy Savings Realized Upon Completion of CST Project

Improvements to Mechanical Systems at the Center for Science and Technology

In 2021 and 2022, significant improvements were made to the mechanical systems at the Center for Science and Technology (CST). This multi-phase plan, which began in 2019, has now been completed. The project involved the addition of an energy recovery loop to the laboratory exhaust and the reconfiguration of the chillers to operate in heat recovery mode. These upgrades have resulted in a 25% reduction in steam use in 2023 and an annual emissions reduction of over 500 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2e).

A heat recovery chiller in located in the penthouse of CST. This equipment pulls the heat from the chilled water loop and allows us to use the heat for heating the building ventilation air.

Heat Recovery Chillers and Reduction in Chilled Water Usage

The heat recovery chillers at CST extract heat from the campus chilled water loop and use it to heat the building’s dehumidification coils. This process simultaneously reduces the chilled water load on the campus loop. As a result, chilled water usage has been reduced by over 67,000 ton-hours. Additionally, the lab exhaust energy recovery loop and the heat recovery chillers contribute to the reduction of steam and chilled water consumption, thereby decreasing demands on the district steam system and reducing campus greenhouse gas emissions.

Reducing Natural Gas Consumption and Emissions

Burning natural gas to create steam is the primary source of greenhouse gas emissions at Syracuse University. Steam is used for heating university buildings and powering a turbine chiller that provides chilled water for cooling. By reducing steam and chilled water usage in buildings, natural gas consumption and related emissions can be significantly reduced. This project exemplifies the energy efficiency strategies employed by Sustainability Management to achieve the 2032 carbon neutrality goal. The graph below illustrates the notable reduction in total energy use (MMBtu) and steam usage from 2022 to 2023.

Jason Plumpton, the assistant director of engineering, utilities, and sustainability, stated, “Instead of thinking of excess building heat as something that we needed to remove, we thought of heat as a resource that we needed to recover and reuse.” By making minor adjustments to the arrangement of the building’s mechanical systems, the team was able to take advantage of this resource. This project serves as an excellent example of how sustainability can be incorporated into capital improvement projects.

The heat recovery coil on the building exhaust system. This pulls heat from the building exhaust air and allows us to reuse it in the building.

Aligning Building Decarbonization with Modern Research Needs

The Center for Science and Technology was completed in 1989, and after more than three decades, its mechanical systems required an update to support modern research. This project provided an excellent opportunity for Sustainability Management to align the need for an update with building decarbonization efforts. The design of open labs prioritized efficiency, enabling shared use of equipment such as energy-intensive fume

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The issues highlighted in the article are connected to the following SDGs:

– SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
– SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
– SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
– SDG 13: Climate Action
– SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the specific targets under the identified SDGs are:

– SDG 7.2: Increase the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix
– SDG 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable
– SDG 11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities
– SDG 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning
– SDG 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, there are indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. These indicators include:

– Reduction in steam use
– Annual emissions reduction of over 500 MTCO2e
– Reduction in total energy use (MMBtu)
– Reduction in campus greenhouse gas emissions
– Reduction in natural gas consumption and related emissions
– Sustainability Management’s collaboration with other departments for energy efficiency strategies
– Incorporation of sustainability into capital improvement projects

These indicators provide measurable data on the progress made towards achieving the targets under the identified SDGs.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators