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The State of Wisconsin Department of Administration and the University of Wisconsin System embrace high-performance green building standards and energy conservation for state facilities and operations. 2005 Wisconsin Act 141 requires each agency to develop energy cost reduction plans. Plans must include all system and equipment upgrades that will pay for themselves in energy cost reductions over their useful life. The energy savings performance contracting program provides a process for UW System to effect energy cost reductions in existing buildings and utility systems.
 
UW-Stevens Point has been working with McKinstry, LLC, an Energy Service Company (ESCO), through the State of Wisconsin Energy Savings Performance Contract program. McKinstry was selected through a competitive bid selection process in 2012. A comprehensive investment grade energy audit was done for 19 buildings on campus to determine projects that would qualify for the program. A final report was co-authored with UW-Stevens Point Facility Services, which went to technical review at the Division of Facilities Development. The Multi-Building Energy Conservation project that was approved by the Building Commission in October 2015 will assist UW-Stevens Point in complying with energy reduction goals.
 
The total first cost of the project is estimated at $8.9 million after estimated financial incentives are applied (i.e. Focus on Energy). The implementation of the energy conservation measures (ECMs) will result in an anticipated annual energy cost savings of approximately $607,000 with a simple payback of 14.7 to 15.2 years, depending on actual incentives received. This is below the state energy fund simple payback requirement of 16 years or 20-year payback with repayment at a 5.25% bond rate and a 3% inflation rate.

Annual estimated dollar savings:
Electricity: $397,561 
Steam costs $188,142        
Water costs over $21,102
 
Annual energy savings will be found in reduced electricity consumption, steam production and water savings. The project will reduce the campus’ greenhouse gas emissions as well.
 
Annual projected energy savings:
Electricity reduction of 4,229,377 kWh
Steam reduction of 22,833 MMBtu
Carbon emissions reduction of 10,382,596 lbs.
 
Investment Grade Audit:  McKinstry engineers and development team analyzed the existing conditions of buildings on campus, collecting energy use data and building systems information.  The audit process helps our team develop energy saving solutions best suited for each building and the campus.
 
Based on the audit the following Energy Conservation Measures (ECMs) will be implemented:
  
Interior Lighting Upgrade:  Improve energy efficiency and lighting levels by replacing existing older, higher energy use lighting (T8, T12, HID, Compact Fluorescent and ballasts) systems with more energy efficient lighting in several buildings on campus.  New LED lighting and ballasts will be installed in several buildings.
Exterior Lighting Upgrade:  Improve energy efficiency and lighting levels of exterior pole, walkway, exterior wall, flood and parking lot light fixtures with new, higher efficiency LED fixtures.
Controls & Mechanical Upgrade:  Install new direct digital controls (DDC) on existing pneumatically controlled equipment and integrate into the Energy Management System to optimize the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to provide a substantial reduction in energy consumption.
Water Conservation:   Upgrade the existing flush valves (rebuilding or replacement) including the install of dual flush handles on toilets.   Sink faucet aerators will have updated flow control devices installed to reduce flow.  These measures will reduce the amount of waste water production as well.
Steam Traps Upgrade:   Replace failed or nonfunctioning steam traps that are allowing steam bypass.  This will help improve the efficiency of the steam plant by replacing failed or leaking traps to ensure complete condensation at each heat transfer device is achieved.
Building Envelope Improvements:   Improve building envelope performance and reduce energy consumption by reducing exterior air infiltration into the conditioned spaces of buildings.  This is achieved by installing new exterior door seals, window caulking, air conditioner covers, and using spray foam to fill gaps in the building envelope.

Dashboard & Metering:   Installing Operator and Green Kiosk Dashboard hosted services to remotely monitor the energy use of several buildings on campus.  The Operator dashboard format will be available to Facilities staff for energy analysis.  The Green Kiosk format will allow physical interactive kiosks to be added at a later date with only the addition of hardware by the University.
 
Links to Resources:
 
Information Memorandum on 2005 Wisconsin Act 141:
 
Department of Administration Sustainability:
 
Final presentation document from McKinstry, presented to campus December 11, 2014


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