Energy/Utilities
Accomplishments
The college has been a leader in the efficient utilization of energy in many areas of the campus for nearly thirty years. Though energy efficiency and conservation were initially motivated by economic concerns, the college now proceeds with both monetary savings and environmental sustainability in mind, investigating those sustainable initiatives that may also prove more cost-effective over time. Through the use of efficient mechanical systems which utilized heat recovery, efficient and variable speed motors, and fans and pumps combined with sophisticated controls, significant energy savings have been achieved. These efforts, in combination with such innovative initiatives as the cogeneration plant and the chill water loop from the thermocline of Lake Waban, are certainly sustainable practices although it is only recently that they have been subject to that nomenclature.
Overall energy consumption has remained relatively steady over the past several years, even with the addition of the Wang Campus Center. The Wang Campus Center encompasses 50,000 square feet of building space and is utilized intensely, operating basically 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Energy demands have also increased throughout campus. Conservation initiatives have enabled the college to remain fairly flat in its overall energy use with the exception of electrical consumption; electrical consumption has actually been reduced by nearly 12% since 2003.
| Energy Consumption Data | |||||
| 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | |
| Heating components | |||||
| Steam Generated for heat (lbs) | 254,736,763 | 190,368,664 | 249,386,842 | 253,729,405 | 230,843,338 |
| Oil Consumed (gallons) | 866,499 | 644,446 | 560,278 | 363,506 | 268,876 |
| Gas consumed for heating (cuft) | 111,570,000 | 143,090,000 | 169,200,000 | 192,640,000 | 188,390,000 |
| Electricity components | |||||
| Gas consumed to produce electricity (cuft) | 351,447,000 | 315,230,000 | 337,990,000 | 335,380,000 | 324,200,000 |
| kWh produced (generated in cogeneration plant) | 32,426,304 | 29,518,464 | 30,854,112 | 30,700,992 | 29,417,856 |
| kWh purchased from Town of Wellesley | 462,334 | 3,976,108 | 252,254 | 1,067,406 | 579,959 |
| Total kWh consumed | 32,888,638 | 33,494,572 | 31,106,366 | 31,768,398 | 29,997,815 |
A number of initiatives play a key role in the college’s conservation efforts. The creation of a cogeneration facility provided for local energy generation and waste heat recovery. “Waste heat” from the engine block and exhaust gases is utilized at almost a 90% efficiency rate to increase temperatures in steam condensate and to provide domestic hot water to the Hazard Quad and Tower Hill complexes including Lake House. The new chill water plant has greatly reduced energy consumption while meeting increased chill water demand. Aggressive energy management and continued refinement in control of building systems has resulted in significant energy savings. Re-lamping with more efficient lights, such as compact florescent lamps (CFLs) and light emitting diodes (LEDs) is ongoing and saves significant amounts of electricity.
Initiatives
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Continue to implement systems and programs to reduce energy consumption.
Implementation: While the college’s electrical consumption has declined, overall energy demand is still high in comparison to peer institutions and gross square footages. A Physical Plant task force has been engaged to take up this issue and priorities will be set.(2008)
Work with college community and Sustainability Committee to educate and increase awareness of energy conservation. (Ongoing)
Continue reduction in use of auxiliary chillers as plant chilled water performance increases. (2007-2008)
Adjust air handler operation in the Science Center in response to repairs being made possible by the Farroll gift for less energy intense configurations. (2007-2008)
Refine operational hours demand in the campus center to more closely match usage with program requirements. (2007, ongoing)
Optimize operation of new and significantly less energy intensive air handling equipment in the Davis Museum for maximum efficiency. (2007-2008) -
Continue to improve and upgrade building, site,
and mechanical systems to reduce demand on the central utility plant and
to reduce energy consumption.
Implementation: Coordinate with the Facilities Master Plan which specifies this initiative as a major goal. Smaller upgrades can occur, especially in buildings not scheduled for renovations in the near future. All systems will be reviewed and upgraded during major renovation projects. Continued work with the Facilities Master Plan and defined financing will allow for the scheduling of building renovations.
Continue to replace and adjust piping and valving in the Clapp Library to improve chilled water flow within the building to allow for better comfort while decreasing energy demands. (2007-2008)
Modify the air handlers in Jewett to reduce humidity levels, improve overall control to reduce energy demands. (2007-2008)
Replace incandescent lamps with compact fluorescents in the Beebe dining area and install LED lighting as a test in the serving line to test feasibility in other areas of campus. (2007-2008) -
Reconfiguration of chilled water infrastructure
to reduce energy requirement and to extend capacity of existing plant
equipment.
Implementation: A contract has been initiated to assess, design and implement modifications to the chilled water distribution systems. Intended outcomes are reduction in demands on the current chilled water plant and the release of inefficiently utilized capacity to sufficiently provide cooling needs for future projects such as Alumnae Hall as well as future initiatives. (2007-2009) -
Investigate and implement alternative energy
sources which may be viable for the college such as wind, geothermal,
photovoltaic, biomass and other technologies.
Implementation: Investigate vertical wind turbines on the Science Center and Distribution Center roofs as well as more conventional wind turbines at the Paint Shop Pond site. Initial feasibility Study is completed. Implementation of these initiatives unclear at this time and will be dependent upon the longer term goals of the college.
Explore the feasibility of photovoltaic panels for the south-facing roof of the Sports Center Field House. Initial feasibility study is completed. Implementation of these initiatives unclear at this time and will be dependent upon the longer term goals of the college.
Investigate the feasibility of employing geothermal heat for the Observatory and Observatory House when renovations occur. This may be an attractive investment given the cost of replacing the steam feed and condensate return lines for these buildings.