Jon C. Woodbury, Chair
In the early 1970's Middlebury College made a major commitment to Energy Management in order to reduce its operating costs, its dependence on public utilities, and its impact on the environment. After two decades, the College continues to expand its Energy Management Program through the purchase of energy efficient equipment, new technologies, retrofits, research, and community awareness and education. Its efforts have reduced the consumption of fossil fuels, electricity, and water and have heightened the consciousness of the community.
Below is a list of the primary energy conservation policies and practices of the College's Energy Management Program.
1. Operational & Maintenance Standards
Facilities Management maintains high operational and maintenance standards and practices in managing equipment and facilities. It is important that facilities be operated efficiently and effectively to minimize interruption of services and reduce operational costs.
2. Renovations & New Construction
All renovations of existing facilities and construction of new facilities must involve building materials, equipment, and technologies that are highly energy efficient, reducing consumption of fuel and electricity. The use of high R-value insulation and air tight high E windows are important in reducing heat loss. The installation of energy efficient motors, lighting systems, and appliances is necessary to reduce use of electricity. New technologies and devices like electronic ballasts, low energy lamps, computerized building management systems, passive solar and heat pumps are also important to energy efficiency. Water saving technologies are also very important.
3. Efficient Central Heating Plant
Facilities Management is committed to the operation and maintenance of a highly efficient Central Heating Plant, including the utility distribution systems for steam, electricity and water. The continuous upgrading of boiler controls and plant auxiliaries are essential to good plant management.
4. Research
Facilities Management is committed to the research of new building materials, devices, equipment, technology and operational practices that will reduce energy consumption in campus facilities.
5. Retrofit
Facilities Management is authorized and expected to retrofit systems and devices whenever feasible to reduce energy consumption. The College will continue to work closely with Central Vermont Public Service to take advantage of Demand Side Management programs whenever possible. Retrofits with simple payback of three years or less are considered high priority projects.
6. Fuel Purchase Policy
The Purchasing Department is responsible for initiating the fuel purchase policy. Annually bids are invited from eligible fuel suppliers to obtain the lowest price possible for No. 6 and No. 2 fuel oils. A contract is signed for a unit price of x-number of gallons of a tightly specified fuel oil. Periodic quality control monitoring is required to maintain stack emissions standards. (See Chapter X, Toxics and Pollution, for further comment on the College Service Building smokestack.)
7. Staff Education and Training
Facilities Management is committed to the ongoing education and training of staff to keep pace with changing technologies and operational and maintenance practices.
8. Co-Generation
Facilities Management is committed to generating as much electricity as possible via steam driven turbine/generators from a back pressure steam process to reduce the College's dependence on the local electric company and to reduce operating costs. As steam loads increase through facilities growth so too should co-generation.
9. Computerized Energy Management System
Facilities Management is committed to the operation and expansion of the Powers 600 EMS to reduce steam, electricity, and water consumption. Presently, micro computers with DDC and antilog output controls, monitor trends, and maintain records on building equipment in about half of our major buildings. Automatic control strategies in the equipment allow us to limit electricity usage, duty cycle electric motors, stop/start equipment and lighting systems, control and monitor space temperature, etc. Expansion of this equipment coincides closely with the College's building renovations/new construction schedule.
10. Water Conservation Management
Middlebury College's source of water for domestic use, fire protection, and process is from the municipal water system. Our consumption of water is metered and we pay a water use tax and a sewer discharge tax based on the metered amount. Facilities Management has established some standards to reduce consumption. It controls shower head flow to 2 GPM or less. It installs system pressure regulators to reduce water pressure, uses air cooled refrigeration equipment whenever possible in lieu of water cooled, and installs water flow reducer devices whenever possible.
11. Community Energy Conservation Awareness
As long as Middlebury College has had an energy management program, it has promoted community awareness as a key element of its program. The primary vehicle for promoting awareness is the Energy Council whose membership is comprised of students, faculty, and staff. The Council's role is to propose policy, make recommendations as to energy related projects, and inform and educate the community on energy related matters. The Council uses energy fairs, posters, table tents, Campus articles, competitions, seminars and exhibits, energy monitors in every building, and special meetings to promote awareness.
1. An energy management policy for the 90s should be formulated, written down, formally adopted, and circulated.
2. The College should construct a dormitory that is state-of-the-art in energy/environmental technology as a learning center for students, faculty, and staff.
3. An energy impact study and environmental impact assessment should be included as part of every College renovation and new construction project. Life cycle costing should be a primary element in design and equipment selection. The project budget should make provisions for all energy conservation measures that have a simple payback of five years or less.
ASHRAE Standards - for quality standards relating to mechanical and electrical systems.
BOCA Building Code - Chapter 25
BOCA Mechanical Code
National Electric Code
Town of Middlebury Waste Water Ordinance dated August 1989 - for the discharge of waste water.
Clean Air Act
Energy and Water Conservation Subcommittee
Jon C. Woodbury, Chair
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