Page 138 - Zero Net Energy Case Study Buildings-Volume 3

PREFACE TO CASE STUDY NO. 17 STANFORD UNIVERSITY
(Below) A data analysis of the heating and cooling demand of the Stanford campus as supplied by the existing central plant revealed that a majority of the loads could be met by heat recovery if the separate heating and cooling systems were combined in a new energy-efficient system design. (Diagram courtesy of AEI.)
designed to be open and participatory as well and, perhaps as a result of this process, the plan would emphasize “realistic” objectives. “Deeds not words” was the frequent reminder during these discussions that led to the development of the final plan.
In 2007, a director was hired to lead the new department and to help finalize the plan for the broad categories of transportation, water and energy utilities. It turned out that energy was to provide Stanford with the greatest opportunity to improve the sustainability of the Stanford cam- pus.
The Central Energy Facility — A Dramatic Opportunity
As a first step in the assessment of the campus energy utilities, the department staff undertook a broad campus study of the amount of energy used, and in what form, to provide electricity, heat- ing and cooling for the large collection of campus buildings. A six-month collection of detailed data was analyzed and the results indicated some strategies with potentially substantial impact on the efficiency of the energy infrastructure, though how great an impact was not obvious at first. The strategy identified for further study that would prove to have the highest impact: heat recovery.
This further study indeed proved the great potential for heat recovery to substantially increase energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions at the campus central plant. The reason for this was a combination of factors, including the load profiles across the campus created by the mix of buildings and the regional climate characteristics.
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Zero Net Energy Case Study Buildings: Volume 3