Kent State University at Stark

Energy Conservation Program

The Brewer-Garrett team was selected to provide professional engineering services to develop an Energy Conservation Program for Kent State University’s Stark Campus. The total gross area encompassed by this project is over 340,000 square feet with six major buildings.  The objective of this project is to implement opportunities to reduce energy consumption across the Stark campus by at least 30%. The Brewer-Garrett team provided estimates of energy conservation measures and cost, and simple payback analysis for each recommendation. Construction began in 2010 and is scheduled for completion in 2011.

The Energy Conservation Program focused on following specific opportunities at the campus:

• Lighting Retrofits – This retrofit included 25W T8 lamp upgrades, and occupancy sensors in specific areas such as restrooms and offices. Also replaced HID lighting with new High Bay T5HO fixtures.
• VAV Terminal controls – Specific zones throughout the campus were identified for demand control ventilation, transmitting an occupancy status to the VAV boxes, which will allow the system to go into full setback mode.
• Mechanical systems upgrades - Reduced in air flow in hoods, ductwork and automatic controls; installed temperature sensors in hood’s duct collar and photoelectric sensors in hoods; installed VFD on kitchen exhaust fans, and new kitchen energy management system.
• DDC Building Automation system and Retro-Commissioning – Initiated aggressive demand control ventilation strategy, installed Watt Stopper occupancy sensors, Veris CO2 sensors, Johnson NAE, FEC and appropriate sensors; ensured proper functionality and optimal performance through retro-commissioning.
• Vending Machines Controls – Passive infrared load managing devices were added to vending machines to shut off when the surrounding area is unoccupied, and turn back on when occupied. The load manager monitors the ambient temperature while the machine is off and powers it up to ensure the product stays cold.
• Green Initiatives – Installed Xlerator high velocity hand dryers in bathrooms; initiated Green Education program to promote cultural and behavior changes in thinking of ways to use/save energy.
• Bathroom Exhaust Fans - Installed occupancy sensors in select restrooms; after 15 minutes of no occupancy fan will shut off, providing significant energy savings, less negative pressure within building, and maintaining comfort and safety.
• Chiller Plant Optimization - Added variable frequency drives (VFD) to primary pumps. Installed new motors and VFDs to tertiary pumps, and changed existing 3-way valve operation to 2-way for AHUs in Library, Main Hall and East Wing.

Contact details for this case study can be provided upon request.