Design Charrette Day 3 Mechanical/Electrical/Plumbing Discussion

Existing Systems Analysis by an MEP engineer would be the first step in evaluating what is currently in the building and what might be worth keeping

MEP Discussion (Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing)

Implications of HVAC

HVAC accounts for 39% of a bldgs energy costs

High performance HVAC can result in 10 to 40% savings (whole building approach, considering envelope as well)

Extended Comfort Zone Concept considers both temperature and humidity- hotter feeling when humid, colder feeling when dry.

– energy modeling needed to determine best methods for winter and summer weather to keep the temperature comfortable with maximum energy savings

Examples: window shades, coating on glass, trees, using  a desiccant humidifier to reduce humidity – all contribute to cooling in the summer; adding humidity in the winter can increase the felt temperature 2-4%

At 50% humidity, we are comfortable, with increased humidity, we’ll feel warmer even at a lower temperature therefore it’s important to maintain as close to 50% humidity throughout the seasons

“Human-centric” heating and cooling concerns

Net Zero Building

Ideal to get to a net-zero energy cost with this building

Various ideas to achieve this:

– SRECS credits and PJM (PA, Jersey & Maryland Connect) grid to pay utility bills

– “drinkable air” dehumidifier to pull water out of the air to drink – have here as a demonstration and to sell, while cooling the building

– VAV boxes

Although we want to showcase new technologies for heating and cooling, we want to balance this desire with utilizing proven technologies so we don’t end up with cutting edge technology that doesn’t live up to it’s promises

Air Tightness of Building

– design a building with a tight envelope building, and then look at optimum ventilation systems

– consider all passive opportunities for HVAC such as solar chimney component in greenhouses,

– combine high tech designs with low technologies that have proven track records and have all that we envision in the building – arts, restaurant, education, new technology – best of old (solar thermal), best of new (ability to control, monitor and integrate systems)

FADRS™ (smart grid technology- human centric system) “building automation system on steroids,” uses artificial intelligence, so each year the savings increases with the AI technology – saves 20-40% in energy costs

Design decisions are also regional- must keep in mind regional concerns

What does this space lend itself to?

– daylighting- major passive solar opportunity

Nano-ceramic technology (a film) on windows will prevent 70% of the heat coming into the building and can generate electricity.  (Huper Optiks)

– greenhouses

– stone wall dump heat into that space from solar chimney or create a shaft to have heat from front of building to be sucked into back of building

(Hallowell, a company has built an air-source heat pump efficient below zero degrees) – heat pump concept (exchange heat energy) geothermal efficiently does this, air-source heat pumps only efficient till 32 degrees external temperature, auxiliary needed

Both sides of sustainability addressed by merging old and new – high tech with low tech

Overcome categories (such as above – only high tech)

– Display leading edge technology even if it doesn’t completely work – all a learning process, invite public to examine and offer input

– Transparency- we want to have the building to be an educational model with panels describing what is occurring with the building in terms of heating and cooling and what the systems are doing

Electrical

Existing service is a delta system (Wild Leg) 3 phase, one phase is 180 volts (would fry outtlets- used for 220 volt) was here for 3 phase equipment that was in the building.  There may be need for 3 phase for equipment for the kitchens.  Can be downgraded to 208 volts through electric company (JCP&L needs to switch their transformer- this would give the building more flexibility for more applications), which is more standard for a typical business building.  No equipment currently in building using 3 phase and energy bill is extremely high- $1,000/mo).

Various electrical needs can be accommodated in various parts of the building, such as the kitchens and the discovery & innovation center.

Load calculations will need to be done to determine amperage needed for the building.

LEDs or Inductive lighting good for outside the building.  Both have a long life capacity.  Inductive (gas bulbs) has a higher wattage and is more expensive than LED.  211 Mt Airy Road has LED lighting the outside of the building at night.  In front of Parking Authority building there are examples of both Inductive and LED lights.  CFLs don’t last as long and can’t be used outside in extreme cold.

Solar Discussion

Solar Trackers will increase cost efficiency by 40%.  Trackers themselves are 30% more efficient than stationary panels.

BIPV- Building Integrated Photovoltaics – PV’s are built into the uses of the building.

Examples are:
Panels can provide shading to the greenhouses during the strongest sun and store energy at the same time.  Trellises over public spaces on roof can hold solar trackers.  WattLots provides PV integrated awnings and solar canopies over parking lots.

Cogeneration

Cogeneration- creating heating and electricity from a generator (usually powered by natural gas)

Trigeneration -creating heating, cooling & electricity from a generator

Cogen or trigen systems only produces electricity only according to what bldg needs.  Need 80-90% run time for system to be viable.  If appropriate for EcoCenter bldg, could save 50% in energy costs.  Produces hot water for heating, kitchens, bathroom sinks & can also go through a brine solution to be used in cooling systems.