California State University Northridge has used three aggressive strategies to dramatically reduce and sustainably conserve water use on the main campus. These strategies include 1) Advanced irrigation monitoring and control, 2) One-million plus square feet of turf removal and replacement and drought tolerant landscaping installation, and 3) Installation of one-million plus square feet of Hydrogel water retention material. This presentation will examine and report on the real-world successes and challenges of the CSUN programs and efforts. 

SPEAKER:
Austin Eriksson, Director of Energy and Sustainability, California State University, Northridge

Building on Exergenics' existing optimization strategies of load balancing, staging, and condenser water temperature management, this presentation explores the extension of these techniques with a focus on distribution-side strategies. We introduce the utilization of chilled water temperature reset, dynamic energy pricing cost optimization, and thermal inertia modelling. These strategies seek to augment system efficiency and cost-effectiveness, with a focus on distribution-side performance. Join us as we explore these innovative enhancements and their implications for the future of chilled water plant optimization. 

SPEAKERS:
Tim Stewart, Cofounder & COO, Exergenics

Geo-exchange systems are a well-established basis for heating and cooling electrification and realizing associated environmental and financial benefits. A geo-exchange system deployed in an ambient loop approach is a shared distribution system moving consistent temperature heat between multiple sources and multiple users, lowering both capital and operating costs. Salas O’Brien’s experience includes a Multi-Use campus, a 300+ single-family new home development, and a multi-block urban Mid-rise development. Session includes precondition assessment and TRNSYS energy modeling design tool examples.

SPEAKERS:
Brian Urlaub, Director of Geothermal Operations, Salas O'Brien
Jeff Urlaub, Principal, Salas O'Brien

WCUP supplies chilled water and emergency power to research buildings at UW and prioritized efficiency and reliability throughout its design and operation since 2017. Altura deployed an ongoing solution in 2019 to sync automation data with a Skyspark analytics database configured for automated fault detection and reporting, intending to align maintenance responses with contextual data. The team identified and resolved issues that were derived from reliability analysis, but that also led to a 10% reduction in chilled water plant energy consumption over 3 years (0.65-0.59kW/ton). This presentation explores this solution as a case study about the overlapping relationship between plant reliability and energy savings. 

SPEAKERS:
Brandyn Carlson, Senior Associate, Altura
Raymond Shell, WCUP Mechanic Lead, University of Washington
Ryan Trickett, Manager - WCUP and Campus Distribution Utilities, University of Washington

Corrosion and deposition mechanisms in the water-steam cycle cause cogen/thermal plant reliability and availability losses along with increased operating and maintenance costs. Plant safety risks are higher when these failure mechanisms are not properly addressed. Cycle chemistry monitoring, treatment, and control programs must be designed and optimized to prevent failures in boiler/heat recovery steam generator tubes, steam turbine blades, heat exchangers and other cogen components. Latest EPRI research/case-studies on these topics will be shared. 

SPEAKERS: Daniel Dixon, Sr. Technical Leader, EPRI

Explore the intertwined perspectives of the University of Denver and AEI as they navigate crafting an energy master plan, aiming to decarbonize campus energy while meeting Denver's new energy ordinance. Discover the delicate balance between regulatory compliance and decarbonization goals. The energy master plan aligns building and campus-scale analysis to meet objectives. Gain valuable insights into collaborative strategies, innovative approaches, and lessons learned for a responsible path to decarbonization amidst evolving regulatory demands. 

SPEAKER:
David Conant Gilles, Building Performance, Affiliated Engineers Inc.
Joseph Denfeld, MEP Project Manager/Engineering Department; Facilities Management & Planning, University of Denver
Lynn Bailey, Director Energy, Sustainability & Utilities, University of Denver

While the value creation of on-site cogeneration solutions is typically apparent, the actual implementation of such projects is sometimes not so clear – particularly as it involves integration with local utilities. This presentation will compare various commercial structures used in recent cogeneration projects referencing “real world” data including technical efficiency (commodity consumption, energy generated), development timeline (contracting, EPC, and permitting), life cycle costs (capital recovery, O&M, and commodities), and carbon footprint reduction of the solutions. 

SPEAKERS
Greg Martin, Manager of Business Development & Strategy, DTE Vantage
Mike Larson, Director of Business Development, DTE Vantage

A successful feasibility study will contribute to informed decisions. Simply stated, studies never an end, but a means to an end. If this is missed, a study will result in great amounts of technical details but will offer little in helping senior directors shape the right path forward for decarbonization and renewable energy strategies. Considering the complexities, challenges and lessons learned of recent Solar Thermal Feasibility Studies, we will look to the critical importance for (1) a strong Communications Strategy, (2) fostering a collaborative process with multiple stakeholders, and (3) ensuring the study is not completed in a vacuum, but rather takes into account a wholistic view of campus history, current & future requirements. 

SPEAKER:
Mohammed Morad, General Manager, Phoenix Solar Thermal Inc.

The "Bridge to the Future" begins with a resilient foundation of proven technology, supplemented by renewable power and smart control systems. Distributed energy resources are widely promoted for campus energy centers, so now it is crucial to look at the function of these hybrid energy systems, and more specifically how they are being controlled and coordinated. Here we will look at examples of the successful implementation of microgrid schemes, as well as the incorporation of an advanced microgrid controller to optimize efficiency of the system. 

SPEAKERS: 
Mark McCarville, Sales & Business Development Manager Hybrid Energy - South, Clarke Energy

EPRI is proactively trying to bridge two adjacent and often unconnected worlds: nuclear energy solutions and district energy. Evolving nuclear technologies represent a tremendous opportunity for zero-carbon campus energy to support campus decarbonization goals. Last year, EPRI with Burns & McDonnell presented a white paper that guides micro nuclear reactor companies regarding campus energy needs. This presentation will present further conceptualization of applying microreactors to various campus environments. 

SPEAKERS:
Nathan Ninemire, Project Manager, OnSite Energy & Power, Burns & McDonnell
Caleb Tomlin, Senior Technical Leader, EPRI
Jacob Welsh, Mechanical Engineer, OnSite Energy & Power, Burns & McDonnell