The Quarterly Publication of Eneractive Solutions
Th Solution ISSUE 03 | October 2013
A quarterly publication highlighting relevant industry and ENERActive news - keeping subscribers ahead on trends, upcoming events, industry leaders, and more.
The Solution | Quarterly | October 2013
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ENERActive Eye On: Preventative Maintenance Featured Projects Spotlight On EMPOWERactive What’s Next…
The Solution | Quarterly | October 2013
ENERActive Eye On Testing Reveals Maintenance Types
the Importance of
Reactive
Preventative Maintenance
Preventive
A thorough preventative maintenance is the foundation of efficient system operations. While conducting performance testing during the retro-commissioning process, the operational efficiency of systems is often compared to original design and the current facility requirements. It is through this hands-on testing that opportunities for improvement are identified. Similar results are often found when performing testing as part of a balancing process as well. In either case, the symptoms experienced are often the same; lower than design airflows.
Follows a "run it until it breaks" strategy. No action or effort is taken to maintain equipment, prevent failure, or ensure life of the system – even if actions are suggested by the manufacturer.
Refers to a series of actions performed on calendar time or machine run time schedules.
Predictive
Strives to detect the onset of equipment degradation and address the problems as they are identified. Several predictive maintenance technologies exist.
Reliability-Centered
Follows a process that addresses equipment conditions to determine maintenance requirements of any physical asset within its operating context.
FEMP O&M Best Practices Guidelines*
*US Department of Energy, Federal Energy Management Program
While engineers are often quick to assume the problem can be attributed to modifications in the ductwork layout and often recommend new or additional equipment, the following example highlights a simple fix that improved airflow and did not require a capital expenditure. During a recent project, testing of a system serving an area of high occupant comfort complaints revealed the airflows of the fan were 60% of design. The initial thought was to replace the fan or provide an additional fan to help improve occupant comfort. However, based on a visual inspection and an audible squeal, it was determined that the existing belts had not been replaced in several years. The belts were extremely worn and had noticeable cracks. The facility does not have a preventative maintenance program and as a result, these belts had not been inspected since installation. Had there been a program in place, the belts would have been replaced and the comfort complaints would have been reduced sooner. The following is the tested data after the belts were replaced. As indicated, there was a substantial increase in airflow, static pressure, and fan speed. While the energy usage will increase, the comfort complaints will be reduced and the facility does not need to install new equipment in order to meet space requirements. Test Data
Design
Old Belts
New Belts
Total CFM
85000
52152
70356
Total SP
6.5
2.05
3.02
Fan RPM
829
539
727
Motor RPM
1780
1796
1793
Kilowatts (KW)
-
30.37
30.53
29.47
55.89
56.31
54.5
Power Factor (PF)
0.905
0.799
0.792
0.783
0.883
0.878
0.872
So the next time you notice fan performance has diminished, be sure to test the fan and check the belts! The Solution | Quarterly | October | 1
Featured Projects Maryland’s Solar Power Pioneer In April 2013, SURVICE Engineering contracted ENERActive Solutions to install a 97 kWdc roof-mounted solar photovoltaic system at their Millennium Drive facility located at 4695 Millennium Dr., Belcamp, Maryland. This facility is a 21,000 square foot, onestory building, which houses offices and conference facilities. The ENERActive Team completed the project in one month’s time, beginning construction in April 2013 and finishing in May 2013. The team was able to obtain a $48,000 incentive payment from the Maryland Clean Energy Grant Program. The system consisted of a 75kW Advanced Energy inverter, 390 Yingli 250 watt modules with a 5° fixed ballasted racking system, and a monitoring system (DAS) which included real time solar production, the building’s electrical usage, weather data, and SREC tracking. The ENERActive Team determined that the system will produce an estimated 114,066 kWh per year, meeting 40% of the building’s energy demand. This results in annual electric savings of approximately $29,657.
“
Upon completion of the project, SURVICE Engineering went on to state:
The solar system installed by ENERActive Solutions and their subcontractors has exceeded our expectations in reducing our carbon energy consumption and the installation was done professionally and with no impacts on daily operations.
ENERActive handled all of the paperwork with the county, state and utilities and kept us informed on a daily basis of the installation progress. The handover when the system was fully operational was easy thanks to the well-designed system and professionalism of the team.
“
—MIKE RAY, AAO Manager, SURVICE Engineering
The Solution | Quarterly | October | 2
Highlights 114,066 kWh
estimated annual production
40%
building’s energy demand met
$29,657
estimated annual electric savings
$48,000 Incentive Payment Received
Clean Energy Grant Program Increasing the amount of renewable energy is one of Maryland’s key policy goals and the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) has been tasked with achieving the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS). Currently, the RPS requires that 20% of energy sold in Maryland in 2022 come from qualified renewable energy resources, with 2% coming from qualified solar resources. To help Maryland business owners invest in clean energy and achieve this goal, the MEA provides grants for solar photovoltaic systems, solar water heating, geothermal heating & cooling, and wind turbine systems – on both small and large commercial incentive levels. Learn more! View clean energy goals and incentives
Featured Projects
Designed to provide a streamlined approach to O&M, this service focuses on common improvements to operating efficiency that result in a quick return on investment.
BGE’s Enhanced O&M Services typically include: • Walk-through assessment and development of an action plan • Calibration of building systems and controls • Replacement of equipment filters • Cleaning of evaporator and condenser coils • Sealing of compressed air leaks • Re-balancing of air handling systems
In in an effort to create energy awareness and reduce utility usage throughout their portfolio, Merritt Properties retained the services of ENERActive Solutions to perform an Energy Audit and Evaluation Report for 13 of their office buildings located in Baltimore, MD through BGE’s EO&M program. This program is designed to help ensure that building equipment and systems are integrated so they perform together effectively and efficiently to meet the customer’s current operating requirements and expectations. wanted to take the time to let you know how much we enjoyed “ ...Iworking with ENERActive Solutions on our projects. ENERActive Solutions was instrumental to the success we experienced in this program.
—Joshua B. Asbury, LEED AP+ Directory of Sustainability Merritt Properties
Per EO&M program standards, the ENERActive Team successfully surveyed each building, providing Merritt Properties detailed reports on each; containing summaries of the buildings, as well as recommendations for energy improvements, and establishing Energy Star scores. The team identified 83 ECMs & over $1.9 million in energy savings for the 13 buildings, with an average annual payback of just 3.56 years, and an average IRR of 31.2%. Furthermore, the ENERActive Team secured $195,000 in financial incentives for Merritt Properties’ 13 buildings. Upon completion of the project, Mr. Asbury went on to state:
found all of the information useful but the Energy Star score proved to be “ ...We valuable because it helped us establish a baseline for our buildings from which
to improve upon. It also enabled us to determine a hierarchy of which buildings needed to be focused on first. Using the information that ENERActive Solutions provided in their reports from this program we have implemented several successful energy projects and we continue to track our energy usage through the EPA’s Portfolio Manager. We appreciate the involvement that ENERActive as well as ICF have had in helping us pursue our energy goals.
“
Offering 2 services under the program, Enhanced O&M and Full RCx, the EO&M program focuses on commercial facilities which are less than 75,000 square feet and have industrial process systems, such as a compressed air system.
Enhanced Operations & Maintenance Program
“
BGE RCx Program
BGE Smart Savers
—Joshua B. Asbury, LEED AP+
BGE RCx Program Learn More
The Solution | Quarterly | October | 3
Spotlight On
CONGRATULATIONS to Power Plant Solutions on the launch of their new website! Check it out here!
ENERActive is honored to announce we have been named one of New Jersey’s 2013 50 Fastest Growing Companies by NJBIZ. The award program produced by NJBIZ, New Jersey’s premiere business news publication, is presented by ParenteBeard, LLC and sponsored by Archer & Greiner PC, Comcast Business, Mass Mutual, M&T Bank, and UnitedHealthcare. The NJBIZ 50 Fastest Growing Companies awards program celebrates New Jersey’s most dynamic companies who progressively contribute to the success of the state’s economic growth and stability. Presenting sponsor, ParenteBeard, LLC calculated the nominations and then ranked the companies according to revenue growth over the three year period - 2010, 2011, 2012. Both dollar and percentage increases were taken into consideration. NJBIZ and the program sponsors will honor this year’s 50 fastest growing companies and announce their ranking live during an awards dinner and ceremony in November at the Palace at Somerset Park in Somerset, New Jersey. In addition, the honorees will also be highlighted in a special supplement to NJBIZ on November 25, 2013.
For more information on the event, click here!
The Solution | Quarterly | October | 4
MORE FROM PPS In September of 2013 Bill Gretta and Mark Dornoff traveled to Coeur D’Alene, Idaho for the CTOTF Fall Conference. The event cultivated the exchange of information, experiences, and services related to the design, operations and maintenance of combined cycle & simple cycle power plants. The event schedule included 4 full-day and a dozen halfday technical and regulatory sessions as well as two CTTech™ workshops and a 4-hour equipment/services exhibition. The meetings served to update attendees with methods and technologies for initiating more efficient and cost-effective plant performance. Due to the success of the CTOTF, PPS is anticipating attending the Spring show which takes place in April 2014 and will be held in West Palm Beach, Florida.
EMPOWERactive
Special Olympics New Jersey is an organization
dedicated to bringing pride into the lives of all involved.
A not-for-profit, 501(c)3 that provides sports training and athletic competition to children and adults with intellectual disabilities. The organization operates on an annual budget primarily funded through individual, corporate, civic and foundation dollars that make up more than 98% of the annual operating budget. SONJ provides year round sports training in 24 sports and over 200 athletic competitions to more than 23,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities – all completely free of charge. Therefore, commutiny and corporate support is so important to ensure the continued growth and success of the program across the state. Get Involved!
Embodying the Spirit of Possibilities... On behalf of the ENERActive and One More Tri team, we would like to personally thank you for your generous and thoughtful contributions at this year’s Second Annual One More Tri Event. Your efforts, participation, and donations are not only greatly appreciated, but have made a huge impact for the event and the organization as a whole! We extend a sincere and heartfelt thank you; this was a memorable and amazing experience. Through gracious efforts of employees, friends, family, racers, and local businesses:
$63,000 raised and over 250 athletes participated! More than
13 Special Olympics athletes registered this year. Of which, 5 competed in the triathlon & 8 partook on relay teams. Landing on the Front Page of Asbury Park Press Daily Section –
Missed the Event? View Race Day Photos Here!
Read Asbury Park Press Featured Article
One More Tri is an annual event held at the end of the triathlon season – open to all athletes. If you would like to participate in next year’s event as a racer, sponsor, volunteer, or donor, send an email to charity@eneractivesolutions.com and you will be added to the One More Tri email list
The Solution | Quarterly | October | 5
What’s Next... BUILDINGENERGY NYC 2013 In two weeks, on October 15th & 16th, NYC will be hosting the BuildingEnergy program for two days at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square. BE NYC was created by the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) and the program will consist of accredited education sessions, as well a high-level trade show. ENERActive will be there, will you? View the schedule of events and find out how to register
The World’s Biggest Stage... And eneractive could be sharing it Eneractive has officially entered
Intuit’s Small Business
Big Game Contest, in which the winner will earn a featured commercial spot in the 2014 Super Bowl.
ENERActive PPS will be attending the 25th annual Power-Gen Conference from November 12-14th in Orlando, Florida. Power-Gen is one of the world’s largest, most respected power generation events in the world. With over 22,000 attendees from more than 75 different countries, and 1,400 exhibitors, the Power-Gen is a highly anticipated event for education, networking and new business development.
Super Bowl 2014
for more information visit:
w w w . p ow e r - g e n . c o m
We are currently in the 2nd round of voting! If you are attending this year’s Greenbuild Expo in Philadelphia, keep an eye out for ENERActive booth 4101! We are excited to be exhibiting in this year’s Greenbuild event - a three day expo which provides networking opportunities, industry showcases, LEED workshops, and inspiring speakers - all dedicated to green building.
Click the button below to help us advance to the semi-finals. We thank you for your support!
Vote for eneractive!
The Solution | Quarterly | October | 6
About Us ENERActive is an independent energy consulting and engineering firm specializing in the analysis, development, and implementation of energy conservation projects. Staffed with highly tenured professionals from the energy engineering and energy project development fields, we have the capability to not only identify energy conservation measures, but our history of bringing these projects full circle to completion has given us a track record of performance that ensures all projects are assessed, developed, and implemented in a manner which consistently exceeds the expectations of our clients.
HEADQUARTERS 700 Mattison Avenue, Suite A | Asbury Park, NJ 07712 t: 732-988-8850 | f: 732-988-9596 NEW YORK 150 Broadway, 8th Fl,. Suite 802 | New York, NY 10038 t: 212-269-2302 | f: 917-460-7365 MARYLAND 7051 Muirkirk Meadows Drive, Suite C | Beltsville, MD 20705 t: 301-210-9560 | f: 301-210-9561 POWER PLANT SOLUTIONS 8 West Main Street | Clinton, NJ 08809 t: 732-988-8850 www.eneractivesolutions.com | info@eneractivesolutions.com
The Solution | Quarterly | October 2013