CASE STUDY
energy efficiency review
Nunavut Research Institute www.iesve.com
Nunavut Research Institute
IES case study
energy efficiency review
Sector
december 2010
date
canada
country
MCW Custom Energy Solutions Ltd. utilises IES software to review and improve energy efficiency of two proposed government buildings in Iqaluit, Nunavut.
IES Case Study December 2010 | canada
Nunavut Research Institute
Nunavut Research Institute
The Project
Consulting Engineering Services firm MCW Custom Energy Solutions Ltd. selected Integrated Environmental Solutions (IES) <Virtual Environment> performance analysis software to conduct an energy review to improve the proposed design for the new Nunavut Research Institute (NRI) Buildings at Arctic College in Iqaluit.
As a company that believes strongly in providing sustainable building designs to create sustainable communities, MCW Custom Energy Solutions Ltd. has been using the IES VE to undertake building performance analysis for over 3 years.
The software was selected for its superior graphics, visualisation and presentation materials; accurate energy calculation and detailed HVAC and building envelope modelling capabilities. The intention of the review was to evaluate the design technologies and systems that had been proposed and to determine if they could be upgraded or replaced with similar technologies or systems with superior energy performance.
Graph showing hourly boiler demand and dry-bulb temperature for one year
In this instance the VE-Pro Modules (ModelIT, ApacheHVAC, ApacheSim, Vista and MacroFlo) were used to develop a detailed energy model to analyse the buildings in terms of energy consumption, building performance, and occupant comfort.
The Virtual Environment allowed us to see the impact our ideas would have on the energy consumption of these buildings. The superior graphics, visualisation and presentation capabilities made it easy to communicate the benefits to our client. IES software was very beneficial in analysing cumulative savings from implementing different combinations of energy savings measures. This allowed us to calculate the results of several different design scenarios and determine which was best suited to the NRI.
Gavin Platt
Brian Tysoe
Graph showing detailed building thermal gains
MCW was assigned by the Government of Nunavut Community and Government Services (GN CGS) to conduct the energy review as part of an existing Energy Services Contract. “The GN CGS has a strong commitment to energy conservation and sustainable design,” said Gavin Platt, Energy Engineer at MCW. “In addition to this project, the GN is in the midst of implementing a territory-wide energy program called Ikummatiit,” Brian Tysoe, Mechanical Engineer at MCW commented on the importance of the project in terms of the energy and cost savings it created. “Iqaluit is a highly heating intensive climate where small improvements in efficiency can lead to big savings in energy consumption. With the high cost of energy, which is shipped to Iqaluit in the form of fuel oil, this represents large dollar value savings and a large reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.” The new NRI was completed in March 2011 after receiving $11 million of federal funding as part of the government’s economic stimulus package. The Institute is made up of two buildings, each approximately 5,000 ft2 in area, with one used mainly as an administration/ laboratory building, and the other used primarily for classrooms. The buildings house over 15 offices, four modern laboratories, classrooms, conference rooms and computer rooms. “These facilities will provide the necessary space for researchers and NRI staff to enhance and improve
research capacity in Iqaluit and Nunavut,” said Mary Ellen Thomas, Senior Research Officer at NRI. The Institute also intends to lodge Nunavut Arctic College’s Environmental Technology Program. The site will enable students and visiting scientists to meet and work together on a variety of research projects. The IES VE software was used to improve and validate the already existing, energy efficient design prepared by PSAV Architects Ltd, Nelson Engineering Inc., FSC Architects & Engineers and Thorn Engineering. This was used as the basis for the energy models of the buildings. One energy model was used to compare the original design against the Model National Energy Code for Buildings (MNECB), which contains minimum requirements for energy efficiency in new commercial, institutional and government buildings, additions and major renovations. The other model was used to assess the efficiency of the proposed design upgrades by comparing energy usage for this design against the base design. “The Virtual Environment allowed us to see the impact our ideas would have on the energy consumption of these buildings,” said Brian Tysoe. “The superior graphics, visualisation and presentation capabilities made it easy to communicate the benefits to our client.” “Calculating the benefits of our recommendations was strongly supported by use of the Virtual Environment,” added Gavin Platt. “Our clients were thoroughly impressed with the visual capabilities it provided, as were we.”
CASE STUDY
energy efficiency review
Nunavut Research Institute The Comparison The first comparison showed that the two buildings consumed 43% and 40% less annual energy than the MNECB baseline, respectively. The second comparison showed that with the MCW recommended measures the buildings consumed 56% and 52% less annual energy than the MNECB baseline, respectively. By using the IES VE, MCW was able to reduce the annual energy used by 13% and 12%. This means that if the buildings were LEED certified they would have been eligible for 8 and 7 LEED Canada points respectively under Energy & Atmosphere Credit 1: Optimize Energy Performance.
Fuel Oil Consumption (ekWh)
Electricity Consumption (kWh)
Total (ekWh)
MNECB
46,651
120,799
167,450
Design
20,862
75,164
96,026
Fuel Oil Consumption (ekWh)
Electricity Consumption (kWh)
Total (ekWh)
MNECB
52,751
121,935
174,686
Design
28,180
76,618
104,798
Percent Reduction in Annual Energy Consumption Below MNECB
43%
Classroom/Lab Percent Reduction in Annual Energy Consumption Below MNECB
40%
46,651
120,799
167,450
Design
11,519
62,169
73,688
Fuel Oil Consumption (ekWh)
Electricity Consumption (kWh)
Total (ekWh)
MNECB
52,751
121,935
174,686
Design
16,100
68,241
84,342
country
MNECB
Percent Reduction in Annual Energy Consumption Below MNECB
canada
Total (ekWh)
date
Electricity Consumption (kWh)
december 2010
Fuel Oil Consumption (ekWh)
Sector
Administration/Lab
energy efficiency review
Percent Reduction in Annual Energy Consumption below MNECB with MCW Recommended Measures
IES case study
Most of the recommended measures were implemented including, Fibreglass Window Frames, Fibreglass Z-Girts, Lavatory Flowrate Reduction, Waterless Urinals and Pump VSD.
Administration/Lab
Nunavut Research Institute
MCW evaluated and analysed various design modifications, recommending measures based on a combination of factors including payback, improvements to occupant comfort and ease of implementation. They recommended lighting efficiency improvements such as the installation of occupancy sensors and the use of high efficiency electronic ballasts. Another recommended measure was to upgrade the boilers to models that will have a longer operational life and a higher efficiency rate at 87% at peak load. MCW also suggested the installation of the Labonco Protector Xstream Low Velocity Fume Hood which can effectively capture all fumes with a face velocity of 60fpm. By doing this it would decrease the ventilation rate to 6 air changes per hour. Other recommendations were the installation of a Building Automation System, the reduction of the lavatory flowrate, waterless urinals, and fibreglass z-girts.
Percent Reduction in Annual Energy Consumption below MNECB
56%
Classroom/Lab Percent Reduction in Annual Energy Consumption Below MNECB
52%
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