EFS Profiles
Campus-greening program: Brown Is Green
Brown University
Providence, Rhode Island
Purpose: Greening the Campus
Please note that the copyright for this profile is retained by the institution.
Brown University's commitment to promoting campus environmental responsibility and resource conservation, Brown Is Green, is a cooperative effort by all departments, staff, students, and faculty. Established in 1990, Brown Is Green program is Brown's educational and advocacy program which links student research and education efforts with administrative offices. The goal is to implement programs that reduce the environmental risks of operations. BIG has the support and guidance of a BIG committee, consisting of faculty, students and administration. The Department of Plant Operations manages the Brown Recycling Program and implements many of the resource conservation efforts. More information on the program is available in the specific conservation topics.
Introduction
The University adopted a Brown Is Green initiative in 1990 to facilitate the conservation of resources, waste reduction strategies, and increased awareness of environmental issues on campus. All departments and individuals at the University contribute to the efforts of the program. Most of the resource conservation measures related to utilities are implemented by the Department of Plant Operations. Students conduct research on potential conservation strategies through Environmental Studies courses, internships, and the Brown Environmental Action Network (BEAN) student group. This report summarizes recent initiatives and some of the significant projects to date.
Program Summary
1. Electricity
Lighting Efficiency Upgrades
Energy-efficient lighting is specified in all new buildings and renovation projects administered by Brown's Planning and Construction Department and Brown's Department of Plant Operations. Lighting retrofits are ongoing in existing buildings to upgrade lights to higher efficiency lamps, compact fluorescent lamps, and electronic ballasts, in conjunction with Narragansett Electric's rebate program and the EPA's Green Lights program.
Approximately 4 million square feet are being considered for lighting upgrades. To date, surveys have been completed in over 30% of the buildings and upgrades have been completed in over 20% of the buildings. Electrical consumption is typically reduced 30%, providing a payback on the net project cost (after rebates) in three years. Utility rebate program covers up to 25% of project cost under current guidelines.
Exit sign retrofits have been completed in all buildings, resulting in removal of incandescent lamps and replacement with fluorescent lamps. Light emitting diode (LED) signs are specified for all new, non-dorm applications. Resulting savings from reduced maintenance costs and reduced energy costs provided payback on total project costs from total savings less than six months.
Motor Replacement Program
High-efficiency motors have been installed in 265 locations in a recently completed project. Utility rebates covered approximately 50% of the costs. Electrical consumption reduction will pay back on net cost of project in approximately 1.3 years.
Metering
An audit of electrical meters has been completed by the Department of Plant Operations to increase the accuracy of utility measurement and tracking. A portable data logger is now used for baseline and post-retrofit measurement of actual electrical consumption reduction. The most recent project completed was in the Geo-Chemistry Building. Dave Larson, Energy Engineer in the Department of Plant Operations and manager of the lighting upgrade project, calculated a 30% actual reduction in electrical demand and consumption resulting from lighting upgrades. Net cost of project will pay back in approximately 3 years at current utility rates.
2. Building Energy Systems
Renovation and New Construction
Projects currently under design will work with local electric utility's comprehensive rebate program. This will encourage integrated engineering design to maximize the overall savings potential of renovation and new construction projects by modeling energy systems and conducting life-cycle cost analyses of alternative systems. State energy grants, local utility rebates and technical support are included in the projects, where applicable.
Heating and Cooling
Upgrades to mechanical systems in building are being conducted by the Department of Plant Operations to use Variable-Air-Volume, Variable-Frequency-Drives, and Direct Digital Control systems to monitor energy usage and reduce consumption levels. Management plans have been developed to streamline the process for sizing replacement HVAC systems. An ice-storage system project is being completed that will shift the load on cooling equipment to off-peak generating hours.
Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) Phaseout
The Department of Plant Operations is developing a management plan for complying with the phaseout of regulated chlorofluorocarbons. Management measures include the capture and reuse of purged refrigerants in appliances and HVAC systems. Ongoing research will determine appropriate measures for retrofitting or replacing existing equipment and develop specifications for new equipment to comply with regulations.
3. Water Conservation
Low-flow Showerheads and Toilets
A retrofit of low-flow showerheads was completed in all dormitories in 1991 and 1992. The heads reduce flows from an original 3.5 gallons per minute to approximately 2 gallons per minute, average. The original estimated savings from the project was 5.6 million gallons per year. A recent follow up study indicated user satisfaction is high and savings are higher than originally estimated. In the spring of 1993, a retrofit project of 190 fixtures was completed in all athletic facility buildings. A newer showerhead was used in these installations that avoids some of the problems of clogging and "cold aeration" associated with earlier types of showerheads. Renovations to dormitory spaces now include specifications for 1.5 gpm toilets and flush valves.
Process Cooling
Major renovations in laboratory building mechanical systems include improved water management. Measures include improved process cooling systems for laboratory equipment that significantly reduce water consumption of older "once-through" cooling systems.
Campus Water Audit
A complete audit of water meter quantity, accuracy, and locations was recently completed by The Department of Plant Operations. There are 292 meters for 252 buildings. A student study investigated other campus audit efforts and explored opportunities to conduct comprehensive audit with the local sewerage authority . The study included estimates of the potential savings of comprehensive retrofit measures. On the basis of the students' estimate that 34% savings are possible by continuing the types of conservation measures Brown has been implementing, Brown could save approximately 120 million gallons of water (160,000 hcf) annually after all measures are completed. This could equate to annual savings of nearly $300,000.
4. Recycling Program
Participation
In the past fiscal year, Brown University produced the same amount of solid waste as in the previous year. The tonnage of that waste going to the landfill decreased 7% compared to the prior year, and the tonnage of that material going to recycling centers increased 29%. This improved recycling performance is largely due to improvements in the containers and materials handling systems so that recyclable materials can be separated more efficiently. In the future, the Department of Plant Operations Recycling Program will continue to improve the placement and labeling of containers and provide educational programs for staff and students.
Financial Trends
In Fiscal Year 1993, the recycling program accounted for $31,686 in avoided costs and materials revenues. The markets for recycled materials are currently depressed, so the financial incentive for recycling is being reduced. The Department of Plant Operations Recycling Team monitors the current trends in solid waste being picked up at the curbside by analyzing weights in weekly and monthly analysis reports. This gives immediate feedback on the effectiveness of improvements or indicates problems that need to be addressed.
Green Purchasing
In order for Brown and other businesses and organizations to be able to continue receiving revenues and avoided cost benefits, the end markets for recycled materials must improve. Brown will increase the amount of materials specified and purchased that contain recycled material to encourage this trend.
Recycled Paper
Brown's initial attempt at stocking recycled paper in 1991 failed because contamination in the recycled fiber caused damage to some printing equipment. Testing is currently taking place on paper with 25% post-consumer waste, and 75% virgin content that is competitively priced. This report is printed on that paper. Brown's Graphic Services Department has also been running a 50% recycled sheet with 10% post-consumer waste in the student copy center.
Desk Lamps
Low-cost lamps were introduced at campus shops and University stockroom. The lamp uses a 13 watt compact fluorescent lamp to increase efficiency. Prior to Fall Semester 1993, The Department of Plant Operations sent an introductory mailing to new, incoming students that included a rebate offer for purchasing the lamp. Approximately 250 lamps have been distributed on campus with few problems reported.
Stock Lamps
A recently revised stockroom list of replacement lamps for campus fixtures includes only energy-saving lamp specifications where applicable. The ordering quantity on lamps that will be phased out under Energy Policy Act is being reduced. The new specifications for a competitive bid resulted in substantial cost-savings on lamp stock costs and operating expenses.
Energy Star Computers
EPA Energy Star-compliant computers, monitors and printers are being released. An ongoing educational and promotional campaign will highlight energy saving features of the equipment.
For additional information:
Brown Is Green
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