A New Tool for Simple Laboratory Energy Audits
The Labs2Zero decarbonization initiative of the International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories (I2SL) has launched the Actionable Insights and Measures (AIM) Report tool. This automated energy audit software produces a screening assessment using facility and utility data entered into the I2SL Lab Benchmarking Tool. The result is a report listing potential energy conservation measures, delivering a level of analysis similar to an ASHRAE Level 1 audit.
The AIM Report provides estimated costs, energy savings, and return on investment, and it suggests next steps. It also provides case studies that illustrate the suggested measures in action. This report is then available for use by facilities teams as well as consulting engineering firms, utility companies, and others who want to help laboratories improve their energy profile.
The software-generated report is designed to be easy to use and unbiased. It allows owners and facility managers to quickly evaluate single buildings or an entire portfolio of facilities. Because no walk-through is required, the process is fast and economical. The findings can provide a high-level view of potential improvements, or they can be used as the basis of a more traditional facility assessment or existing building commissioning project.
GBA is familiar with both the Lab Benchmarking Tool and the new AIM Report. Our staff can facilitate your use of both, helping you save time, avoid errors, and achieve a powerful and accurate document. Once you have a clear picture of potential measures, our team can help you rank them according to your specific objectives and develop an implementation strategy.
How it Works
Data entered into the Lab Benchmarking Tool is combined with assumptions developed by a large team of savvy I2SL members participating in four Technical Advisory Councils. Users can tweak some of these assumptions in the tool to better represent the properties of a facility. The AIM Report may display any of 26 available measures based on the facility’s parameters. Typical local weather data is used in calculation of potential energy savings. Users can customize the report to create various packages of measures; the tool adjusts for interactions and provides estimates of incremental costs as each new measure is selected.
As with any audit program, the input of qualified professional partners, relevant stakeholders, and vendors should be sought before any changes are implemented. The subscription-based service is available on a monthly or annual basis. A free demo version is available. The images below, from a sample I2SL AIM Report, illustrate key aspects of the tool. Contact GBA today to learn how we can help you use this powerful new software in a fast, economical process.
Above: The Executive Summary from a sample AIM Report, involving a hypothetical 120,000-square-foot Boston academic facility with 40% lab area (biology and chemistry), built in 2000 and occupied 80 hours a week. All images courtesy the International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories (I2SL).
Above: Financial impacts of a sample “package” of measures, including VAV controls for fume hoods; a shut-the-sash program for fume hoods; unoccupied room airflow setback; and setting ultra-low-temperature freezers to -70°C.
Above: Annual energy cost savings by measure for the sample facility. M1 = VAV controls for fume hoods; M2 = shut-the-sash program for fume hoods; M3 = unoccupied room airflow setback; M4 = setting ULT freezers to -70°C.
Above: Analysis of one of the sample measures. An actual report would provide such an analysis for each suggested measure, along with a narrative description describing the measure, why the measure was suggested, notes on assumptions and the basis of calculations, and factors to consider.
How GBA Can Assist
GBA supports the mission of the International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories, and we affirm the goals of the Labs2Zero program, the Lab Benchmarking Tool, and the new AIM Report software. Our Illinois Chairman, Daniel L. Doyle, was a longtime I2SL officer and a member of the task force that helped create the AIM Report tool, and several members of our staff served as beta testers for the tool during its development.
Our professional engineers can apply their experience with lab energy audits, facility assessments, existing building commissioning, energy conservation measure implementation, and sustainable design to organizations that want to use the AIM Report software as a starting point for making significant improvements in laboratory energy usage and costs. The Report can be an excellent early step in developing (or enhancing) a Green Labs or Smart Labs initiative.
Contact us to learn how we can help with an economical plan to facilitate your understanding and use of this powerful new tool.
