University of Chicago

Chicago, IL

University of Chicago, aerial shot of campus

Overview

As part of GBA’s ongoing relationship with the University of Chicago, the firm managed a series of consulting projects, including energy consumption benchmarking, energy audits, and retro-commissioning on the campus.

Energy Consulting

  • GBA completed an energy benchmarking analysis of 66 campus buildings.
  • These buildings were compared to other UC campus buildings, to buildings on a similar college campus, and to benchmarking data from the Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey (CBECS).
  • The benchmarking identified the buildings that were the highest energy users and had the most potential for savings.
  • After the initial benchmarking, 34 ASHRAE Level 1 energy audits and 12 ASHRAE Level 2 audits covering 3.7 million square feet were completed.
  • Energy and physical data were gathered, the buildings surveyed, energy conservation measures with estimated energy savings and construction costs identified, and a final report prepared.
  • The final report included the measurement and verification process required to verify the savings achieved after any given energy conservation measure is implemented.
  • Over 15 million kWh, 1.7 million ton-hrs of chilled water, and 100,000 klbs of steam savings were identified.
  • The university is in the process of implementing many of the measures.
  • Retro-commissioning (through the ComEd Energy Efficiency program) on many University of Chicago buildings was completed or is in progress.
  • GBA has further assisted the university in its cycles of PM+Cx programs, targeting buildings that use relatively high amounts of energy, as part of the university’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Plan.

Photos: University of Chicago

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