- 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
