The report can be viewed at this URL: South Dakota LEED
West Plains Engineering employees provided the design services for the Public Universities & Research Center in Sioux Falls, SD. This was the second facility constructed within two years on this campus. This facility achieved a LEED Silver Certification while the original building was constructed prior to the LEED Silver requirement, so no such certification was sought. This facility utilized a heat recovery chiller to provide the chilled water for the facility while rejecting the waste heat to the heating system to limit the operation of the boiler system. The air handling systems were fit with energy recovery on the fresh air to conserve wasted energy from the exhausted air from this facility, including on the laboratory exhaust systems.
This same report also discussed the performance of the Dolly-Reed Plaza office facility renovation located in Pierre, SD for the Office of the State Engineer while employed with a previous firm. This project included geo-thermal heat pump systems tied to active chilled beams for the HVAC system which has provided a very efficient approach to heating and cooling this facility. Electrically, this project included photo-voltaic cells and urban friendly vertical wind turbines for generating electrical power for the facility.
Ultimately, the energy conservation movement is heading to a Net Zero site energy use for new construction. Achieving a Net Zero (NZ) energy facility is not only a collaborative undertaking, but also a way of life for those who will work in these facilities. One of the things to keep in mind is that there are only certain things that the design team can achieve with the bricks and mortar, equipment and control sequences – the rest of the energy savings must come from a disciplined approach to reduce energy consumption by every occupant of the facility.
There are numerous ways to achieve this, and West Plains Engineering will work with all of the stakeholders to help establish Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) which help achieve this goal. One item to remember, is that NZ does not necessarily mean that there will not be an energy bill. By generating power on-site, there may not be an electric bill, but there is still possibly a gas bill if natural gas is used within the facility. To achieve NZ, the energy produced must offset the energy used.
West Plains Engineering is capable of providing the energy modeling for our projects through on-staff energy modelers, or working with other energy modeling consultants. By having the MEP design team members providing these services, there is no miscommunication or lag between design concepts and energy analysis of those “what-if” scenarios. The best way to approach this is to have the energy model begin early in the project programming process to first establish the building orientation on the site. The perceived front of building may not be the most energy efficient orientation of the building which will lead the team to selecting an alternate siting to achieve the desired curb appeal. The next steps involve comparing multiple energy source and envelope options to achieve the best life cycle alternatives.
The entire design team should be engaged early in the programming phase to establish priorities and goals of the high-performance project. These goals would not only include physical space requirements and end-state appearance, but would also include other less tangible aspects such as how we get to the end-state, desired temperature operating ranges, lighting levels, energy budgets, Operation and Maintenance requirements, public and/or stakeholder perception of the project, etc.
Upon consensus and documentation of these goals and priorities, WPE would work with the rest of the design and construction team to develop the path forward to provide a successful project. This would begin with discussion of energy conservation and sustainability objectives. “What-if” modeling should be performed to assist the team members in selecting the most life-cycle appropriate design and construction solutions. The newer rating systems, energy codes and standards are also now requiring documentation of Operation and Maintenance of the facility to ensure that the facility is being utilized and functioning per the original design intent. The building envelope is becoming a crucial component to the overall energy usage. With the mechanical systems being “right sized” and matched to the design intent of the facility, there is little room for additional heat loss or gain through inferior construction materials or methods and these systems must be commissioned similar to the energy consuming systems within the facility.
West Plains Engineering is a strong advocate for environmentally sound projects and we take a comprehensive, integrated approach to Sustainable Design. WPE has been focused on energy efficient designs that are comfortable, reliable, and user friendly since the firm began more than 30 years ago. We use several energy modeling techniques, the latest software tools, and years of experience to incorporate practical Sustainable Design concepts into all projects and arrive at the best design for the user.
With the inception of the LEED rating system, our engineers have embraced the opportunity to learn and share the practices that meet strict energy and environmental standards. We know to successfully take a project to the level of LEED Certification, the entire project team must understand the importance of maintaining clear communication and solid teamwork. West Plains Engineering has been involved in many projects pursuing LEED certification.
WPE, as a member of the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), has multiple LEED Accredited Professionals (LEED AP) on staff at all WPE office locations. Our commitment to the environment is strong and we continually train in the concepts, practices, and methods required to promote the use of sustainable principles in engineering.
There have been many advancements and changes in the Green movement in the recent years. With the International Green Construction Code (IgCC) set to adopt ASHRAE 189.1 as a codified version of a model energy code ready for adoption by jurisdictions around the country, it has become more important for the design team to work together as a single entity from the beginning of the project through the operation of the facility. LEED v4 is on the horizon as the newly updated green building rating system from USGBC. The implementation of LEED v4 is coming and will be even more stringent than previous versions which will demand more efficient HVAC, Plumbing and Lighting systems along with complementary Building Envelope systems, site selection and orientation. Additional requirements of these updated standards are pushing on-site renewable energy, not necessarily required at day one, but the initial construction must accommodate future implementation of such energy sources in many cases.