Funded Projects

Project Description:

This project creates two separate spaces within the Bergstrom Indoor Practice Facility, which began as one open area of 92,000 sq. ft. Through the installation of a door/wall system at the facility’s entrance lobby, two functional areas, whose indoor comfort environments can be maintained independently and on an as-needed basis, were created.

In addition to the incorporation of a separation system, careful consideration and research was completed with energy efficiency consultants to ensure the doors of this system, as well as the installation hardware and design configurations, achieve the highest level of energy conservation feasible within the project scope.

Project Contact:

Mike Andresen, 515-294-2983, mandrese@iastate.edu

Project Financials:

Loan Amount: $30,000

Return on Investment: Expected annual savings equals $6,000/year with a payback period of 5 years. The savings will come from reduced heating and climate control costs, resulting from the reduction of a 92,000 sq. ft. environmentally-constant space to one of 2, 250 sq. ft.

Project Outcomes:

In addition to the annual budget savings for ISU and Iowa taxpayers, this project serves as a demonstration that will be disseminated throughout Iowa State University's existing buildings utilizing large area activity spaces.

Because Iowa State University is a leading international, comprehensive institution of higher education with a wide range of dynamic and diverse programs and initiatives, the utilization of large, multi-functional spaces is imperative. Whether to have spaces such as this is non-negotiable; however, how they are managed is. This project provides a great showcasing opportunity to illustrate how considerable energy conservation opportunities and operational savings will be achieved through very simple means for campus departments and facilities that are managing large area activity spaces. As well as highlighting a thoughtful approach to conservation and operational savings, this project is a testament to ensuring the most efficient and effective use of a very important, value-added commodity at Iowa State University – space.

Project Status:

COMPLETE

Project Description:

The overall goal of this project focuses on reducing the electricity consumption in the Black Engineering Building through installing more efficient lighting systems and behavior modifications.

Specific products and processes being utilized included: replacing current light fixtures and lamps with more energy efficient varieties; installing occupancy sensors in rooms and offices and timers in hallways; and offering power strips for easy on-off operation of multiple energy consumers

To achieve education awareness building on occupant energy consumption behavior is the focus of the task area associated with the modification of individual behavior specific products and processes utilized include:

• Two building-wide seminars offered to all building occupants (one to kick-off the project in spring 2010 and one to update on the project successes)
• Installation of electrical meters to allow for the display of real-time and historical electrical usage in a visible and high traffic area in Black Engineering Building
• Creation of a specific web page on the College of Engineering website that displays real-time and historical electrical usage and is easily accessible for download by students for projects and assignments

In addition, project methodology will be compiled into a step-by-step project workbook that any campus building or department, regardless of their experience and expertise can utilize in evaluating and implementing a similar project.

Project Contact:

Gary Mirka, 515-294-8661, mirka@iastate.edu

Ted Heindel, 515-294-1423, theindel@iastate.edu

Project Financials:

Loan Amount: $165,000. This amount reflects total project costs of $165,500 minus matching funds of $500.

Return on Investment: Total project costs are $165,500. Expected annual savings equals $33,000/year with a payback period of 5 years.

Project Outcomes:

In addition to annual budget savings for ISU and Iowa taxpayers, the College of Engineering has an opportunity to showcase significant reduction in energy consumption, through a combination of technology and behavior modification. This project will also provide invaluable information and resources necessary to provide a model for collaboration for buildings, such as Black Engineering that have multiple occupants sharing building energy costs and savings. In all facets of a learning, working, and strategic planning environment, as the College of Engineering represents, implementing energy efficiency products and processes, as outlined above, provides unique and valuable ongoing relevant demonstration project.

Project Status:

COMPLETE

Project Description:

The lighting systems inside the College of Design building use a combination of fluorescent, incandescent, metal halide and mercury vapor lamp sources. The lighting system has not been retrofitted from original construction. This project implements a new lighting strategy for all the College of Design building classrooms, laboratories and public areas. Implementation of this strategy includes the installation of energy-efficient fluorescent lighting, daylighting controls (stepped controls, dimming controls, switch controls) and occupancy sensors.

Specifically, this project completes the following bundled items:

• Daylighting switch control of perimeter studio/classrooms
• Classroom occupancy sensor control
• Storage occupancy sensor control
• Conference room occupancy sensor control
• Computer lab occupancy sensor control
• Classroom retrofit with Super T8 bulbs with electric ballasts
• Computer lab retrofit with Super T8 bulbs with electric ballasts
• Private office retrofit with Super T8 bulbs with electric ballasts
• Open office retrofit with Super T8 bulbs with electric ballasts
• Shop retrofit with Super T8 bulbs with electric ballasts
• Restroom retrofit with Super T8 bulbs with electric ballasts

The lighting strategy project will be completed in two phases. Building areas completed in each phase will be dependent upon occupancy requirements. Phase 1 funding is for the completion of bundled items to be completed in FY09.

Project Contact:

Luis Rico-Gutierrez, College of Design Dean, 515-294-7427, lrico@iastate.edu

Project Financials:

Loan Amount: $100,000

Return on Investment: Total project costs are estimated at $293,100. Expected annual savings equals $37,092/year with a payback period of 4.6 years.

Project Outcomes:

In addition to annual budget savings for ISU and Iowa taxpayers, the College of Design has an opportunity to showcase significant reduction in energy consumption while improving its interior and exterior environmental performance in one of the most extensively-used buildings on the ISU campus. The improvements made in the existing building will complement, both in focus and function, the accompanying King Pavilion facility. In all facets of a learning, working and strategic planning environment, as the College of Design represents, implementing energy efficiency products and processes, as outlined above, provide a unique and valuable ongoing demonstration for students, faculty, staff and donors.

Project Status:

COMPLETE

Project Description:

The lighting systems inside the College of Design building use a combination of fluorescent, incandescent, metal halide, and mercury vapor lamp sources. The lighting system has not been retrofitted from original construction. This project implements a new lighting strategy for all the Design College building classrooms, laboratories, and public areas. Implementation of this strategy includes the installation of energy-efficient fluorescent lighting, day-lighting controls (stepped controls, dimming controls, switch controls) and occupancy sensors.

Specifically, this project completes the following bundled items:

• Daylighting switch control of perimeter studio/classrooms
• Classroom occupancy sensor control
• Storage occupancy sensor control
• Conference room occupancy sensor control
• Computer lab occupancy sensor control
• Classroom retrofit with Super T8 bulbs with electric ballasts
• Computer lab retrofit with Super T8 bulbs with electric ballasts
• Private office retrofit with Super T8 bulbs with electric ballasts
• Open office retrofit with Super T8 bulbs with electric ballasts
• Shop retrofit with Super T8 bulbs with electric ballasts
• Restroom retrofit with Super T8 bulbs with electric ballasts

The lighting strategy project will be completed in two phases. Building areas completed in each phase will be dependent upon occupancy requirements. Phase 2 funding is for completion of bundled items to be completed in FY10.

Project Contact:

Luis Rico-Gutierrez, College of Design Dean, 515-294-7427, lrico@iastate.edu

Project Financials:

Loan Amount: $100,000

Return on Investment: Total project costs are estimated at $293,100. Expected annual savings equals $37,092/year with a payback period of 4.6 years.

Project Outcomes:

In addition to annual budget savings for ISU and Iowa taxpayers, the College of Design has an opportunity to showcase significant reduction in energy consumption while improving its interior and exterior environmental performance in one of the most extensively used buildings on the ISU campus. The improvements made in the existing building will complement, both in focus and function, the accompanying King Pavilion facility. In all facets of a learning, working, and strategic planning environment, as the College of Design represents, implementing energy efficiency products and processes, as outlined above, provide a unique and valuable ongoing demonstration for students, faculty, staff and donors.

Project Status:

COMPLETE

Project Description:

This project focuses on savings opportunities through computer system energy conservation through the purchase and installation of PowerMAN software on 500 faculty and staff computer stations in the College of Human Sciences.

Various means of energy conservation were considered and implemented in finalizing this project, ranging from requests/reminders for voluntary consumption reduction to an implemented policy of automatic power down of inactive computers. However, having a consistent means to track consumption and verify savings as related to Instructional Technology was not achievable. The implementation of a scheduled power control system allows for tailored policies for individual and user groups and provides ongoing, real-time reporting of user compliance and system savings and provides an ideal opportunity to evaluate and demonstrate the transferability for a campus wide IT scheduled power control system.

Project Contact:

Sly Upah, 515-294-5598, supah@iastate.edu

Project Financials:

Loan Amount: $3,039

Return on Investment: An annual savings of $49,000/year, with a 5-year payback, and a realized savings period of 23 days.

Project Outcomes:

Serves as a demonstration project that can be disseminated throughout ISU IT managed computer systems. Once a template implementation and management process can be developed and verified, scheduled power down options can be made available for consideration and implementation to any ISU IT system.

Achieves intangible savings realized through reduced carbon emissions and an immediate performance feedback loop.

Project Status:

COMPLETE

Project Background:

This project replaces 30 traditional space heaters currently being utilized in Lebaron Hall, MacKay Hall, Human Nutrition Sciences Building, Lagomarcino Hall, Food Sciences Building, Forker Building, and the Nutritional Wellness and Research Center, with radiant panel heaters. This project not only increase the energy efficiency of workspace heating, it ensures the College of Human Sciences is utilizing personal space heaters which are not in violation of state fire code regulations required of the University.

Project Goals include:

• Reducing electrical energy costs by replacing space heaters with energy efficient radiant panels.
• Eliminating the need for traditional space heaters, which are both in violation of current fire code regulations and a source of numerous fires and injuries in similar facilities.

Goals will be accomplished through the following means:

• Determine how many space heaters are in use in CHS and keep a one-week diary of current use and working conditions.
• Determine most beneficial locations for radiant panel heaters based upon need and potential energy savings.
• Complete a training session for potential users of radiant panels and offer various options to couple with the use of the panel heaters in order to further increase energy efficiency.
• Install radiant panels and have users keep four-week diaries of their use of the panel heaters as well as additional energy efficient behaviors and options utilized.
• Monitor savings and evaluate expansion needs and opportunities.

Project Contact:

Jeanne Stewart, 294-3926, jws1@iastate.edu

Project Financials:

Loan Amount: $2,250

Return on Investment: Total project costs are estimated at $2,250.  Expected annual savings equals $538/year with a payback period of 4.2 years. The savings will come from a reduction of energy consumption required by the radiant panel heaters versus traditional space heaters.

Project Outcomes:

In addition to the annual budget savings for ISU and Iowa taxpayers, this project serves as a demonstration project that can be disseminated throughout Iowa State University existing office spaces that experience similar supplemental heating needs, yet must adhere to current fire codes.

Project Status:

COMPLETE

Project Description:

This project focuses on the replacement of a laboratory freezer with an energy-efficient, ultra-low temperature freezer. Specific project deliverables include:

• Demonstration of operational cost-savings;
• Reduced energy consumption; and
• Increased consideration of on laboratory equipment safety in procurement.

Project completion is targeted for Fall 2017.

Project Contact:

Reuben Peters, 515-294-8580, rjpeters@iastate.edu

Project Financials:

Loan Amount: $1,500

Return on Investment: Expected annual savings equals $237/year, with a total project payback period of 5 years.

Project Outcomes:

In continuing focus on increased efficiency of campus operations through environmental sustainability, there are specific areas of opportunity that offer immediate and significant achievements toward reaching this goal. Increasing the efficiency of our numerous laboratory spaces is one area of significant opportunity.

This project also furthers the collective impact of all energy efficiency and sustainability-focused projects and initiatives through building upon and expanding their success and achievements. In addition, this approach to increasing efficiency and commitment to sustainability, through focus on and development of a procurement program/protocol is very transferrable to other educational institutions as well as businesses and communities.

Project Status:

COMPLETE

Project Description:

This project involves installation of equipment and procedures to collect pre- and post-consumer food waste, specifically at Union Drive Marketplace, Residence Hall Dining Facility, in order to divert it from the landfill and the water treatment plant. The project began with a full-scale investigation of a variety of equipment and procedural solutions that could be implemented; the UDM facility and its opportunities and challenges as related to each solution; and overall resources (funding, staff, space, transportation, etc.) that are available in order to support a particular solution.

Diversion of food waste through composting was determined as a priority, and composting began the 09 fall semester. All collected materials are taken to ISU’s Compost Facility. Determining the most effective and appropriate  methodology as related to consolidating food waste for composting (i.e. pulverizing food waste via a pulper to minimize the transportation and composting of liquids and bulky materials or off-line sorting into collection containers with no additional manipulation of the food waste) is a primary focus of this project.

Efficiency and effectiveness of this process and the implemented systems and procedures are continually monitored throughout this project with the intent of expanding composting efforts to all five Dining Centers, as well as all campus dining locations.

Project Contact:

Nancy Levandowski, 515-294-7578, nancyl@iastate.edu

Mark Huss, 515-294-6111, mhuss@iastate.edu

Project Financials:

Loan Amount: $45,000

Return on Investment: Project costs are estimated at $50,000 - $100,000. Expected annual savings equals $9,000/year with a payback period of 5 years and a realized savings period of 5.5 years.

Project Outcomes:

In addition to the annual budget savings for ISU and Iowa taxpayers, this project serves as a demonstration project that will be disseminated throughout Iowa State University dining facilities as well as dining establishments and programs in the Ames community. Once a template evaluation and checklist process is completed and verified, food waste diversion solutions will be considered for other dining locations around campus.

As well as gleaning tangible landfill and water treatment cost savings of the direct impact of diverting food waste, savings is also realized through the reduction in the purchase of topsoil and soil amendment materials due to the resulting material that the composted food waste will generate. In essence, a closed-loop, cradle-to-cradle system of reinventing our own waste into a viable, necessary, and valuable commodity, is created.

Project Status:

COMPLETE

Project Description:

This project focuses on the replacement of all T12 fluorescent lighting with LED lights. This equates to 1,465 replacements. Specific project deliverables include:

• Reduced energy consumption;
• Reduced lighting utility cost;
• Reduced labor cost related to bulb replacement in high and hard to reach fixtures;
• Reduced cost related to replacement bulbs and waste bulb disposal; and
• Improved and enhanced lighting quality for occupant work spaces and common areas.

Project completion is targeted for Spring 2016.

Project Contact:

Deborah Hanson, 515-294-8593, dhanson@foundation.iastate.edu

Project Financials:

Loan Amount: $31,620.88

Return on Investment: Expected annual savings equals $9,291.23/year, with a payback period of 3.4 years.

Project Outcomes:

In addition to annual budget savings for ISU as well as reduction in energy demand for the City of Ames, the Foundation will have an opportunity to showcase reduction in and demonstration of energy consumption, specifically through lighting, to a diversity of audiences ranging from staff to donors to partnering organizations and collaborating businesses from across the United States and around the world.

Project Status:

COMPLETE

Project Description:

This project focuses on the replacement of all outdoor lighting with LED lights. Specific project deliverables include:

• Reduced energy consumption;
• Reduced lighting utility cost;
• Reduced labor cost related to bulb replacement in high and hard to reach fixtures;
• Reduced cost related to replacement bulbs and waste bulb disposal; and
• Improved and enhanced lighting quality for parking and walkway areas.

Project completion is targeted for Spring 2016.

Project Contact:

Deborah Hanson, 515-294-8593, dhanson@foundation.iastate.edu

Project Financials:

Loan Amount: $10,537

Return on Investment: Expected annual savings equals $2,206/year, with a payback period of 4.8 years

Project Outcomes:

In addition to annual budget savings for ISU as well as reduction in energy demand for the City of Ames, the Foundation will have an opportunity to showcase reduction in and demonstration of energy consumption, specifically through lighting, to a diversity of audiences ranging from staff to donors to partnering organizations and collaborating businesses from across the United States and around the world.

Project Status:

COMPLETE

Project Description:

This project replaces 76 inefficient lighting fixtures at the University’s power plant. The new fixtures will replace inefficient lamps that did not last as long as different sources that are currently available.

In order to reduce energy consumption and maintenance costs, the existing high-bay fixtures will be changed to 28 watt, T8 linear fluorescent lamps with occupancy controls. The reduced fixture cost and longer lifespan will result in significant maintenance savings as well as energy savings. 

To maximize energy savings, the water treatment, storage mezzanine, and chiller areas will also have occupancy sensors in the fixtures to turn off half of the lamps while the areas are not in use (42 fixtures in total).  The other half of the lamps will remain on in order to maintain low light levels for safety.  The areas with occupancy sensors are not used frequently and are an optimal area for automatic shut-off.  

Project Contact:

Marc McKee, 515-294-8436, mmckee@iastate.edu

Project Financials:

Loan Amount: $37,035

Return on Investment: Expected annual savings equals $9,470/year with a payback period of 3.91 years. The savings will come from a reduction of energy consumption from inefficient and unneeded lighting and unnecessary maintenance.

Project Outcomes:

In addition to the annual budget savings for ISU and Iowa taxpayers, this project serves as a demonstration project that can be disseminated throughout Iowa State University facilities using high bay lighting fixtures as well as other universities, and businesses in the Ames community and beyond. 

This project is one that not only demonstrates leadership in operations and waste management, but also in awareness and education as related to students, faculty, staff, alumni, grantors, donors, and ISU’s community and professional peers and partners throughout the US and around the world.

Project Status:

COMPLETE

Project Background:

The Jeff and Deb Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Center is a facility of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences focused on building tomorrow’s agricultural leaders through providing a year-round learning environment for young people through both coursework and extracurricular events.

The center, scheduled for completion fall 2013, will include:

• A 125-by-250 foot arena with seating for 900 people and a floor covered by 18 inches of dirt for events;
• Heated arena and animal holding areas during the winter for livestock judging and skills competitions, short courses, training sessions and livestock, dog and equestrian shows; and
• Four climate-controlled classrooms, accommodating up to 35 people each and situated beneath the arena seating area, thus reducing the facility’s footprint and improving energy efficiency.

In considering additional efficiency opportunities for the facility, the design team requested bid alternate quotes as a part of the bid application process – specifically focused on efficiency opportunities for the Center’s heating and cooling system through geothermal technology.

Project Description: Project # LG0021:

This project focuses on the opportunity to enhance the energy efficiency through replacement of the boiler and air-cooled chiller system included in the original project bid package with a geo-thermal (horizontal bore field) water source heat pump system. This system specifically targets heating and cooling needs for the administrative and classroom areas of the facility. Specific products and processes that will be utilized include:

• Twenty-seven bore, horizontal field, closed loop geothermal system;
• Constant volume, variable speed end suction water pumps; and
• Thirteen single-zone high efficiency heat pumps connecting to a building integrated control system.

Geothermal heat pump systems typically have lower annual operating costs, have less maintenance and replacement costs, and use cleaner fuel through the utilization of energy gained from temperature transfer from bored pipes buried in the soil. By incorporating this added efficiency during construction rather than as a renovation, significant savings related to implementation costs, site disturbance, and loss of functional space are assured and immediate savings through reduction of heating and cooling costs are achieved.

As well as offering an anticipated annual gas and electrical savings of $12,000, this project offers a high-visibility opportunity to demonstrate a geothermal system in a highly and diversely utilized university facility.

Project installation is planned for summer of 2013to be operational late fall 2013.

Project Contact:

Maynard Hogberg, hogberg@iastate.edu, 515-294-2160

Project Financials:

Loan Amount: $39,000

Return on Investment: Total costs related to the Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Facility are estimated at $6,099,000. Costs specific to the focus of this funding request are estimated at $39,000. Expected annual savings equals $12,000/year with a payback period of 3.25 years.

Project Outcomes:

In addition to annual budget savings for ISU and Iowa taxpayers, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences will have an opportunity to showcase significant reduction in energy consumption, through an alternative energy heating and cooling system. In being a new facility that will incorporate a geothermal system, this project offers the College as well as the design and construction teams the opportunity to monitor and evaluate an alternative energy system and to share the efforts, results, and accomplishments with building occupants and visitors.

In all facets of a learning, working, and strategic planning environment, as the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences represents, implementing energy efficiency products and processes, as outlined above, provides unique and valuable ongoing relevant demonstration for students, faculty, staff, alumni, grantors, donors, and ISU’s academic and research peers and partners throughout the US and around the world.

Project Status:

COMPLETE

Project Description:

This project incorporates energy-efficient components into the Monona County Extension Office remodeling project. Components incorporated include: energy-efficient fluorescent lighting, programmable thermostats, two foot lowering of ceilings and heating and cooling ducts, installation of outdoor light timers, and an energy efficient water heater.

Project Contact:

Cheri Hardison, ISU Extension Director for Monona County, 712-423-2175, chardi@iastate.edu

Project Financials:

Loan Amount: $5,230

Return on Investment: Project costs are estimated at $30,000. Expected annual savings equals $1,046/year with a payback period of 5 years, and a realized savings period of 6.5 years.

Project Outcomes:

In addition to annual budget savings for ISU and Iowa taxpayers, ISU Extension will be able to provide to its customers an enhanced image of education and energy efficiency. A NW Iowa Extension Task Force has been formed to reinforce energy saving information and recommended practices among its county offices and their customers. Monona County Extension has enhanced their educational efforts through a compilation of web resources and the development of a PowerPoint presentation to be provided to stakeholders and customers.

Project Status:

COMPLETE

Project Description:

This project focuses on the opportunity to increase energy savings and provide an enhanced light product in three bays of the Seed Testing Laboratory’s 25oC walk-in germinator.  LED lighting will replace 6’ fluorescent bulbs on a 1:2 exchange ratio and be placed within the same area of the laboratory currently housing the current fluorescent fixtures.

Specific project deliverables include:

• Reduced energy consumption;
• Mercury-free lighting alternative;  
• Efficient and effective replacement option for T12 fluorescent lamps and ballasts, no longer being produced in the United States through legislation effective July 2012;
• Reduced labor time and expense related to replacing fluorescent bulbs and ballasts and bulb disposal (vendor estimation of a 10 year lifespan for LED lighting);
• Improved and consistent light output and uniformity; and
• Improved coloration and growth of seedlings under LED lighting (in-house pilot studies showed LED lighting produced as good or slightly better growth than fluorescent lighting). 

Project Contact: 

Michael Stahr, mgstahr@iastate.edu 515-294-0117

Seed Science Center/College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Project Financials:

Total costs are estimated at $42,731.  Supporting funds of $17,731 are being provided by the Seed Science Center and Seed Testing Laboratory. A $25,000 loan is requested. Expected annual savings equals $8,551/year ($2,071 energy savings and $6,480 annual maintenance and bulb replacement and disposal savings) with a payback period of 3 years.

Project Outcomes:

In addition to annual budget savings for ISU and Iowa taxpayers, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences will have an opportunity to showcase significant reduction in energy consumption and annual maintenance costs, through an alternative lighting product in the Seed Science Center’s Seed Testing Laboratory. Successful installation provides a place for people on and off campus to see that LED lights are a viable, successful, and environmentally-responsible alternative to energy-intensive fluorescent lighting.  

Project Status:

COMPLETED