Chicago Center for Green Technology

Energy

The building and its mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems are being commissioned to ensure they are installed and functioning per the original design intentions. The building surpasses ASHRAE 90.1 by 40%, which means that the Center uses 40% less energy than a minimally code-compliant building of the same size. These energy savings are expected to save approximately $29,000 per year.

Within five years, solar energy is expected to provide 20% of building's electricity. 28 geothermal wells are drilled to 200 feet to utilize the relatively consistent ground temperature. Extensive daylighting displaces the need for some artificial lighting; a 24% savings in lighting energy is expected over standard systems. Insulated, spectrally selective, low-e glazing was used. Heat and air conditioning are located near occupants. At times of high energy demand (such as hot summer days), the building management system is programmed to prevent demand spikes from the building. It reads the load required and temporarily dims lights or offsets mechanical startups to save demand costs.

 

Energy Data Set: Simulation: Units: English Metric

Annual Purchased Energy Use
Fuel	Quantity	Cost($)	MMBtu	kBtu/ft2	$/ft2
Electricity	161,000 kWh		549	13.7
Natural Gas	93,400 kWh		319	7.97
Fuel Oil (No. 2, diesel)	0 kWh		0	0
Biomass (wood or other)	0 kWh		0	0
Other	0 kWh		0	0
Annual On-site Renewable Energy Production
Fuel	Quantity		MMBtu	kBtu/ft2
Photovoltaics	136,000 kWh		464	11.6
Wind	0 kWh		0	0
Biomass electricity	0 kWh		0	0
Micro-hydro	0 kWh		0	0
Solar Thermal	0 kWh		0	0
Biomass thermal	0 kWh		0	0
Other	0 kWh		0	0
Total Annual Building Energy Consumption
Fuel		Cost	MMBtu	kBtu/ft2	$/ft2
Total Purchased			868	21.7
Total On-Site Renewable			464	11.6
Grand Total			1,330	33.3

Annual End-Use Breakdown
End Use	Quantity	MMBtu	kBtu/ft2
Heating	173 MMBtu	173	4.33
Cooling	95,900 kWh	327	8.18
Lighting	23,000 kWh	78.5	1.96
Fans/Pumps	106,000 kWh	362	9.04
Plug Loads and Equipment	41,400 kWh	141	3.53
Vertical Transport
Domestic Hot Water	248 MMBtu	248	6.2
Other

Building Energy Load
Load
Connected Lighting	4.01 kW	0.1 W/ft²

Data Sources & Reliability

Simulation software
Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory PC DOE 2.1E, version: JJHirsch PC 2.1E c133

 

Green Strategies

• Ground-coupled Systems
  • Use ground-source heat pumps as a source for heating and cooling
• Solar Cooling Loads
  • Shade south windows with exterior louvers, awnings, or trellises
• Daylighting for Energy Efficiency
  • Use large exterior windows and high ceilings to increase daylighting
  • Use skylights for daylighting
• High-performance Windows and Doors
  • Optimize energy performance of glazing systems
• Lighting Controls
  • Use modulating photoelectric daylight sensors
• HVAC Controls and Zoning
  • Provide sufficient sensors and control logic

previous topic: Site/Water

next topic: Materials