Resource Conservation Advisory Board Agenda and Packet 2010 04 21

Home Browse Search

Resource Conservation Advisory Board Minutes - January 11, 2010 Page 2 of 3 VIII. UPDATES ON MEMBER REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION 1. Mark had distributed the attendance statistics prior to the meeting. It was decided that there was no discussion needed. 2. Dave Szabados gave a presentation of the city's Energy Audit which can be found on the city's website (it will be posted in the city council packet for download by February 19th). Highlights from the presentation and discussion include: . 10 sites use 90% of the energy; rec center and water treatment plants are largest users . energy is volatile - gas is cheaper now, but was more costly a few years ago . For every $1 of natural gas for heating, we spend $5 on electricity (for the blowers, motors, illumination, cooling, and some heat in the form of space heaters) - so there are greater savings available with reductions in electricity . Gas heats the police department but they use electric heat at the perimeter - some changes in controls are needed to reduce costs . Most facilities ramp the heat down at night and up in the morning. The library has the most sophisticated system - it gauges outside temperatures and may increaseldecrease heat earlier as needed . 15,000-20,000 Kw/day is the average for Louisville. There was 6% less electricity used in 2009 vS.2008 . Gas consumption is up 12% in 2009 due to cooler temperatures and major changes at the rec center where gas replaced electricity on the pool boiler . The goal is .2-.3 therms/ff usage - currently we use .5-1.6 ; the rec center is the heaviest user, city hall uses the least . Dave sees an opportunity to reduce energy use through changes in the buildings themselves and in the controls . Carbon usagelheat has been decreasing since 2006 - for the 10 high usage sites and vehicles - even though vehicles and facilities have been added . Arno pointed out that electricity has a greater CO2 impact since it is generated using coal - and natural gas is 90% water after combustion but coal is mostly carbon. . Fleet fuel use is highest for police and public works . 2009 was cooler so gas consumption increased (heating) and electricity decreased (cooling) . City hall energy consumption was up in 2006 then dropped drastically in subsequent years due to remodeling and addition of controllers . Heating and cooling have the greatest energy impacts . City shops were retrofitted with more energy efficient lights and set back thermostats. . It was stressed that very simple, inexpensive changes can reduce costs yet have a significant impact . Dave said that the new form of energy which has been discovered is called "efficiency." . Dave sees opportunities to improve further in the following areas: The library's energy requirements - the cleaning crew works in the morning when natural light is sufficient, but there is a new HVAC system which can be more efficient and they are tweaking the illumination system. HVAC systems are a challenge - each unit has a different software system necessitating the use of maintenance contractors who can operate the system which is expensive. He would like to gain more control of those systems. The policelcourt facility uses too much resistive heating which requires large amount of electricity The new electrical systems in the rec center can be improved There are new commercial cooler systems which are much more efficient then the new gas systems