retrocommissioning (rcx)
TRANSCRIPT
Prepared for: Prepared by:
Retrocommissioning (RCx)Optimizing facility operations
California Society for Healthcare Engineering
Jeff Guild, P.E. Director at Enovity
November 18, 2020
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▷ Introduction/Background▷ Cx vs. RCx▷ RCx: Reasons▷ RCx: Options
– Study-focused– Implementation-focused– Financing-focused
▷ RCx: Why– Who to Blame– Root Causes (e.g. why RCx “new” facilities)
▷ Meter and performance-based savings approaches– Turnkey RCx– Analytics & FDD– Savings Measurement & Verification
▷ Case studies to illustrate RCx benefits and outcomes
Agenda
RCx for CSHE
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My Background
Jeff GuildPE, LEED AP
Director
RCx for CSHE
Energy Efficiency Consulting (Xenergy 1994-97)
Mechanical Design & Construction(Marelich Mech 1997-2009)
Energy Services(Enovity 2010-Present)
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Higher Performance Places▷ We are engineers who operate, maintain, and
optimize facilities to create sustainable environments where people and organizations prosper
Company Overview ▷ Subsidiary of Veolia North America▷ 185 professionals across California▷ Licensed Contractor No. 818957 (A, B, C-10, C-20)▷ Services support every phase of the building life cycle:
- Energy Efficiency - Smart Buildings- Commissioning - Facilities Engineering
Enovity, a Veolia Company
RCx for CSHE
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Your Background
RCx for CSHE
Please take the poll and select the description that best fits your role (pick one)▷ Hospital Facility Engineer/Chief▷ Architect▷ Consulting Engineer▷ Independent Consultant▷ Inspector of Record▷ Construction Manager▷ Gov Authority (OSHPD, FM, OSHA, etc.)▷ Contractor▷ Distributor OEM
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Cx vs RCx
The term commissioning comes from shipbuilding. A commissioned ship is one deemed ready for service. Before being awarded this title, however, a ship must pass several milestones. Equipment is installed and tested, problems are identified and corrected, and the prospective crew is extensively trained. A commissioned ship is one whose materials, systems, and staff have successfully completed a thorough quality assurance process. *© 2006 California Commissioning Collaborative
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Commissioning*
RCx for CSHE
Building commissioning takes the same approach to new buildings. When a building is initially commissioned it undergoes an intensive quality assurance process that begins during design and continues through construction, occupancy, and operations. Commissioning ensures that the new building operates initially as the owner intended and that building staff are prepared to operate and maintain its systems and equipment. *© 2006 California Commissioning Collaborative
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Cx Defined*
RCx for CSHE
RetrocommissioningThe application of the commissioning process to existing buildings. Retrocommissioning is a process that seeks to improve how building equipment and systems function together. Depending on the age of the building, retrocommissioning can often resolve problems that occurred during design or construction, or address problems that have developed throughout the building's life. In all, retrocommissioning improves a building's operations and maintenance (O&M) procedures to enhance overall building performance. *© 2006 California Commissioning Collaborative
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RCx Defined*
RCx for CSHE
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Retrocommissioning: Why?
▷ I have a budget to do RCx▷ My stuff isn’t working
– High Energy Use– Inadequate Function– High Maintenance Costs
▷ We need new stuff
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Reasons to do RCx
RCx for CSHE
Building commissioning: a golden opportunity for reducing energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions in the United StatesE Mills - Energy Efficiency, 2011 - Springer
Please take the poll and select your top reasons to do RCx (pick many)
▷ I have a budget to do RCx▷ My stuff isn’t working
– High Energy Use– Inadequate Function
▷ We need new stuff
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Reasons to do RCx
RCx for CSHE
Building commissioning: a golden opportunity for reducing energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions in the United StatesE Mills - Energy Efficiency, 2011 - Springer
→ Study-Focused→ Implementation Focused
→ RCx-as-Financing
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Retrocommissioning: Approach Options
Best suited for situations where:
▷ Set-aside RCx Budget exists
▷ Information is the deliverable
▷ Mysterious and widespread problems require bottom-up approach
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RCx as a Study (aka Dragnet)
RCx for CSHE
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RCx-as-Implementation (aka Targeted)
RCx for CSHE
Best suited for situations where:
▷ Customers know where the problems are
▷ Signs and symptoms are acute– High Energy Use– Diminished Utility
▷ Performance is the deliverable
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RCx-as-Financing (aka Capital Project)
RCx for CSHE
Best suited for situations where:
▷ New stuff is needed
▷ Relief of symptoms will produce savings in:– Energy– Maintenance– Deferred infrastructure investment
▷ Low-cost capital is available or investment criteria is well understood
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Retrocommissioning: Causes
Please take the poll to place the blame (pick one)How did we get here?
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RCx opportunity angst
RCx for CSHE
▷ The Engineer didn’t know what he was doing▷ The Contractor low-balled the job and didn’t perform▷ The Cx agent pencil-whipped the Cx Report▷ It has always been this way▷ It is working well enough, and you should have seen how it
used to be
▷ Constantly evolving building codes give rise to more complicated systems and controls
▷ Engineers bring experience and innovation, but many depend on controls contractors as “experts”
▷ Contractors are focused on construction logistics to protect cost risk - long-term efficiency and high performance outcomes only get them invited to “be low” on the next job
▷ Building controls installation and Cx activities typically occur at the end of the job and are usually rushed to get the facility open
▷ Cx authorities have limited influence to resolve open deficiencies▷ Owners & Developers are eager to open the facility and to start earning
revenue on the facility, despite open Cx deficiencies19
RCx Opportunity Root Causes from initial construction
RCx for CSHE
▷ Complicated systems and controls not tested under load, lead to unforeseen issues requiring rapid “fixes” by operating staff
▷ Operations & Maintenance budgets are typically under-funded and cost-driven
▷ Operator focus is on keeping occupants satisfied and supporting facility function, can lead to operational decisions that sacrifice energy efficiency and unforeseen outcomes
▷ Lack of available trained staff and a declining workforce▷ Even “minor” issues lingering from initial construction can turn into bigger
problems is symptoms are treated without addressing the root causes
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RCx Opportunity Root Causes beyond initial construction
RCx for CSHE
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Meter and Performance-Based Approaches
M&V is a process of verifying energy savings from energy efficiency projects.Using data analytics and empirical modeling techniques, we can relate energy usage in a whole building with predictors such as corresponding weather data, day of week, time of day, etc. A baseline model created using consumption data before an energy project and projected (i.e., normalized) into the post-implementation period is the point of comparison against the actual energy use to determine the avoided energy use (i.e., the savings).
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Normalized Metered Energy Consumption (NMEC)
RCx for CSHE
Retrocommissioning the Smarter Way
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Targeted Turnkey Energy Optimization Approach
RCx for CSHE
Whole-Building Energy Data Analytics
Use the data & tools you already have (e.g. utility interval data, FDD tools, energy dashboards)
Turnkey RCx Project Delivery
Streamline the process so you can start saving sooner.
Results Measured on the Meter
Eliminate the expense and subjectivity of custom engineering calculations.
Guaranteed Return on Investment
Pay for the actual savings on the meter
=
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Turnkey Energy Optimization Step by Step
RCx for CSHE
1. Confirm Objectives & Requirements
● Confirm data availability and baseline for savings
● Understand Customer criteria for ECM approval and implementation:○ Budget○ Payback/ROI○ Eligible costs and benefits
to include○ Approval process○ Implementation approach
● Finalize project scope and shared savings agreement
2. Investigate Opportunities
● Remote assessment work:○ Interview facilities staff○ Analyze energy use
profile (top-down)○ Review BAS settings and
configuration (bottom-up)
○ Develop list of ECM “suspects”
● On-site assessment work:○ Confirm that “suspect”
ECMs exist and are viable for facility
○ Collect additional data as needed
3. Implement Changes
● Document proposed ECMs
● Review and discuss proposed ECMs with facility stakeholders
● Implement ECMs in collaboration with facilities staff and approved subcontractors (as needed)
4. Monitor & Verify Results
● Ongoing Reporting on:
○ Savings accrued vs. baseline
○ Explanation of any variance from expected savings
○ Adjustments made to ECMs (if necessary)
○ Project activities and ongoing engagement
○ Earned performance payment
ECM = Energy Conservation Measure
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Healthcare Energy Efficiency Case Studies
Energy Efficiency Upgrade Project▷ Facility Overview
– 62-bed public hospital and medical office building▷ Project Scope
– Four-phase turnkey energy efficient upgrade project, including optimizing the HVAC and control systems
▷ Results– Annual utility cost savings: $191,062– Annual electricity savings: 690,000 kWh (28%)– Paybacks (multiple phases) ranging from 5 to 10 years
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Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital
Energy Optimization for Ventura County Health Care Agency
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Energy Efficiency Upgrade Project▷ Facility Overview
– 685-bed hospital plus six-story and three-story parking garages (2,600 stalls), and 1,000-stall parking lot
▷ Project Scope– Multi-phase energy efficiency program, including
optimizing the central utility plant and chilled water delivery system and lighting retrofits
▷ Results– Annual utility cost savings: $710,000– Annual electricity savings: 4.6 million kWh (5%)– Paybacks (multiple phases) ranging from 2.3 to 9 years
Fresno Community Regional Medical Center
RCx for CSHE
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Community Regional Medical Center
RCx for CSHE
Avoided Energy Use
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Community Regional Medical Center
RCx for CSHE
Increased Cooling Capacity
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Energy Optimization for Healthcare SitesPG&E SMART Energy Analytics & Tune-Up Program
RCx for CSHE
▷ Facility Overview– Eight (8) hospitals and medical office
buildings in PG&E territory totaling ~1 million square feet
▷ Project Scope– Turnkey energy optimization (RCx)– 45 days to complete turnkey RCx process,
including analysis, implementation, and M&V▷ Results
– Annual electricity savings: 1.2 million kWh– Annual gas savings: 258,099 therms– Annual utility cost savings: $381,000
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Case Study: Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital MOB
RCx for CSHE
Reduce Minimum Airflows▷ Symptoms Observed
– Space temps were within requirement, but...– Natural gas consumption far exceeded norms
for MOB facility of this size▷ Diagnostics Performed
– Review setpoints and trend data from BAS▷ Recommended ECM
– Reprogram zone-level controllers for VAV operation (consistent with design intent)
▷ Results– 15% reduction in annual gas consumption
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Case Study: Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital
Energy Optimization for Ventura County Health Care Agency
Supply Air Temperature Reset▷ Symptoms Observed
– Natural gas consumption far exceeded norms for MOB facility of this size
▷ Diagnostics Performed– Review trend data from BAS and discuss
findings with facilities staff▷ Recommended ECM
– Reprogram AHU to control to SAT with reset, rebalance zones to address airflow issues
▷ Results– 50% reduction in annual gas consumption
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Case Study: Northern California Medical Office Building
Energy Optimization for Ventura County Health Care Agency
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Normalized Pre- and Post-Implementation Gas Consumption
Case Study: Medical Diagnostic Lab
Energy Optimization for Ventura County Health Care Agency
