University of North Carolina at Charlotte Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC)

Overview

TLC served as the Commissioning Authority for an Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC) for an Energy Service Company (ESCO). As part of this effort, various energy conservation measures (ECMs) were implemented at Barnard, Cameron, Colvard, Fretwell, Garringer, Reese, and Storrs Halls, as well as the central steam plant and RUP-2.

Additional services include engineering design for the installation of multiple air handling units; mechanical engineering design for the alteration of construction plans (removal of walls in mechanical rooms); additional commissioning services; compilation of construction documents.

Features

Energy Conservation Measures include:

• Direct digital controls upgrade
• Implementation of air handling unit variable frequency drives
• Replacement of the cooling tower
• Optimization of the chiller plant
• Replacement of the main steam plant boiler
• Downsizing of the steam system
• Chiller plant modifications

Chiller plant ECMs involved the addition of variable frequency drives to secondary chilled water pumps; removal of existing chiller and cooling tower and tie-in to the existing chilled water plant; conversion of the chilled water valve from 3-way to 2-way. Boiler decentralization and replacement at the central steam plant meant that a new convertible steam/hot water boiler must be designed to meet reduced load at the central plant. Energy savings occur due to higher efficiency remote boilers at various buildings.