Tuesday, January 26, 2016: 9:45 AM-11:00 AM
The Great Debate
Chair:
Tim M. Anderson, P.E., Applied Engineering Services, Inc
Technical Committee: 06.02 District Energy
This seminar focuses on campus energy planning to centralize or decentralize. A short introductory presentation is provided naming the key issues on the topic, such as energy efficiency, maintenance and operational cost. Two case studies follow to present a central campus plan and a decentralized campus plan. The case studies include the key decisions made at the beginning stages which swayed the owner's decision.
1 A Case Study in Central Plant Design
 |
Blake Ellis, P.E., Burns & McDonnell |
This brief presentation introduces the topic of the seminar - centralized vs decentralized heating and cooling. Major topics that will be addressed include: Background - History of centralized (district) energy systems. District Energy System Summary - Description of a district energy system along with its strengths and weaknesses. Decentralized System Summary - Description of a decentralized energy system along with its strengths and weaknesses. Current Trends - Briefly describe the current industry trends that is seeing some district energy systems being replaced with decentralized system.
2 Two Case Studies in Centralized Vs. Decentralized Energy Approach
 |
Jeff Urlaub, P.E., MEP Associates |
Centralized energy systems supply steam, chilled water and/or hot water to multiple buildings on a campus. Decentralized energy systems supply utilities to a smaller group of buildings. Key factors that need to be considered when determining if a centralized or decentralized energy approach should be used for a multi building campus are: Existing Building Systems. Existing Central Plant Equipment. Existing Campus Distribution. Campus Thermal Profile. Capital, Operating and Maintenance Costs. Future Campus Building Expansion Plans. Carbon and Energy Footprint. Life Cycle Cost Analysis. The presentation will present two case studies with a comparison of a centralized vs. decentralized energy approach.
3 A 20-Year Decision: The Next Heating System for a Veteran’s Home Campus
 |
Tim M. Anderson, P.E., Applied Engineering Services, Inc |
The Indiana Veterans Home is an active short-term care/independent living facility for retired veterans located in West Lafayette, IN. The site was originally constructed on 1896 and utilizes steam for heating. The current steam system age is approximately 40 years old and in need of repair. Options considered in a study for a heating replacement included a steam system replacement, conversion to centralized heating hot water, decentralized heating hot water and conversion to a geothermal heat pump. This presentation focuses on factors to consider when looking at centralized vs. decentralized solutions for a campus heating system.