Energy

Energy & Water Management Program

§      2003 - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory
Miami, Florida

This project included upgrading the building lighting system, replacing HVAC controls, and installing a thermal energy storage system to shift some of the HVAC load to off-peak hours. It resulted in reducing demand by almost 40% and made possible badly needed improvements to the building infrastructure.

§      2003 - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Caribou Weather Forecast Office Caribou, Maine

A prototype for future weather forecast offices and a potential Silver-rated LEED building, this office incorporates recycled building materials. Use of these materials diverted 75% of the total project waste from landfills. The building also uses daylighting and a geothermal heating and cooling system.

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§        2002 - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Marine Fisheries Service
Honolulu Laboratory
Honolulu, Hawaii

The redesign of an existing research laboratory, this project makes use of low-energy building design strategies, efficient technologies and renewable energy. The project team is striving to attain a Gold LEED™ rating for the facility through the use of such strategies as natural daylighting, solar water heating, liquid desiccant dehumidification, occupancy sensors, and a new building management system.

§        2001 - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Guam Weather Forecast Office
Barrigada, Guam

This low-maintenance, energy-efficient building is designed so that the HVAC and lighting systems use up to 30% less energy than a conventional building. Energy savings are achieved through high-efficiency HVAC and lighting systems and a passive solar design that maximizes natural daylighting and minimizes solar heat gains. Recycled and non-toxic materials help to meet sustainable design goals and improve indoor air quality.

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§        1999 - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary
Kihei, Maui, Hawaii

Each year, thousands of tourists arrive at this newly designated Federal Energy Saver Showcase facility to watch the annual migration of humpback whales. The site also attracts much scientific attention and was featured in the May 1998 issue of National Geographic magazine. Not surprisingly then, the energy-saving and renewable energy improvements planned for the sanctuary are not being made simply to save money—although cost saving is one of the benefits. They will also help to educate the sanctuary's visitors.

The U.S. Navy originally built the main building just before World War II. The National Marine Sanctuary (NMS), under the auspices of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), moved to the site in 1994. In 1997, NOAA installed two thermosiphon-type, solar water heaters and security lighting that operates on a stand-alone photovoltaic (PV) system. Inside facility buildings, NMS staff increased the energy efficiency of lighting by installing electronic ballast fluorescent tubes as well as occupancy sensors. The result was a reduction in demand of about 27%.

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§       1997 – Department of Commerce
Herbert C. Hoover Federal Building
Washington, D.C.

The Department of Commerce has designated its Headquarters Building, located in downtown Washington, D.C., on Constitution Avenue, as its first Federal Energy Saver Showcase. The building has approximately 1.8 million gross square feet on seven main floors and an attic, basement, and sub-basement. The facility was completed in 1932. This historic landmark building serves as the White House Visitors Center and houses the National Aquarium.

The building received a FEMP SAVEnergy Action Plan energy audit to identify all cost-effective energy-efficiency, renewable, and water conservation measures. The recommendations included improvements to all the building's systems, including upgrading the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning and lighting controls; and installing energy-efficient motors, high-efficiency lighting, electronic ballasts, daylighting, variable speed drives, and chiller and window replacements. The savings potential is estimated at $745,000 annually if all measures are implemented.

Several operations and maintenance measures save $33,190 annually. They include reducing electricity usage during peak hours and shutting off lights in unoccupied areas. The Department is working with the General Services Administration to implement water conservation projects that save more than 50 million gallons of water per year.

In addition to the use of appropriated funds, the Department is also working on a team effort with General Services Administration and the Department of Energy to implement some of the projects through an Energy Savings Performance Contract with the local utility company.

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