Planning and Implementing Utility Cost
Reduction Measures
NCTCOG
August 28, 2019
Presented By: Saleem Khan, P.E.
(Texas Energy Engineering Services, Inc.)
1301 S. Capital of Texas Hwy., Suite B-325
Austin, Texas 78746
[Link]
(512) 328-2533
Utility Cost Reduction Measures
Planning for Energy & Water
Conservation Projects
Initial Planning and Research
Goals
Resource Allocation and Project Execution
Scheduling/timeline
Funding
Project Delivery Method &Procurement (Goods and
services)
Pros & Cons
Implementation
Post implementation follow-up
Texas Energy Engineering Services, Inc. ([Link])
1 of 34
Utility Cost Reduction Measures
Objective
Cost Savings
Measures that save $
Example(s): Power Factor Correction, Utility Rates,
Purchase Power Agreements (PPA)
Consumption & Cost Savings
Electric (kWh), Natural Gas (MCF), Water (kGal), etc.
Example(s): LED Lighting Retrofit, low flow plumbing
fixtures
Demand & Cost Savings
Electric Demand (kW) & electricity billing savings
Example(s): Thermal Energy Storage, Demand
Response Technologies, Onsite generation
Texas Energy Engineering Services, Inc. ([Link])
2 of 34
Utility Cost Reduction Measures
Energy Audit Types
Preliminary Energy Analysis
Initial Energy Audit or Survey
Walkthrough Survey/Assessment
Preliminary Energy Assessment (PEA)
Detailed Energy Analysis (DEA)
Comprehensive Energy Analysis (CEA)
Investment Grade Audit (IGA)
Utility Assessment Report (UAR)
ASHRAE categories:
Level I, Level II and Level III
Texas Energy Engineering Services, Inc. ([Link])
3 of 34
Utility Cost Reduction Measures
Energy Consumption Breakdown
Buildings
Lighting
K-12 Schools* Lighting
Office Building**
24%
Refrig. 18%
2%
Cooking Refrig.
2% 3% HVAC
HVAC 54%
Misc. Cooking
4% 62% 0%
Plug Loads Misc.
4% 9%
Water Plug Loads
8% Water
Heating
Heating
8%
2%
** DOE EIA 2003 CBECS - Offices in West South Central Region (TX, OK, AR, LA)
* DOE EIA 2003 CBECS - K-12 Schools in West South Central Region (TX, OK, AR, LA)
Water & Wastewater Treatment Plants
WWTPs could account for up to 70% of a Local Government’s
energy related consumption and costs
Texas Energy Engineering Services, Inc. ([Link])
4 of 34
Utility Cost Reduction Measures
Typical Measures and Paybacks
Building Systems
Low Cost/No Cost Measures 0 to 6 months
Interior & Exterior Lighting Retrofit 2.5 to 10 years
Motion Sensors & Day-lighting 2 to 8 years
HVAC Retrofits 7 to 25 years
Insulation 8 years +
Commissioning 1.5 to 5 years
Water Conservation 4 to 8 years
Solar Thermal Pool Heating 12 to 14 years
Solar PV Arrays 15 to 25 years
Texas Energy Engineering Services, Inc. ([Link])
5 of 34
Utility Cost Reduction Measures
Typical Measures and Paybacks
Building Systems (cont.)
Cooling Tower Replacement 8 to 14 years
VAV Conversion 6 to 14 years
Thermal Storage 12 to 20 + years
Energy Management Control Systems 4 to 12 years
Solar Control (Window film, shading) 6 years +
Steam Systems Improvements 3 years +
Power Factor Improvements 3 to 8 years
Texas Energy Engineering Services, Inc. ([Link])
6 of 34
Utility Cost Reduction Measures
Low Cost / No Cost Measures
Behavioral and operational practices
Utilization of existing controls capabilities
Maintenance & Operations (M&O)
Payback: 0 – 6 months
Texas Energy Engineering Services, Inc. ([Link])
7 of 34
Utility Cost Reduction Measures
Maintenance and Operations
Malfunctioning Photocells
Pipe Insulation Damage
Damaged Fins
Texas Energy Engineering Services, Inc. ([Link])
8 of 34
Utility Cost Reduction Measures
Maintenance and Operations (cont.)
Cooling Tower
Leaking Cooling Tower Blowing Down
Texas Energy Engineering Services, Inc. ([Link])
9 of 34
Utility Cost Reduction Measures
Maintenance and Operations (cont.)
Vending Machines Unoccupied Room with
Running 24/7 Lights and Computers Left On
Texas Energy Engineering Services, Inc. ([Link])
10 of 34
Utility Cost Reduction Measures
Maintenance and Operations (cont.)
Equipment In “Hand” Mode
EMS Screenshots – AHU VFD Hunting
Texas Energy Engineering Services, Inc. ([Link])
11 of 34
Utility Cost Reduction Measures
LED Lighting Retrofits
Typical 2x4 fixtures with florescent lamps
Type A – “Plug & Play” LED tubes
Utilize existing fixture and electronic ballast
Type B – Ballast Bypass LED tubes
Remove bypass, “direct-wire”
Type C – Dedicated Driver & LED lamps
Replace existing ballast with LED driver
Fixture Changeout
Texas Energy Engineering Services, Inc. ([Link])
12 of 34
Utility Cost Reduction Measures
HVAC Retrofits
Forecasting replacements vs replace on burnout
Split-DX, Rooftop Units, Chillers, Boilers, etc.
Payback Considerations
First cost vs operating cost
Efficiency (EER, SEER, COP, etc.)
HVAC Unit replacements
R-22 phase out
Construction considerations
Roofing, structural, etc.
Texas Energy Engineering Services, Inc. ([Link])
13 of 34
Utility Cost Reduction Measures
Commissioning (Cx)
Operate per design intent & energy savings
New Construction, Renovation, or Retro-
Commissioning (RCx)
Existing Continuous Commissioning ®(CC®)
Energy savings & comfort improvement
Calculate savings, implement CC® and document
Payback: 1 – 5 years (typical)
® Trademark Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station’s Energy Systems Laboratory (ESL)
Texas Energy Engineering Services, Inc. ([Link])
14 of 34
Utility Cost Reduction Measures
Commissioning (cont.)
Secondary ChW Pump VFD 350
ChW Load
100
300
Avg. Daily VFD Spd (%)
80
Avg. ChW Load (Tons)
60 250
40 200
Pre-CC
Pre-CC Post-CC
20 Post-CC 150 Pre-CC Trend
Pre-CC Trend Post-CC Trend
Post-CC Trend
0 100
50 55 60 65 70 75 80 40 45 50 55 60 65 70
Avg. Daily OAT (°F) Avg. Daily OAT (°F)
100
AHU-1 VFD Speed
80
Avg. Daily VFD Spd (%)
60
40
AHU-1 Pre-CC
20 AHU-1 Post-CC
Pre-CC Trend
Post-CC Trend
0
40 50 60 70 80
Avg. Daily OAT (°F)
Texas Energy Engineering Services, Inc. ([Link])
15 of 34
Utility Cost Reduction Measures
Domestic Water Conservation
Low flow faucet aerators and flush valves reduce
the amount of water used in lavatories, urinals,
and toilets
Faucet aerators – 0.5 GPM (gallons per minute)
flush valves – 0.5-1.0 GPF (gallons per flush)
Irrigation systems upgrades
Payback: 3 – 8 years
Texas Energy Engineering Services, Inc. ([Link])
16 of 34
Utility Cost Reduction Measures
Solar Thermal Pool Heating
Pool water can be heated by pumping the water
through a solar tube array.
Traditional method of heating (Boiler) will be back-up
Payback: 12 – 14 years
Solar Thermal Pool Heating
Texas Energy Engineering Services, Inc. ([Link])
17 of 34
Utility Cost Reduction Measures
Solar PV Arrays
On-site energy generation using solar photo-
voltaic array systems reduce peak demand and
curtail total energy consumption.
Site suitability
Site Solar Survey
Payback: 15 – 25 years
Texas Energy Engineering Services, Inc. ([Link])
18 of 34
Utility Cost Reduction Measures
Thermal Energy Storage
HVAC Application
Two popular systems
Water based
Ice based
Full Storage & Partial Storage
No chiller running during on-peak time (Full
load shift)
Some chiller running during on-peak time
(Partial load shift)
Texas Energy Engineering Services, Inc. ([Link])
19 of 34
Utility Cost Reduction Measures
Power Factor Improvements
$ Savings (Utility rate w/ power factor penalty)
Installation of capacitors bank at main service
entrance or end use equipment (motors etc.)
Payback: 3 – 10 years
Texas Energy Engineering Services, Inc. ([Link])
20 of 34
Utility Cost Reduction Measures
Typical Measures and Paybacks
Water Treatment Plant (WTP) and
Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP)
WWTP Related O&M Measures 0 to 1 year
Dissolved Oxygen Control 2 to 7 years
High Efficiency Blowers 8 to 12 years
Variable Speed Drives 8 to 15 years
Optimize Aeration Design 5 to 10 years
Power Factor Improvements 3 to 8 years
Smart Meter Applications 5 to 8 years
City Mains Leak Sensing Technology 1 to 6 years
WWTP Demand Response *
*Dependent on existing load profile and
capital used for automation
Texas Energy Engineering Services, Inc. ([Link])
21 of 34
Utility Cost Reduction Measures
Survey Plant
Benchmarking WWTP plants
Energy use tied permitting requirement
Identification & process power use
May have one or multiple meters similar to
buildings
Utility Meter Mapping
Texas Energy Engineering Services, Inc. ([Link])
22 of 34
Utility Cost Reduction Measures
Wastewater Plant - Coarse Bubble to
Fine Bubble Aeration Conversion
Coarse Bubble Aeration
Fine Bubble Aeration
Texas Energy Engineering Services, Inc. ([Link])
23 of 34
Utility Cost Reduction Measures
Bubble Types
Fine Bubble Coarse Bubble
Texas Energy Engineering Services, Inc. ([Link])
24 of 34
Utility Cost Reduction Measures
High Efficiency Turbo Blowers
High Efficiency, variable speed turbo blowers
with integral VFD and air bearings
Typical blower system efficiency = 55% (approx.)
Turbo blower system efficiency = 75% (approx.)
Control system to vary aerator airflow to
maintain dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration at
optimal value
System upgrade (blower, VFD, fine bubble, DO
sensor ) for best results
Payback: 8 – 12 years
Texas Energy Engineering Services, Inc. ([Link])
25 of 34
Utility Cost Reduction Measures
Wastewater Treatment –
Control Dissolved Oxygen
TCEQ Criteria : 2.0 mg/l of D.O.
Process Requirements : 0.5 – 1.0 mg/l
General Statement:
“Anything over 1.0 mg/l is wasting power”
Texas Energy Engineering Services, Inc. ([Link])
26 of 34
Utility Cost Reduction Measures
Advanced Infrastructure Upgrades (Water)
Water Leak Detection
City wide distribution piping mains
Automated Meter Reading (AMR)
Reduces “Unaccounted for” water loss
Texas Energy Engineering Services, Inc. ([Link])
27 of 34
Utility Cost Reduction Measures
Funding
State Energy Conservation Office (SECO)
Texas LoanSTAR Program (low interest revolving loan)
Funding source for energy & water conservation
projects
Notice of Loan Fund Availability (NOLFA)
[Link]
Texas Water Development Board
[Link]
US Department of Agriculture
[Link]
Other
Bond, M&O, Third-party, ESPC etc.
Texas Energy Engineering Services, Inc. ([Link])
28 of 34
Utility Cost Reduction Measures
SECO Resources
SECO – Local Government & Schools Energy
Technical Assistance Program
Cities, Counties, K-12 & Colleges
[Link]
[Link]
SECO - LoanSTAR Program
Funding open to all public entities
[Link]
Texas Building Energy Code
[Link]
SECO Website
[Link]
Texas Energy Engineering Services, Inc. ([Link])
29 of 34
Utility Cost Reduction Measures
Case Study – New Braunfels Utilities
Cost & Savings Summary for Identified UCRMs
(Preliminary Energy Analysis i.e. PEA by SECO. WWTP Measures: Coarse to Fine
Bubble Diffusion, Install WWTP Dissolved Oxygen Sensors, Install High Efficiency
Variable Speed Turbo Blowers, City-Wide 5/8” Water Meter Changeout)
Approximately 75-80% water meter changeout completed
Texas Energy Engineering Services, Inc. ([Link])
30 of 34
Utility Cost Reduction Measures
Case Study – City of San Marcos
Implementation (SECO LoanSTAR Funding)
Project Costs: $1,981,037
Annual Savings: $221,567
Simple Payback: 8.9 years
( Project Delivery – Traditional Design Bid & Build.
Lighting Retrofit w/Motion Sensors, HVAC Replacement, Controls
Upgrades/Retrofits, Solar Thermal Heating, Water Conservation
Measures, WWTP – replace blower & automate aeration airflow)
Texas Energy Engineering Services, Inc. ([Link])
31 of 34
Utility Cost Reduction Measures
Case Study – DFW
City of Dallas (2014-2018)
Energy Project Costs: $17,400,000 (approx.)
Annual Savings: $2,300,000
Simple Payback: 7.6 years
*The City has completed several ESPC projects SECO LoanSTAR funded
City of Fort Worth (2003 -2013)
Energy Project Costs: $67,547,559
Annual Savings: $5,939,183
Simple Payback: 11.4 years
* Approx. $10 Million of projects funded through SECO LoanSTAR
program, ESPC project
Texas Energy Engineering Services, Inc. ([Link])
32 of 34
Utility Cost Reduction Measures
Case Study – City of Laredo
Preliminary Energy Assessment (2017)
Project Costs: $7,500,000
Annual Savings: $1,776,200
Simple Payback: 4.2 years
Detailed Energy Assessment (2019) &
Implementation* (SECO LoanSTAR Funding)
Project Costs: $1,033,588
Annual Savings: $159,420
Simple Payback: 6.5 years
* Traditional Design-Bid-Build - High Service Pump VFDs & Power Factor Correction.
Currently in implementation phase
Texas Energy Engineering Services, Inc. ([Link])
33 of 34
Utility Cost Reduction Measures
Questions?
Saleem Khan, P.E., CxA
TEESI Engineering
saleem@[Link]
512-328-2533
[Link]
Texas Energy Engineering Services, Inc. ([Link])
34 of 34
