| Overall Rating | Platinum - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 88.31 |
| Liaison | James Gordon |
| Submission Date | May 31, 2018 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Thompson Rivers University
OP-5: Building Energy Consumption
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.35 / 6.00 |
James
Gordon Environmental Programs and Research Coordinator TRU Office of Environment and Sustainability |
Figures needed to determine total building energy consumption:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Grid-purchased electricity | 46,699.39 MMBtu | 54,752 MMBtu |
| Electricity from on-site renewables | 665.67 MMBtu | 0 MMBtu |
| District steam/hot water (sourced from offsite) | 0 MMBtu | 0 MMBtu |
| Energy from all other sources (e.g., natural gas, fuel oil, propane/LPG, district chilled water, coal/coke, biomass) | 56,468.69 MMBtu | 63,454.78 MMBtu |
| Total | 103,833.75 MMBtu | 118,206.78 MMBtu |
Start and end dates of the performance year and baseline year (or 3-year periods):
| Start Date | End Date | |
| Performance Year | Jan. 1, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2017 |
| Baseline Year | Jan. 1, 2010 | Dec. 31, 2010 |
A brief description of when and why the building energy consumption baseline was adopted (e.g. in sustainability plans and policies or in the context of other reporting obligations):
The baseline is 2010, which followed substantial energy retro-fits and energy conservation measures.
Gross floor area of building space:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Gross floor area of building space | 969,066.18 Gross square feet | 813,272.85 Gross square feet |
Source-site ratio for grid-purchased electricity:
Total building energy consumption per unit of floor area:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Site energy | 0.11 MMBtu per square foot | 0.15 MMBtu per square foot |
| Source energy | 0.16 MMBtu per square foot | 0.22 MMBtu per square foot |
Percentage reduction in total building energy consumption (source energy) per unit of floor area from baseline:
Degree days, performance year (base 65 °F / 18 °C):
| Degree days (see help icon above) | |
| Heating degree days | 6,832 Degree-Days (°F) |
| Cooling degree days | 678 Degree-Days (°F) |
Floor area of energy intensive space, performance year:
| Floor Area | |
| Laboratory space | 77,694 Square feet |
| Healthcare space | 5,425 Square feet |
| Other energy intensive space |
EUI-adjusted floor area, performance year:
Building energy consumption (site energy) per unit of EUI-adjusted floor area per degree day, performance year:
Documentation (e.g. spreadsheet or utility records) to support the performance year energy consumption figures reported above:
A brief description of the institution's initiatives to shift individual attitudes and practices in regard to energy efficiency (e.g. outreach and education efforts):
Zero Waste Initiative
TRU committed to establishing a zero waste institution in 2014 and installed approximately 500 zero waste bins to provide a consistent and efficient sorting method for staff, faculty and students. In 2016 additional zero waste containers were added including larger systems and bins for construction and demolition waste. TRU is a member of the National Zero Waste Council and is actively involved in educational opportunities to ensure compliance with established zero waste best practices. Most events and functions on campus are zero waste events and often include student, staff and faculty volunteers standing at each station aiding users in properly disposing of their waste and answering any waste related questions. As well, the Sustainability Office has developed a comprehensive outreach program that includes presentations to departments on proper waste strategies on campus. Through these initiatives, waste practices on campus have improved with fewer materials going to the landfill.
Sustainability Office Ambassador Program
The Sustainability Office piloted the Sustainability Ambassadors program in 2015. Based on the success of the program, 18 new departments were added. A delegate from a campus office/department is chosen to be the Sustainability Champion and identifies challenges within their work setting. They then provide one-on-one solutions for improving the sustainability of their work environment. These ambassadors are integral in changing the way people view everyday situations through a sustainability lens. As part of the program, the Sustainability Office developed four toolkits to help ambassadors in their sustainability efforts: Energy Conservation, Zero Waste, Energy Conservation, and Sustainable Printing and Paper Saving/Go Digital. Future toolkits, such as transportation and food/dining, will also be developed.
Campus Community Engagement
TRU Sustainability Ambassadors Program
Employees from every department are encouraged to join the Sustainability Ambassador Program. TRU staff or faculty members become the “Sustainability Champions” of their offices/departments/work areas, and help to communicate the initiatives being promoted. Participation is during paid work time and involves 4 hours/month. Ambassadors can choose between four sustainability toolkits: Energy Conservation, Zero Waste, Energy Conservation, Sustainable Printing and Paper Saving/Go Digital. The program is focused on increasing participation in, and support for, sustainability practices and behaviours. The program is coordinated through the TRU Sustainability Office, which organizes quarterly meetings and offers training and on-going support
The Energy Conservation toolkit guides users in simple conservation steps such as turning out unused lights, unplugging unused appliances, and installing timers to save on electricity.
The Zero Waste toolkit guides users on proper waste practices by rethinking, reducing, reusing and recycling materials. The toolkit provides guidance on reducing the amount of waste produced and increasing recycling rates. It covers all waste/recycling streams on campus including: (a) recycling, (b) compost, (c) refundable bottles and cans, (d) plastic bags, (e) landfill waste and (f) additional recycling items.
The last two toolkits (Sustainable Printing and Paper Saving/Go Digital) inform each other by suggesting ways to reduce paper use and by printing as efficiently as possible.
A brief description of energy use standards and controls employed by the institution (e.g. building temperature standards, occupancy and vacancy sensors):
ANSI/ASHRAE standard 55 Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy and WorksafeBC's Occupational Health and Safety(OHS) regulation are two main standards employed at TRU regarding building temperature. Heating and air conditioning for buildings at TRU are controlled by a Direct Digital Control (DDC) system. All DDC systems are programmed to operate according to these two standards. Using the DDC system also helps to conserve energy (by using a time schedule, set-points, and monitoring outdoor temperature).
A brief description of Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting and other energy-efficient lighting strategies employed by the institution:
All campus areas were retro-fitted to LED lighting technology, which now includes all high shop bays, approximately 500 sidewalk, parking and street lights, and roughly 20,000 lamps including offices, hallways and classrooms.
A brief description of passive solar heating, geothermal systems, and related strategies employed by the institution:
A geothermal heat pump system is used to provide heating/cooling at the House of Learning building.
A brief description of co-generation employed by the institution, e.g. combined heat and power (CHP):
A brief description of the institution's initiatives to replace energy-consuming appliances, equipment and systems with high efficiency alternatives (e.g. building re-commissioning or retrofit programs):
Based on the recommendations from a detailed energy audit, 18 retrofit programs were installed in ten buildings. Nine other buildings have either gone through or will go through a recommissioning program via the Continuous Optimization Program; one will go through the second round of the Continuous Optimization Program soon, which is a program provided by local utility providers, BC Hydro and FortisBC. More information at: https://www.bchydro.com/powersmart/business/programs/continuous-optimization.html?WT.mc_id=rd_oldcontinuousopt, http://www.fortisbc.com/NaturalGas/Business/Offers/Pages/Continuous-Optimization-Program.aspx
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
TRU has reduced energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by 15% when considering growth over the past 6 years.
TRU has reduced energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by 15% when considering growth over the past 6 years.
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.