“SMART LABS”SMART LABSA Key Element in Reducing UCI’s Climate Footprint

W d ll C BWendell C. BraseChair, Climate Solutions Steering Group, University of California Vice Chancellor, Administrative & Business Services, UC Irvine wcbrase@uci eduwcbrase@uci.edu

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Why Laboratories?y

Laboratory buildings consume 2/3 of total energy!

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Laboratory buildings consume 2/3 of total energy!

“Smart Lab” Premises

• Many so-called “smart buildings” are not very smart• Many laboratories built in the past 20 years have direct-• Many laboratories built in the past 20 years have direct-

digital controls (DDC) and variable-air volume (VAV)• DDC and VAV are under-exploited technologies• DDC and VAV are under-exploited technologies• Adding modern sensors and control logic exploits the full

potential of DDC and VAV rendering buildings truly “smart!”potential of DDC and VAV, rendering buildings truly smart!• Goal: 50 percent energy reduction may be possible

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Key Factors in Lab Energy EfficiencyTypical New 1995 Best Practice 2008 “Smart Lab” 2010

Air changes per hour 10 6 4 when occupied2 when unoccupied2 when unoccupied10 when contaminants sensed

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Distributed, Multi‐Point Air‐Sampling Network

Air Data Air Data RouterRouter

Room Room SensorSensorSensorSensor

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Key Factors in Lab Energy EfficiencyTypical New 1995 Best Practice 2008 “Smart Lab” 2010

Air changes per hour 10 6 4 when occupied2 when unoccupied

h i d10 when contaminants sensed

Air-handler/filtration airspeed 500 ft./min. 400 ft./min. 350 ft./min.

Duct noise attenuators Many Few None

Exhaust discharge airspeed 3,000 ft./min. 3,000 ft./min. 1,000 ft./min. when safe3,000 ft./min. when wind conditions require

Illumination power-density 1.5 watts/ft2 1.0 watts/ft2 .7 watts/ft2

R l ti 1 0 1/3 2/3

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Relative energy 1.0 -1/3 -2/3

The Ultimate Demonstration Project

• Applies “smart lab” energy design parameters• Adjusts ventilation to respond to real-time contaminant and occupancy levels

Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Laboratory

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• Lab illumination includes step-dimming to respond to daylight• Operable windows in offices are interlocked with room ventilation controls• Outperforms Title 24 by 50.4 percent