Continuous optimization of buildings
Building Tune-Ups While a building may perform as intended immediately after it has been built, the truth is that like anything else, a building’s systems degrade over time. By continuously monitoring a building’s performance and regularly making minor tweaks and repairs, it can be possible to keep a building performing at its best. These tweaks […]
Irving K. Barber Learning Centre Energy Conserving Measures
The I.K. Barber Learning Centre is the main library on campus. It was built in 2007 and has a gross floor area of 27,000m². The building was a significant user of thermal energy from the District Energy System (DES) due to its size. During investigation of the building, it was discovered that the heat pipe system in […]
Chemistry North Heat Recovery Coils
Early in 2020, our Facilities teams had the opportunity to work together to enhance an existing maintenance project. While the maintenance work conducted by Building Operations was underway to replace the chiller at Chemistry E Block, North Wing, our team in Energy & Water Services identified an opportunity to install heat recovery coils in the […]
Chemistry Centre Heat Recovery Chiller
In the summer of 2021, Energy & Water Services successfully completed the installation of the heat recovery chiller in Chemistry D Block, and commissioned in October 2021. A server room in the basement of Chemistry D (Centre) Block currently holds a computer cluster in support of research and learning. In order to properly regulate the […]
Michael Smith Labs Aircuity
In 2019, Energy & Water Services completed the first install of an Aircuity system in BC, in the Michael Smith Labs building. The system samples laboratory spaces for common air contaminants, and reduces the amount of outdoor air delivered to the labs when safe. By reducing airflow requirements, heating and cooling loads at the building […]
Real-Time Energy Management
While UBC has participated in BC Hydro’s Continuous Optimization Program (C.Op) over the past decade, the approach to identifying energy conservation measures hasn’t changed in that time. UBC’s participation in the Real-Time Energy Management (RTEM) pilot program looked to change that, starting in 2019. This iteration of C.Op was designed to make use of the […]
Centre for Comparative Medicine Optimization
The Centre for Comparative Medicine is a 10,000m2 animal care facility. Not only is CCM one of the larger energy consumers on campus but it is most intensive user of natural gas resulting in a disproportionately high greenhouse gas emissions intensity. The primary driver of energy use in the facility is the ventilation requirements to […]
Chemistry North, Fume Hood Optimization
Chemistry North (Block E) was originally built in 1962 and was renewed in 2006 with all new HVAC systems, electrical systems, and fume hoods. It is one of the highest density lab buildings on campus with 53% lab space and is one of the highest thermal intensities because of the high ventilation requirements. With the […]
Forestry Sciences Optimization
The Forest Sciences Centre is a 27,000 m² lab building built in 1998. The building consists of lab space, office space and classrooms and lecture halls. The building is one of the top 10 thermal energy consumers on campus – with a thermal EUI of 730 kWh/m²/yr! Energy & Water Services conducted a building controls […]
MOA Heat Recovery Chiller
MOA Heat Recovery Chiller The Museum of Anthropology is two-storey, 11 000 square meter facility renowned for its displays of world arts and cultures, in particular works by First Nation band governments. The Museum is one of UBC’s main tourist attractions and hosts a wide range of collections and cultural belongings from across Canada, as […]