Schedule

Shuttle from The Penn Stater to Beaver Stadium and Pegula Ice Arena

University Affiliate Breakfast
Location: Pegula Ice Arena

Session A: Long-Term Solutions: A Case Study in Lowering Campus Emissions with Biofuels
Speakers: Keith Sampson and Darren Lenois
Abstract: The University of Massachusetts Amherst has been working on a multi-phased strategy to lower campus emissions and conducted an analysis to determine the best long-term solution. Competitive Energy Services and UMass Amherst will share UMass’ journey with liquid biofuel and planning for a Renewable Diesel trial. Attendees will learn about the UMass planning process, biomass/liquid bio-fuel markets, Hydro Treated Vegetable Oil (HVO), state air emissions permitting, life-cycle emissions, U.S. Department of Energy Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) market, and how HVO can serve as a bridge fuel as campuses decarbonize and electrify while being fiscally responsible stewards to their institutions.

Session B: Industrial Heat Pumps for Steam Generation
Speaker: Terence Waldron
Abstract: The presentation will cover the application of industrial heat pumps utilizing various waste-heat resources to generate steam that can displace existing fossil fuel generated steam in boilers.

Session C: Campus Applications of Thermal Energy Storage (TES) and Plans for TES at Penn State
Speakers: John Andrepont and Stephen Tressler
Abstract: The types of TES are identified and compared, as well as their relative adoption on campus. Examples are presented of owners with multiple TES installations and TES installations at Big Ten campuses.
Drivers for and potential benefits of TES are described, including savings in both operating and capital costs, with examples. The need for energy storage to maximize wind and solar power is described, and battery storage is compared with TES.
The plans for a future TES project at Penn State are briefly reviewed. This includes key drivers, technology choice, capacity, tank configuration and dimensions, and projected financial results.

Session A: Lessons Learned from Our Energy Management Platform and Dashboards
Speaker: Sid Thatham
Abstract: University of Cincinnati’s energy management platform, EnergyCAP is used to capture, monitor, and display energy use information for our main campus buildings, satellite campuses, and other off-campus facilities. This presentation will be a ‘show-and-tell’ of our system with a specific focus on our public dashboards that we’ve developed to promote interest and engagement in the university community. In addition to that, we will also cover various lessons learned in the process of developing these energy and carbon dashboards and from broadly using this energy management platform.

Session B: A Step toward Carbon Neutrality: University of Michigan’s First Geo-Exchange Plant
Speakers: Brittany Fiema and Steven Gunther
Abstract: The University of Michigan is on a mission to utilize district geo-exchange systems to reduce fossil-fuel dependency and eliminate Scope 1 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions by 2040. The Hayward Street Geo-Exchange Facility is an independent plant that feeds a new medium-temperature heating hot water campus loop and supplements an existing chilled water loop. The plant is paired with 100 closed-circuit bores spaced twenty feet apart at a 700-foot depth. This presentation will discuss the general design concept for the Hayward Street Geo-Exchange Facility, cost-saving measures implemented during design, controls complications in tying into an existing plant, and lessons learned in the field.

Session C: Powering Through
Speakers: Jared Markle and Jagdish Jani
Abstract: With the trend toward campus electrification and the increased demand for reliable electric power, many universities are taking a closer look at their campus electrical distribution. Years of planning informed the need for an electrical distribution upgrade for the University of Maryland Baltimore campus to support projected future growth and address the need for a highly reliable electric grid. This project includes a campus-wide electrical distribution upgrade that has eight incoming utility feeders to two new switching stations. New feeders were installed to provide dual services to all campus buildings as well as a new campus-wide switchgear and generator control system.

Session A: Alternative Methods for Delivering Projects to Meet Sustainability Goals
Speakers: Brian Dwyer and Fred Byrd
Abstract: Do you have aggressive sustainability goals, deferred maintenance, and capital constraints? This session will explore alternative project delivery methods, customizable to fit your unique needs, enabling you to get projects done, meet ESG goals, and fulfill operational requirements. The increasingly popular Energy-as-a-Service procurement will be discussed along with the value this type of alternative delivery option delivers to universities and colleges.

Session B: Optimizing Heat Recovery Chillers with a District Steam Infrastructure at UPMC
Speakers: Joe Witchger and Edward Dudek
Abstract: Construction is underway at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s 22-story Presbyterian Hospital Expansion boasting a robust heat recovery system for a hospital served by District Steam. Incorporating proven design parameters; Achievable Load Ratios, ELR Efficiency, and control strategies including Full Heat Recovery Engagement (FHRE), Heat Pump/Heat Recovery Chiller Optimization and Predictive Chiller Optimization, the plant will reduce heating and humidification steam use by 66%, and operating costs by $460,000/yr. We will compare these projections to the performance of another nearby hospital in its second year of operation that has demonstrated the success of key operating strategies used at UPMC.

Session C: Campus Electric Islanding Operation Results in Loss of Voltage and Frequency Control
Speaker: Norm Blanchard
Abstract: During a planned islanding operation to allow urgent electric utility maintenance, the campus generator did not switch to isochronous control mode as expected. Frequency remained within an acceptable range but voltage drifted lower by nearly 12%.

Shuttle from Beaver Stadium to The Penn Stater

Shuttle from The Penn Stater to Axemann Brewery

Shuttle to Pegula Ice Arena from the Penn Stater

Session A: The Development of a Novel Halogen Stabilizer for Enhanced Control of Biofilm in Cooling Water Systems
Speaker: Douglas McIlwaine
Abstract: Biofilms in industrial cooling water systems can present a myriad of problems for a system owner. In an effort to address the problem of biofilms, a novel halogen stabilizer formulation that enhances the effectiveness of halogen-based biocide programs was developed. The talk will describe the use of a biofilm reactor to grow reproducible biofilms in the lab, and the experiments leading to the development of the halogen stabilizer formulation will be discussed. Field trial results will also be presented that demonstrate the effectiveness of the new formulation in cleaning biofilm from surfaces.

Session B: Knowledge and Power: Penn State Electrical Masterplan Study
Speakers: Joshua Heideman and Michael Lash
Abstract: Effective decisions require both proper understanding and relevant data. When dealing with electrical distribution systems, don’t be left in the dark. This presentation will explore the Penn State University Park Electrical Masterplan Study and draw out challenges and key lessons for understanding campus electrical distribution systems and developing a roadmap into the future. Study categories addressed include loading and capacity analysis, planning for future changes, condition assessments and programmatic replacement, system topology analysis, data acquisition, distribution automation, and CAPEX prioritization.

Session C: Rental Chillers to Support Chilled Water Demand Peaks without Capital Expenditures
Speaker: Norm Blanchard
Abstract: Could you use 12,000 tons of cooling installed in less than a week? Tired of installing two or three large chillers that are only needed three weeks out of the year? Do you stay awake at night worrying about what will happen if one of those large chillers breaks at the exact same time as another one of those large chillers? There may be an option (other than buying 12,000 window air conditioners!)

Session A: Deployment of PEMS (an Alternative Emission Monitoring Solution) for Continuous Air Compliance Monitoring Requirements at The University of Wisconsin
Speaker: Brian Swanson
Abstract: Predictive emissions monitoring systems (PEMS) are used widely in the U.S. and overseas for 40 CFR Part 60 compliance at a reduced cost with higher data availability. The PEMS consists of a computer and a predictive model along with a compliance data acquisition system. In 2019, the University of Wisconsin replaced five CEMS on large boilers in two steam plants with PEMS. This paper details the efforts involved in building the PEMS models, deployment of the PEMS hardware and software, methods of validation testing for compliance certification, and the ongoing costs results of maintenance and quality assurance of the PEMS.

Session B: Transforming University Hospital Energy Systems with Unique Waste Heat Recovery Models on Combined Heat and Power Systems
Speakers: Kevin Kanoff and Nate Turner
Abstract: The primary mission to provide quality, safe healthcare to patients can make the secondary goal of reducing GHGs in a hospital operation quite challenging. With the low hanging fruit already addressed, Penn State Health realized that steam pressure reducing stations offered a good opportunity to capture energy lost across existing valves. In 2023, Penn State installed a 275kW Microsteam Turbine to pilot the idea of generating additional power from their existing 7.5 MW CHP system. This session will discuss lessons learned and surprisingly positive economics of the project, providing a blueprint for other institutions to find energy and GHG savings, highlighting previously unseen low hanging fruit.

Session C: Forecasting Campus Natural Gas Demand
Speakers: Mike Mullin and Britney Ragland
Abstract: When the natural gas (NG) supplier to the University of Kentucky (UK) changed nomination criteria to fall within upper and lower limits with steep penalties for failure, the UK Utilities & Energy Management team had to sharpen their campus daily NG usage estimating capabilities. A spreadsheet-based tool using campus NG meter data was developed to facilitate estimating. The effort yielded a tool that has proven successful and has since been updated multiple times with new seasonal data. An overview of the tool with key features, actual performance, and lessons learned will be presented.

Session A: Considerations for Nuclear Microreactors in a Campus Energy System
Speaker: Kevin Fox
Abstract: Universities and institutions are under increasing pressure to decarbonize their utility systems to meet climate commitments and sustainability goals. District energy is a trusted and reliable backbone for serving campus utilities, but assembling a set of technologies that eliminates use of fossil fuels and provides utility resilience demanded by a university is challenging. Nuclear energy is experiencing a renaissance, and a new class of microreactors holds promise as a carbon-free and resilient energy source that can be well-suited for a district energy application. This presentation discusses different microreactor technologies, fuel and storage considerations, methodology for evaluating varying technologies, applicability in a district energy system, licensing and regulatory environment, and pathways to implementation.

Session B: Plant Efficiency and CHP: A Bridging Strategy
Speakers: Zach Verbick and Ron Pristash
Abstract: Major energy conversions take time and may not be feasible in every situation. Projects that can solve additional mission-critical issues in addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions can provide a pathway for making an immediate impact. This session will cover some of the unique challenges and energy efficiency strategies of the Penn State West Campus Steam Plant CHP project that made it possible for the project to become a reality.

Session C: University of Maryland: “Smart” Classroom Scheduling, Done the Right Way!
Speakers: Eoin O’Driscoll and Don Hill
Abstract: UMD has integrated their online classroom scheduling platforms with their Building Automation Systems to enable as-needed HVAC. This significantly reduces energy consumption and equipment run times across the campus.

Session A: How Academic Institutions Can Leverage Emerging VPP Technology
Speaker: Sam Scully
Abstract: By taking advantage of Virtual Power Plant (VPP) trends and technologies, academic institutions looking to reinforce their role as sustainability and community leaders can help build a more sustainable and reliable electric grid while simultaneously creating a new revenue stream.

Session B: WTH are HPCs/HRCs, + TES/GEO-X – and Why Are They So Hot Right Now?
Speakers: Jason Willeford and Scott Nance
Abstract: What the heating are Heat Pump Chillers / Heat Recovery Chillers? Where do Thermal Energy Storage and Geothermal Exchange fit into the picture? And why ARE they so hot right now? While waste heat reduction has long been an important tenant of energy efficiency, the industry is now increasingly aware that energy exchange and waste-heat elimination are critical aspects of district energy’s decarbonization. In combination with the right resources, these can be key elements for decarbonizing district heating. However, the key enabling technology can often be shrouded in inconsistent jargon, non-standardized equipment, and confusing approaches. 

Session C: Penn State Harrisburg Evolution of Hot Water System.

Shuttle from Beaver Stadium to The Penn Stater

Shuttle from The Penn Stater to Pegula Ice Arena