Case Study - Alexander Library

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ALEXANDER LIBRARY

Synopsis
Although high energy consumption at the Alexander Library building complex is unavoidable, due to the extended hours of operation and complex plant required to maintain environmental conditions for the collections, managers have nonetheless decided to find ways to make energy savings.

An energy audit identified major energy consuming areas within the Alexander Library Building complex and recommendations were made to provide savings. Various energy efficiency measures have been implemented and these were expected to provide an annual saving of $73,465 and be repaid within 3 years. Savings from 1997/1998 to 2001/2002 are closer to $150,000 per annum.

An important component of the project was the replacement of the pneumatic control systems in the chilled water, heating, hot water and some air handling plants with Direct Digital Controls. The direct digital controls allow for effective fine tuning and system fault finding within mechanical services and offer a substantial increase in efficiency and performance. The expected savings from this initiative were estimated at $57,941 per year with a payback period of 2.9 years on the $170,000 cost of the project.

In order to improve the air conditioner's ability to control the supply of air volume, the Inlet Guide Vanes were replaced with Variable Speed Drives on air conditioners 1 and 2. Energy savings were estimated at $8,824 per annum and a payback period of 1.7 years was expected on the $15,000 cost of the project.

The audit also highlighted the potential for reducing energy consumption in the atrium. A dimming system operated by a photo electric sensing cell was installed with a projected payback period of 3.5 years based on the $4,286 annual projected energy savings and a cost of $15,000.

A problem of particular concern in the Alexander Library building, the relative humidity levels in the archive stack area, was solved by segregating this area from the rest of the office with partitions. This measure cost around $10,000 and should realise a $2,414 energy cost saving each year and be repaid within 4.1 years.

To further highlight their commitment to energy efficiency, the building managers at the Alexander Library building are ensuring that these initiatives will continue to provide dividends through improved monitoring systems and they are constantly looking for further opportunities for saving energy.

Table showing the energy efficiency measures with the related costs and savings

Energy efficient measure	Cost ($) (estimated)	Projected annual savings ($)	Energy savings (kWh/year)	Payback period (years)
Direct Digital Control to chilled water, heating and hot water plant	50,000	19,231	180,000	2.6
Direct Digital Control to air handling plant	120,000	38,710	365,000	3.1
Variable Speed Drives to AC1 and AC5	15,000	8,824	80,000	1.7
Dimming devices to Atrium	15,000	4,286	40,000	3.5
Full height partitioning	10,000	2,414	22,000	4.1

For further information view the Alexander Library Building case study. (PDF 8 KB)

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