Sustainability Initiatives

Physical Plant Operations

Facilities incorporates standard business management practices and principles to ensure that energy conservation is addressed in all aspects of physical plant operations and maintenance activities. Below are related projects and examples of standard business practices.

Projects

Biodiesel

As reported in an April 2007 VT news story, Virginia Tech has partnered with Blacksburg and Roanoke to use biodiesel fuel in vehicles and power equipment. By August 2007 Physical Plant Operations plans to convert approximately 20 vehicles to biodiesel fuel. Once the initial round of conversions is complete, some off-road equipment such as large lawn mowers will make the move to biodiesel as well.

Turf Lawn Conversion

In spring of 2007 Virginia Tech will convert 13 areas of campus, totaling just over 35 acres, from regularly maintained turf grass lawn to low maintenance native grass meadows and wildflowers. The project will create biodiversity, aid storm water management, and reduce fossil fuel use.

The lawn conversion effort is part of the "Innovative Solutions" program recently implemented by Jim Hyatt, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Virginia Tech. The Innovative Solutions program seeks ideas from faculty and staff that achieve cost savings, efficiencies, and sustainability for the university.

Recycling

Cardboard recycling at Owens Dining Hall

Virginia Tech Recycling is part of Physical Plant Operations. Formally established in 1991, Recycling serves the university by coordinating the recycling of materials which otherwise would be landfilled. Over 2.5 million lbs of material were recycled in 2005. For more information please see the Recycling website.

Roof Replacements

Roof replacement projects provide opportunities to increase overall building efficiency by increasing the thickness of the roof insulation (R-value) to match the latest International Building Code and Energy Conservation Code requirements. Since 1999 23 major flat roof replacement projects have been completed on academic buildings totaling 268,141 GSF.

Mechanical and Electrical Building System Modernization

Since 1999 approximately 170 maintenance and repair projects have been completed, improving the overall building energy efficiency profile.

Building Envelope Repairs

Building envelope repairs address water infiltration problems and also reduce energy loss by minimizing air infiltration. Six major building envelope repair projects have been completed since 1999.

Window Replacements

Four major building window replacement projects have been completed since 1999. Window replacement projects improve the building appearance and increase the building energy efficiency profile.

Occupancy Sensors in Classrooms and Labs Occupancy sensors are being installed in general use classrooms and laboratories to turn off lighting when the room is unoccupied. The sensors are currently in place in several classrooms in Derring, Randolph, McBryde, and Litton-Reaves. Commonwealth of Virginia Institutional Conservation (ICP) Grant Projects Since 1999 five major ICP projects have been completed.

A wall-mounted occupancy sensor

Standard Business Practices

Operational Reduce operating hours. Control space temperature and humidity. Reduce flow and temperature of hot water. Lighting Systems Reduce illumination levels. Use only necessary illumination. Improve effectiveness of existing light fixtures. Use more effective light lenses. Install more efficient lamps. Use more efficient fixtures. Install more efficient, high power factor light ballasts.

Increased efficiency fluorescent lighting in Whittemore Hall

Building Envelope

• Reduce transmission of heat through walls and ceilings.
• Reduce transmission of heat through windows and skylights.
• Reduce transmission of heat through roof.

Distribution Systems

• Reduce energy consumption for fans by reducing air flow rates and resistance to airflow.
• Reduce pump energy by reducing resistance and flow rates.
• Insulate ducts.
• Insulate piping.
• Replace steam straps.

HVAC Equipment Improve control and utilization of outside air. Use separate makeup air for exhaust hoods. Reduce energy consumed by reheat systems. Adjust fuel-to-air ratios of firing systems. Install flue gas analyzer. Replace oversized and inefficient individual building boilers with newer technology more energy efficient package units. Maintain fuel burning and heat transfer surfaces. Reduce blowdown losses. Increase evaporator and/or decrease condenser water temperatures and modify controls. Isolate off-line chillers and cooling towers. Utilize heat reclamation systems. Change air filters.

The energy efficient boiler in Sterrett Center

Domestic Hot Water Systems

• Insulate hot water storage tank piping.
• Use heat recovery systems.

Power Systems

• Reduce energy consumption of equipment and machines.
• Reduce peak loads.
• Utilize efficient transformers.
• Replace oversized motors and pumps with premium efficiency units.
• Improve the power factor.
• Utilize the Building Automation System for duty cycling.