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High Tech Campus Realizes Remarkable ROI Through Retro-Commissioning

Nearly 20% Energy Savings at High Tech Campus

Initially skeptical, the staff at Microsoft’s Silicon Valley campus realized the value of retro-commissioning immediately.

$130,000

Annual Cost Savings

19%

Annual Electric Savings

10%

Annual Gas Savings

$85,000

Utility Incentives Identified

Retro-Commissioning on Campus

Any skepticism dissolved instantly among Microsoft Silicon Valley campus site staff after seeing project results first hand with staff stating:

“This is a good project, we should have done it 5 years ago."

Summary

We performed retro-commissioning at Microsoft’s high tech campus in Silicon Valley under PG&E’s “Core” Retro-commissioning (RCx) program.

One of the key measures we identified was limiting the off-hours use of air handlers. While critical areas need to be conditioned, we greatly reduced the equipment required for conditioning needs. 

With the site staff’s help, we reduced the nighttime loads dramatically.

Energy Efficiency Measures

  • Fume hood standby airflow reduction
  • Scheduled half of air handlers off overnight, even with 24-7 lab loads
  • Trim and respond controls sequences on all air handlers (Supply air temperature and discharge pressure)
  • Improved chiller water controls

Identified Energy Savings

750,000 kWh (verified savings exceeded this)
35,000 therms.

Additional Measures

 

Additional energy saving measures included supply air temperature and discharge pressure controls.

Our team used trim and respond sequences adapted from ASHRAE’s Research Project 1455 to optimize temperature and pressure response minimizing energy use while maintaining critical, tight set-point zone control.

ZNE/C study tasks

  • architectural drawing review of the new expansion and other site documents,
  • reviewed plans and community input with Town personnel,
  • developed an energy model using EnergyPlus software with OpenStudio to estimate energy consumption, and
  • calculated the potential for on-site clean solar PV generation.

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