Energy saving in a Reasearch Facility

1. Energy saving in a Reasearch Facility Peter Natkanski

2. Decision to build new Research Facility in 1996 • Several mergers and acquisitions 1970-1996 Novartis has 5 research sites in Switzerland • Consolidation in preferably one site is desirable • Contrary to earlier projects, the final one had to be accomplished with a very lean budget of CHF 76 Mio (approx. $ 50 Mio). • No compromises on quality • Accommodate the desires and ideas of users coming from 3 different company cultures

3. Essential activities and facilities identified by users Laboratories & Offices Potting of test plants Climate chambers HQ Basel Test plant rearing Greenhouses Seeding & Potting Lab material Soil substrates Supply of lab material Pathogen rearing Insect rearing Composting Radiolab. tests Application rooms etc. etc. etc.

4. Energy Conservation Background • Swiss Federal Law on Energy Conservation • Related cantonal ordinances • Company internal instructions & standards • Energy conservation integrated in CAR process for chemical processes and technical installations

5. Other Factors E.U. von Weizsäckers book “Factor 4: double wealth with 50% input” was a major theme in the project

6. General Comments • The energy assessment of lab buildings is difficult due - lack of data. • The Swiss energy law and related cantonal ordinances are limited. • only available for heat, only for constructions and renovations • Optimized buildings 2-5 lower useage than for conventional buildings. • The „Factor 4“ Concept: implementation not defined • It is however possible to develop energy indicators (heat & electricity) for lab buildings. • Such indicators should be used as target values for new constructions or for total renovations.

7. What was done • Surveys of 5 existing buildings • Labs and offices • Heat and electrical energy measured • Indicators developed • Savings for new project estimated Measurement is Critical

8. Factors which influence energy conservation Insulation Must have highest priority. Heat transfer coefficients /k- Values) are available through legislation or standard practices Ventilation Ventilation in aerated or climatized rooms has the biggest influence on energy use in Lab buildings. Energy losses can be reduced through installation of Workstations in the labs. Lighting Data for the excess energy (heat) from lighting are insufficient. All internal energy loads should be considered in energy-optimized buildings. Internal loads Internal loads should be known for dimentioning of energy control equipment in ventilated or climatized buildings. No efficiency requirements are however available for office or lab equipment. Measurements A measurement concept must be available covering all uses. Energy indicator values can only be developped based on a full years data.

9. Energy Concept • Good insulation • Reduction of air renewal in lab hoods by factor 4 • Recovery of heat from cooling and ventilation systems • Active heat buffering for laboratory and greenhouse • Specific energy „umbrellas“ for greenhouses • Use of rainwater for greenhouse cooling • Use of cooling systems only during low tarif periods • Optimize heat balance through automatic controls

10. Architectural Translation Greenhouse activities rearing and testing Application of test compounds Laboratories & offices Composting & trash Climate chambers Soil & substrates Supply of lab mat. Seeding & potting

11. Structure • Building shell • k-value of walls: 0.3-0.4 • k-value of windows: 1.0 • k-value overall: approx. 0.7

12. Using surplus energy • Several installations and processes generate heat • that can be used for heating from fall to spring. • Example 1: Growth lamps in glasshouses. Heat is kept inside glasshouse through energy shield when lamps are on. • Effectiveness: 50-60 %

13. Using surplus energy • Example 2: Growth lamps in climate chambers. Heat is re- gained and is used in active floors/ceilings for heating in winter. (Strongly supporting regular heating system in lab building)

14. Using surplus energy • Example 2: Growth lamps in climate chambers. Heat is re- gained and is used in active floors/ceilings for heating in winter. (Strongly supporting regular heating system in lab building) • Users agreed to open ceilings required for temperature exchange. Fringe benefit: easy access to infrastructure!

15. Using surplus energy • Example 3. Cheapest and most ecological way to produce cold: Ammonia compressors produce ice; brine pipes transport cold to anywhere in facility. • Advantage:produce ice with cheap electricity at night or when heat needed! Disadvantage: coldest temperature guaranteed is +4oC

16. Reducing energy losses • Example 4. Lab hoods are energy waste machines! Normally hooked to central aeration system: continuous loss of heat in winter. • Users agreed to slightly less efficient but safe individual hoods. 25% fresh air, 75% recycled (filtered) air. Can be turned off if not in use. • Energy loss reduced >75%!

17. Managing the Project: Key Success Factors • Strong linkage of internal and external expertise • Involvement of future users from beginning of project • Delegation of responsibilities • Severe cost control from purchasing through entire implementation phase

18. In a nutshell success came through.. • Amalgamating internal and external forces • Reaching consensus instead of compromise • Decision making: even wrong or suboptimal decisions were the result of thorough discussions

19. The Result