|
Archives
Schools Use Natural Gas Technologies to Cut Energy Costs
Schools, colleges and universities throughout the United States are using innovative
natural gas technologies to improve indoor air quality and cut down on energy
costs, according to the American Gas Cooling Center and the American Gas Association.
"American schools spend more than $6 billion each year on energy. By using
efficient natural gas technologies to generate electricity, as well as to heat
and cool school facilities, educational institutions can cut their energy spending
and devote the savings to hiring more teachers or buying more books," said Tony
Occhionero, executive director of the American Gas Cooling Center.
One of every five U.S. schools has indoor air quality problems such as inadequate
flow of fresh outdoor air and mold contamination, according to the U.S. Department
of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Poor air quality can lead to drowsiness,
headaches and a lack of concentration among students, the study noted.
"Many educational facilities that use natural gas for traditional uses such
as spaceheating, water heating and cooking are now examining integrated building
cooling systems fueled with natural gas," said Walter Woods, managing director
for market development at the American Gas Association (AGA). "These technologies
take advantage of the inherent efficiency of natural gas."
Congress is considering energy policy legislation that contains provisions
to help schools use energy more efficiently. The U.S. House of Representatives
recently approved national energy policy legislation (H.R. 4) that contains
a pilot energy-efficiency program for schools. On Sept. 6, Senate Energy Committee
Chairman Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), said, "School districts can ill afford to waste
taxpayer funds on excessive energy bills because of the inefficiency of school
buildings."
Here are examples of how schools are improving indoor air- and the bottom
line ? by using natural gas technologies:
FLORIDA ? Heat and high humidity provide significant energy management and
air quality challenges to Florida school administrators. For example, students
and staff at Tampa Bay Technical High School complained for years about allergies,
asthma and other complaints caused in part by molds and odors at the school.
In 1998, the 1,800-student school teamed with the U.S. Department of Energy's
Oak Ridge National Laboratory to test a natural gas "desiccant dehumidification"
system. Desiccant systems remove moisture from the air by blowing fresh outside
air through a revolving wheel containing material that absorbs airborne moisture.
Air heated by natural gas is sent through the other side of the wheel, drying
the desiccant material for re-use. The drier air then circulates through an
HVAC system. Students and staff now enjoy drier air and reduced mold and mildew.
CALIFORNIA ? During the last 15 years, several California school districts
have installed natural gas-fired "cogeneration" systems to make their own electricity
and capture excess heat from the units that can be used to run air conditioners
or heat water. The schools have cut their electric bills and become more energy-independent.
- The Sanger Unified School District uses natural gas cooling to combat summer
heat, which frequently exceeds 100 degrees Fahrenheit. As the heat soared,
so did the schools' electric bills. During the last 13 years, three Sanger
schools have saved a total of $80,000 per year on energy costs by generating
their own electricity with natural gas cogeneration units. The waste heat
then drives the school's absorption chillers to cool buildings in the summer.
These chillers emit far less carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and greenhouse
gases than traditional boilers or electric air conditioners.
- Similarly, Red Bluff High School has saved at least $500,000 since 1991
by generating part of its electric supply using a 60 kilowatt natural gas-fired
cogeneration unit. The power generated by the unit runs the evaporative coolers
for air conditioning while the excess heat provides heat for the 70 classrooms
and the school's outdoor pool. With savings from the on-site power generation
and the utilization of the waste heat, the school's cogeneration project paid
for itself after three years. Red Bluff High School, with nearly 2,000 students,
is the largest comprehensive high school north of Sacramento.
Additional information about educational facilities' use of innovative natural
gas cooling, heating and power solutions is featured in the latest issue of
Energy Solutions magazine, published by the American Gas Cooling Center. AGCC
represents 140 manufacturer, utility and other organization members dedicated
to developing sustainable and cost-effective natural gas cooling, humidity control
and refrigeration markets.
For more information visit the AGCC website at www.buildingenergy.org
Archives
|
