University of Central Florida Garage C - Orlando, FL

Briefly describe 3 projects your organization has undertaken during the 2011 ENERGY STAR National Building Competition to improve your building’s energy efficiency.

Parking Garage C was retrofitted in two phases; interior first followed by the exterior. For the interior, high performance T-5 Fluorescent lights were installed in place of the existing 150 watt HPS fixtures. The installation of all 424 fixtures was completed over a four week period during non-peak hours to avoid disrupting daily parking guests. During Phase II, the top deck of the garage was retrofitted with 16 Cooper LED 236 watt lights in place of the existing 400 watt HPS fixtures. Ultimately, the lighting retrofit not only yielded a significant energy savings, but has also provided better visibility for the UCF community and visitors. Outreach efforts regarding behavior modifications and energy conservation are continuously being implemented campus-wide raising awareness and inspiring social change.

With the start of the Competition, an aggressive building scheduling initiative was developed, the concept being, essentially, an entire building shutdown. After occupancy hours, only emergency lighting and base level HVAC will be utilized in buildings. The scope of this initiative is intended to become campus-wide, with the exception of research buildings. The implementation of this initiative has already begun in the Facilities and Safety Building, Classroom I Building, Colburn Hall, and at the UCF Welcome Center.

The Department has also been commissioning several of its existing buildings on campus, including auxiliary facilities, like the Recreation and Wellness Center and UCF Football Stadium, to increase overall operating efficiency. Currently, a building automation retrofit is taking place at the Central Energy Plant (CEP) to increase district energy efficiency.

How has the 2011 ENERGY STAR National Building Competition made a difference in your organization’s efforts to save energy?

UCF’s involvement in the ENERGY STAR National Building Competition has stimulated the interest of the campus population and the local community. In addition, it has provided the University’s Department with an opportunity to reaffirm a commitment to creating a sustainable campus and climate neutrality.

Briefly describe ways you have engaged your community in your efforts during the 2011 ENERGY STAR National Building Competition (e.g. events, posters, signs, contests, open houses, web forums, etc).

The Department of Sustainability and Energy Management primarily utilized social media, such as Facebook and Twitter, to promote participation in this year’s competition. The team also received coverage from several UCF affiliated news sources, which included the primary media and public relations office, UCF News and Information, and the independent student-run paper, The Central Florida Future.

The ENERGY STAR National Building Competition has also stimulated engagement amongst the UCF student community. After hearing about the University’s involvement in the competition, a College of Engineering Senior Design Team came forward to share their project with the Department. Four UCF students have designed a power-generating platform that would serve as a speed bump. The speed bump would essentially be capable of harnessing wasted energy that is exerted when a car passes over the bump. Currently, the students are in the manufacturing stage of a more scaled model that will be on display at the Engineering Senior Design Showcase in early December. Providing its performance is tested and proven successful, the team is interested in the future application of this student project on campus.

If your efforts have been covered by online news outlets, please provide the Web link(s) here:

http://news.ucf.edu/UCFnews/index?page=article&id=00240041052a2b5bb012d449076490698a

http://www.centralfloridafuture.com/green-garage-up-for-recognition-1.2578938

http://today.ucf.edu/ucf-starts-fall-smarter-bigger-and-greener/

Learn more about all 245 buildings, by visiting the competitor flash wall!