Systems and
controls
• 1000 ton centrifugal
chiller
• Ice storage system
• Tracer Summit®
building automation
system
• Direct digital
controllers
• Variable-air-volume
air handler
After thirty-five years of providing quality
educational opportunities to the community,
Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC) had
outgrown its facility. The college sought to
expand the square footage of the school and
improve the efficiency of its operations, giving
top consideration to energy use, and student
and faculty comfort.
Trane systems and controls were selected to
help the college meet its objectives. As a result
of the upgrades, energy use per square foot
decreased by nearly 35 percent and the learning
environment was enhanced.
A rapidly growing student body and an aging
facility presented challenges for OCCC. School
objectives were to improve the energy efficiency
of the facility, meet the needs of an increasing
enrollment, enhance the learning environment
and embrace new technologies.
Working with its architect and Trane, OCCC
developed a strategic plan to address and
prioritize school goals. In alignment with the
long-term strategy, solutions were implemented
to ensure that the school met its objectives and
continues its growth.
Chilled water plant upgrades help maximize
operational efficiency and effectiveness.
Controls were interfaced into the building
automation system for auto adjusting pump
pressure optimization, the constant volume
three-way valve system was replaced with a
two-way valve primary secondary chilled water
system and a high-efficiency centrifugal chiller
was installed. Dual duct air handlers were also
replaced with variable-air-volume air handlers
with direct digital controls in several campus
buildings. The upgrades help reduce energy use
while increasing capacity.
Improvements to an existing thermal ice storage
system shifted ice production to low-cost
evening hours. Use of the ice storage system
saves energy and earns cost-saving credits.
The ice storage and other HVAC equipment are
controlled by a remote-access Trane Tracer
Summit® building automation system (BAS),
which centralizes scheduling, controls and
diagnostics throughout the campus. The BAS
helps maintain comfort while ensuring that
equipment operates at optimal energy-use
levels. Energy savings is an ongoing process at
OCCC and projects will continue to be
monitored for new opportunities.
Infrastructure upgrades at Oklahoma City
Community College have resulted in a larger,
more comfortable and more efficient school.
• Total square footage of the OCCC campus was
increased by 30 percent
• Energy use per square foot decreased by
nearly 35 percent
• Learning conditions improved
• School is more environmentally focused
"It’s about the efficient use of energy," said
Chris Snow, Oklahoma City Community College
assistant director of facilitation. "While we are
definitely pleased with the results of the
improvements, this is an ongoing project that is
continually funded, monitored and updated. Our
relationship with our architect and Trane isn’t a
supplier/customer relationship, it is a
partnership designed to ensure that we use
energy as efficiently as possible."
Founded in 1972, OCCC was established on the belief that everyone
deserves an opportunity for a college education. With nearly 22,000
students, OCCC is the fifth largest higher education institution in
Oklahoma. The school offers more than fifty associate degree and
certificate programs through its six divisions: Arts and Humanities,
Business, Information Technology, Health Professions, Science and
Mathematics, and Social Sciences.