Oklahoma City Community College

Infrastructure upgrades decrease energy use by 35 percent - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

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.

Challenge

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.

Solution

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.

Results

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."

About Oklahoma City Community College

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.