University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

PROGRESS REPORT

The progress report section outlines the progress of activities related to the implementation of projects from the previous Energy and Water Management Plan, including continuation of energy audits, execution of capital projects for building and utilities infrastructure renovations and upgrades and operational initiatives to optimize energy usage at thermal plants and by HVAC equipment. Additional energy reduction efforts included: optimization of thermal plants; monitoring temperature settings and programming setback temperatures during low occupancy periods; building reheat valve adjustments; replacing energy intensive HVAC components; replacement of air handlers; upgrade of air handlers to fan array system with variable frequency drives (VFDs); and multiple lighting retrofits. Water reduction efforts included continued installation of low flow water fixtures and the installation of water filling stations for reusable water containers. Measurement and Benchmarking Measurement, verification and benchmarking indicates project effectiveness and progress toward the energy and water management goals. Conduct Thermal Hydronic Systems Modeling of campus thermal cooling and heating loops to identify potential for corrections and improvements, among other conditions. Continue electronic energy and water invoice auditing and trending with EnergyCAP software. Participate in Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) Demand Response program with as much as 18-megawatt load. Reduce 4 coincident system peak (4CP) demand. Chilled Water Systems Continued to address supply side and demand side energy management and water uses. Continued design of direct buried chilled water piping replacement with new pre-insulated direct buried piping throughout South Campus. Completed South Campus Thermal Energy Plant (STEP) Cooling Towers 1 and 2 replacements. Completed North Campus Thermal Energy Plant (NTEP) Chiller 1 replacement. Replaced Professional Office Building 2 (POB2) Cooling Towers. Replaced two old, outdated air handlers in the Gooch Auditorium, one in Facilities Management and one in cafeteria buildings with fan array units that have more efficient cooling and heating coils. Steam Systems Continued ongoing boiler operations and control improvements throughout the campus. Continued ongoing replacement/repair of insulation on some of the old or damaged insulation. Continued design and site survey of direct buried steam and condensate return piping replacement with new direct buried piping throughout South Campus Continued repair or replacement of steam traps. Building and Thermal Plant Controls Continued optimization of chilled water systems at Clements University Hospital Thermal Energy Plant (UWTEP) and South Thermal Energy Plant (STEP) with Demand Flow Plant Optimization. Continued improving use of Building Automation System (BAS) to monitor and optimize system operations and reduce energy consumption. Continued phased project to upgrade from pneumatic controls to direct digital controls to allow for night and weekend setbacks. Water Optimization Continued to optimize chemical treatment to minimize blowdown. Evaluated the feasibility of using chilled water as backup to process cooling water instead of city water. Continued plumbing retrofit to low flow fixtures. Lighting Initiative Projects Continued to evaluate 2x4 and 2x2 LED lighting fixtures for standard installation and renovation. All new installations are specified as LED. Building Commissioning and Building Design Review Process Continued ongoing basis cross-functional teaming and communications to improve new and renovated building operations. Continuing to track building energy and water usage in EnergyCAP. Building Renovations Continued to perform infrared scans to detect building envelope leaks coupled with window sealing and waterproofing repairs, which significantly reduced rainwater intrusions and air infiltration.

GOALS

The conservation goal of UT Southwestern Medical Center is to reduce energy consumption per square foot (EUI/ft2) by 5 percent (stretch goal 10 percent) by fiscal 2031 from the fiscal 2021 baseline.

STRATEGY FOR ACHIEVING GOALS

Measurement and Benchmarking Measurement, verification and benchmarking indicates project effectiveness and progress toward the energy and water management goals. Identify potential Energy Conservation Measures, their relative costs and savings. Continue electronic energy and water invoice auditing and trending with EnergyCAP software. Continue to participate in ERCOT’s Demand Response (ERS) program. Continue to reduce 4CP demand by load shading and running peak shaving generators from May through September of each year. Determine carbon footprint. Continue monitoring of air emissions and develop strategy to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Chilled Water Systems Continue to assess and optimize supply side and demand side management energy and water uses. Replace one chiller in each of the BioCenter at Southwestern Medical District (EB), Outpatient Building (WA) and Professional Office Building 1 (POB1) buildings. Replace chiller #6 in STEP. Replace 50-year-old buried pipe on South Campus. Evaluate using soft water for NTEP cooling tower to increase cycles. Steam Systems Evaluate boiler operations to maximize energy savings with new boilers installed at the STEP. Continue to install insulation jackets on multiple steam stations. Continue insulating systems to replace old or damaged insulation. Start on the direct buried chilled water, steam and condensate pipe replacement with new pre-insulated direct buried pipe throughout South campus. Building and Thermal Energy Plant Controls Continue improving the use of BAS to monitor and optimize system operations and reduce energy consumption. Continue to upgrade from pneumatic controls to direct digital controls to allow for night and weekend setbacks. Continue to add or replace 10 percent of the sub-metering in a phased approach. Continue demand flow plant optimization system on STEP. Incorporate Clements University Hospital (CUH) Tower III into demand flow. Continue to upgrade campus buildings including CUH building to Siemens’ latest “Desigo” automation system. Water Optimization Replace Simmons Biomedical Research Building (NB) domestic hot water distribution system to mitigate water and heat losses. Continue to replace large research autoclaves, washers and dryers in NB building. Evaluate the feasibility of hands-free sink faucets. Lighting Initiative Projects Continue to retrofit North and South Thermal Energy Plants (NTEP & STEP) lighting to LED. Continue to evaluate retrofits of lighting to LED in two of the campus surface parking lots and parking structure garages with LED lighting. Building Commissioning and Building Design Review Process Continue ongoing cross-functional teaming and communications to improve new and renovated building operations. Continue to provide baseline building energy and water using EnergyCAP. Leverage University System best practices and innovative solutions to increase system efficiencies and reduce consumption. Building Renovations Complete final phase to replace HVAC equipment, various heat exchangers, lighting and valves in buildings on South Campus as part of Tuition Revenue Bond (TRB) infrastructure repair project. Replace electrical equipment, including motor control centers, VFDs and branch/distribution/feeder panels in six buildings. Convert three air handlers in Gooch Auditorium and C Café to fan array type and replace chilled water coils in two of the air handlers for improved efficiency and performance. Replace chiller at WA Outpatient building. Upgrade air handler units, motors and electrical systems at Zale. Replace Chiller #3 at Zale Lipshy Pavilion. Change out the lights to LEDs in CUH Towers 1 & 2. Complete infrastructure upgrades of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing components at James W. Aston Ambulatory Care Center.

IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE

The proposed timeline to implement utility cost reduction measures in Section III is over multiple years. Facilities Management utilizes EnergyCAP and Advantage Navigator software and databases to monitor energy savings.

AGENCY FINANCE STRATEGY

The Institution plans for annual facilities investments of $10 million-$15 million per fiscal year for projects that have a direct or indirect impact on utility costs depending on proposed projects and available funds. The funds used for projects are primarily unrestricted investment income, other utility project savings and unrestricted hospital and medical group funds. The Energy Management Team will evaluate and prioritize energy and water management projects based on cost savings opportunities and system maintenance and dependability needs. All energy specific projects will have a payback analysis and verification of savings. Continue to evaluate participation in the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Energy Star® program or the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Save Energy Now program for upgrading and ensuring energy efficient buildings and operations. Continue to evaluate participation in alternative financing initiatives for funding energy improvements (possibly through the State Energy Conservation Office (SECO), e.g., Lone STAR, or the DOE).

EMPLOYEE AWARENESS PLAN

Display Energy Use Index and Energy Cost Index per building on UTSW dashboard for campus population awareness. The Sustainability Committee monitors energy and water conservation goals and reviews progress on implementing this plan. Engage with UTSW Green Champion program to create opportunities for sustainability awareness and engagement for employees across campus.