PROGRESS REPORT
The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) at Galveston continued the chilled water optimization program and variable frequency drives (VFD) operations on chilled water production at its utility plants. This program allowed us to save 7,606,507 kwh in fiscal 2025, resulting in more than $400,000 in savings. The design phase of replacing aging equipment in our central utility plant will phase out 60-year-old R-22 chillers with more energy-efficient, upgraded, variable-speed equipment. Additionally, we are currently in the middle of a project to add two 3,550-ton Trane chillers to our East Plant. This is the first step in reducing our dependency on the Central Plant, which will allow us to start phasing out two of the four York (R-22) chillers at that site.
We have developed an Energy Manager position to provide continuous focus on energy savings through operational improvements. We also now have a dedicated Engineering Specialist II position that is dedicated to the Energy Management team. The roles and responsibilities of this team include data management, building audits, retro-commissioning and improving our operational efficiency. Additionally, UTMB has recently partnered with Clockworks Analytics, a fault detection diagnostic company that monitors the building automation system. We have implemented this across four different buildings and have been able to identify inefficiencies in the buildings and break down faults by three different categories; energy, maintenance and comfort.
We are continuing to use CarbonHUB which allows us to track our emissions at a building level and will enable us to set a reliable baseline for future carbon reduction efforts. This, combined with the interval data at a building level, will allow us to quickly identify buildings with high emissions and a high Energy Use Index (EUI) so we can take action. Our focus is improving our EUI and driving energy efficiency improvements in our aging infrastructure. We have also begun to track our recycling tons in EnergyCAP on a monthly basis with the intent to track this as a carbon offset in the future.
At our Angleton campus, we successfully completed the replacement of our physical plant equipment and are currently replacing one of the existing generators.
GOALS
UTMB is continuing a long-standing effort to reduce energy while sustaining growth as a campus. The implementation of combined heat and power has significantly helped the reliability and efficiency of the utility plants. Over the next year, UTMB will continue to push for additional reductions in energy usage. The goals below are in addition to the years of reduction we have already sustained and align with UT System goals of a 5% reduction of each utility over the next 10 years. Our goals from fiscal 2025 will remain the same moving forward. As we expand on the mainland campuses, we will install energy-efficient systems and push toward reducing our carbon footprint. On our Galveston campus, we are heavily investing in capital renewal to improve our HVAC efficiency and reliability.
| Utility | Target Year | Benchmark Year | Percentage Goal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water | 2030 | 2020 | 5 |
| Electricity | 2030 | 2020 | 5 |
| Transportation Fuels | 2030 | 2020 | 5 |
| Natural Gas | 2030 | 2020 | 5 |
STRATEGY FOR ACHIEVING GOALS
The New Energy Savings Team is focused on several projects for the fiscal year:
- Improve condensate return to utility plants to reduce water usage and natural gas needed to heat make-up water. Several buildings have been identified that are not returning adequate condensate from steam systems. Build upon fiscal 2023 improvements at M59 and install condensate return pumping station to alleviate hammering.
- Expand chilled water optimization that was implemented in fiscal 2021/2022 through the installation of two new chillers at our East Plant.
- Fault detection and building energy profile metrics to identify potential issues. Expand fault detection to our Clear Lake Hospital.
- Improved efficiency in implementation of Combined Heat and Power (CHP) at utility plants.
- Peak shaving to reduce demand charges and energy use.
- Duel TES tank discharge – to be included in the scope for East Plant expansion.
- Capital Renewal across Galveston and Angleton Danbury campuses for aging HVAC equipment, window replacement and roof replacement.
- Continue concept phase for install of three 1.5 megawatt natural gas generators for emergency power, Four Coincident Peaks (4CP) mitigation and demand response.
In fiscal 2023, UTMB kicked off a Capital Renewal Plan with multiple projects that will reduce energy consumption of the associated buildings and increase efficiency in utility production. The projects include replacing thermal utility production equipment in multiple utility plants, replacing 100% outside air handling units (AHUs) in multiple buildings, roof replacement, window replacement and window re-glazing. These projects are aimed at improving reliability and energy efficiency on our main campus and the Angleton Danbury Campus.
IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE
Fiscal 2026 will see the beginning of the construction phase for the East Plant expansion and Central Plant replacement projects. We are phasing out our R-22 machines and 60-year old-chillers that will be replaced with variable-speed, energy-efficient equipment. The installation and commissioning of the two new Trane chillers is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2027. Additionally, we will be replacing two 600-horsepower CHW Pumps and VFDs at our West Plant which will increase our efficiency. This is a major improvement to our district energy system.
In fiscal 2026 we plan to continue with the capital renewal that kicked off in fiscal 2023. These updates will include full AHU replacements, coil replacement, upgraded lighting controls, roof replacements and building envelope upgrades.
AGENCY FINANCE STRATEGY
Funding is approved for the utility master plan and capital plans per the fiscal 2023 capital plan. Operational funds will be used for the condensate return project, retro-commissioning and the fault detection work. We have secured deferred maintenance funds to extend the useful life of two York chillers at our Central Utility Plant. This is necessary for the reliability of chilled water to our Galveston Campus while we work through the future of the Central Plant. We are using capital funding for the East Plant expansion project. With the expected increase in electricity prices in 2028 (current contract expires in 2027), there is a heightened need for energy reduction across campuses to offset these higher prices.
UTMB received a research grant that Property Services has requested a portion of for funding of the Capital Renewal Plan. Approximately $6.32 million was approved for the capital renewal projects resulting in energy savings allotted for fiscal 2023. In total, about $50 million is required to complete all capital renewal projects that will result in energy savings.
UTMB also intends to use operational funds for energy-saving projects related to the ASHRAE Level 2 Audits that will be completed in fiscal 2025 for projects that have a return on investment of less than three years. The Utility Operations Department has budgeted approximately $300,000 for these projects.
EMPLOYEE AWARENESS PLAN
The Energy Savings Committee used their website and webforms to establish a submission form that any faculty, staff and student may use across campus. Submissions are able to be collected from the employees and students electronically and may lead to savings initiatives.
UTMB Utilities has developed an annual report that was posted on their website for reference.
In addition to these initiatives, the Sustainability Department hosts an Earth Day event open to the public each year. In the past, the focus of this event has been recycling. However, this year’s event will highlight everything from increased recycling to reducing our energy usage across campus.
