Three segments in the construction industry that remain sharply down in overall new investments are Lodging, Retail and Education. However, all three markets continue to see increased green building activity. Here are three good examples of project case histories that place an emphasis on energy-efficient infrastructure.

Hotel reduces energy consumption by 33% using wireless HVAC and lighting controls

Wyndham Hotel recently determined that a wireless, batteryless control system and devices built on the EnOcean control platform could dramatically reduce hotel room energy consumption by controlling room lighting and air conditioning.

The hotel completed an independent test in one of the company’s facilities where HVAC and lighting energy savngs were realized by utilizing sensor and control devices that respond to hotel room occupancy status.

The project team installed Magnum Energy Solution’s Verde Fluorescent Light Energy Controller and Keycard entry switches, in combination with wireless wall switches, lighting sensors and receivers marketed by ILLUMRA. All the devices from both companies share the EnOcean wireless, batteryless, energy harvesting RF technology.

The hotel room energy system determines if the room mis vacant or occupied according to the system’s Keycard Access Switch. Upon entry, inserting the access card alerts the energy system that the room is occupied turning on lights and A/C. When the guest leaves the room the card automatically shuts off controlled lights and outlets and adjusts A/C to energy-saving level.

These systems are projected to reduce hotel lighting and cooling costs by 33%, and generate a $73,000 annual cost savings for a 293-room hotel.

Outdoor goods retail chain adds new level of power management and lighting control

Like most other retailers, Cabela’s ®, a Sidney, Nebraska-based chain that caters to the clothing and gear needs of hunting, camping and fishing enthusiasts, consumes approximately 50% of its electricity for lighting. Prior to expanding with the addition of 10 new stores, the chain studied the energy usage and needs to determine possible savings.

The resulting solution included installation of an integrated energy management system from Schneider Electric comprised of the Powerlink® G3 2000 Level Intelligent Lighting Control Panelboards, Square D Commercial Grade Occupancy Sensors, and Powerlogic® Power Meters in all 10 new stores.

The unified approach has had the following results:

• New stores are 21% more energy efficient than the older facilities
• $1 million in energy cost savings
• Uniform lighting control standards in all new facilities
• Hands-off automated lighting program reduces staff interaction
• High-bay warehouse lighting was changed from metal-halide fixtures to motion sensor-controlled high-bay fluorescent fixtures
• Energy usage monitored helps future decision making
• 1- to 2-year payback on technology investment.

The new system is set to automatically stage lighting prior to openning time, to begin turning lights off at closing time, and to reduce lighting load to 50% during night time hours. Each store’s Powerlink Intelligent Lighting Control panelboard has a master controller that is Ethernet connected to Cabela’s corporate facilities staff allowing easy changes to store lighting schedules.

Johnson Controls teaches university how to save $1.7 million annually

Colleges and universities are eagerly embracing green savings. A great example is the multi-year project implemented by the University of Maryland, College Park, MD.

Johnson Controls is overseeing a broad energy and operations facilities upgrade that when completed is projected to save the University $1.7 million each year. Central to the program are lighting upgrades to a number of the oldest and highest energy consuming buildings on the U of M campus.

The Columbia Lighting division of Hubbell Lighting got the opportunity to test five energy-efficient e-poc full distribution lighting fixtures using T8 lamps and ballast efficiencies in the Universities’ facility. Following testing and evaluation, the e-poc luminare was approved for implementation due to its energy savings of 29% for the T5 configuration and 21-34% T8 savings over traditional 3-lamp parabolics.

Upon completion, nearly 12,000 2-lamp 2 X 2 T8 fixtures will have been replaced by 6,600 e-poc 2-lamp energy saving luminaires. The University of Maryland will realize energy savings of 1,391,400 kWh per year and energy cost savings of over $153,000 each year.