Department of Energy Scholars Summer internship 2015 at USDAPresented by: Alejandro Guzman

August 5th of 2015

Outline● Objectives of the Internship

● Facilities Energy and Water Conservation Activities

● Sustainable Building Program Activities

● ARS Support and Activities

● FEMP Technology Exploration Forums

Internship ProgramFunded by FEMP and monitored by USDA:

Internship Objectives● Involvement with a real world need on energy and water conservation

projects and the Federal Government

● Learn Operation and Sustainability for the different sectors in Federal

facilities

● Deliver assistance with the ongoing projects of energy reduction and

renewable energy implementation

● Access and planning water conservation measures

● Knowing about construction and sustainable buildings policy

● Acquiring a valuable education and experience for future employment

Assigned Intern PositionUnited States Department of Agriculture● Departmental Management

o Office of Procurement and Property Management (OPPM)❑ Environmental Management Division (EMD)

o Facilities Energy and Water Conservationo Sustainable Buildings

● Agricultural Research Service (ARS)

o Facilities Energy Evaluations at Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC)

Facilities Energy and Water Conservation Activities

Sustainability/Energy Scorecard

Agencies Sustainability/Energy Scorecard

• Compiled agency data

• Analyzed agency data

• Assisted with development of scorecard

Scorecards and Data

GREEN BUTTON

GREEN BUTTON USDA FACILITIES

● Information on Electric utilities on USDA reported facilities

● Green means participation and red means not participating

USDA Advanced Utility Metering Plan

• Reviewed DOE Metering Guidance

• Assisted development of Metering Plan Template

• Reviewed draft Agency Plans

Metering plan template and draft review

Geographic Information System (GIS)● Develop GIS Layers

○ USDA Covered Facilities○ Energy Costs○ Renewable Energy Resources (e.g., solar, wind)

WOODY BIOMASS

MAJOR CITIES AQUIFERS

Geographic Information System (GIS) Layers

Wind and Major Cities

Sustainable Building Program Activities

Sustainable Buildings Policy● Locating Federal Facilities

o Executive agencies must comply with the Council on Environmental Quality’s Implementing Instructions - Sustainable Locations for Federal Facilities, of September 15, 2011. Sustainable locations are pedestrian and bicycle travel friendly, in or near existing employment centers, accessible to public transit, and may be in centers of existing cities and towns.

Executive agencies must comply with the location policies in this part and Part 102-83 of this chapter.

Support local goals for smart growth projects and ensure that Federal locations do not disproportionately impact the existing transportation infrastructure. Take steps to reuse previously developed sites, to revitalize communities, to reduce sprawl, and to minimize the need for costly new infrastructure and new development.

Building with wood is sustainable!!

ARS Support & ActivitiesEnergy Audits

Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC)

Level One Energy Evaluations● General walk through● Document obvious problems or misuses of energy● Assess electrodomestic items and refrigerators● Assess Air Conditioning units ● Assess lights● Take note of air leaks and/or humidity filtration in the building● Find Electric, Gas and water meters if possible● Inspect windows and insulation● Assess water uses, toilets and faucets

Level One Energy EvaluationsBuilding 011A has been neglected and set for demolition but most of its lights and equipment that consumes energy remind operational

Data Analysis and Graphs

FEMP Forums

Fort Carson

Fort carson is a big supporter of solar energy, most of its installations and buildings posses Photovoltaic arrays that integrate solar energy with daily uses, the biggest picture is a private contractor agreement and it provides 2% of the total energy consumed by the base

Air Force Academy

At the Air force academy we were getting familiarized with all the new technologies and projects that the air force is working on to save costs of energy and provide better support for our troops working overseas.

General Services Administration (GSA)

The General Services Administration is the government real estate agent, they are constantly working on sustainability programs and renewables. we had a quick conversation about some of the solar projects being done on site.

National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)

National Renewable Energy Laboratory is administered by the department of energy. This facility is surrounded by the latest technology on energy conservation and renewables as well as recycled material. The building is platinum Leed certified and it is also net zero. This visit was very interesting over all.

NREL Wind Laboratory

Here is a representation on how the wind turbine works to produce energy. Surprisingly only one windmill can produce at least 1.5 megawatts of energy, that is enough to support almost 1000 average homes with electricity in the US.

Installations at NREL● Walls made of pine recycled wood● Air circulation through the basement

and outside wind● Designed to be illuminated with natural

light rather than electric bulbs● The biggest computer in USA runned

and cooled by water rather than air

Questions?