USGSA–Fresno Initiates Facility-Targeted Audit

On June 11, 2009, USGSA–Fresno initiated a targeted audit of the Fresno Federal Building and Court House. Mark Levi, USGSA's Pacific Region–Energy Program Manager, led the effort with assistance from PG&E's Federal Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Solutions team. The facility was new and in good condition, so the targeted audit investigated key areas where there was known potential for energy savings and sustainable solutions.

Incentives and rebates will be provided for projects that are identified, evaluated, implemented and verified by PG&E. The facility will also be benchmarked to establish its overall level of performance.

USGSA–NARA Initiates Facility-Targeted Audit

On June 15, 2009, USGSA–NARA initiated a targeted energy audit of its facility in San Bruno. Mark Levi, Pacific Region–Energy Program Manager, led the effort with assistance from PG&E's Federal Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Solutions team. The audit investigated key areas of the facility that have known potential for energy savings and sustainable solutions. Prior to the audit, the NARA facility had been retrocommissioned to determine if its systems were functioning optimally. The results of the retrocommission indicated the systems were operating well and performing as designed.

Incentives and rebates will be provided for projects that are identified, evaluated, implemented and verified by PG&E. The facility will also be benchmarked to establish its overall level of performance.

USGSA–San Francisco Completes Advanced Lighting Technology Upgrades

On July 21, 2009, USGSA–San Francisco completed an advanced lighting technology retrofit of the fourth and eighth floors of its facility in San Francisco. The system that was installed uses digital controls and addressable ballast technology, enabling fine-tuning of the lighting system so the proper amount of light is delivered to the area with minimal use of energy. The system can also be programmed to shed additional lighting load during demand response events when predetermined set points are reached. USGSA–San Francisco will receive a PG&E incentive payment once the performance of the new system is verified.

The scope of the project involved:

• De-lamping.
• Adding occupancy sensors that are connected to the central Building Automation System.
• Installing manual local dimmable controls on all of the lighting systems.
• Installing automatic daylighting controls on the perimeter fixtures.
• Replacing all incandescent lamps with compact fluorescents lamps.

This project is estimated to have the following results:

• Annual electrical savings: 140,000 kilowatt-hours per year
• Peak period demand savings: Approximately 39 kilowatts
• Annual energy cost savings: $18,200 per year
• One-time PG&E incentive: $9,835
• Greenhouse gas reductions: 77 tons of CO2 per year

USGSA–San Francisco is also working with PG&E's Federal Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Solutions Team on developing several other projects at this facility.

USGSA–Oakland Federal Building Completes Installation of Variable Frequency Drives on Chillers

On July 14, 2009, USGSA–Oakland completed the installation of variable frequency drives (VFDs) on chillers used for primary cooling in the central plant. Mark Levi, Pacific Region–Energy Program Manager, led the effort with assistance from PG&E's Federal Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Solutions team. USGSA–Oakland will receive a PG&E incentive payment once the performance of the new system is verified.

The project is estimated to produce the following results:

• Annual electrical savings: 315,163 kilowatt-hours per year
• Annual energy cost savings: $40,971 per year
• One-time PG&E incentive: $44,123
• Greenhouse gas reductions: 173 tons of CO2 per year

USGSA-Oakland is working with PG&E to develop several other projects at this facility. Additional information will be made available as the projects develop.

USCG Completes Extensive Lighting Upgrade

On July 28, 2009, USCG completed a comprehensive lighting upgrade at its Pacific Strike Team Facility. USCG's Tim White led the effort with assistance from PG&E's Federal Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Solutions team. The project has substantially increased the energy efficiency and performance of the facility. USCG will receive a PG&E incentive payment once the performance of the new system is verified.

The project is estimated to have the following results:

• Annual electrical savings: 36,015 kilowatt-hours per year
• Peak period demand savings: Approximately 35 kilowatts
• One-time PG&E incentive: $1,800
• Greenhouse gas reductions: 20 tons of CO2 per year

USCG is also working on a much larger comprehensive project. Additional details on the initiative will become available as it develops.

SSA–Richmond Completes Lighting Efficiency Upgrade

On July 28, 2009, SSA–Richmond completed lighting upgrades to the building exterior and a large conference room. This small project was the first phase of a comprehensive energy-efficiency effort initiated with PG&E's Federal Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Solutions team and led by SSA's Frank Hagel Federal Building Energy Manager David Rouggly. SSA–Richmond will receive a PG&E incentive once the performance of the new system is verified.

The project is estimated to produce the following results:

• Annual electrical savings: 102,331 kilowatt-hours per year
• Peak period demand savings: Approximately 20 kilowatts
• Annual energy cost savings: $13,303
• One-time PG&E incentive: $4,765
• Greenhouse gas reductions: 56 tons of CO2 per year

Details on the comprehensive project will be released once they are fully developed.