ENERGY TO LEAD COMPETITION: NYSERDA PON 3214
http://www.nyserda.ny.gov/energy-to-lead-competition
Concept Proposal (Synopsis): In two or more sentences state what the project is; including its objectives and goals and
whether the institution is a REV Campus Challenge member.
Synopsis
With a warming climate evidenced by each successive year being the hottest on record, the international calls for carbon
reduction and shift to renewable energy is louder than ever. NY has been a leader in this arena and the University at
Albany, a REV campus challenge member (achiever level), is proposing to demonstrate the path forward by piloting the
first zero energy student living residence in the state. We will accomplish this by converting the Liberty Terrace
apartment complex into a net zero building complemented by alternative transportation offerings, sustainable living
practices and waste reduction strategies. While building operations can provide the vehicle for clean energy applications,
it is the academic and living experiences that provide the lasting and profound effects. Given this, the operational aspects
of this proposal will be augmented by a comprehensive academic and campus engagement program to create a deep level
of impact.
The main objectives of the project include:
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Create first net zero energy campus living residence in the state
Obtain LEED for Existing Building certification, the first campus living residence to achieve this status in the
SUNY system
Illustrate resiliency via battery storage and grid coordination via solar load controller software
Achieve comprehensive integration with curricular and co-curricular activities emphasizing applied learning
projects
Provide leadership opportunities for students
Demonstrate a blueprint for sustainable living for our students, the surrounding community and other campuses to
replicate
Innovation / Project Design: How is this project innovative and unique? Describe how the project is changing the status
quo. In what way(s) does the project demonstrate the concepts stated in the Introduction Section on page 3: project
design, business models, innovative partnerships and/or curriculum integration in new and innovative ways? What
problem(s) does the project aim to solve? How have other approaches attempted to solve these problems and why is this
approach better? Include answers to the following: How does the project support deployment of proven clean energy
technologies or clean energy principles? To what extent would the award of $1 million enable the project or aspects of
the project to move forward that could not otherwise proceed? Identify and describe any anticipated barriers or
challenges to project implementation and how the Team plans to overcome them.
Innovation
This project proposes a truly unique element: the first net zero living residence on a campus in the state. This incorporates
much more than just innovative building strategies, it also provides strong academic and sustainable living elements
centered on carbon reduction. While one building will be the focus point for the physical manifestation of the clean
energy elements, the entire campus will be incorporated via campus-wide academic and engagement initiatives. We hope
this will push the status quo and demonstrate how deep carbon reductions are achievable. This project is not a stand-alone
entity in the operational arena either. In order to achieve net zero, we are integrating this with other campus renewable
energy plans, thus leveraging this grant opportunity to create a showcase for renewable and clean energy and illustrating
the multi-layered systems planning required to achieve our goals.
Project Design: Layering concepts or established technologies in a new kind of application or bundled in new ways that
increases the overall impact (either from immediate greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions standpoint or future replicability)
Project Design: Our project design will take an existing building, Liberty Terrace, to the next level of sustainability on an
operational and educational level. We will layer components of energy efficiency, clean energy, sustainable
transportation and energy conservation to design a net zero building. Additionally, we will layer the operational elements
with sustainable living practices via academic opportunities through our campus as a living, learning lab initiative and
associated co-curricular programs while inviting the community to share in our experience. Liberty Terrace is a 500 bed
LEED Gold Certified residence hall with apartment styled units. The site features a geothermal heating system, a green
roof and permeable pavement. While its LEED status was laudable upon its construction, this achievement was only the
start to model a sustainable living experience for our students. The building opened in 2012 and has been consistently
monitored to ensure that its energy operations matched the expected returns while ensuring resident comfort. As a result
of advancements in energy technology and renewable energy markets since that time, there now exists proven and
financially viable opportunities to improve the energy efficiency of the building and offset remaining demand through
alternative energy. Our plan for net zero will be accomplished through energy efficiency projects and 2.4 megawatts of
renewable energy. The efficiency strategies include: replacing 250 2L T5 hallway fixtures with dimmable LED, install 60
occupancy sensors, improving the secondary pumping sequence efficiency by changing the ERV schedule to operate 12
hp during occupancy and to 8hpd if suites are unoccupied, changing to modulating valves and reducing the condenser
water flow at HP from 3 gpm/ton based on loads, and exterior light replacement;10 parking lot, 13 roadway and 51
pedestrian pathway lights to LED. We will complement these efficiencies with a robust energy conservation program. To
assist in this, the project will install up to 40 meters to sub-meter loads by floors, major mechanical equipment, potable
water use. This will be connected to a user-friendly dashboard to integrate with sustainable living programs already in
place as part of our energy campaign. Renewable energy sources to be sited at Liberty include a 200kW university owned
rooftop solar array and a 600 kW solar carport system in the parking lot. This will be augmented by a 400 kW solar
carport project located at a university parking lot near Washington Avenue, adjacent to Colonial Quad and the remaining
1200 kW from an offsite renewable energy project.
In addition to the carbon migitation, measures to ensure resiliency in the system will be integrated. This consists of sizing
a battery system that can provide 10kW back up power from the photovoltaic system which will allow the building to
operate for 48 hours continuously in case of an emergency. Dr. Perez's Solar Load Controller NEED WRITE UP ON
THIS New amenities for the site will include outdoor tables with solar panels that will allow for the operation and
charging of laptops, phones and other small electronics independent of the grid. (if we want to include this, we need to
add to budget – they are about 10,000 each)
Rounding out the operational aspects, infrastructure to support alternative transportation will be installed including the
installation of an electric vehicle charging station, the expansion of our Zipcar car sharing program to Liberty Terrace and
the implementation of a bike share program. The later will require the purchase of bikes, one or two bike shelters to
accommodate for additional bike storage and one or two bike fix-it stations. (note: I added in fix it stations and bikes, we
will need to add to budget ~10,000) These items will complement the existing services of UAlbany and CDTA free bus
shuttle (does CDTA have a stop at Liberty???) service and the nearby Purple Path for biking and walking in order to
reduce the need for students to rely on cars for transportation.
Operational elements outside the scope of the grant but included in project and funded through the university budget
include an opt-in residential composting program, cooking classes, a container gardening initiative where students can
grow herbs in their apartment and two community events. These events will build upon existing activities that take place
in early fall and spring but will be upgraded to include more outreach and off-campus partnerships to draw attendance
from the area community. These events will include student led tours of the building to highlight the sustainable and
clean energy features. Students also will organize exhibits and workshops on sustainable practices.
Curriculum integration: a model for integrating project construction, implementation, or operations into student
coursework, workforce training, or internship
Curricular and co-curricular integration: The University at Albany will bring together several existing and new
elements to launch a comprehensive initiative called the Commons. The Commons will coordinate curricular and cocurricular activities supporting the academic sustainability goals of the university and blending our campus operations,
maintenance and policies with student course work and research. This will be innovative for its inclusivity of curricular
and co-curricular activities aligned with building operation and maintenance, avenues for leadership and professional
development for faculty, undergraduate and graduate students. The proposal includes a mechanism to provide funding for
these activities which will be self-sustaining through the energy savings incurred. The Commons will consist of the
following elements:
1. Creation of a Climate Leaders program for students. This will be a group of students who will lead engagement efforts
on campus, complete campus as a living, learning lab academic projects and organize interactive community events.
Campus as a living, learning lab occurs when problem-based learning, research and applied work combine to develop
actionable solutions that make the campus more sustainable. This will be open to both graduate and undergraduate
students and will consist of students living both on and off campus. Yearly stipends of $1,000 will be made eligible for 5
students. Students will apply for these positions each spring for the following academic year and the program will be
managed by the Office of Sustainability. One of Climate Leaders will live at Liberty Terrace to spearhead engagement
efforts there.
2. Creation of a Climate Mentors program for faculty. This will be a group of faculty who agree to oversee the campus as
a living, learning lab projects conducted by the Climate Leaders. Professors participating in this program will receive a
stipend for each project they manage.
3. USGBC LEED Lab pilot. The US Green Building Council has a unique applied learning opportunity call the LEED
Lab. This is a multidisciplinary immersion course that utilizes the built environment to educate and prepare students to
become green building leaders and sustainability-focused citizens. In the course students assess the performance of
existing facilities on campus and choose one building where they will facilitate the LEED for Building Operations and
Maintenance process with the goal of certifying the facility. At the close of the semester the students are prepared to sit
for the LEED AP O+M professional credential exam. The University at Albany will partner with the USGBC to
implement a pilot program of LEED-EBOM for Liberty Terrace in conjunction with Dr. Robert Keessee’s (Department of
Atmospheric of Environmental Science) Sustainable Energy Development course in the Spring of 2017. Our goal is to
achieve Silver certification using the LEED Lab platform. This will be the first SUNY living residence building to receive
this certification.
4. Student Engagement
SA: The Student Association will establish an executive cabinet position for sustainability. This position will co-manage
the newly created Sustainability Innovation Grant program. They will oversee the section of the fund reserved for
sustainability awareness programs organized by students.
GSA: The Graduate Student Association will continue their strong collaboration with the Office of Sustainability on joint
programming and will promote the Sustainability Innovation Grant Program with their constituents.
Establishment of the Sustainability Collaborative. The Office of Sustainability and the Student Association Director of
Sustainability and a GSA representative will co-chair an initiative to bring together student group leaders to collaborate on
campus sustainability programs and create a student voice on desired initiatives. The Sustainability Collaborative will be
a space where both graduate and undergraduate student groups and leaders who are interested in sustainability can come
together to discuss what a sustainable UAlbany means to them. Student leaders can share their events or event ideas,
network, create partnerships, and collaborate for events. The Collaborative will also provide professional and leadership
development, increase attendance and participation at events and meetings, and impact a larger student audience.
5. Sustainability Innovation Grant Program (SIGP) will be created to turn ideas into reality. This small grants program
will provide funding for sustainability academic endeavors, professional development opportunities and student
engagement programs. This fund will be co-managed by the Office of Sustainability (academic and professional
development) and the Student Association (awareness programs led by student groups). Members of the UAlbany
community are invited to submit proposals that promote the core principles of sustainability including environmental
stewardship, economic and resource equity, and societal community building. Funding is for a one time allocation and
grants will range in size up to a maximum of $1,000.
6. Faculty Development. Faculty in all disciplines can play a key role in advancing sustainability through the inclusion of
the topic in their courses as well as creating new courses relevant to sustainability and clean energy. This proposal
incorporates a one-time cost to conduct a "Train the Trainer" session on Integrating Sustainability into the Curriculum and
stipends for UAlbany faculty to conduct follow up sessions with their colleagues as well as stipends for creating new
lesson and courses on sustainability and clean energy.
7. Terra Award, recognition for efforts. The Terra Award program will serve as a recognition award that will honor a
minimum of one faculty member, one staff member, and one student each semester who have demonstrated superlative
commitment to advancing sustainability at UAlbany. The Terra Awards will be given out at our annual Energy Campaign
Recognition Ceremony and Earth and Wellness Day event.
8. Academic Celebrations. The campus as a living, learning lab projects conducted by the Climate Leaders will be on
display to the campus in a poster session as part of our annual Earth and Wellness Day celebration. In addition, these
posters will be included in our community Earth Day event at Liberty Terrace. Those that receive a Sustainability
Innovation Grant award will be asked to present their projects at our annual Energy Campaign Recognition Ceremony.
9. Establishment of Green Revolving Fund. This will be a fund established from the amount of energy savings generated
by the efficiency upgrades and will be used to support the academic and engagement activities listed above. This fund,
along with the pledged support of our internal partners, will help ensure the long term viability of the elements
incorporated into the Commons.
Business model: a new way of paying for a project, lowering costs, or creating new revenue streams.
Business Model: The project involves new methods for financing and paying for renewable energy. These include using
the state contract for rooftop solar managed by NYPA and setting up power purchase agreements for the other solar
deployments. While green revolving funds have been created on other campuses, it has not been implemented to a great
extent within the SUNY system. The model has been successful in capturing energy savings from projects and funneling
them back to support additional campus projects, in our case, the engagement and academic programs.
The Paris Agreement and its predecessors, NYS EO 24 and the Renewable Portfolio Standard points us toward a low
carbon future fueled on renewable energy. The challenge we face today is how to transition our building’s energy sources
to these technologies in order to meet our needs and at the same time, advocate for new ways of living that will reduce our
impact on the environment and lessening our demand. We can’t just sign commitments and make goals that seem very far
away and pass their implementation onto the next generation. We wish to demonstrate to the current generation how a
zero carbon future can be accomplished and understand the obstacles and opportunities. Other approaches in the past
have been piecemeal, usually only addressing one element of a campus energy use and failing to embed them with
sustainable living practices and academic studies to create place based projects and learning. Our proposal has many
elements of clean energy (solar, building upon geothermal, complemented by alternative transportation) employs energy
efficiency and energy conservation.
Innovative Partnerships: an approach to build on an on-campus project to advance clean energy in the surrounding
community, and/or other institutions, business or communities across NYS. Demonstrate commitment from the institution
and relevant stakeholders. Include letters of support, as applicable.
Partnerships:
The University at Albany are partnering with the New York Power Authority (NYPA) and the Dormitory Authority of the
State of New York (DASNY) on the design, procurement and financing of the energy components of this project and with
the US Green Building Council (USGBC) on the LEED Lab. The University will continue their relationship with Empire
Zero on composting and Capital Roots and Honest Weight Food Co-op our planned community events and gardening and
healthy eating programs and CDTA and Zipcar on our alternative transportation offerings.
This project represents a multi-partner collaboration of several campuses offices to support this project spanning three
campus divisions: Finance and Administration, Academic Affairs and Student Affairs and including the two main student
leadership groups: the Student Association (SA) and Graduate Student Association (GSA). This includes the offices of:
Sustainability, Energy Management, Facilities Management, Provost, University Auxiliary Services (UAS), Parking and
Mass Transit, Residential Life and the Department of Atmospheric and Environmental Science and the Atmospheric
Science Research Center.
Project Team: Resume and/or CV. The value and skills each member brings to the team and how their participation on
the team strengthens the overall project. Note: Each team must include at least one student representative per institution
Project Team:
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Mary Ellen Mallia, Ph.D. (PI), Director of Sustainability. Overall project management. Coordinate academic and
engagement programs. Dr. Mallia has over 8 years experience in managing sustainability programming and an
additional 13 years experience in education at both the secondary and higher education level.
Indu Lnu (co-PI), Energy Officer. Overall project management. Coordinate clean energy and efficiency project
implementation. Ms. Lnu has ………..EXPERIENCE
Pat Gareau, Senator of Student Association. Coordinate Student Association activities.
Dylan Card, Sustainability Fellow, Office of Sustainability, Graduate Student. Coordinate assessment of project,
liaison to Graduate Student Association. EXPERIENCE
Project Impact
Green House Gas Emissions: Describe how this project will reduce or mitigate GHG emissions. Quantify, where
possible, and include the methodology for calculating GHG emissions impact, clearly listing all assumptions and
providing citations for all sources. Note: A spreadsheet is acceptable, but should include a narrative.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions:
TBD
Replicability: Discuss how this project may pave the way for similar projects on campus or on other campuses in NYS.
Provide anticipated areas of lessons learned and/or other best practices that could be shared because of the
implementation of this project. Note: Awardees will be required to publicly share project updates and participate in at
least one conference to present the project.
Replicability:
Metrics: How will the proposer know if the project is successful? What key metrics or milestones will illustrate success?
Metrics:
Resiliency Describe the ways in which the project may make the campus and/or community more resilient.
Resiliency:
Economic Development: Describe the ways in which the project may lead to economic development in NYS.
Economic Development:
Project Viability: Provide a project implementation plan that includes a timeline and budget (please provide a budget in
the form of the Attachment C – Contract Pricing Proposal Form). The timeline must show project commencement within
the calendar year of award notification. The budget must total at least $1 million, and should clearly identify any sources of
funding for the project outside of this solicitation. Note: Cost-share is NOT a requirement. The $1 million award can be
used to fund the entire project. Include a description of any work that has been completed to date. Budgets may include
funding allocated to project implementation, including but not limited to equipment costs, third party and/or consultant
costs, and internal costs. Include answers to the following Include answers to the following: How does the project support
deployment of proven clean energy technologies or clean energy principles? Demonstrate commitment from the institution
and relevant stakeholders. Include letters of support, as applicable. To what extent would the award of $1 million enable
the project or aspects of the project to move forward that could not otherwise proceed? Identify and describe any
anticipated barriers or challenges to project implementation and how the Team plans to overcome them.
Project Viability
Implementation Plan:
Dr. Mary Ellen Mallia and Ms. Indu Lnu, will serve as co-PI’s for this project and oversee its implementation. The
University at Albany’s Office of Sponsored Programs will take responsibility for the management of the grant funding.
Dr. Mallia will oversee the curricular and co-curricular aspects of the project and Ms. Lnu will handle the implementation
of the energy projects.
Timeline:
Fall 2016
Academic:
Recruit Faculty Mentors for campus as a living, learning lab pilot programs in the spring
Plan faculty development workshops and LEED EBOM pilot
Engagement:
Initiate the Commons with selection of inaugural Climate Leaders
Initiate Sustainability Innovation Grant program, Terra Awards and Sustainability Collaborative
Community Harvest Festival
Operations:
Start residential composting and container gardening program at Liberty
Obtain design approval for bike shelter, begin installation, order bikes and fix it stations
Installation of electric vehicle charging station and Zipcar reservation spot
Determine selection of solar power tables and order
ENERGY STUFF
Spring 2017
Academic:
Conduct LEED EBOM pilot with Professor Bob Keesee’s Sustainable Energy Development course
Host a “train the trainer” faculty workshop on integrating sustainability into the curriculum
Initiate first Campus as a Living, Learning Lab projects
Continue to recruit Faculty Climate Mentors
Academic Celebration at Earth and Wellness Day and Community Earth Day event
Engagement:
Continuation of activities created in the fall semester
Community Earth Day event
Selection process for 2016-2017 Climate Leaders
Terra Awards Spring 2017
Operations:
Initiate bike share program for Liberty Terrace residents
Continue composting and gardening programs
Install tables
ENERGY STUFF
Fall 2017
Academic:
Have a trained faculty member host a workshop on integrating sustainability into the curriculum
Course modifications or creation from faculty workshop
Continue LEED Lab pilot
Engagement:
Terra Awards Fall 2017
Community Harvest Festival
Operations:
Budget. Provide a budget in the form of the Attachment C – Contract Pricing Proposal Form). The budget must total at
least $1 million, and should clearly identify any sources of funding for the project outside of this solicitation. Note: Costshare is NOT a requirement. The $1 million award can be used to fund the entire project. Include a description of any
Budgets may include funding allocated to project implementation, including but
not limited to equipment costs, third party and/or consultant costs, and internal costs.
Budget:
Budget support Attach supporting documentation to support indirect cost (overhead) rate(s) included in your proposal as
follows:1. Describe the basis for the rates proposed (i.e., based on prior period actual results; based on projections;
based on federal government or other independently-approved rates).2. If rate(s) is approved by an independent
organization, such as the federal government, provide a copy of such approval.3. If rate(s) is based on estimated costs or
prior period actual results, include calculations to support proposed rate(s). Calculation should provide enough
information for NYSERDA to evaluate and confirm that the rate(s) are consistent with generally accepted accounting
principles for indirect costs.
Budget support: