Research on Energy Savings
Opportunities in University Libraries
Jeremy Linden
Image Permanence Institute
11 October 2011
AASHE
What We Know
• Environmental conditions (temperature and
relative humidity) are the two most significant
factors that impact the lifespan of library and
cultural collections
• Mechanical systems in research libraries
often run 24/7 to maintain environmental
conditions to benefit collections preservation
• System shutdowns during unoccupied hours
are a common, tempting option for energy
savings in buildings
The Challenge
• Uncontrolled shutdowns can negatively
affect the preservation environment and
cause damage to collection materials
The Hypothesis
Energy usage in libraries and cultural
institutions can be significantly reduced by
carefully monitored and risk-managed
shutdown of air-handling units during
unoccupied hours in select spaces without
compromising the quality of the
preservation environment.
The Project:
• IMLS National Leadership
Grant – 3 years
• Conducted by IPI and
research partner
Herzog/Wheeler & Assoc.
• Five partners –
–
–
–
–
–
Yale University
UCLA
New York Public Library
Cornell University
Birmingham Public Library,
AL
Methodology: Candidate Space Selection
• Geographic Location
• Various institution types
• Various storage models – traditional stacks,
high-density modules, individual rooms
• Served by single, or multiple identifiable air
handlers
• Zone dedicated to collections storage
• “Interior” and “Exterior” wall exposure
• Various levels of human occupation during
day
Methodology: Datalogging
• Logging of temperature and relative
humidity conditions in storage spaces
• Logging of temperature and relative
humidity conditions in air handling units
– Outside Air
– Return Air
– Mixed Air
– Cooled/Dried Air
– Supply Air
Methodology: Experiment Design
• 7-10 hour shutdown
• 3-6 month baseline data from each site,
without shutdown
• 1 month shutdown test period
• 12 months gathering of shutdown
experimental data
• Data from loggers gathered bi-weekly or
monthly
Methodology: Administration
• Project leader at
each partner site,
typically from
collections staff.
• Requires
involvement of
Collections,
Facilities, and
Administration
Early Results:
• Where shutdown schedule is working,
results are generally positive.
• System recovers to space set point during
“on” period
• No cumulative increase/decrease in space
conditions
Potential Benefits:
• Preservation
– Potential for reduction in rate of chemical
decay during heating season
• Energy Savings:
– Based primarily on electrical savings, steam,
or chilled water
• Electrical – commodity/demand charges, up to 1/3
• Heating – dependent upon seasonal work done
• Cooling – dependent upon seasonal work done
Example: Cost Savings
• Institution in Washington, DC
• Requested shutdown experiment study,
optimization
• Implemented shutdown, corrected
excessive subcool/reheat in winter
• Estimated Savings:
– Supply Fan (Electric) – 31% (≈ $2,800)
– Cooling Coil (Chilled Water) – 47% (≈ $4,400)
– Heating Coil (Steam) – 69% (≈ $5,700)
Lessons Learned (so far…)
• Cooperation among collections, facilities,
administration is THE key to success
• Holding a schedule can be harder than
expected
• Won’t work for all spaces/systems,
requires testing
– Heat load in space can necessitate shorter
length, or no shutdown at all
• Potential gain is (often) worth the work
The Goal: An Optimal
Preservation Environment
An optimal preservation environment is one
that achieves the best possible
preservation of collections at the least
possible consumption of energy, and is
sustainable over time.
Funding Opportunity
NEH – Sustaining Cultural Heritage
Collections Grants
– Planning Grant – up to $40,000
– Implementation Grant – up to $350,000
Go to www.neh.gov for more information.
Thank You!
Jeremy Linden
Preservation Environment Specialist
Image Permanence Institute
jrlpph@rit.edu
www.imagepermanenceinstitute.org