The Molecular Foundry: Sustainability Features

This flagship project applied an integrated whole-building approach to energy and water efficiency, along with a host of other sustainable practices in siting, construction, operation, and maintenance. This included aggressive goals set from project inception, e.g., selection of team members and contractor based on expertise and prior experience. The project was designed and executed to be eligible for a LEED Silver rating, with no net increase in construction cost compared to typical practice. Moreover, 92% of the building’s electricity is provided by purchased renewable power based on wind and geothermal sources.

This new-construction project incorporated the following strategies:

Optimizing site potential - over 50% of site restored with native plants; building footprint minimized; erosion and sedimentation control; renewably-powered transit access; minimized travel among the many related buildings in LBNL’s 200-building campus.

Protecting and conserving water - efficient end-use devices including water-free urinals; high-efficiency irrigation; erosion control during construction.

Using environmentally preferable products - About 75% of construction waste diverted to reuse or recycling; certified woods; recycled content in some building materials.

Enhancing indoor air quality - Indoor CO₂ monitoring; 100% outside air (except offices, most of which have operable windows); all paints no- or low-VOC; all sealants, adhesives and carpets are low-emission; cabinetry urea-formaldehyde-free; and fumehood testing and commissioning for safety.

Optimizing operational and maintenance practices - in-house energy champions; monitored in great detail by an energy management control system (with thousands of points); and, as mandated, will spend 2% facility replacement plant value (RPV) about $830k/year on operations and maintenance.

Energy-related operations practices - nighttime setback; VAV hoods and associated user education; ongoing utility trend analysis. Energy-related maintenance practices include scheduled filter replacements and low-maintenance electrostatic water filters. An electromagnetic water treatment system on the cooling towers reduces the need for maintenance and chemicals.

Minimizing energy consumption -

General Facility:

1. Advanced controls to minimize fan power and reheat, and maximize boiler and chiller plant efficiency
2. EMCS web-based and includes significant energy and water metering functionality via thousands of monitoring and control points, 3 gas meters, and 9 water meters
3. Windows - double-pane, plus low-e and spectrally selective coatings
4. Lighting systems utilize advanced technology (T-5 and T-8) light sources with bi-level switching and occupancy based controls, plus healthy, productive, natural light and views
5. Premium efficiency chiller plant (chillers below 0.4 kW/ton), with premium efficiency motors and variable frequency drives used throughout the HVAC system (pumps, chillers, towers, fans)
6. Energy efficient elevator system
7. Extensive measurement and verification of savings
8. More extensive independent commissioning than any other building at LBNL

Cleanroom: High efficiency fan-filter units (recognizing a nearly factor-of-two variation in efficiencies of available on the market) with advanced speed controls (ability to support demand controlled VAV)

Laboratory: VAV fume hoods (45 units), daylighting with electric illumination level options, efficient lab utilities (vacuum, compressed air, de-ionized (“DI”) water), and process cooling water.

Data Center: hot/cold aisle configuration, high efficiency central air-handling unit and chiller, outside-air economizers, and no humidity control

Transportation: Public transit, alternative fueled transportation, bicycle parking

The level of teamwork went well beyond standard practice and significantly contributed to the holistic design. Institutional participation was achieved across every major department at this 4000-person DOE National Laboratory site, ranging from top laboratory management to environmental health and safety personnel. An energy design charette was held at project inception, a Sustainability Report was created at Title I, regular team meetings focused on green design, external input was obtained from the Labs21 program, and a highly productive value-engineering process (focused on real value rather than shortsighted compromise) involved all stakeholders. The team included The Smith Group (Architect), Gayner Engineers (Mechanical and Electrical Engineering), and CH2MHILL (Commissioning Agent). As evidence of LBNL’s commitment to the project, the Laboratory Directorate provided supplemental project funds necessary to produce the documentation required for LEED Silver accreditation. [DJ&A1]The DOE Departmental Energy Management Program (DEMP) co-sponsored the LEED analysis and certification process. The Molecular Foundry facility is a pilot partner under the DOE/EPA Laboratories for the 21^st Century Program (Labs21). The Labs21 Environmental Performance Criteria (EPC, informally known as “LEED for Labs”) were used to supplement the LEED rating system to evaluate the sustainability of the project as it pertains to laboratory facilities. This was in addition to the DEMP funds for the documentation up to Certified level.

By following the Labs21 principles (including the EPC), right-sizing of mechanical and electrical systems yielded first-cost savings of $2.5 million, which more than offset the additional costs of all energy-efficiency and sustainability measures implemented. Energy use is projected to be 27% below the stringent California Title 24 Standards (which equates to approximately 35% below ASHRAE 90.1 standards) and water consumption is projected to be 33% below the indoor use baseline, 20% below for process uses, and 65% below for landscape irrigation.

Considerable non-energy benefits are anticipated, particularly concerning indoor environment and worker productivity. These arise from natural lighting, operable windows for ventilation, and low-emissions materials. The VAV fume hoods, which avoid excessive face velocity/turbulence, thereby enhancing containment and safety; and from local and VAV-integrated remote alarm monitoring. Outreach and awareness-building efforts are extensive