Green Design & Commissioning Services Saginaw Valley State University

May 28, 2014 11:44:00 AM

Crystal M. Lange College of Health and Human Services Building LEED Design and Commissioning  |  University Center, MI

Peter Basso Associates provided mechanical and electrical engineering services for the new 95,000 square foot Health and Human Services Building at Saginaw Valley State University.  The building houses 13 labs, 12 classrooms, and office space.  This is the second facility for SVSU for which Peter Basso Associates has designed a number of sustainable building system features in support of the University’s goal of achieving LEED Silver certification.

The geothermal heating and cooling system at SVSU, dubbed an “Aquathermal” system, is the largest pond closed loop geothermal system in the State of Michigan, with 28 skis of 14 coils (1 ton cooling per coil), for a total pond tonnage of 392 tons.

The geothermal system is interconnected to the Regional Educational Center building system to allow the geothermal system to serve both buildings under lighter load conditions.  This provides better energy efficiencies since it reduces boiler and chiller operation in REC.

The pond water loop system is on a variable flow and can range from 300 GPM to 1200 GPM based on heating and cooling demands of the building.

Peter Basso Associates also provided commissioning services for the new Health Science Building Addition to meet LEED-NC, Version 2.2, EA Prerequisite 1, Fundamental Commissioning of the Building Energy System requirements.

Systems commissioned include:  Heat pump system and equipment; hot water heating system and equipment; chilled water system and equipment; air handling systems; exhaust fans and ventilation fans/systems; air terminal units (25%); vivarium Dx cooling system; door heaters; humidifiers; snow melt system; fan coil units; pumping systems; package A/C systems; temperature controls; domestic hot water heater; DI water system; emergency generator; automatic transfer switch; lighting control; fire alarm system.

2011 ASHRAE Technology Award Winner, Category II New Institutional Buildings – First Place Chapter and Regional, Honorable Mention Society Level.

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