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Energy Efficient Research and Education Center
Chooses Bosch Geothermal
Case Study
Union College, Schenectady, New York
Peter Irving Wold Center
Project Goals:
▶▶ LEED Gold Certified by US Green Building Council
▶▶ Energy savings and environmental comfort
▶▶ Significant reduction of greenhouse gases
▶▶ Interactive teaching environment
Background
Founded in 1795, Union College was the first college
chartered by the Board of Regents of the State of New
York. Located near the New York State Capital of Albany,
Union is an independent liberal arts college committed to
integrating the humanities and social sciences with science
and engineering curricula. Alumni include politicians,
playwrights, authors and even the 21st U.S. President –
Chester A. Arthur.
Sustainability Coordinator Meghan Haley-Quigley is
responsible for promoting sustainability and engaging the
campus community to collectively reduce the college’s
carbon footprint. “Union has proven its commitment to
sustainability through action. President Ainlay signed
the American College and University Presidents Climate
Commitment and incorporated sustainability into the
Strategic Plan. Academic Departments offer courses in
Environmental Science, Policy & Engineering as well as
interdisciplinary courses in environment & sustainability.
FHP WW240 heat pump fed by 10 vertical wells provides ample
heating and cooling to Wold Center with geothermal energy
“Students promote a campus culture of wise use
and conservation and staff continually improve
upon sustainable operations. The Peter Irving Wold
Center exemplifies Union College’s commitment to
sustainability.”
Einhorn, Yaffee, Prescott (EYP) of Albany was the
architectural firm overseeing the $22 million building’s
LEED features. Construction of the center was overseen
by A.J. Martini, Inc. of Winchester, Mass.
The building is named after Peter Wold, who chaired
Union’s Physics Department from 1920 to 1945.
The three-story, 35,000-square-foot research and
education facility building was dedicated in May 2011.
It features state-of-the-art laboratories, electronic
classrooms, an advanced computing lab, study spaces
and faculty offices.
Among the sustainable features are:
▶▶ Use of renewable sources for at least 35% of the
building’s energy
▶▶ A 3-kW photovoltaic array to satisfy part of the
building electrical load
▶▶ A solar thermal collection and storage to supply a
portion of the domestic hot water load
▶▶ A Bosch – FHP water-to-water ground source heat
pump fed by 10 vertical wells adjacent to the building
for supplying year-round heating and cooling
▶▶ LED light fixtures and efficient building envelope
▶▶ Occupancy/use-based control system for temperature, lighting and ventilation
▶▶ Real-time metering equipment for electricity,
steam, chilled water, gas and building service
water for continuous energy consumption
monitoring ▶▶ Rooftop Energy Research Lab provides space for
students and faculty to research energy conversion
processes, sustainable building design and
renewable energy systems such as solar thermal,
photovoltaic, wind, micro-hydroelectric and
geothermal, energy storage batteries and fuel cells
An interactive kiosk on the ground floor encourages
visitors to learn about the building’s energy systems and
sustainability.
Installation Summary
FHP’s two stage WW 240 Series water-to-water modular
reverse cycle heat pumps can be utilized for chilled
water and hydronic heating, make-up air applications
or swimming pool heating. The small cabinet modular
design offers flexibility to install units individually or in
any combination to match the exact load requirement for
a commercial project.
Benefits and Conclusion
These FHP heat pumps are a good choice for retrofit or
new construction because they can fit through a standard
36 service door. The building owner benefits from ease
of service when utilizing FHP WW Series, as any standard
refrigeration/air conditioning technician can service
them, unlike a large centrifugal chiller system requiring
specialized service. The FHP geothermal system provides
dehumidifcation for Schaffer Library which houses nearly
a million volumes dating to the founding of the College.
As stated by J. Douglass Klein, the Kenneth B. Sharpe
Professor of Economics and chair of the Wold Steering
Committee “Wold houses labs and teaching spaces for
the study of energy and the environment. It was our intent
that the building itself become an important teaching tool
and laboratory.”
Project Name:
u Union College Peter Irving Wold Center, Schenectady, NY
Architect:
u
EYP Architecture, Albany, NY
General Contractor:
u A.J. Martini, Inc., Winchester, MA
Application and Equipment:
u FHP WW240 water-to-water two-stage geothermal heat pump
Project Completion:
u May 2011
Bosch Thermotechnology Corp.
50 Wentworth Avenue
Londonderry, NH 03053
Copyright © 2014 Bosch
Thermotechnology Corp.
All rights reserved.
www.fhp-mfg.com
BTC 76PCS3016 Sept 2014

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