Energy Efficiency/Renewable Energy (EERE) Projects in Texas Public Schools

Abstract

This paper presents the preliminary results from an analysis of the energy saving potential in new and existing Texas Independent School Districts (ISDs). The analysis was performed using a K-12 simulation model based on the DOE-2.1e program that uses ASHRAE Standard 90.1 code-compliant, school buildings for three climate zones in Texas. In this analysis, government and private data sources from the U.S. EPA Energy Star, the Texas Education Agency, and the EnergyPlus Benchmark school models were reviewed to determine the base-case K-12 school characteristics in Texas. Available guidelines and case-studies were reviewed to develop energy efficient measures for high performance school buildings. As a result, four base-case school models that are compliant with the ASHRAE Standard 90.1-1989, 1999, 2004, and 2007 were developed for each climate zone. In addition, a total of eighteen energy efficient measures were considered. These include measures for the building envelope, lighting, HVAC system, DHW system, and renewable energy systems. The proposed energy efficient measures were then applied to the base-case school model to examine the energy saving potential for Texas ISDs.