Tag: Mechanical Engineering

Exploring Complete Electrification in Denver

Posted on by 360 Engineering

At 360, we are constantly looking for ways to comply with the ever-changing permitting requirements and climate change mitigation efforts that the city of Denver implements. Our world is constantly evolving, and we need to find solutions to new climate challenges each day. In this blog post, we will discuss the opportunities for Complete Electrification in Denver. 

Our team is critically looking at options to ensure each project we work on not only meets the required regulations but is cost-effective too. Read along to see the importance of electrification and its impact.

What We Look At

In 2019, buildings and homes accounted for 64% of all community-generated greenhouse gas emissions in the city of Denver1. In 2020 Denver had the worst air pollution in 10 years2. Natural ventilation isn’t as effective when the air quality continues to decline, and moving to an all-electric system could mitigate safety issues associated with poor air quality while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

What is the Road Map to Electrification?

  • Effective Now
    • Obtaining “Quick Permits” is no longer allowed for replacing air handling units or water heaters utilizing natural gas in commercial buildings. The permitting process for these projects will be the same as applying for a new heat pump.  There are a few exceptions.
  • Starting January 1st, 2025
    • Replacement of outdoor gas-fired equipment used primarily for heating needs to be electric, and secondary gas-fired heating equipment can be installed for supplemental heat only.
    • Replacement of outdoor cooling air conditioning or condensing unit equipment needs to be electric and provide space heating (like a heat pump), and a secondary piece of equipment can be installed for supplemental heat only. 
    • Replacement of a storage water heater or instantaneous water heater needs to be an electric water heater.
  • Starting January 1st, 2027
    • Replacement of gas-fired boilers must utilize electric heating for 50% of space heating needs/water heating needs; the remaining 50% can be met with a replacement of the gas-fired boiler.
    • Replacement of an air conditioner that serves spaces that are also being heated needs to be replaced with electric equipment that does both heating and cooling.

How does this affect the A&E Industry?

  • Denver will require reporting of estimated building Energy Use Intensity (EUIs) with targeted goals in 2024, 2027, and 2030.
  • There will be fines associated with incorrect modeling/inability to meet target EUIs (as established by Denver).
  • High-Efficiency Mechanical equipment will be the standard.
  • Increased coordination between disciplines will be even more important.
  • All disciplines (not just mechanical) have options to assist in Denver’s EUI requirements:
    • LED lighting
    • Green-sourced energy
    • High efficiency, tight envelope construction
    • Energy Star and low-water plumbing fixtures

Limitations of Electrification

  • Upfront costs for heat pumps are typically higher than standard Direct Expansion (DX) cooling and gas-fired air handling units.
  • Currently, gas rates in Denver are still lower per amount of heat energy than electricity.
  • Newer technology for building operators: lack of experience may result in lack of confidence in new heat pump technology.  Additional training may be needed for facility staff.
  • Most existing buildings were not provided with an electrical service intended for full building heating.  An Electrification Feasibility Report is one way to determine the impact of a fully electric mechanical system on the building infrastructure. 

Let’s Wrap it Up

With the new regulations coming, Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) will become even more important to show the offset of maintenance, utility, and upfront costs between mechanical systems. It is important to know the regulations to ensure the safety and longevity of your product. Energy modeling is already required in some cities like Boulder and will become required in Denver to demonstrate energy compliance.

For any questions or inquiries or to get started on your next project, Contact Us.

References

1 https://denvergov.org/files/assets/public/climate-action/documents/denver-nze-implementation-plan_final_v1.pdf

2 https://www.colorado.gov/airquality/tech_doc_repository.aspx?action=open&file=2020AnnualDataReport.pdf

Vocabulary

Direct Expansion (DX): the most common type of air conditioning in the US where the indoor air is cooled with a refrigerant liquid.

Electrification: the conversion of a machine or system to the use of electrical power.

Energy Use Intensity (EUI): refers to the amount of energy used per square foot annually.

Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA): it is an economic evaluation technique that determines the total cost of owning and operating a facility over a period of time.

Optimized Cooling Tower Design for Increased Performance and Efficiency

Posted on by 360 Engineering

At 360 Engineering, we consistently optimize projects by creating custom designs and recommendations. This project we started in 2018 for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) was no exception. Once COVID-19 hit, we learned how the economy could quickly derail a project, but we steered it on the right track by helping NREL find a viable path forward and breaking the project into two phases.

NREL realized one of its cooling towers at the Solar Energy Research Facility (SERF) was using a significant amount of water, and they brought our team in to find a solution. During a gas line replacement project, water was encountered immediately below the access road, and it was determined to be a leak of the condenser water lines from the cooling towers to the chilled water plant. 

“360 Engineering reconfigured the operation of the cooling tower condenser water plant to optimize both the performance of the plant as well as increase the system redundancy moving forward.”

The design phase of this project could be broken down into the following general steps:

  • Pre-Design – During this process, the design team determined the new cooling tower could be placed next to the others instead of in a separate location, eliminating extra landscaping work.
  • Design Solutions – The team decided to route the condenser water lines from the cooling towers to the chillers over the service road to keep the chillers operational while the underground lines were replaced. This solution also maintained the service road access for other vehicles.
  • Testing and Balancing – We worked closely with the contractor and NREL to diagnose some pump issues and provide additional designs to improve the water flow. 

Our early discussions and understanding of intent led to a better end solution for NREL with these positive outcomes:

  • Optimized the plant’s performance and increased system redundancy
  • Maximized the life of the new piping with a high-quality pre-insulated option, less subjectable to corrosive soils
  • Saved time and money by breaking the project into phases and using forward-thinking design solutions

This project included our long-time electrical engineering partner, AE Design, and structural and civil engineers from Martin/Martin. We have an amazing team of expert consultants who have worked with us on NREL projects since the beginning. 

For any questions, inquiries, or to get started on your next project, Contact Us.

2018 Saving Places Conference Presentation

Posted on by 360 Engineering

The 2018 Saving Places Conference is taking place January 31st through February 3rd.  This four-day event offers educational sessions, workshops, and tours focused on historic preservation. 360 Engineering’s very own Denise Dihle, along with Jon Brooks from AE Design, will be presenting Thursday, February 1st at 1:45 PM.

How to Update Your Mechanical and Electrical System and Not Wreck Your Historical Building
The majority of existing historical buildings also have historical heating, cooling and lighting systems. Due to age and wear and tear, these systems do not provide the best environment for users, rarely meet current energy codes, nor are they optimized to reduce energy usage bills. Bringing these systems into the 21st century provides significant financial and environmental benefit to the facility. With proper planning these upgrades can reduce existing mechanical and electrical equipment eyesores, improve overall aesthetics, and preserve the historical integrity of the structure with the implementation of creative solutions before an issue becomes an emergency, diminishing available design options. Using the information found in this course, participants will be able to understand the common concerns of upgrading MEP systems within a historical building, evaluate potential options, and understand how codes uniquely affect historical projects.

Many Glacier Hotel

Participants can receive AIA Continuing Education Credit for attending this presentation.

 

To learn more about the conference, click here.

 

 

Announcement: Congratulations to Travis Menard, Our Newest Professional Engineer

Posted on by 360 Engineering

As a mechanical engineer at 360 Engineering since 2012, Travis shares his passion and well-rounded knowledge of mechanical system design, building energy, and controls. His skills range from energy analysis, cooling and heating load calculations, development of energy conserving measures, mechanical system design, and equipment selection for industrial facilities, commercial buildings, and laboratories.  To learn more about Travis, click here.

Celebrating EWeek – Why We Love Engineering

Posted on by 360 Engineering

National Engineers Week is February 19-25, 2017. Founded by the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE), the purpose of EWeek is to recognize engineers’ positive contributions to society, and communicate the importance of learning math, science, and technical skills. According to NSPE.org, “EWeek is dedicated to ensuring a diverse and well-educated future engineering workforce by increasing understanding of and interest in engineering and technology careers.”

As a Marketing Coordinator for Three Sixty Engineering, and a newcomer to the AEC (Architecture/Engineer/Construction) Industry, it has been fascinating learning about the engineering field. While I’ve just begun to scratch the surface, I’ve been learning about mechanical systems, energy efficiency, and the consulting and design process. I’ve enjoyed listening to all the problem solving that happens around our office. It’s great how our engineers work together and support each other, all working towards the same end goal, providing top-notch service to our partners and clients.

To celebrate National Engineers Week, and raise awareness (about how awesome engineering is), I asked some of our mechanical engineers to share why they decided to go into the field and what they enjoy about being an engineer:

 

Craig Crow, Project Engineer:
I have always been intrigued by how things work, and I have always had strengths in math and science. As time passed and the moment came closer to choose a major; engineering seemed like the logical choice because it allowed me to continue to explore how things work. I chose mechanical specifically because it seems to offer the largest variety of industries/knowledge.

Spencer Rioux, Project Engineer:
I enjoy being an engineer for several reasons, a few of which are my love of learning, the satisfaction associated with solving puzzles, and the real-life impact of my work. The construction engineering field is constantly evolving with new technologies and codes, so there is always more to learn and skills to develop. It’s also very gratifying to recognize the ways in which our designs make everyday life possible in an office, or a school, or any number of facilities we work on by creating comfortable spaces with practical mechanical and plumbing systems in operation.

Joe Wittenberg, Project Engineer:
I entered engineering for two reasons. First, I was good at math, but being a math teacher didn’t appeal to me. Second, I enjoy problem solving and I like the idea of there being a correct answer or solution to a given problem. This drove me to study engineering in school, the problem-solving aspect still keeps me interested in my day to day work as an engineer.

Taylor Reese LEED AP BD+C, CxA, Project Manager:
Throughout human history, individuals have faced challenges everyday of their lives. In our modern society, these struggles may be as inconsequential as being a little chilly at our desk at work or wanting to safely send emails as we drive. Many years ago, the tribulations were much more dire, such as avoiding hypothermia during an intense blizzard or crossing wide rivers or high mountain passes during a long journey. Over the years, engineering has provided solutions to these in the form of buildings that can keep us warm and safe during extreme weather and bridges and tunnels that allow us to cross all sorts of perilous terrain with ease; and it will only be a matter of time until the challenges of today are solved.

I became an engineer because I recognized these deficiencies in my life and wanted to be able to do something about them. Engineering is a state of mind, a different way of looking at the world. It’s a toolkit of skills rooted in math and science that can be applied to the world around us. It’s a technique of not just seeing a problem, but understanding, characterizing, and simplifying it on the way to a solution. Engineers are indispensable contributors to the advancement of society, and I am proud to be one.

 

Wow, it really gives me goosebumps to read these testimonials, I hope you’ve enjoyed reading them as much as I have. I’m thrilled to be a part of this team of passionate engineers!

-Stacey Richardson, Marketing Coordinator

2017 AHR Expo – Post Conference Follow-Up

Posted on by 360 Engineering

The 2017 AHR Expo (International Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition) set several records this year, including attendance of more than 68,000 registered attendees and exhibitor personnel, as well as 500,159 square feet sold. Three Sixty Engineering sent two of our mechanical engineers, Project Manager Taylor Reese LEED AP BD+C, CxA and Project Engineer Joe Wittenberg, to learn about the latest technologies and products in Mechanical Engineering and HVAC.

With over 2,000 exhibitors, our engineers had a large amount of ground to cover, it was hard to fit it into just three days! Upon their return, Taylor and Joe were excited to share what they had learned with our team. There were so many new systems and products to talk about, we asked Joe to pick a few of his favorite:

1. Trane® – CoolSense System – Intelligent Variable Air Systems. An HVAC using chilled water to provide sensible cooling and cooling for the DOAS (Dedicated Outside Air System) system. It also uses small terminal units in the space to pick up the sensible load, using chilled water coils.
2. Metraflex – Flexible Hoses. Manufacturer of NSF (International public health standards and certifications) and NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) rated flexible water hoses.
3. Fulton – Boiler. A new boiler technology that allows the heat exchanger to float which eliminates stress due to thermal expansion.
4. Stamped Fittings, Inc. – Gasketed Spiral Duct. Spiral duct fittings with gaskets that eliminate the need for duct seal.
5. Trane® – Humidity Sensor. New sensor that collects temperature and relative humidity readings.

In addition to providing access to the latest products, the conference offers educational seminars. This year, Joe attended a class on DOAS (Dedicated Outside Air System) and a one on Commissioning.

Click here to read our first AHR Expo blog: 3 Benefits of Attending or to learn more about the AHR Expo, visit http://ahrexpo.com.

2017 AHR Expo – 3 Benefits of Attending

Posted on by 360 Engineering

ahr-expo-2016-2

Here at Three Sixty Engineering, keeping up with the latest technologies in Mechanical Engineering and HVAC is high priority, which is why two of our mechanical engineers are attending the AHR Expo, a three-day conference co-sponsored by ASHRAE and AHRI. As one (1) of Colorado’s eleven (11) certified ASHRAE High-Performance Building Design Professional’s (HBDP), our President, Denise Dihle P.E., LEED AP BD+C, HBDP, CxA, leads by example and encourages the staff to stay involved and informed.

The conference, taking place January 30, 2017 through February 1, 2017 in Las Vegas, NV, will host more than 2,000 exhibitors and attract crowds of 60,000 industry professionals from every state in the U.S. and 150 countries worldwide per the AHR Expo website http://ahrexpo.com. Beginning as a heating and ventilation show 85 years ago, the expo has evolved into the leading HVACR event.

Before heading to the conference, one of our Project Managers, Taylor Reese LEED AP BD+C, CxA, shared his thoughts on why the AHR Expo is important to attend.

Education
The ASHRAE Conference provides a unique opportunity to take part in courses taught by top experts in the field and industry leaders. For entry-level engineers, it presents an opportunity to dig into the fundamental topics on which they can build their knowledge. For experienced engineers, it’s a chance to dive deep into unique complex system applications, address the latest code updates, and investigate innovative energy-saving strategies.

Technology
With literally thousands of exhibitors at the AHR Expo, it’s a great place to learn about all the new technology, and really experience it hands-on. It provides an opportunity to speak with the people directly involved in developing and building the equipment.

Networking
The ASHRAE Conference and AHR Expo bring so many people in our industry together in one city. It’s rare to have a situation where everyone you’re meeting is likely related to your field and everyday work. Whether you’re sitting in a panel discussion asking questions to a major manufacturer’s CEO or having evening drinks with a fellow consulting engineer, there are bound to be little pieces of knowledge and experience you can glean from others that can be applied to the next tough project.

Our team is looking forward to meeting upon their return to hear about what’s new in the industry and how we can use new equipment and technologies to better serve our clients on current and upcoming projects.