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NBSIR 74-539

Energy Conservation at the

NBS Laboratories

John D. Hoffman, Chairman

Energy Conservation Task Force

National Bureau of Standards

Washington, D. C. 20234

July 1974

Interim Report

July 1973-May 1974

I, S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

IATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

NBSIR 74-539

ENERGY CONSERVATION AT THE

NBS LABORATORIES

John D. Hoffman, Chairman

Energy Conservation Task Force

National Bureau of Standards

Washington, D. C. 20234

July 1974

Interim Report

July 1973 - May 1974

U. S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, Frederick B. Dent. Secretary

NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS. Richard W. Roberts. Director

CONTENTS

Energy Conservation at the NBS Laboratories

Page

Executive Summary 1

Summary of Findings 4

Summary of Recommendations 7

Preface 10

NBS Energy Task Force 12

Introduction 15

The Climate Control System 19

Model of the Climate Control System 24

Electricity: NBS Gaithersburg 33

Conservation of Electricity 36

Heating Fuels: NBS Gaithersburg 40

Conservation of Heating Fuels 42

Contingency Plan: NBS Gaithersburg ........ 48

Transportation: NBS Gaithersburg 55

Boulder Laboratories 63

Electricity: NBS Boulder 64

Heating Fuels: NBS Boulder 67

Transportation: NBS Boulder 72
FIGURES

Page

1. National Bureau of Standards

Gaithersburg, Maryland 16

2. Schematic shows climate control system in

a typical perimeter module in the general

purpose buildings. (NBS , Gaithersburg) .... 20

3. Schematic shows climate control system in

a typical laboratory module in general

purpose building. (NBS, Gaithersburg) 21

4. Schematic representation of energy use in

humidity control in laboratories. (NBS,

Gaithersburg) 23

5. Schematic model of climate control system:

Summer operation. (NBS, Gaithersburg) 25

6. Cooling load (tons of refrigeration) vs wet

bulb temperature. (NBS, Gaithersburg) 26

7. Summer heating fuel use profiles in terminal

reheat climate control system: Weekend day vs

weekday. (NBS, Gaithersburg) 27

8. Interpretation of summer heating fuel use

profiles in terminal reheat climate control

system. (NBS, Gaithersburg) .......... 28

9. Long range heating fuel and electricity

conservation: Reduction of air flow and

deactivation of fume hoods. (NBS, Gaithersburg). 30

10. Electricity and heating fuel use vs cooling

coil and thermostat set points. (NBS,

Gaithersburg) 31

11. Electricity use from July 1972 to May 1974.

(NBS, Gaithersburg) 38

12. Electricity use: Schematic comparison of past

and future operation. (NBS, Gaithersburg) ... 39

13. Heating fuel use from July 1972 to May 1974.

(NBS, Gaithersburg) 44
FIGURES

(cont .

)

Page

14. Heating fuel use vs outdoor temperature from

July 1971 to May 1974. (NBS, Gaithersburg) ... 45

15. Schematic comparison of past and future

heating fuel use vs outdoor temperature.

(NBS, Gaithersburg) 46

16. Schematic representation of electricity

contingency plan for summer. (NBS,

Gaithersburg) 51

17. Miles driven in government vehicles - FY 1973

vs FY 1974 . (NBS, Gaithersburg) 57

18. Gasoline consumption in government owned

vehicles - FY 1973 vs FY 1974 (NBS,

Gaithersburg) 58

19. Electricity use from July 1972 to May 1974.

(NBS, Boulder) 66

20. Heating fuel use from July 1972 to May 1974.

(NBS, Boulder) 70

21. Heating fuel use vs outdoor temperature from

January 1972 to May 1974. (NBS, Boulder) .... 71

22. Distribution of employees by distance from

work. (NBS, Boulder) * . 73

23. Mode of commuting to work by employees.

(NBS, Boulder) 74

24. Responses by employees to carpooling questions

in transportation questionnaire. (NBS, Boulder). 75
TABLES

Page

1. Electrical Energy Consumption 33

2 . Electrical Energy Consumption by Function ... 34

3. Evaluation of Electrical Energy Saving

Measures FY 1974 37

4. Conservation Progress * 36

5. Heating Fuel Consumption 40

6. Heating Fuel Consumption by Function 41

7. Evaluation of Heating Fuel Saving Measures . . 43

8. Conservation Progress 42

9. Selected Examples of Vulnerable Experiments

and Equipment 49

10. Winter Contingency Plan 52

11. Summer Contingency Plan . 53

12. Contingency Plan 54

13. Miles Driven 55

14. Gasoline Consumed by Government Owned Vehicles. 56

15. Actions Taken to Reduce Travel in FY 1974 ... 56

16. Employee Commuting Data 59

17. Analysis of Staff Travel 59

18. Staff Transportation Survey Results 60

19. Electrical Energy Consumption 64

20. Conservation Measures (Electricity) 65

21. Conservation Progress 65

22. Heating Fuel Consumption 67

23. Conservation Measures (Heating Fuel) 68

24. Conservation Progress 69
ENERGY CONSERVATION AT THE

NBS LABORATORIES

Executive Summary

An Energy Task Force was established at NBS to effect

maximum energy conservation without curtailing programs or

services, to develop contingency plans to keep the Laboratories in operation in the event of severely reduced energy

supply, to assist employees with transportation problems, and

to educate the staff on the importance of energy conservation.

The NBS Laboratories use a total of ~115 million kWh of

electricity and ~780 billion BTU of heating fuel annually to

power equipment and to provide a reliable environment. The

Task Force conducted a comprehensive systems analysis of

energy use in the light of present energy needs. Approximately

85 percent of the energy used at NBS is used in climate control

including ventilation and the remainder is used for lighting

and equipment. A mathematical model was developed for the

climate control system that affords a comparison between

observed and calculated energy use. As part of the analysis

of energy use, conservation measures were identified and

implemented. These measures include lighting reductions,

building and zone shutdowns, thermostat adjustments, and

changes in cooling coil control parameters. The conservation

actions resulted in a reduction of ~12 percent ($260,000) in

electricity and 18 percent ($130,000) for fiscal year 1974

compared to fiscal year 1973 in heating fuel without causing

loss of function, significant hazard, or noticeable impairment of either efficiency or morale of employees.

The Task Force carried out transportation surveys to ascertain the needs of employees and participated with local

organizations and agencies in planning for mass transit. A

carpool locator system based on a grid-map was developed and

used to assist employees with formation of carpools. Car

counts made at several times during the campaign revealed a significant shift toward carpooling.

The energy conservation campaign included educational

activities both within and external to NBS. The NBS Director,

Dr. Richard W. Roberts, addressed the Gaithersburg staff.

Dr. John D. Hoffman, Director of the Institute for Materials

Research and Chairman of the Task Force addressed the Boulder

staff and reviewed NBS conservation progress and plans with

representatives of the Federal Energy Administration and the

Department of Commerce. Energy conservation literature was

distributed to employees as well as to local industrial organizations. Conservation suggestions from employees were

solicited and evaluated by Task Force members.

1
The Task Force formulated contingency plans to reduce

energy use on short notice in preparation to respond to areawide energy problems. These plans provide a set of priorities to produce a reduction of 2-5 megawatts in electrical

demand. Heating fuel contingency plans effectively double

oil storage capacity at the Gaithersburg Laboratories.

The Task Force study includes recommendations that address

all phases of energy use at NBS. Adoption and implementation

of these recommendations should increase electricity conservation to ~15 percent and heating fuel conservation to

~21 percent in FY 75.

2
NBS ENERGY TASK FORCE

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

3
NBS ENERGY TASK FORCE

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

Electrical energy consumption by the National Bureau of

Standards in FY 1973 was 103.34 million kWh at the Gaithersburg Laboratories and 11.28 million kWh at the Boulder

Laboratories

.

The composite distribution of electrical consumption at

the two facilities by end use is as follows: equipment,

20 percent; humidity control, 3 5 percent; air ciculation,

25 percent; and lighting, 20 percent.

The maximum electrical power . consumption at the Gaithersburg Laboratories occurs in summertime and coincides with the

maximum demand on the power suppliers in the mid-Atlantic

region

.

In some NBS laboratories, experimental equipment would

suffer damage and data would be lost or prolonged down-time

would result from brown-out or premature termination of work.

The NBS Gaithersburg Laboratories could reduce operating

electrical power by as much as 40-50 percent for a few hours

on a contingency basis without terminating long-duration

experiments, key experiments, or shutting down critical

facilities. Much short-duration work would be lost; inadequate

ventilation would necessitate evacuation of some areas.

Electricity conservation in FY 74 at the Gaithersburg

Laboratories will exceed 11 percent relative to FY 73 (base

year) and should increase to about 13-16 percent during FY 75.

Electricity conservation in FY 74 at the Boulder Laboratories will exceed 12 percent relative to FY 73 (base year)

and should increase to more than 15 percent in FY 75.

The cost of electricity at the Gaithersburg Laboratories

for FY 74 will be approximately $1.83 million compared with

$1.58 million in FY 73. At the FY 73 consumption level, the

cost of electricity in FY 74 would have been $2.07 million.

Savings attributable to the conservation campaign are therefore $236,000.

The cost of electricity at the Boulder Laboratories for

FY 74 will be approximately $139,000 compared with $145,764

in FY 73. At the FY 73 consumption level, the cost of electricity in FY 74 would have been $158,000. Savings attributable to the conservation campaign are therefore $19,000.

4
Heating fuel consumption by the National Bureau of

Standards in FY 73 was 666.17 billion BTU at the Gaithersburg

Laboratories and 111.08 billion BTU at the Boulder Laboratories.

The natural gas supply to the NBS Gaithersburg Laboratories

is interruptible . Upon interruption, the boilers are converted

for burning No. 2 distillate fuel oil. Oil storage capacity

at NBS is 150,000 gallons which, prior to FY 74, was a 7-10

day supply.

In the event of a natural gas interruption and insufficient resupply of oil, the Gaithersburg Laboratories could

now operate for 12-18 calendar days on a contingency basis.

The operating time would depend upon both the oil supply at

the time of interruption and the weather during the interruption . The oil storage capacity at NBS is inadequate because

disruptive contingency measures would need to be put in force

quickly if oil resupply did not follow within about two days

of a natural gas interruption.

The climate control system - heating, air circulation,

cooling, and reheating - consumes 85 percent of the energy

used at the Gaithersburg Laboratories.

Heating fuel conservation in FY 74 at the Gaithersburg

Laboratories will be approximately 18 percent relative to

FY 73 (base year) and should increase to about 20-23 percent

in FY 75.

Heating fuel conservation in FY 74 at the Boulder Laboratories will be approximately 22 percent relative to FY 73

(base year) and should be maintained near that level in FY 75.

The cost of heating fuel for FY 74 at the Gaithersburg

Laboratories will be approximately $538,000 compared with

$554,800 in FY 73. At the FY 73 consumption level, the cost

of heating fuel in FY 74 would have been $652,000. Savings

attributable to the conservation campaign are therefore

$114,000.

The cost of heating fuel for FY 74 at the Boulder Laboratories will be approximately $50,500 compared with $55,366

in FY 73. At the FY 73 consumption level, the cost of heating fuel in FY 74 would have been $61,000. Savings attributable to the conservation campaign are therefore $10,500.

The climate control system can be represented by a mathematical model that can be used to evaluate conservation

options and to assess the impact of changes in climate

control parameters on laboratory environment.

5
The climate control system for office modules has two

settings: summer and winter. Under typical early spring and

late fall weather conditions the climate control system may

be operated on either the summer or the winter setting. The

winter setting consumes less energy but cannot be used when

outdoor temperature exceeds 65° F.

Reducing air circulation rates would substantially

diminish the use of natural gas and electricity. Circulation

rates in individual zones cannot be reduced independently;

building air balance must be maintained.

Some fume hoods could be placed on standby provided that

alternative exhaust systems are available and overall building

air balance is maintained.

Heating fuel use versus outdoor temperature for 1971-1972

may be represented by a straight line relationship. With

conservation measures in effect, heating fuel use versus

outdoor temperature may be represented by a curve with maximum

deviation from the former straight line occurring at temperatures that are typical of spring and fall.

The potential is high for increased energy conservation

at NBS. Significant costs of labor and automation will need

to be weighed against energy savings to establish the optimum

operating conditions consistent with laboratory needs.

NBS Gaithersburg employees drive an average of 3 4 miles

per day in commuting compared with 9 miles for Boulder

employees

.

In November 1973, an average of 1.29 passengers per car

entered the NBS Gaithersburg grounds compared with 1.42

passengers per car in March 1974.

Two-thirds of the NBS Gaithersburg staff expressed an

interest in improved bus service and one-quarter in improved

train service.

One half of the NBS Gaithersburg staff commute in carpools.

Inadequate shuttle service to Washington increases the

use of private vehicles in official travel.

6
SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS

The Task Force recommends that:

° Practices initiated during the first year of

the conservation campaign be continued. This

includes reductions in lighting levels and

shutdowns in buildings 101, 202, 236, 301, 304,

and 231.

0 Wherever feasible, air circulation rates be

reduced by 5-15 percent through adjustment

of vortex dampers.

° Experiments be carried out in one general

purpose building to determine the feasibility

of shutting down air systems in perimeter zones

at night during the summer. To maintain air

balance, hood shutdowns should accompany the

perimeter zone shutdowns.

Office temperatures be set to 73° F for the

summer of 1974. Cooling coils for most office

zones should be set at 57-58° F and may be set

to 60° F for weekends.

Experiments be carried out to determine the

feasibility of placing some fume hoods on

standby. Experiments should begin in laboratories that have alternative exhaust systems.

0 A meter to measure instantaneous site operating

electrical power be made readily accessible to

the Chief of the Plant Division.

Whenever feasible, lighting levels be further

reduced by removing four fluorescent tubes from

overhead fixtures in interior modules.

0 Energy record keeping be established to provide

NBS management with up-to-date summaries of

energy supply and use. The record keeping

should include daily summaries for operating

personnel, weekly summaries for Plant Management

and monthly summaries for the Associate Director

for Administration and for the Policy Committee

of the NBS Energy Task Force.

Operators of major experimental facilities be

encouraged to schedule down-time and routine

maintenance to occur during the summer.

7
Cooling coil temperatures in perimeter zones

be varied to take maximum advantage of the

cooling capacity of outdoor air. Temperature

and humidity criteria supplied by the Task

Force should be used to select settings.

The winter setting of the climate control

system be used in spring and fall whenever

feasible. Temperature and humidity criteria

supplied by the Task Force should be used to

select setting.

The detailed contingency plan provided by the

Task Force be used in the event that the

electric power supplier requests that NBS

reduce demand. As contingency action might

entail reduction in ventilation rate in some

buildings which have no alternative means of

ventilation, early dismissal for some employees

might be necessary. It is recommended that

dismissal should be at the discretion of

supervisors in affected areas with concurrence

from the Associate Director for Administration.

NBS increase on-site storage capacity.

The Long Range Conservation Committee undertake

the following studies:

1 - reduction of ventilation rate

2 - optimal year-round inside temperature

3 - shutdown of additional HVAC units

4 - optimize chiller operation

5 - reduction of exhausts (hoods, etc.)

6 - optimal HVAC control (computer operation)

7 - evaluate exhaust heat recovery units

8 - evaluate window load.

The Policy Committee of the NBS Energy Task

Force continue to serve as the focal point for

energy conservation activities at NBS and to

advise the Director on matters related to

energy supply and use at the NBS Laboratories.

NBS actively encourage employee carpooling and

maintain an updated locator system based on

x, y grid coordinates. Maintenance of the

locator system should be made the responsibility

of the Management and Organization Division.

While encouraging carpooling, no actions be

taken such as altering parking zones or roadways

that would limit access to NBS parking areas by

visitors, participants in conferences or those

attending other mission-related activities.

8
NBS continue to cooperate with agencies and

organizations in the Gaithersburg area to

acquire additional bus routes and improved

service

.

NBS actively support the State of Maryland

with efforts to initiate additional commuter

service by the B&O Railroad.

NBS seek to attain authority to establish

shuttle service to and from the railroad

station should commuter train service

become available.

NBS continue to support local efforts to

modify existing roadways and traffic light

timing to facilitate motor vehicle traffic

flow and safe passage of bicycles.

9
PREFACE

In November 1973, the Director of the National Bureau of

Standards, Dr. Richard W. Roberts, established an Energy Task

Force. He appointed Dr. John D. Hoffman, Director of the

Institute for Materials Research, to head the Bureau-wide

Task Force. Dr. Roberts spelled out the basic responsibilities

of the Task Force as follows:

° to effect maximum energy conservation without

curtailing NBS programs or essential services.

0 to develop contingency plans to keep NBS Laboratories in operation in the event of severely

reduced energy supply.

° to assist employees with short term transportation

needs and to contribute to long term solutions to

transportation problems in the area.

0 to educate the staff on the importance of energy

conservation

.

The contingency plan provision was included as part of

the energy conservation campaign because the NBS Gaithersburg

facility is served by an interruptible natural gas supply

backed by only a 7-10 day supply of fuel oil. Moreover, the

electrical requirements of the climate control system upon

which most laboratory operations critically depend are

greatest in summer when electrical power supply to the

Washington area is most vulnerable to overload.

The Energy Task Force functioned in Task Groups each with

a focus on a specific area: electricity, heating, transportation, staff liaison, and communications. Because conservation necessitates changes in working environment and the

campaign would be conducted during a period of great national

concern with energy that could lead to changes in codes and

regulations, specialists on safety, health, legal, and

legislative issues served as members of the Policy Committee

of the Task Force. The energy conservation strategy for NBS

evolved into a three stage plan:

0 to implement quickly conservation measures deemed

to be safe and effective and which would have

minimum impact on laboratory operations.

0 to establish a data and information base to be

used in contingency planning and to identify

measures for additional conservation. This

work involved conducting surveys on temperature

and humidity control, critical experiments, major

facilities, long-range experiments, and carrying

out operations research analysis on past and present

system performance.

10
0 to make recommendations for future operating

conditions such as temperature and humidity

settings, illumination levels, air circulation

rates, work schedules, and laboratory equipment

modification that would result in reduced energy use.

The Task Groups which carried out this work were staffed

by members of technical divisions and the Plant Division.

This report represents a summary of the findings, conclusions,

and recommendations made in separate reports by the Task

Groups and by the Executive Secretary.

11
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14
INTRODUCTION

The National Bureau of Standards serves the United States

as the authoritative source of accurate, compatible, and

useful physical measurements, standards, and information.

Since its creation in 1901, NBS has provided the precision

measurement foundation for the Nation's science, technology,

and commerce

.

The basic enabling legislation of 1901, as amended,

establishes the main purposes and functions of NBS as follows:

0 the custody, maintenance, and development of the

national standards of measurement, and the provision of means and methods for making measurements

consistent with those standards including the

comparison of standards;

0 the determination of physical constants and

properties of materials .... of great importance

to scientific or manufacturing interests .... not

to be obtained of sufficient accuracy elsewhere;

0 the development of methods for testing materials,

mechanisms, and structures and the testing of

materials, supplies, and equipment....;

° cooperation with other governmental agencies and

with private organizations in the establishment

of standard practices, incorporated in codes

and specifications;

0 advisory service to Government agencies on

scientific and technical problems;

0 invention and development of devices to serve

special needs of the Government.

NBS is primarily a measurement and test development laboratory with programs that span a wide range of activities

devoted to materials standards, engineering standards, and

basic standards. The diversity of NBS is reflected in its

present program which includes work in fire research, air and

water pollution, computer privacy, toy safety, and research

to improve physical measurements. Meeting the changing

measurement needs of diverse programs requires a flexible

physical plant. The relatively new NBS Gaithersburg Laboratory complex (fig. 1) is, in fact, a flexible facility

comprising 21 buildings with more than 2.2 million square

feet of floor space including 574,000 square feet of laboratory space and 329,000 square feet of office space. The NBS

buildings are distributed over 576 acres to provide a measure of separation for measuring apparatus from sources of

noise, vibration, radiation and incompatible activities.

15
16
The approximately 2,000 individual laboratories house

highly precise and often delicate scientific apparatus, fume

exhaust systems, and clean chambers. Specialized laboratory

buildings house major facilities such as a nuclear reactor,

wind tunnels, linear accelerator, and a 12 million pound

mechanical testing apparatus. In addition to specialized

equipment, standards and measurement work requires a stable

working environment. Providing a stable environment in a geographical area often beset by high temperature and high

humidity requires a climate control system capable of maintaining environmental conditions within specified limits.

The heating and cooling requirements of the climate control

system are provided by steam and chilled water generating

plants. Also important to the work at NBS are the supporting

service facilities such as instrument and machine shops, glassblowing shops, special storage areas, and provisions for

security and safety.

The NBS laboratories use three sources of energy: electricity, natural gas, and oil. Electricity is used for

equipment, lighting, and environmental control. Natural gas

and oil are used for heating in winter and for climate control

throughout the year. A relatively small amount of natural gas

is used in laboratory equipment such as burners and torches.

The natural gas supply to NBS is interruptible ; this means

that during high demand periods, NBS (as well as several other

major users) may be cut off on two hours notice. Interruptions

for several days at a time during very cold weather are not

uncommon. When the natural gas supply to NBS is temporarily

discontinued, the boilers in the steam plant are converted

for burning No. 2 distillate fuel oil. The oil storage

capacity is ~150,000 gallons which represents only a 7-10 day

supply. The supply of electricity to NBS, while apparently

secure, is subject to brown-out (low voltage) due to excess

demand along the network which serves the Washington area.

Occasionally, large users of electricity are requested to

reduce power to help alleviate the demand problem within the

network. During an energy shortage, such requests could

become more frequent and necessitate greater power reductions.

The major uses of energy at NBS are for laboratory equipment and environmental control systems. The air circulating

system in a laboratory building is divided into zones of 20

to 30 modules (rooms) each; entire buildings are air balanced

to make certain that air from laboratories flows directly to

laboratory exhaust systems and not into corridors or offices.

Much laboratory equipment operates continuously and, for this

reason, environmental systems in these buildings also operate

continuously

.

17
Relatively minor amounts of energy are used for lighting

and for non-laboratory equipment and machinery. These uses

of energy are mostly confined to working hours. Of the

energy used at NBS, only that used for office and laboratory

lighting and for equipment is in direct control of the

scientific and administrative staff. The interactive nature

of zones within the climate control system precludes independent and arbitrary settings of thermostats and air flow.

Therefore, general recommendations to employees regarding

energy use, though desirable, would yield only small (2-3

percent) energy savings.

The objective set by the NBS Director to exceed the

Government-wide conservation goal of 7 percent, coupled with

the above constraints on system operations, was the challenge

put to the Task Force. To meet this challenge the Task Force

undertook a systems analysis of NBS operations to evaluate

energy use in the light of current needs. Task Groups worked

to establish accurate energy data and information bases.

Surveys were conducted to serve as a basis for both energy

conservation and contingency planning. Each Task Group prepared a report of its findings and recommendations for energy

conservation. This report is a summary of the Task Group

reports. It includes an outline of contingency plans, major

recommendations, conservation progress to date, and a prognosis for energy conservation in FY 1975.

18
THE CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM

NBS Gaithersburg

The climate control system - cooling, heating, and air

circulation - consumes about 85 percent of the energy used at

NBS. Through the settings of the components of the climate

control system, the atmosphere within most general purpose

laboratories is maintained at 75° F and 45-50 percent relative

humidity (RH) . Temperature, humidity control, and proper

ventilation are maintained by constant flow of fresh and

recycled air. Throughout much of the year, the absolute

humidity of the outside air exceeds the level that is permissible inside the laboratory. To reduce the moisture content,

the fresh air-recycled air mixture is chilled to saturation

(100 percent RH) at 55° F and then heated to 75° F.

Air circulation systems that supply air to office modules

have two settings: summer and winter. On the summer setting,

a mixture consisting of 25 percent fresh air and 75 percent

recycled air is chilled to saturation at 55° F and reheated to

75° F. On the winter setting, the proportion of fresh air

varies from a minimum of 25 percent at very low outdoor temperatures to 100 percent at outdoor temperatures of 65° F or

above. The mixture of fresh and recycled air is heated in

attics to 65° F and blown down ducts to individual offices

where the air is heated by hot water units located beneath

windows to the room temperature set point. Schematic

representations of control systems for perimeter modules and

interior modules are given in figure 2 and 3, respectively.

During the winter, heating fuel use depends upon the

difference between inside and outside temperature. Consequently,

lowering thermostat settings in offices from 75° F to 68° F

reduces heating fuel use. The lowering of laboratory temperatures to 68° F would also conserve heating fuel but would

result in an unacceptable increase in relative humidity.

Energy conservation options for winter are therefore limited

to adjustments in office temperature, relatively small

adjustments in laboratory temperatures, zone shutdowns, and

reductions in rates of air circulation.

During spring and fall, energy conservation strategies are

inherently more complex because outdoor temperatures cross the

65° F point frequently. The minimization of energy use under

such weather conditions depends upon several important

variables: thermostat set points, cooling coil set points,

outdoor dew point, outdoor temperature, and control (summer

or winter) setting.

19
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During the summer, outdoor temperature exceeds 65° F most

of the time and the climate control system is always kept on

the summer setting. Both temperature and humidity control are

important and both heating fuel and electricity are used in

this control. Electrical energy (up to 12 megawatts) is used

to produce chilled water that is used to cool fresh and

recycled air; heating fuel (up to 1.5 billion BTU/day) is used

in summer to reheat chilled air. From the standpoint of

energy use, the most important factor in the large cooling

load is the humidity of the atmospheric air. The heat released when moisture condenses is taken up by chilled water.

The flow of chilled water must be sufficiently rapid to

maintain the temperature set point of the cooling coil.

Energy use during summer may be visualized with the aid

of figure 4. The three levels that determine how much energy

is used are as follows:

(1) The cooling coil set point . This point fixes the

absolute humidity of the interior air. Cooling

coil set points are controlled in attics zone-byzone. Each zone consists of 20-30 laboratories.

(2) The laboratory set point . The laboratory temperature set point, together with the cooling coil

set point for that zone, determines the relative

humidity

.

(3 ) The wet bulb* temperature of the atmospheric air . The fresh air cooling load is proportional to the separation

between levels 1 and 3; the recycled air cooling load and

reheat load depend upon the separation between levels 1 and 2

.

The diagram shows that reduction in energy use could be

brought about by raising levels 1 and 2, narrowing the gap

between levels 1 and 2, or by both actions. As both of these

levels are involved in temperature and humidity control,

changes in them can neither be made arbitrarily nor can they

be made at all in some zones.

*Wet bulb temperature is defined as that temperature at which

water, by evaporating into air, can bring the air to saturation adiabatically at that same temperature.

22
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CONDITIONS

54°F

100 R.H. COOLING COIL SET POINT

Figure 4. Schematic representation of energy use in humidity

control in laboratories. (NBS , Gaithersburg)

23
MODEL OF THE CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM

In order to evaluate conservation plans in terms of the

impact of changed environment on operations as well as energy

savings, a model has been developed to serve as a basis for

energy calculations (fig. 5) . The only input parameters in

this "box" model are air circulation rates and temperature

settings. Electrical and heating requirements and time variation of electrical demand are derived as a function of

weather conditions and building heat loads. The cooling load

computed from the model is shown in figure 6. The load is

divided into two parts - a recycled air cooling load and a fresh air cooling load. Several conclusions may be drawn from

the calculated cooling loads. When the outdoor wet bulb

temperature is 55° F, as is often the case in May, the cooling

load should be ~3000 tons. When the wet bulb temperature in

the Washington area reaches ~ 80° F, as it does several times

_

each summer, the cooling load should be ~10,000 tons. Cooling

loads of 4-7000 tons should be observed on typical summer days

when wet bulb temperature ranges from about 65° F to 73° F.

All these features are consistent with cooling loads observed

from May to October.

According to the "box" model of NBS , the heating requirement should be constant throughout the summer at ~10° BTU/min.

The observed loads, however, are found to be less than 10"

BTU/min, they vary throughout the day, and differ from weekday

to weekend day as shown in figure 7. These variations appear

because heat is provided by sources other than the heating

system - equipment, lights, personnel, sunlight, and conduction.

Calculations were carried out using estimates of typical loads

that are known to occur at various times during the weekly

cycle. The results (fig. 8) show that the sum of all loads

was ~10^ BTU/min. Therefore, the reheat system operates by

"subsidizing" the other loads to maintain a total load of

~106 BTU/min. This "subsidy" explains why the cooling load

depends only upon weather and not on the internal building

load whereas the heating load depends upon both weather and

the building load. The agreement between observed and calculated energy use shows that the "box" model closely simulates

the functioning of the climate control system and that factors

not incorporated in the model such as air infiltration are not

sufficiently large to negate conclusions that might be derived

from the model.

Several possible conservation measures that involve

changes in operation or response of the climate control system

were evaluated using the model. Actions considered include

changes in temperature settings, humidity levels, air-flow

rates, and insulation. The principal observation based on the

study of the climate control system are as follows:

24
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WET BULB TEMPERATURE (°F)

80°

Figure 6. Cooling load (tons of refrigeration) vs

wet bulb temperature. (NBS, Gaithersburg)

26
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1. Reduction in air circulation rate is the most

efficient energy conservation measure. Figure 9

shows the reductions in heating and cooling loads

that would result from a 25 percent reduction in

air flow. Fume hoods exhaust an average of

750 ft-* per minute and necessitate generally

larger air flow rates in laboratory buildings.

Removal of hoods from active use would result

in considerable savings as shown in figure 9.

Zone shutdowns have been effective in energy

conservation during the first year of the

campaign: zone air flow rate reductions of

5-15 percent have been tested and are feasible

in some zones. Reduced air flow in many

laboratories is now possible because most

of the newer laboratory equipment has solid

state components instead of electron tubes

which were common when the Laboratory was

designed. Design air-flow levels are undoubtedly too high in many laboratories. However,

zone control precludes adjustments of air flow

in individual laboratories.

2 . Frequent switching between summer and winter

setting positions of the climate control system

would conserve considerable electricity (see

fig. 12) and heating fuel (see fig. 15) in

spring and fall. The summer setting should

be used when the "outdoor temperature exceeds

65° F. If the dew point is ~57° F or

greater, cooling coils should be set at 57° F;

if the dew point is less than 57° F, cooling

coils should be set at 65° F. As it is not

always possible to make the recommended cooling

coil adjustments, it is particularly important

to have office thermostats set as low as practicable during spring and fall.

3. For a given level of absolute humidity in the

interior of NBS, lower thermostat settings in

office modules save electricity and heating

fuel relative to higher thermostat settings.

4. For a constant year-round temperature mode of

operation in office modules, ~71° F is the

optimum choice. A temperature as low as 71° F,

however, would be uncomfortable during the

summer for many employees. The heating and

cooling requirements associated with two possible

choices of temperature settings compared with

past operations are shown in figure 10.

29
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31
For a two temperature mode of operation in

office modules, a high temperature of ~74° F

and a low temperature of 68° F should be

selected. The period of operation at high

temperature should be from early June to

early October.

Window heat leaks during- hot weather do not

increase cooling loads, they decrease heating

loads. Thermally insulating glass would therefore increase energy use in summer.";

The solar load through most windows is beneficial all year except insofar as it necessitates

greater air flow rates all year instead of for

the relatively short periods when all interior

loads are near maximum levels. Peak reduction

in solar loads through use of blinds rather

than solar pane or solar shades should be

considered on the south side of general purpose

buildings

.

The potential for continued improvement in

energy conservation at NBS is great but increased

use of labor or automation of some controls will

be necessary to realize most of the energy savings.
ELECTRICITY

NBS Gaithersburg

Electrical energy consumption by month from July, 1971

through May, 1974 is given in table 1.

TABLE 1

ELECTRICAL ENERGY CONSUMPTION

NBS, Gaithersburg

(July 1971 - May 1974)

kWh kWh kWh

July

(1971) 10,300,000

July

(1972) 11,560,000

July

(1973) 10 ,430,000

Aug. 10,500,000 Aug. 9,940,000 Aug. 9 ,900,000

Sept. 9,830,000 Sept. 10,180,000 Sept. 10 ,370,000

Oct. 8,820,000 Oct

.

9,750,000 Oct. 8 ,850,000

Nov. 9,110,000 Nov. 7,690,000 Nov. 6 ,860,000

Dec

.

7,000,000 Dec

.

7,060,000 Dec

.

5 ,750,000

Jan

.

(1972) 7,380,000

Jan.

(1973) 6,690,000

Jan.

(1974) 5 ,610,000

Feb. 6,880,000 Feb. 7,260,000 Feb. 6 ,150,000

Mar. 7,240,000 Mar. 7,160,000 Mar. 5 ,750,000

Apr

.

7,960,000 Apr. 7,960,000 Apr. 6 ,040,000

May 8,000,000 May 7,870,000 May 6 ,590,000

June 9,430,000 June 10,420,000

102,450,000 103,340,000 TOTALS

The functional breakdown of electricity use is given in table 2.

33
TABLE 2

ELECTRICAL ENERGY CONSUMPTION

By Function3

(NBS , Gaithersburg)

Percent of

Total Consumption

Function (Yearly Average)

Main Power Plant (Primarily

chilled water production) 37.2 + 0.1

Motors (Air circulation, hoods,

exhausts and pumps) 2 5.3 + 2.5

Lighting 18.4 + 3

Major Experimental Facilities 6.3 + 0.5

General Purpose Equipment 12.9 + 3

aElectrical consumption by function was determined

from records kept at major experimental facilities

and by analyzing day, night and seasonal variations

in electrical demand and total consumption. Plant

records on motors used in air and water circulation

and chilled water production were also used.

NBS electricity use is monitored by only two electric

meters. Therefore, indirect methods were used to determine

the functional breakdown; they are summarized in table 2.

A general interpretation of the seasonal consumption

pattern and functional breakdown can be given in relation to

the equipment used in NBS laboratories. The ~2000 laboratories house electrical equipment ranging from fractional

wattage to hundreds of kilowatts. In order to provide a stable environment for laboratory measurement systems, temperature and humidity must be controlled. Control is

maintained by air which moves through the laboratory at a rate sufficient to remove heat and moisture emitted from

equipment and occupants. The recirculation air must be

cooled to prevent buildup of moisture and heat. As the

circulating air must also provide ventilation, fresh air is

mixed with the recirculation air before passing through

laboratories. The temperature and humidity of fresh air

depend upon prevailing atmospheric conditions. In general,

fresh air is unsuitable for direct intorduction into laboratories. In the summer, the fresh air contains considerably

more moisture than permitted in laboratories and it must be

34
dehumidified. The air is dehumidified by passing it over

cooling coils fed by chilled water produced by electrically

powered refrigeration units. The electrical load of the

refrigeration units is very large in summer (fig. 6) which

accounts for the largest electricity use which occurs during

that season. Laboratory fume hoods and much laboratory

equipment operate continuously for valid reasons and circulation of air is required at all times.

35
CONSERVATION OF ELECTRICITY.

The principal conservation measures taken since July 1973

and the savings resulting from them are listed in table 3.

Recommendations made by the Electricity Task Group for conservation in FY 1975 and FY 1976 are also summarized in table 3.

These measures could be implemented in whole or in part

depending upon factors such as the availability of manpower

to carry out labor intensive measures (i.e., reduction in

laboratory lighting) , the maintenance of building air balance,

and the availability of funds to modify ducts to provide the

necessary changes in air flow.

Conservation progress to date (May 1974) is given in

table 4 and figure 11.

TABLE 4

CONSERVATION PROGRESS

(FY 74 vs FY 73)

Electricity Use

(Million kWh)

Quarter FY 73 FY 74 Conservation

1 31.48 30.70 2.5% a

2 24.50 21.46 13.3% a

3 21.11 17.51 13.4% a April 7.96 6.40

May 7.87 6.59

Cumulative 92.92 82.66 11.0%

Corrected for number of days in billing period

Beginning in November 1973, consumption every month has

been lower than the corresponding month in the previous two

years. Conservation progress to date is in good agreement

with the level predicted from an analysis of the conservation

measures. The higher percentage levels reached from October

1973 - May 1974 are due in part to lower levels of electrical

consumption which is a normal seasonal pattern. An analysis

of yearly weather data and past energy use shows that, relative

to past operation, the greatest level of conservation should

occur in the fall (fig. 12)

.
37
38
Figure 12. Electricity use: Schematic comparison of past

and future operation. (NBS , Gaithersburg)

39
HEATING FUELS

NBS Gaithersburg

Heating fuel consumption by month from July, 1971 through

May, 1974 is given in table 5.

TABLE 5

HEATING FUEL CONSUMPTION

NBS, Gaithersburg

(July, 1971 - May, 1974)

Billion Billion Billion

BTU BTU BTU

July

(1971) 39.68

July

(1972) 42.94

July

(1973) 39.58

Aug. 40.60 Aug

.

42.84 Aug

.

40.80

Sept. 42.33 Sept. 44.37 Sept. 43.35

Oct. 48.76 Oct. 59.98 Oct. 52.43

Nov. 62.22 Nov. 63.34

68.31

Nov. 51.41

Dec 54.67

.

64.26 Dec

.

Dec

.

Jan

.

(1972) 70.88

Jan

.

(1973) 71.41

Jan

.

(1974) 58.45

Feb. 68.97 Feb. 64.89 Feb. 55.17

March 56.30 March 61.01 March 49.90

April 55.69 April 57.02 April 40.27

May 51.61 May 49.67 May 37.62

June 45.39

646.69

June 40.39

666.17

June

The

table 6.

functional breakdown of heating fuel use is given

40
TABLE 6

HEATING FUEL CONSUMPTION

BY FUNCTION

(NBS, Gaithersburg)

Function

Percent of Total Consumption

(Yearly Averages)

Steam Production >99

"Winter" Heating

Climate Control (Reheat)

40 + 5

40 + 5

Fume Hoods 20 + 3

Laboratory Gas <1

For each of the first three categories listed in table 6,

heating fuel is used in steam production. Steam is fed to NBS

buildings to produce hot water which in turn is used to warm

the air that circulates through all NBS buildings. "Winter"

heating designates heat needed to maintain building temperature

above prevailing atmospheric temperature regardless of season.

Heating fuel used in climate control is needed to reheat air

that has been chilled to remove excess moisture Some of the

heated air supplies the ~700 laboratory fume hoods which

operate full time.

41
CONSERVATION OF HEATING FUELS

The conservation measures taken since July, 197 3 and the

savings resulting from them are listed in table 7. Recommendations made by the Heating Fuels Task Group for conservation in

FY 1975 and FY 1976 are also listed.

Conservation progress to date (May 1974) is given in

table 8 and figure 13.

TABLE 8

CONSERVATION PROGRESS

FY 1974 vs FY 1973

Heating Fuel Use

(Billion BTU)

Quarter FY 73 FY 7 4 Conservation

1 130.15 123.73 4.9

2 191.63 158.51 17.3

3 197.31 163.52 17.2

Apr

.

57.02 40.27 29.4

May 49.67 37.62 24.3

Cumulative 625.78 523.65 16.3

Heating fuel consumption depends upon weather. Air temperature is the primary factor in fuel consumption but -sunshine

and wind also are of some importance. Figure 14 shows monthly

heating fuel consumption vs monthly average mean daily temperature from July, 1971 to the present time. Observed monthly

consumption levels from July 1971 to October 1973 lie along a

straight line. Early in the conservation campaigning, (July

1973-October 1973) , measures were taken primarily to conserve

electricity. Beginning in November, however, consumption

every month has been significantly below previous levels. An

analysis of the climate control system parameters, weather

data, and distribution of zones shows that the heating fuel use

vs temperature curve should bend downward during the spring and

fall. The expected response is shown schematically in figure

15. According to the curve labeled future operation, energy

savings should be greatest in spring and fall. Operating

criteria have been developed to bring the climate control

system response more in accord with the future operation curve.

42
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An interesting feature of the crossover region between summer

and winter portions of the curve is that the weather correction

to fuel use virtually vanishes. This is quite unlike home

fuel use, which, in April and November, is very sensitive to

5-10° F differences in average temperature.

47
CONTINGENCY PLANS

NBS Gaithersburg

Many experiments and tests conducted at NBS are of a nature or duration that serious damage or loss could result if

either the environment or controls normally maintained are

altered for even a short time. For example, disruption of

electrical service would terminate some experiments and,

depending upon the nature or extent of the distruption, damage

some experimental equipment. Selected examples of vulnerable

experiments are given in table 9. A reduction in heating fuel

supply might necessitate changes in temperature and humidity

set points with resulting deleterious effects on work and

equipment. As indicated above, the NBS Gaithersburg Laboratories are served by an interruptible natural gas supply.

Interruptions usually occur during very cold weather and often

last for several days. The oil supply maintained for such

eventualities represents about one week's supply. Prior to

1974, consumption was equivalent to about 3 truckloads of oil

per day. Therefore, either an oil shortage or delay in

deliveries because of weather could create a situation

requiring prudent contingency action to extend available

supply. Similarly, there are periods when electrical demand

in the area approaches the generating capacity of the system

serving the Washington area. When this occurs, the power

supplier may request that large users reduce demand. Near

peak operation might result in a brown-out (low voltage) which

itself is troublesome in some work. Based upon the best evi- . dence available at the start of the conservation campaign,

actual energy outage was considered quite remote but a heating

fuel shortage and electrical demand problems were considered

sufficiently likely to warrant careful analysis and planning.

Thus, contingency planning was carried out to properly prepare

the NBS Laboratories for possible interruptions or shortages

in essential energy supplies that might occur during the

anticipated energy deficiency of the 1970 's.

The first step in the contingency planning involved

determining what information and data would be needed to

formulate a plan to simultaneously serve the needs of management, plant operators, and laboratory scientists. As the

energy problem and the actions required would need to be

reduced to their clearest and most specific terms, plans were

built around scenarios designed to simulate the actual problems.

This approach is intended to avoid an "alert" atmosphere and

the attendant precipitous actions that could, for lack of

adequate information, result in unnecessary termination of

work. The scenarios for which NBS would make preparations

are as follows:

48
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Electricity

Scenario •- A request from the power supplier is received

to reduce electrical demand during working

hours by a recommended percentage with notice

of 1-2 hours.

Heating Fuels

Scenario - The natural gas supply is interrupted for an

unspecified period and oil delivery time

cannot be guaranteed.

The contingency strategy is outlined in figure 16.

To obtain the data and information necessary to complete

contingency planning, surveys were carried out on temperature

and humidity control, critical experiments, long-range

experiments, and major facilities. The plans devised to meet

the postulated contingencies are summarized in tables 10, 11

and 12.

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54
TRANSPORTATION

NBS Gaithersburg

Transportation is considered in two parts: Official

travel and employee commuting.

A. Official Travel

Miles driven and gasoline consumed in official travel are

given in table 13 and table 14, respectively.

TABLE 13

MILES DRIVEN3

NBS Gaithersburg

PERCENT

PERIOD MILES PERIOD MILES CONSERVATION

July-Sept '72 364412 July-Sept '73 364230 0

Oct - Dec '72 423706 Oct - Dec '73 354070 16.4

Jan - Mar '73 433960 Jan - Mar '74 232071 46.5

aIncludes GSA motor pool vehicles, agency owned commercially

leased and rented, and privately owned vehicles used on

official travel.

55
TABLE 14

GASOLINE CONSUMED BY GOVERNMENT OWNED VEHICLES

NBS Gaithersburg

GASOLINE GASOLINE PERCENT

PERIOD CONSUMED PERIOD CONSUMED CONSERVATION

July-Sept '72 19413 July-Sept '73 18858 2.9

Oct - Dec '72 18387 Oct - Dec '73 16178 12.0

Jan - Mar '73 22029 Jan - Mar '74 14731 33.1

The conservation measures taken since July 1973 are

listed in table 15. Task Force recommendations concerning

official travel are included in table 15. Conservation progress to date is summarized in figures 17 and 18, respectively

TABLE 15

ACTIONS TAKEN TO REDUCE TRAVEL IN FY 1974

1. Reduction in number of Government owned vehicles (Gov't)

by returning three vehicles from the subpool to GSA.

2. Reduction in shuttle services - elimination of three runs

from NBS to Commerce.

3. Reduction in special pickups and delivery service.

a. Limited downtown pickup and delivery.

b. Elimination of airport, Pentagon, and most

Virginia runs.

c. Elimination of the cars stationed downtown.

4. Mileage Control Program - Reduction in mileage driven by

Government owned vehicles and privately owned vehicles

.

Target reduction assigned all MOU's was 20 percent below

miles driven in similar period for the preceding year.

RECOMMENDATION

The Task Force recommends that records of official travel

be analyzed on a regular basis to determine the optimum number

and optimum scheduling of shuttles that would minimize fuel

consumption and discourage the unofficial use of privately

owned vehicles by employees conducting official business.

56
57
58
B. Employee Commuting

Travel by employees in commuting is summarized in table 16.

TABLE 16

EMPLOYEE COMMUTING DATA

Avg. Miles

Area

No . of

People * from NBS(one way)

Daily Travel

Mileage

Gaithersburg-Rockville 974 5 9,740

Outlying Mont. County 163 15 4,890

NE D.C. to Rockville 955 20 38,200

Frederick Area 238 26 12,376

SW D.C.-Bltwy-Fx Cty 152 26 7,904

SE D.C.-Pr. Geo. 132 35 9,240

Outlying Areas 127 50 12,700

2,742 95,050

Add 15 percent (incomplete data base) 110 , 000

An analysis of staff travel is given in table 17.

TABLE 17

ANALYSIS OF STAFF TRAVEL

Staff Travel to and from work

11/27/73 2/28/74 Dif f

.

% Chg

Total cars 2250 2026 224 -10

Total people in cars 2920 2892 28 - 1

People/Car 1.29 1.42 -.13 + 10

Cars w/two or more people 469 550 81 +17

Total people in cars 973 1408 435 +45

People/Car 2 .07 2.56 .49 + 24

59
In January 1974 a staff transportation survey was conducted to determine staff transportation needs and to establish

an accurate data base for a carpool locator system. The

results of this survey are given in table 18.

TABLE 18

STAFF TRANSPORTATION SURVEY RESULTS3

Number Percent

I. Drive Alone 1295 52

Carpool 1085 44.0 • Walk • 23 0.9

Metrobus 11 0.4

Other 45 1.8

II. Desire Carpool List 1077 43

III. Address Change in Past 10 Months 367 15

IV. Will Share Carpool Driving Yes 1448 58

No 770 31

V. Will Ride Only 375 25

VI

.

Will Drive Onlv and Pick tin Ridpi*s 345 <*J ~ w/ 14

Bus Service

VII. (2482) May Use if Available 1077 43

Definitely Use if Convenient 588 24

Not Interested 651 26

DiJ j yj Travel w/Safe Parking 870 42

Travel w/o Regard to Parking 62 3

IX. Maximum Round Trip (1226) $1.00 540 44

2.00 512 42

3.00 146 12

4.00 20 2

5.00 4 0.3

Train Service (2482)

X. Use North-South AM if Approved 193 8

XI. Use South-North AM 476 20

Based on 2482 Responses

60
Based primarily on the results of the Transportation

Survey, the Task Force undertook several actions intended

to improve the commuting picture for employees. Because of

strong interest expressed in carpooling, a carpool locator

system was devised to provide participants with the names of

persons who live in their immediate area and who also wish to

form carpools. The locator system is based on x, y grid

coordinates and lends itself to any strategy that would utilize

actual point locations of employee residences. Initially, more

than 1000 employees sought and received assistance with carpool

formation and requests continue to be received.

The Task Force also investigated improved bus and train

service as alternatives to use of private vehicles. Cost and

route information for charter bus service was obtained. Daily

costs were found to range from $2.25 to more than $3.00 based

on a 100 percent load factor. The lack of legal authority for

NBS to provide commuter subsidy and the failure experienced by

other local organizations with unsubsidized bus service coupled

with the fact that 86 percent of NBS employees specified $2.00

as the limit to how much they would pay for such service led

to the dropping of charter service from consideration as a Task Force priority. Rather, Task Force members participated

in local efforts to secure improved public transportation.

The 70S Corridor Group with representation from NBS, from

major industrial groups and from other governmental agencies

located along Route 70S, met regularly and served as a focal

point for joint efforts to secure stable and realistic solutions to local transportation problems. The Montgomery

County Department of Transportation received the results of

the NBS Transportation Survey and seeks similar data from

other potential user groups. The effort to improve the public

transportation system in the Gaithersburg-Rockville area

continues

.

The interest expressed by NBS employees in train service

(28 percent) should bolster the effort to achieve two-way

commuter service of the B&O Railroad. Dr. Roberts wrote to

the State of Maryland to underscore NBS interest in train

service. Based on the NBS response, it would appear that

train service is a viable option to private vehicles. However,

transportation to and from the train station would pose a problem if employees avail themselves of train service.

Recommendations

The Task Force Recommends that:

NBS actively encourage employee carpooling and maintain

an updated locator system based on x, y grid coordinates.

Maintenance of the locator system should be made the responsibility of the Management and Organization Division.

61
While encouraging carpooling, no actions be taken such

as altering parking zones or roadways that would limit access

to NBS parking areas by visitors, participants in conferences

of those attending other mission-related activities.

NBS continue to cooperate with agencies and organizations

in the Gaithersburg area to acquire additional bus routes and

improved service.

NBS actively support the State of Maryland with efforts

to initiate additional commuter service by the B&O Railroad.

NBS seek to obtain authority to establish shuttle service

to and from the railroad station should commuter train service

become available.

NBS continue to support local efforts to modify existing

roadways and traffic light timing to facilitate motor vehicle

traffic flow and safe passage of bicycles.

SUMMARY OF

RESULTS OF TRANSPORTATION SURVEY

Present Means of Getting

to Work (a) Drive Alone

(b) Carpool

(c) Other

52%

44

4

Want Carpool List

Address Change in Past 10 Months

Bus Service May Use

Definitely Use

43

24

44

42

12

2

0.3

15

43

Will Pay: $1.00

2.00

3.00

4.00

5.00

Train Service

Use existing line with improved

service (N-S [AM] ) Use D.C. -Gaithersburg Service (S-N[AM]) 20

8

62
BOULDER LABORATORIES

The Department of Commerce Boulder Laboratories comprise

14 buildings on a 205 acre site. The Laboratories house three

agencies: The National Bureau of Standards, Office of Telecommunications/ and the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric

Administration. The NBS work includes research in lasers,

electromagnetic properties of materials, time and frequency,

radiative processes in the upper atmosphere, and engineering

measurements at very low temperature. The Office of Telecommunications is concerned with the development of system

performance measurements and standards of practice for telecommunications systems, studies radio system characteristics

and operating techniques affecting use of the spectrum and

research on .electromagnetic wave propagation, noise and

interference and efficient use of electrospace for telecommunications. NOAA maintains earth science laboratories, atmospheric

chemistry and physics laboratories, a space environment laboratory, and an aeronomy and wave propagation laboratory. Work

carried out by NOAA includes cloud physics, precipitation

processes, weather modification, solar and related geophysical

disturbances, remote sensing of environment, seismology and

geodesy.

The Boulder Laboratories use natural gas and electricity.

The natural gas service is non-interruptible and the supply

appears secure. New electric power plants in Colorado significantly increase previous capacity in that area.

63
ELECTRICITY

NBS BOULDER

Electricity use since July, 1972 is given in table 19

TABLE 19

ELECTRICAL ENERGY CONSUMPTION

NBS, Boulder

(July, 1972 - May, 1974)

July

(1972)

Aug.

Sept.

Oct.

Nov.

Dec

.

Jan

(1973)

Feb.

Mar

Apr

May

June

kWh

1,012,800

1,224,000

1,027,200

974,400

902,400

782,400

816,000

883,200

763,200

921,600

964,800

1,012,800

11,284,800

July

(1973)

Aug.

Sept.

Oct.

Nov.

Dec

.

Jan

.

(1974)

Feb.

Mar

Apr

.

May

kWh

1,089,600

1,136,400

1,041,600

882,000

852,600

646,800

613,200

701,400

613,200

714,000

760,200

Measures taken to conserve electricity are listed in

table 20. Progress in conservation of electricity is summarized in table 21 and figure 19.

64
TABLE 2 0

CONSERVATION MEASURES

ELECTRICITY

NBS , Boulder

1 - Reduction in air conditioning

2 - Reduction of lighting in corridors, offices, and

laboratories

3 - Reduction of ventilation on nights and weekends

RECOMMENDATIONS

1 - Replace some lights by mercury-vapor lamps of lower power

2 - Install return air ducts

3 - Reduce air circulation rates

TABLE 21

CONSERVATION PROGRESS

(FY 74 vs FY 73)

ELECTRICITY USE

NBS , Boulder

kWh

Quarter FY 7 3 FY 74 Conservation

1 3264000 3267600 -0.1

2 2659200 2381400 10.4

3 2462400 1927800 12.7

April 921600 714000

May 964800 760200

Cumulative 10272000 9051000 11.9

65
Figure 19. Electricity use from July 1972 to May 19 74. (NBS, Boulder)
HEATING FUELS

NBS Boulder

Heating fuel use since July, 1972 is given in table 22.

TABLE 2 2

HEATING FUEL CONSUMPTION

NBS, Boulder

(July, 1971 - May, 1974)

July

(1972)

Aug.

Sept.

Oct.

Nov.

Dec

.

Jan

(1973)

Feb.

Mar

Apr

May

June

Billion

BTU

4.02

3.35

4.71

6.67

11.75

16.58

14.46

13.18

10.78

11.27

9.09

5.22

111.08

July

(1973)

Aug

.

Sept.

Oct.

Nov.

Dec

Jan

(1974)

Feb.

Mar

Apr

.

May

Billion

BTU

3.46

3.06

3.57

6.59

9.71

10.81

12.10

9.37

8.47

7.89

4.68

Measures taken to conserve heating fuel are listed in

table 23. Progress in conservation of heating fuel is

summarized in table 24 and figure 20.

67
TABLE 23

CONSERVATION MEASURES

HEATING FUEL

NBS , Boulder

1 - Reduce thermostat settings from 70° F to 68° F during

daytime

.

2 - Nighttime and weekend setbacks of thermostats from 68° F

to 60° F.

3 - Reduce thermostat setting in vestibule to 60° F.

4 - Installation of plastic foam on high top windows.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1 - Improve insulation in Liquifier Building and basement of

Cryogenics Building

2 - Install thermally insulation glass in lobby and library.

3 - Lower ceiling in Cryogenic Shops to reduce heat loss and

improve work area temperature.

4 - Install storm doors and tighten door closers.

Weather in Boulder in FY 74 has been milder than during

the base year (FY '73) and this contributed significantly to

reduced fuel use. However, figure 21 shows that heating fuel

use, corrected for the weather, is considerably below previous

consumption levels.

68
TABLE 2 4

CONSERVATION PROGRESS

FY 74 vs FY 73

HEATING FUEL USE

NBS, Boulder

Billion BTU

Quarter FY 73 FY 74 Conservation

1 12.08 10. 09 16.5%

2 35.00 27. 11 22.5

3 38.42 29. 94 22.1

April 11.27 7. 89

May 9.09 4. 68

Cumulative 105.86 79. 71 24.7

69
Figure 20. Heating fuel use from July 1972 to May 1974. (NBS, Boulder)

70
71
TRANSPORTATION

NBS Boulder

The Task Force conducted a transportation survey of

Department of Commerce employees at the Boulder Laboratories.

Of the 1330 full and part-time employees at the several working locations within Boulder, 387 responded to the questionnaire. The distribution of employees by commuting distance is

shown in figure 22. The average round-trip distance for

employees is approximately 9 miles. The responses to other

key questions on the transportation survey are shown in

figures 23 and 24.

In addition to private vehicle use in commuting, respondents

to the questionnaire indicated that they use their vehicles an

average of ~1.8 miles per day for lunch or personal business

and an average ~0„7 miles per day on official business.

72
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NBS-1 14A (rev. 7. 1 o

U .S. DEPT. OF COMM. BIBLIOGRAPHIC DATA

SHEET

1. IM HI.K ATI ON OK Kl-I'OK T NO. NBSIR 74-539

2. Gov'i Arc No.3. Kci iiiieht s Ai l i-ssiiin \.

4. title a

n

n suivrm 1 Energy Conservation at the NBS Laboratories

5. PuMic .11 ion Dan- July 1974

6. Performing Organization < od<

7. authors John D. Hoffman, Chairman, Energy Task Force

and Members of the Energy Task Fnrr.f . 9. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION N AMI-! AND AT)DRESS

NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20234

10.

Performing Organ. Koport Nc NBSIR 74-515

Task «',,rk t !n i r Nc

11.' ontract Grant N<

12. Sponsoring Organization Name and Complete Address (Street, City. State, ZIP) 13. 1 vpe of Report & Period

(: °vertd Interim

July 1973 - May 1974

14. Sponsoring Agenc y Cpdi

15. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES

16. ABSTRA< T (A 200-word or less: factual summary of most significant information. If document includes a significant

bibliography or literature survey, mention, it here.) An Energy Task Force Was established at

NBS to effect energy conservation, to develop contingency plans to' keep

the Laboratories functioning in the event of reduced energy supply and

to assist employees with transportation problems. The NBS Laboratories

use a total of ^115 million kwh of electricity and ~780 billion BTU of

heating fuel annually to power equipment and to provide a reliable

environment. The Task Force conducted a systems analysis of energy use

and found that 85% of the energy is used in climate control. A mathematical model for the climate control system was developed that affords an

accurate comparison between observed and calculated energy use. As part

of the analysis of energy use, conservation measures were identified and

implemented. These measures include lighting reductions, building and

zone shut-downs, thermostat adjustments, and changes in cooling coil

control parameters. The conservation actions resulted in a reduction of

~12% in electricity and ~18% in heating fuel. The Task Force formulatdc

contingency plans to reduce energy use on short notice in preparation to

respond to area-wide energy problems. These plans provide for a set of

priorities to produce a reduction of 2-5 megawatts in electrical demand

and for an effective doubling in oil storage capacity. Task Force

recommendations address all phases of energy use and implementation of

them will increase electricity conservation to ~15% and heating fuel conservation—

t

o ~-21% —

17. K F Y WORDS (six to twelve entries; alphabetical order; capitalize only the first letter of the first key word unless a proper

name.- separated by sem,co,ons> Contingency Plans; E 1 e c t r ic i ty ; Energy conservation; Heating fuels; Humidity control; Transportation

18. AVAILABILITY |x_ Unlimited

I' or Official Distribution. Do Not Release to N'HS

Order From Sup. of Doc, U.S. Government Printing Office Washington, D.C. 20 102, SD Cat. No. ( 1 ^

Order From National Technical Information Service (NTIS)

Springfield, Virginia 22151

19. SECURITY CLASS

(THIS RF.PORT)

UNCLASSIFIED

20. SECURITY ( LASS

(THIS PAGE)

UNCLASSIFIED

21. NO. OF PAGES

80

22. Prk

USCOMM-DC <e9042-P74