Clemson University
The Clemson University Life Sciences Building, a new academic facility at Clemson University in South Carolina, is currently in the initial design stages with the intention of achieving the U.S. Green Buildings Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Gold certification. To reach this target, Clemson is aiming to increase the building's environmental performance by reaching goals of at least a 21 percent reduction in energy consumption, a 30 percent reduction in domestic water use, and a 10 percent reduction of process water use. The Labs21 Technical Team will assist Clemson during the design development phase of the project by evaluating various options for the building's heating, ventilation, and cooling systems (HVAC), as well as by tracking the building's environmental performance.
To achieve its energy and water reduction goals for the facility, Clemson will use a combination of strategies and equipment. Variable air volume (VAV), systems will allow for more energy-efficient operation of HVAC systems, which will use 100 percent outside air. The 90,000 square-foot facility will use eight fume hoods per floor in its 50,000 sf of laboratory space. Clemson also plans to enhance the ventilation systems' efficiency by maintaining six air changes per hour (ACH) in open laboratories, with 15 watts/sf equipment load in support and 10 watts/sf in open laboratories.
In addition, the university is considering five installment options for a cooling process that incorporates either chilled beams or the Venturi Wedge System to reduce energy costs for the facility. The following options are currently under consideration: chilled beams/Venturri Wedge with run-around heat recovery; chilled beams/Venturi Wedge with run-around for wet laboratory and energy wheel for dry laboratory; chilled beams/Venturi Wedge with run-around for wet laboratory exhaust and return air for dry laboratory exhaust; run-around heat recovery for wet laboratory exhaust, no chilled beams, and all-air system return for dry laboratory. Clemson is also analyzing the use of a Building-Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) system and solar hot water as sources of energy generation.
The success of the project will be documented through the LEED certification process, incorporating the Labs21 Environmental Performance Criteria  , which measures energy consumption, as well as process and domestic water use in its evaluation and certification of green buildings.
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Today, Clemson is redefining the term "top-tier research university" by combining the best of two models: the scientific and technological horsepower of a major research university and the highly engaged academic and social environment of a small college. With a distinctive governance system that fosters stability in leadership, unique college structures that create an unmatched climate for collaboration, and a driven, competitive spirit that encourages faculty, staff and students to embrace bold, sometimes audacious, goals, Clemson has set its sights on being one of the nation's Top 20 public universities by 2011. Learn more about Clemson.
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