Net Zero Energy Learning Lab
2011 Environmental Initiative Awards
Net Zero Energy Learning Lab
The Net Zero Energy Learning Lab at the Iron Range Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) Recreation Area in Gilbert, MN uses several innovative learning approaches and technologies to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. Three photovoltaic arrays, each with 3.4 kW capacity but different mounting approaches and inverter technologies, are being used to collect data for analysis of the effects of solar intensity, temperature, snow cover and mounting orientation on electricity production. Real time energy production and consumption information is being used by the building occupants to track their electricity usage over time, identify conditions like shading or snow cover that impact production and support new opportunity identification, experimentation and problem solving approaches on their journey toward net-zero energy consumption. Demonstrations and learning events that leverage the technology and data available at the site will be co-developed with local educators and delivered at the site’s Training Center. In partnership with LightingHouse USA, a solid-state lighting technology startup company in Hibbing, the entire site is being converted to LED lighting to reduce one of the major load types at the site. A future phase will include the installation of a wind measurement tower to collect and analyze data to determine if a wind generator is economically viable. The lessons learned from the technology, tools and new behaviors will be leveraged across other sites to accelerate progress toward reaching the DNR’s goal of reducing energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions 15% by 2015. The lessons learned will also be shared with local communities and the broader public to further leverage the value of the investment.
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Robert Bergh2011-03-11 06:14
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Robert
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Bergh
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Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
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Project Name
Net Zero Energy Learning Lab
Date of Project Completion
Phase 1 Complete 12/31/2010
Category
Energy and Climate Protection
Project Summary
The Net Zero Energy Learning Lab at the Iron Range Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) Recreation Area in Gilbert, MN uses several innovative learning approaches and technologies to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. Three photovoltaic arrays, each with 3.4 kW capacity but different mounting approaches and inverter technologies, are being used to collect data for analysis of the effects of solar intensity, temperature, snow cover and mounting orientation on electricity production. Real time energy production and consumption information is being used by the building occupants to track their electricity usage over time, identify conditions like shading or snow cover that impact production and support new opportunity identification, experimentation and problem solving approaches on their journey toward net-zero energy consumption. Demonstrations and learning events that leverage the technology and data available at the site will be co-developed with local educators and delivered at the site’s Training Center. In partnership with LightingHouse USA, a solid-state lighting technology startup company in Hibbing, the entire site is being converted to LED lighting to reduce one of the major load types at the site. A future phase will include the installation of a wind measurement tower to collect and analyze data to determine if a wind generator is economically viable. The lessons learned from the technology, tools and new behaviors will be leveraged across other sites to accelerate progress toward reaching the DNR’s goal of reducing energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions 15% by 2015. The lessons learned will also be shared with local communities and the broader public to further leverage the value of the investment.
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Partners
Who were the project partners? What role did each play in the partnership, and how did the partnership operate?
The Iron Range OHV Recreation Area staff takes great pride in providing one of the region’s largest and most challenging opportunities for off road vehicle riding. They were aware of the significant carbon emissions from off road vehicles operating on their trails and wanted to demonstrate that their site was also deeply committed to environmental sustainability. They requested a site survey from the DNR’s Central Office Energy Team to identify opportunities to move toward net-zero energy usage and improve their environmental sustainability. The staff also wanted to establish a closer partnership with Iron Range communities and thought that their on-site Learning Center might provide a resource for community discussions, demonstrations and training related to environmental sustainability.
The DNR Central Office Energy Team brought skills and expertise related to energy efficiency, renewable energy and environmental sustainability. They interviewed the site staff, conducted a site survey and found several significant opportunities to increase energy efficiency and generate renewable energy. The Energy Team defined the opportunities and prepared initial designs for three photovoltaic arrays, replacement of all the existing lighting with highly efficient solid-state lighting, and the installation of a wind measurement tower to collect wind speed data for use at the Training Center and to develop the business case for the purchase of a wind generator. They also designed the building and photovoltaic energy monitoring system essential for supporting the staff’s energy reduction efforts and for demonstrations and learning events at the on-site Learning Center.
LHB Architects created the detailed designs and API Electric installed the three photovoltaic arrays and the energy monitoring equipment.
LightingHouse USA, a solid-state lighting technology startup company in Hibbing, designed a solid-state lighting system for the site that replaced all the existing lights and manufactured the LED lighting components used to reduce lighting energy consumption by 60% - 70%.
Iron Range educators will form a team to help develop lesson plans on renewable energy and environmental sustainability for use at the Training Center. The DNR Energy Team and Iron Range educators will partner to deliver the training to area students.
Innovation
How is the partnership and/or project goals, outcomes and process innovative or groundbreaking?
The primary points of innovation are the photovoltaic arrays and energy monitoring system. Photovoltaic technology is changing rapidly and offers a dizzying array of choices in solar panels, inverter types and mounting methods. Each choice will influence the cost, efficiency, reliability and annual power output of the system. Conducting an “apples to apples” test between systems located at different places is difficult because of equipment differences and varying environmental conditions. The three solar arrays at the Gilbert site will allow us to directly compare mounting methods and inverter types as follows:
• System 1 has 16 Sanyo 215 watt solar panels and is mounted on a pole in a fixed position. It uses a single, traditional inverter that converts the DC power from all 16 panels to AC power useable by the electric grid. This is the most common type of system installed over the last 10 years.
• System 2 has 16 Sanyo 215 watt solar panels and is mounted on a pole with a two-axis sun tracking system to keep it pointing directly at the sun. It uses the new micro-inverter technology where each solar panel has its own small DC to AC inverter. The new micro-inverter technology has become popular since it was introduced two years ago. The two-axis sun tracker adds about 25% to array cost but should also produce significantly more energy.
• System 3 has 16 Sanyo 215 watt solar panels and is mounted on a roof in a fixed position. It uses the new micro-inverter technology where each solar panel has its own small DC to AC inverter. Roof mounting is typically the least expensive approach but energy generation can by reduced by the high temperatures of the roof surface.
The energy monitoring system will record the following real-time measurements:
• The energy being used by the building
• The energy being produced by each photovoltaic array
• The energy being produced by each solar panel
• The temperature of the solar cells in the solar panel
• The ambient temperature, wind speed and solar intensity
Goals
Describe the project goals
The primary goal of this project is to move the Iron Range OHV site toward net-zero energy usage while capturing learning’s and best practices to support the DNR’s commitment to reduce energy and carbon emissions. Important secondary goals were to establish a closer partnership with Iron Range communities and encourage wider adoption of renewable energy and energy efficient technologies and behaviors.
The data collected will be analyzed to assess each system’s performance and characterize the costs and benefits of the alternative mounting methods and inverter types. The data and system analysis will be made available to the public and will be used by the DNR to plan future installations. The data will also be used for demonstrations and learning activities to enhance the understanding of how these technologies work together to produce energy. The building energy data will be available in real-time to the building occupants. They will be able to see how the buildings energy usage changes when different electrical loads are energized and will be able see the impacts of changing their own behaviors to reduce energy consumption. Their learning’s and best practices will be documented and shared with the public and across the DNR.
Outcomes
What were the outcomes of the project (if completed)? What have been the outcomes so far, and what are the anticipated future outcomes (if ongoing)?
Between August 28, 2010 and March 3, 2011 the photovoltaic arrays have produced about 32% of the energy used by the buildings. As expected System 2 with the sun tracker produced the most energy followed by System 1 and 3:
• System 2, pole mounted with tracker: 2,023 kWh
• System 1, fixed pole mount: 1,169 kWh or 42% less than System 2
• System 3, fixed roof mount: 1,092 kWh or 46% less than System 2 and 6% less than System 1
We believe snow cover was a significant factor across the three systems having noted that the tracking system shed snow faster than the fixed arrays. More data analysis will be required to attempt to quantify the impact of unequal snow shedding rates. Lighting, especially outside lighting, is the largest electrical load at the site. We expect the LED replacement lighting to reduce lighting energy by 60% - 70% and this will move the site substantially closer to net-zero energy use. The building occupants believe they have reduced the building loads through installation of power strips and closer attention to turning lights offs, etc. Data collection over a longer period of time is required to reach solid conclusions on the impact of energy efficient behaviors.
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