Dedicated to advancing sustainable laboratories globally.
8:30 am - 10:00 am CDT
D1: Fume Hood Fanatics
System Optimization
Fume Hoods: Can They Be More Energy-Efficient Without Compromising Safety?
The purpose of this presentation is to identify ways in which fume hoods can be more efficient without compromising safety. An overview of fume hoods will be given along with a high-level discussion of the testing requirements for safe use with an emphasis on robustness.
Comparing and contrasting international and U.S. standards in order to provide delegates with a high-level understanding of both the test methodologies and standards specific to each country. Additionally, this element of the presentation will demonstrate how, through test results and design, you can select hoods with greater energy efficiency without compromising safety or effectiveness.
Understanding how fume hoods actually work and impact to energy consumption, for instance, the chamber--which plays a pivotal role in the management of airflow. We will provide a brief overview of various elements within, as well as how they can be used to decrease energy consumption without compromising safety. Also discussed is the topic of face velocity and the impact on energy efficiency.
The presentation will conclude with insight into how some of the latest technological advances can also aid user safety.
Shutting the Sash Saves Energy and the Gateway Arch Is for Sale
This paper challenges the assertion that shutting the sash on fume hoods improves safety and reduces energy consumption. It is common for people to report energy savings based on reducing the fume hood sash opening. For variable air volume (VAV) fume hoods, reducing the opening area does require less flow to achieve a specified average face velocity. Energy savings are calculated by multiplying the change in flow by an annualized cost per cubic feet of air per minute ($/cfm-yr). Using a typically reported annual cost of $5/cfm-yr, shutting the sash on a 6-ft VAV fume hood with a corresponding reduction in flow of 500 cfm would yield an annual savings of $2,500.
However, the translation of reduced flow through a fume hood to actual energy savings is not a foregone conclusion. The results of numerous fume hood investigations indicate that total modulation of flow through a variable air volume (VAV) ventilation system is often much less than flow reduction calculated based on shutting the fume hood sashes. Simply calculating savings from closing the sash will falsely predict energy savings and undermine project success. The actual energy savings derived from shutting VAV fume hood sashes are subject to a complex interaction of numerous variables associated with the unique design and operation of the laboratory ventilation system. This paper describes how to evaluate performance of VAV systems to optimize flow reduction and yield quantifiable energy savings.
Leveraging the BAS to Monitor Fume Hood VAV Response and Stability
VAV fume hoods are a great way to reduce energy consumption within a lab. But having VAV fume hoods also means conducting response and stability tests to verify proper and safe operations. To protect fume hood users from hazards, airflow needs to not only respond quickly but also stabilize at the specified flow corresponding to the sash position or operating mode. This ideal balance of quick and stable response does exist but potentially fleeting as changing system conditions will affect response and stability. Failures in proper response can negatively affect performance of the fume hood, lab environment, and the research work conducted within the space. This presentation will talk about alternative methods to test and evaluate flow response and ventilation system performance. The methods include clever techniques to utilize BACnet event enrollment objects to supplement the periodic ASHRAE Standard 110 tests required by ANSI/ASSP Z9.5. Furthermore, this method can also be used to continuously monitor VAV response and stability serving as an early detection of degraded fume hood performance and energy efficiency.
D2: Managing Lab Materials
Green Labs
Measuring Impact, Embracing Circularity: A Framework for Sustainable Laboratory Practices
The reduction of carbon emissions stands as an imperative for organizations seeking to minimize their environmental impact. As the global community increasingly recognizes the urgency of addressing climate change and resource depletion, laboratories are under pressure to reassess their practices.
Compounding this challenge is the lack of measurement tools to understand current impact and to forecast the future impact of sustainability efforts. There is demand for a comprehensive framework aimed at measuring impact. Traditional metrics for evaluating environmental performance often fall short in capturing the full extent of a laboratory's footprint, particularly when it comes to Scope 3 emissions.
To address this challenge, Grenova has developed an impact calculator, tailored to measure the impact of its program of washing and reusing plastic consumables. By integrating data on energy consumption, water usage, material inputs, and waste generation, this calculator provides labs with a holistic view of their environmental impact, enabling informed decision-making and targeted interventions. This presentation will outline the elements of the impact calculator and provide illustrations of the transformative power of circular economy principles in action. By adopting a holistic approach to impact measurement, labs can unlock opportunities for innovation and resilience, positioning themselves as leaders towards a more sustainable future.
Don’t Throw That Out! How Lab Supply Swaps Can Divert Lab Consumables From the Landfill
At the University of Texas at Austin (UT) Lab Supply Swaps quickly became a favorite amongst researchers. During the two-day event, researchers donate unneeded lab consumables that Green Labs staff organize and inventory. The consumables are then made available free of charge to any UT researcher. In the four Lab Supply Swaps held since 2020, 103 lab groups across seven colleges and 24 departments participated, leading to 1,900 pounds of lab consumables being rehomed, and saving researchers approximately $103,000. Lab Supply Swaps not only save usable lab consumables from being sent to the landfill but also encourage researchers to clean out their labs, freeing up valuable lab space, build a sense of community amongst researchers, decrease burden on Surplus Property staff, ensure compliance with state and university regulations, create a more equitable research environment, and increase researcher morale.
Throughout the years, the Lab Supply Swaps have grown in scope and have become drastically more efficient. This presentation will walk audience members through the evolution of UT Lab Supply Swaps, logistical considerations for hosting a Lab Supply Swap, Lab Supply Swap metrics, and lessons learned. Other waste minimization endeavors such as a permanent surplus glassware store and efforts to create an online lab equipment and instrument reuse and sharing platform for UT researchers that have spurred from the success of Lab Supply Swaps will also be discussed.
How to Advance Sustainability Goals With Your Procurement Department
The language of procurement can sometimes be difficult to translate when you are up against a deadline or trying to use a specific product or service. This presentation will showcase ways to facilitate interactions with your Procurement department to get what you need and help them to bring more sustainable purchasing initiatives to campus. There will also be various programs highlighted with macro-level benefits and scaled resources that you can put in place at your institution when you return.
D3: AI (and Humans) in Labs
Sustainable Design
Humans, Machines, and the Planet – The Impact of Automation on Future Laboratory Workplaces
Advances in robotics and artificial intelligence are already beginning to push the research laboratory environment towards a more digitized and automated platform. But what about the human scientists? How will science staff work in the future, and how will the evolving automated processes affect their well-being? And what will be the impacts on resource use, carbon footprint, and the overall quantity and quality of research space needed at the macro scale?
As science evolves towards a more computational environment, some traditional wet lab functions are being transformed or potentially displaced. Collaborative environments supported by powerful digital platforms are expanding in popularity. Meanwhile, in the physical lab space, robotics are increasingly used to streamline the experimental process.
Where will these trends lead, and how will they alter the approach to lab design in the future? Will hybrid programs affecting occupancy, communication, analytical and data sharing protocols challenge traditional lab design and provide an opportunity for an overall research ecosystem that is more sustainable? Or will all of this be outweighed by accelerated demand for electricity to power AI networks? Is there opportunity for design drive this evolution toward an ideal future that optimizes energy use, minimizes embodied carbon, and enhances human well-being?
Immersive Lab Design for Facilities Management
In the evolving landscape of Facilities Management (FM), effective collaboration plays a pivotal role in building design. This presentation explores the integration of immersive design techniques, in the creation of lab buildings, emphasizing client collaboration throughout the design process. The objective is to guide FM and lab engineers through advanced technologies such as virtual reality (VR), 3D modeling, and augmented reality (AR). Attendees will gain insights into practical applications, benefits, and challenges associated with these technologies in enhancing the design, construction, and operational phases.
This case study is of a medical device manufacturing client who is a global leader that prioritizes minimal downtime and maintenance-friendly solutions. This client also has a 100 percent decarbonization goal by 2030. Sustainability takes center stage with the incorporation of a heat recovery chiller and the implementation of lower temperature heating water, setting the stage for a future geothermal conversion. Balancing highly sustainable systems, with demanding operational expectations was the synergy required to be considered a successful design. Initial decision-making for MEP and lab system layouts informed by VR, facilitated invaluable feedback from facilities and lab engineers.
This presentation will hope to inspire these immersive design strategies so that the resilient project goals with maintenance friendly solutions can be fulfilled in construction.
The Human-Centric Laboratory: A Forward-Thinking Case Study.
The Human-Centric laboratory is a responsive, healthy, and inspirational space in which researchers can explore the world, create, and make exciting breakthroughs. In this forward-thinking case study, we explore the environmental interventions and strategies that elevate the human experience in the scientific workplace, expanding the definition of sustainability to prioritize human comfort, health, and wellbeing. The presentation will focus around five core elements that impact scientific environments: multisensory design; equity, diversity, and inclusion; biophilia; technology; and the physiological implications of sustainable design.
D4: Campus Decarbonization Approaches
Decarbonization
Energy Trading: Tools and Strategies to Decarbonize the Research Campus
The University of California Davis Campus, National Primate Research Center has upgraded their aging steam boiler and chilled water utility systems with a new state of the art, 5th generation, heating and cooling plant. The presenter will discuss how to integrate this project into an existing and active research campus environment including decarbonization road-mapping and planning strategies and tools.
The presenter will spend time discussing load reductions in labs to allow for intelligent electrification. The project discussion will highlight the use of geothermal systems, solar thermal systems, potential use of biogas and replacement of a steam system with 5th generation systems. The presenter will also discuss how to divorce autoclaves and glass washers from an existing steam system.
Can a Conservatory and Biological Research Center Achieve Living Building Certification?
To achieve the client’s goals of creating a Living Building and creating a research project dedicated to public education and the study of biodiversity in multiple biomes, the Appalachian State University CBEAR project needed to explore any and all options. Currently under construction, the project will be unique in its Living Building Challenge Petal Certification of an active research facility; the project will use an all renewable energy district system (wind and PV) in conjunction with passive strategies, full electrification, and additional focus on water reduction and embodied carbon to be truly net positive carbon. The project faced several significant hurdles to improve performance. On the operational energy side, the building is located in climate zone 5, but required a tropical conservatory (for educational and research uses). Solving this problem required a combination of passive strategies and creative thinking about energy sources. The project also has several research greenhouses, teaching labs and research labs, adding to the challenge. Embodied carbon also needed to be addressed. The team used GWP performance specifications for concrete, customized steel profiles and other strategies to reduce embodied carbon. This presentation will explore and quantify the strategies CBEAR used that other labs facing similar challenges can learn from to improve performance and significantly reduce both operational and embodied carbon impacts.
Why I Keep Pushing the Potential of Sustainability on Campuses: After 20 years, How Do We Keep Moving the Needle?
Environmental sustainability remains a pressing concern in the design of university science buildings. More than 25 years into the green architecture movement, are our buildings still pushing the envelope on sustainability goals and how can we accurately assess their environmental impact? In this presentation, we'll explore successes and failures, examining why certain initiatives have thrived while others have faltered. We will discuss strategies to accelerate our collective achievement of energy and carbon reduction goals.
Three key opportunities for effectively advancing sustainability in university science buildings will be highlighted. First, we'll use the example of the Caltech Resnick Sustainability Center to delve into the potential of embodied carbon reduction through materials like mass timber. Second, we'll discuss the importance of embracing energy alternatives such as geothermal energy, considering upfront costs and incentives as demonstrated by projects like SUNY ETEC, SUNY Oswego, and Morehead State Science Building. Lastly, we'll explore the integration of building-integrated photovoltaics to achieve net-zero energy, assessing initial investments and success stories like Caltech's solar initiatives.
Join us to discuss how universities can do more to enhance sustainability in their buildings, examining challenges, opportunities, and practical strategies for a greener future.
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