The Molecular Foundry: Right-sizing

Thanks to design review efforts focused on minimizing end-use energy loads and central system performance, mechanical systems were all downsized by about one-third, the electrical by 38%, and the emergency generator by 20%.

More specifically, the reductions were:

• MECHANICAL
  • Air handlers from 175,000 cfm total to 118,000 cfm total
  • Boilers from 10,000,000 BTU/hr total to 6,800,000 BTU/hr
  • Chillers from 800 tons total to 525 tons
  • Cooling towers from 2000 gpm to 1350 gpm
  • Corresponding reductions in pump sizes and pipe sizes
  • Corresponding reductions in VAV box sizes and duct sizes
• ELECTRICAL
  • 12 kV to 480 volt substations from 4000 kVA to 2500 kVA
  • Corresponding reductions in distribution transformer (12ea.)
  • VFD sizing (30 ea.), conduit, cabling, and panelboards
• GENERATOR
  • emergency generator from 500 kVA to 400 kVA