coolcounty
Hennepin County
July 2014
Contents
Background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2013 emissions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Chart 1: Greenhouse gas emissions from county operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Chart 2: Greenhouse gas emissions in relation to
weather for county buildings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Chart 3: A
nnual emission factor for Xcel Energy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
HERC Greenhouse Gas Emissions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Actions taken in 2013 and Activities in 2014. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Chart 4: Central Library energy use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Cool County Goals for 2015 and Beyond. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
This report was developed by:
Hennepin County
• Environmental Services
• Property Services
• Public Works Financial Management and Accounting
www.hennepin.us/coolcounty
Report contact:
Tony Hainault
Phone: 612-348-3059
[email protected]
July 2014
2
2013 Report: Accomplishments and Activities
coolco
This report summarizes greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from Hennepin County operational activities
and highlights accomplishments of the Cool County Initiative.
The Hennepin County Board adopted the Cool County Initiative in 2007, calling for the reduction of GHG
emissions by 15 percent by 2015, 30 percent by 2025 and 80 percent by 2050, from a baseline of 2005.
The county has conducted an inventory of GHG emissions from county sources since 2007.
2013 emissions
Chart 1: Hennepin County GHG emissions from operations
150
In 2013, carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e)
emissions from Hennepin County operations
totaled approximately 89,000 metric tons.
This continues a trend of decreasing GHG
emissions and leaves the county on track to
meet its goal of a 15 percent reduction by 2015.
This was accomplished in 2013 despite a slight
increase in total emissions (primarily caused by
weather factors).
Chart 1: GHG emissions from county operations
125
CO2e total emissions
(in 1,000 metric tons)
The county continues to reduce overall energy
consumption, and thereby GHG emissions, from
county operations (Chart 1).
105
100
98
106
106
96
94
95
90
89
86
75
50
25
0
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
Chart 1: GHG emissions from county operations.
Since the Cool County resolution was adopted, Hennepin County has expanded its buildings portfolio from nearly
6.9 million square feet to 8.3 million square feet. In 2008 the county added more than one million square feet to the
library system, and in 2011, the acquisition of the 701 Building added 327,000 square feet. Data for these buildings
were added to the county GHG inventory in 2008 and 2011, respectively. In 2012, data for the Hennepin County
Medical Center (HCMC) were added. (HCMC data are inclusive to 2005).
8,000,000
25
GHG/sf
Total H/CDD
Pounds CO2e per square foot
The horizontal red line shows heating and cooling
degree days. The higher the line, the more extreme
the weather. Note that despite the dramatic
change in weather experienced from 2012 to
2013 the corresponding increase in energy
consumption is relatively stable (the blue bars).
Chart 2: GHG emissions in relation to weather for county buildings
20
7,000,000
6,000,000
5,000,000
15
4,000,000
10
3,000,000
2,000,000
5
Total building square footage
Chart 2 shows the success the county has
achieved to reduce energy consumption by
pursuing efficiency in existing buildings and by
incorporating new technologies in buildings,
such as geothermal systems, condensing boilers
and daylight harvesting.
1,000,000
0
0
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
Chart 2: GHG emissions per building square foot, including line graph for heating and
cooling degree days.
2013 Report: Accomplishments and Activities
3
Xcel Energy's Emission Annual Factors
Positive influences outside the county’s control
contribute to reduced operational GHG emissions.
For example, the annual greenhouse gas emission
factor reported by Xcel Energy, the primary
supplier of electricity to Hennepin County
buildings and facilities, has decreased (see Chart 3).
Fuel sources for Xcel Energy include less coal and
more natural gas and renewables, such as wind
and solar.
Chart 3: Annual emission factor for Xcel Energy
1.4
Pounds CO2e / kWh
1.2
1
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
Chart 3: D eclining GHG emissions per kilowatt hour electricity produced
by Xcel Energy.
HERC Greenhouse
Gas Emissions
The Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC)
generated 124,000 megawatt hours of electricity in
2013 and provided steam for the downtown energy
system and Target Field.
On average, HERC emits 140,000 tons of CO2e annually
and offsets approximately 485,000 tons of CO2e that
would otherwise have been emitted by the
generation of electricity from power plants burning
fossil fuels, methane from landfills, and in the
production of the ferrous material recovered at HERC.
The result: A net decrease of 345,000 tons CO2e.
Actions Taken in 2013 and Activities in 2014
Energy Plan sets three percent energy reduction
goal for next seven years
Buildings recommissioned to ensure efficient
operations
Hennepin County Property Services developed an
“Energy Plan” in 2013, which lays out goals and actions
for future energy reduction. The Plan includes an
annual energy reduction goal of three percent for the
next seven years. Property Services documents energy
consumption in county buildings. The data provides
facilities staff with better tools and information to
troubleshoot operations in buildings they manage.
Before a building is put into service for the first time,
its heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) and
other major systems are commissioned, meaning
these systems are evaluated to ensure they operate
efficiently and as designed. Similarly, older buildings are
recommissioned, meaning HVAC and other systems are
re-evaluated, providing a “tune-up,” and ensuring they
continue to operate at optimal efficiencies. Between
2005 and 2013, Property Services recommissioned 65
percent of all county buildings and will have another 25
percent underway in 2014.
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2013 Report: Accomplishments and Activities
Actions (continued)
Property Services facilities staff complete
Building Operator Certification Training
By late 2014, nearly all Property Services facilities staff
will complete Building Operator Certification Training.
This training reviews the basics of HVAC systems,
building controls, lighting, indoor air quality and
energy management. It provides staff with tools to
more efficiently operate buildings and identify
conservation opportunities.
Regional projects and policies related to
climate change
Hennepin County participates in developing projects and
policies related to climate change. For example, the
Department of Environmental Services funded the
creation of the first Hennepin County Medical Center
Sustainability Report 2012 (released in 2014), based on
standards set by the Global Reporting Initiative, unique
among hospitals of the size and scope of HCMC. The
county is an active participant in the Minnesota Climate
Adaptation Partnership, which will host its second
statewide conference at the Minneapolis Hyatt Regency
in November 2014.
Among 102
publicly owned
buildings in
Minneapolis,
Hennepin
County owned
the three most
efficient buildings
receiving US EPA
EnergyStar scores.
Chart 4: Central Library energy use
40,000
35,000
34,297
30,794
30,000
Million BTUs
County buildings are most efficient among
the public sector
Hennepin County participated in developing the City of
Minneapolis Climate Action Plan, completed in 2013. The
plan includes a Commercial Building Rating and
Disclosure Policy (http://www.minneapolismn.gov/environment/energy/
index.htm). The disclosure policy becomes effective over a
period of years for public and private buildings, and for
progressively smaller buildings. Large public buildings
(50,000 square feet and larger) were the first to report in
2013. Among 102 publicly owned buildings in
Minneapolis, Hennepin County owned the three most
efficient buildings receiving US EPA EnergyStar scores, and
five of the top ten buildings. This success illustrates the
county’s long term commitment to energy conservation
and demonstrates that the county operates top
performing buildings. The Central Library is another good
example of this effort, achieving a 40 percent reduction in
annual energy consumption since 2009 (see Chart 4).
24,296
25,000
21,706
20,000
20,072
15,000
10,000
5,000
—
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
Chart 4: Decline in energy consumption at Central Library since 2009.
Note: A British Thermal Unit (BTU) is the amount of energy needed to heat one pound
of water by one degree Fahrenheit. An average Minnesota home uses about 115 Million
BTUs (MMBTUs) annually.
2013 Report: Accomplishments and Activities
5
Cool County Goals for 2015 and Beyond
The weather extremes in 2013 and early 2014 have not prevented the county from remaining on track to meet its
2015 goal to reduce GHG emissions from county operations by 15 percent. Meeting this goal remains within reach,
primarily because Hennepin County has maintained a strong and consistent commitment to energy conservation
efforts during the past 10 years. With the support of ongoing capital projects, the county is able to identify projects
and implement them as time and resources permit.
The county is not likely to achieve 2025 and 2050 goals solely through continued energy conservation and efficiency
measures alone. The county must evaluate additional measures to reduce GHG emissions.
For example, in the building sector, there are many general strategies, which when combined, will help to achieve
greater GHG reductions, including:
• Stricter building codes;
• More aggressive utility-led conservation initiatives
to reduce demand (demand side management
programs);
• Financial incentives for clean generation,
conservation, energy efficiency and technology that
make new strategies more cost-effective;
• Development of net zero buildings;
• New programs that create more aggressive
efficiency and conservation incentives;
• Renewed commitment to combined heat and
power systems (CHP);
• New distributed generation technologies that
generate electricity where it is used;
• Improved appliance standards.
For Hennepin County, the best strategies to meet future GHG emissions reductions will be:
• Use more electricity from renewable
(non-fossil) sources;
• Utilize better buildings to reduce heating
and cooling loads;
• Fully utilize steam from HERC, rather than
relying upon natural gas and fuel oil for heating
and cooling;
• Support state and national policies and initiatives
that contribute to efforts by Hennepin County to
meet its reduction targets.
Furthermore, the impact of decisions beyond the control of the county—such as the source of fuel used to create
the electricity we consume, and the technologies available to employ them—will continue to significantly impact
overall emissions from operational sources. Building designs that influence building consumption will factor largely
in future emissions reductions.
Ultimately, achieving the ambitious goals adopted by Hennepin County will only be possible if the goals reflect
a greater national commitment to reducing GHG emissions, and even then, such reductions will be challenging
to achieve.
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2013 Report: Accomplishments and Activities