BioScience/Life Sciences Building
What is LEED (LEADERSHIP IN ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN)
certification?
In the United States and in a number of other countries around the world, LEED certification is the
recognized standard for measuring building sustainability. Achieving LEED certification is the best
way for you to demonstrate that your building project is truly "green.“ The LEED green building
rating system (developed and administered by the U.S. Green Building Council, a Washington D.C.
based, nonprofit coalition of building industry leaders) is designed to promote design and
construction practices that increase profitability while reducing the negative environmental impacts
of buildings and improving occupant health and well-being.
What are the benefits of LEED certification?
LEED certification, which includes a rigorous third-party commissioning process, offers
compelling proof to you, your clients, your peers and the public at large that you've achieved your
environmental goals and your building is performing as designed. Getting certified allows you take
advantage of a growing number of state and local government incentives, and can help boost press
interest in your project.
The LEED rating system offers four certification levels of Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum for
new construction. The certification level corresponds to the number of credits accrued in six green
design categories: sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and
resources, indoor environmental quality, and innovation and design.
Clemson University Energy Awareness
Clemson University is committed to energy conservation as a
means of reducing its environmental footprint while also
lowering operational costs.
To meet the requirements of the SC Legislative Bill H4766
which became effective June 11, 2008, a campus-wide
Sustainable Energy Policy was approved by the Administrative
Council with a goal of reducing energy consumption per gross
square foot of building space by 20% by 2020. By adhering to
this policy, the university's goal is to reduce energy
consumption by 20% by 2020 relative to the fiscal year 2000
baseline.
Clemson plans to achieve this goal by promoting sustainable
energy initiatives designed to lower the consumption of
energy on campus and reduce its carbon footprint. By
implementing operational changes, such as installing high
efficiency fluorescent lighting in classrooms and facilities,
while also encouraging behavioral changes such as turning off
lights, computers and other office equipment, Clemson is
poised to reach this goal.
In an effort to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions,
Clemson also has a long range goal to increase its energy
sourcing from renewable resources by 10% by fiscal year 2025.
The BioScience/Life Sciences Building is an exciting expansion for the teaching and research capabilities of the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences. Here,
some of the country’s brightest minds will come together to share the latest technology and the most up-to-date laboratory space. The 100,000-square-foot facility achieved
LEED gold status on August 15, 2013.
Researchers housed in the facility represent the disciplines of microbiology, biochemistry, food safety and genetics — the basics of human existence. The new Life Sciences
Facility encourages collaboration, offers state-of-the-art technology and provides the tools needed for this generation’s greatest minds to excel.
A 600-petri dish art project was installed as a Clemson initiative that incorporates art in all new construction on campus. These brilliantly colored petri dishes allow art and
science to meet in a modern facility on the beautiful campus of Clemson University in Clemson, South Carolina.
Indoor Environmental Quality; Score 14/15 – Many aspects are associated with
indoor environmental quality, from providing views to the exterior to minimizing
exposure to pollutants. Some strategies used to provide a healthy indoor
environment include 75% of the building spaces have views to the exterior and
daylighting, and only low or non-emitting materials and products were used for
carpet, paints, and adhesives. A full building flush out occurred prior to building
occupancy and there are walk off grills to capture debris.
Water efficiency; Score 3/5 – A
landscape irrigation system with
smart controls. Toilet fixtures that
have a reduced water option that
decreases water use by ½ gallon per
flush. Showers, urinals, and kitchen
faucets are low flow fixtures.
Restroom faucets are electronically
activated by an infrared sensor.
Sustainable Sites; Score 9/14 – The
building site was a parking lot. No
undisturbed land was used for the
project. The project has reduced its
impact by planting over 50% native
plants to maintain a healthy
ecosystem, capturing roof storm
water in rain gardens to reduce water
runoff, providing bicycle storage,
changing and shower facilities to
encourage environmentally friendly
transportation to the building, and is
located near numerous bus routes to
reduce car parking and road demand.
Energy and Atmosphere ; Score 6/17 – Energy
efficient fume hoods and chilled beams in
laboratories. A reflective white roof system with
insulation to reduce solar heat gain and prevent
building heating and cooling loss. High performance
glazing to let in daylight but not heat. Occupancy
sensors to turn off lights when rooms are
unoccupied. Photovoltaic panels to help offset
energy costs.
Materials and Resources; Score 7/13 – The selection of products and building
materials is important because the creation of new materials can exhaust
natural resources, destroy habitats, and create waste. Examples of the
responsible material used in the project include: diversion of construction
waste from landfill including metals, concrete, and drywall, use of Forest
Stewardship Council wood products, and materials extracted and fabricated
within a 500 mile radius of the job site.
Innovation and Design; Score 4/5 – Open labs for collaboration and
the sharing of equipment is encouraged by the design of this
building. There are up to five principal investigators in a five bay
laboratory. The project manager for this building is a LEED
accredited professional.
Energy Cost
Baseline Building
Proposed Building
0 Rotation
90 Rotation 180 Rotation 270 Rotation
Average w/o PV W/ PV
Electricity Cost
279047
279056
278706
278115 278731 141159 140049
Nat Gas Cost
113177
113693
113812
113010 113423
69306
69306
Steam Cost
4516
4516
4516
4516
4516
4516
4516
CHW Cost
0
0
0
0
0
74527
74527
Total Cost
396740
397265
397034
395641 396670 289508 288398
27% 27.30%
BioScience/Life Sciences Building FY13-14 Energy
Gross
Square
Feet (GSF)
College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences
SUPPORTING HEALTHIER LIVING, A GROWING ECONOMY & A GREENER ENVIRONMENT
Poster submitted by Joe Dodson, BioScience/Life Sciences Building Manager, & Leigh Dodson, Director of CAFLS Business Affairs
BioScience/Life Sciences Actuals
94,570
BioScience/Life Sciences Energy Model
94,570
BioScience/Life Sciences Baseline
94,570
Ag Biotech Building (Includes GH)
140,000
Electric (KWH)
2,252,941
2,520,081
4,453,287
5,458,510
Electric Cost $
$
$
$
$
157,705.87
176,405.67
311,730.09
382,095.70
Steam (LBS)
415,958
323,802
323,802
2,164,491
Steam Cost $
$ 5,702.79
$ 4,439.33
$ 4,439.33
$ 29,675.17
Chilled Water
(KBTU)
7,606,300
11,431,000
0
17,040,700
Chilled Water
Cost $
Natural Gas
(therms)
Natural Gas
Cost $
Total Energy
Cost $
Total Energy (BTU)
$ 58,948.83
87,182 $ 77,591.97
24,506,108,252
$ 88,590.25
74,925 $ 66,683.25
27,907,016,950
$
122,619 $ 109,130.91
27,841,515,822
$ 132,065.43
2,179 $ 1,939.66
38,456,655,119
Difference of Baseline and First Year Actuals Total Energy Costs
$
$
$
$
$
299,949.46
336,118.50
425,300.33
545,775.96
125,350.87
Total
Energy/ft^2
(BTU/ft^2)
259,132
295,094
294,401
274,690
Total
Energy
Cost/ft^2 $
$
$
$
$
3.17
3.55
4.50
3.90