Across the world, geneticists are extracting DNA with sequencers, chemists are using centrifuges to separate cellular components, computational scientists are developing and running new AI engines, and engineers are performing wind tunnel tests—usually in laboratories designed to cater to the discipline’s individual needs. Although each workroom’s function is unique, energy is a hidden, crucial component fueling each scientific endeavor.
From fume hoods to ultra-low temperature freezers and environmental chambers, these tools are highly energy-intensive and can present unique challenges for facilities to meet sustainability goals. Laboratories can consume up to 10 times more energy per square foot than a standard commercial office building.
" }Bright, flexible lab spaces foster collaboration while integrating design strategies that reduce energy demand without compromising performance.
Strategies and techniques can reduce the energy consumption of laboratories while supporting the quest for knowledge and the advancement of technology. Page, now Stantec, was an early signatory to the AIA 2030 commitment to pursue energy reduction and achieve carbon neutrality and emphasizes the creation of high-performing and healthy buildings. These designs can help clients lower their energy impact while meeting research needs.
What is EUI?
Energy use intensity (EUI) indicates efficiency in a building’s design and operations, expressed as kilo British thermal units per square foot (kBTU/sf). In other words, EUI is the annual expected or actual use of electricity and natural gas, calculated by dividing total energy consumed by the gross floor area. A lower metric can mean a more efficient facility.
Think of EUI as miles per gallon, which is a projection of a vehicle’s expected consumption. Efficiency increases or decreases depending on the fuel type, car components, and, most importantly, how someone operates the car. For a building, an energy model helps predict the expected energy use, factoring in building systems and envelopes, temperature set points, ventilation rates, and schedules of operations. The model sets an energy target before design, benchmarks a building’s performance compared to similar building types, evaluates energy conservation measures, and can support efforts to improve building performance.
" }A high-performance envelope and campus energy strategies help Evelyn M. Anderson Hall achieve ambitious EUI goals while maintaining a modern academic presence.
Strategies to reduce EUI
In projects pursuing net-zero carbon emissions, strategies are first implemented to reduce a facility’s energy consumption. The remaining emissions are then addressed through an on-site renewable energy source, such as solar panels or geothermal systems. By improving insulation, glazing, and shading systems, while maintaining an airtight envelope, heat transfer through walls, roofs, and windows can be reduced. This can contribute to a more comfortable environment that requires less heating and cooling.
To keep laboratories safe and clean, outside ventilation needs to constantly replace the air inside. This continuous cycle removes potentially hazardous or contaminated air and replaces it with fresh air while conditioning the incoming ventilation to meet precise temperature and humidity levels. Many experiments depend on a carefully controlled environment, demanding specific conditions for safe tests. However, the energy required to uphold these delicate balances consistently contributes to the overall energy demand of laboratory HVAC systems. High-efficiency chillers, energy-recovery ventilation, advanced control systems, and occupancy and daylight sensors can improve the energy efficiency of the HVAC systems.
After identifying strategies to reduce energy consumption from a building perspective, the next focus is on reducing the energy use of laboratory equipment. Fume hoods, in particular, are known to be some of the most energy-intensive tools. Implementing newer systems with variable airflow controls can improve their performance. Additionally, emerging technologies such as smart sensors and energy-efficient equipment are designed to improve laboratory operations, supporting sustainability goals while meeting safety regulations.
" }Daylit atriums and efficient systems reduce energy use while supporting transparency, connectivity and well-being in modern research environments.
LEED Platinum: Carleton Integrated Science Complex
Carleton College’s science complex demonstrates one approach to modernizing a building. Adapting two existing facilities and demolishing a third to create space for a high-performance addition, the team designed a new daylit atrium that unites the structures and channels light throughout the building.
To help the college achieve its mandate of not increasing campus energy consumption through new construction or renovation projects, the team integrated energy modeling early in the design process. This approach reduced the predicted EUI and was coupled with a new geothermal system and the allocation of campus wind power. The project—with an EUI of 116.6 kBTU/sf—achieved a 38.4% decrease in overall energy consumption, despite the 33% increase in total square footage, and a 43.2% energy cost-savings reduction, earning a USGBC LEED Platinum certification.
Through a collective effort, architects and stakeholders can contribute to more resource-efficient laboratory environments that support research activities and sustainability objectives.
A version of this blog was originally published by Page, now Stantec.
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