Part 5: Final Recommendation - SUNY Cobleskill

NGREENING
SUNY Cobleskill Facilities Master Plan – Phase 5 Report
November 2011
N – GREENING
SUNY Cobleskill has made substantial gains in providing a more
sustainable and environmentally friendly campus environment.
While the FMP is not a sustainability plan per se, there are many inherent
elements that have a significant impact on SUNY Cobleskill’s ecological
footprint. Some highlights include:
•
•
•
•
Reducing Car Travel and Creating a More Walkable Campus
The FMP provides building connections in all the master planning
concepts dramatically reducing the outdoor cross-campus travel
and creating a more pedestrian-friendly walking environment
indoors. Over the course of the FMP process it was noted that
some students and faculty will drive from one point on campus
to another in an effort to avoid walking outdoors (especially in
inclement weather). This results in unnecessary vehicle miles
traveled.
A Focus on Building Reuse
A core principle of the FMP is to maximize the use of existing
buildings and only suggest new construction when necessary.
The construction of a building generates as much waste (from
material harvesting, fabrication and assembly) as the volume
of the building being built. By focusing on adaptively reusing
buildings, such waste is avoided.
Harnessing Building Renovation to Improve Performance
Because the FMP foresees the extensive renovation of most campus
facilities within the next 10-15 years, the FMP represents an
outstanding opportunity to improve building system performance
for the next 30 to 40 years. While the Fund and the campus must
conform to Executive Order 111 and meet LEED Silver status, a
commitment to push for LEED Gold could pay significant longterm
operating dividends.
Better Synergy Between Indoor and Outdoor Environments
By creating a better connection between indoor and outdoor
spaces (as well as improving the quality of outdoor spaces), the
FMP creates the opportunity to reduce heating and cooling loads
in spring and fall by opening spaces up to the change of seasons
and the comfortable temperatures of those months.
•
Planting and Maintaining Native and Site Appropriate
Vegetation
The FMP also calls for a landscape master plan to coordinate
the design of the anticipated amount of site improvements. As
part of this work, maintenance-intensive vegetation and turf
are to be mitigated with native and site appropriate plantings,
groundcovers, and areas of no-mow or low-mow grass and
herbaceous vegetation.
Other sustainable initiatives for the College to consider are in areas
of energy, water management, recycling and waste management, and
transportation.
ENERGY
Survey & Meter Existing Usage
Provide meters for all facilities to accurately monitor existing electrical,
natural gas and water consumption. For a minor premium, the campus
can elect to purchase green power for a portion of its energy usage.
Equipment Upgrades & Cogeneration
Ensure that all future equipment purchased and installed on campus meets
minimum energy performance guidelines. Construct all new buildings
with energy-efficient mechanical and electrical systems.
As the campus expands, the localized cogeneration (micro turbines)
should be explored. Cogeneration involves the capture and reuse of heat
generated in the on-site production of electricity (often through the use
of natural gas). That heat is then used in heating and cooling systems.
Cogeneration involves significant upfront capital cost, but can dramatically
lower long term utility costs. Furthermore such efforts capitalize upon ongoing
research being conducted at the College’s Center for Environmental
Science & Research [CEST].
Renewable Solar Energy
Consider installing photo voltaic or radiant solar panels to supplement
hot water supply for the campus.
Renewable Wind Energy
Given the College’s extensive land holdings, some of which are hilltops
to the north side of the valley, there is potential for wind turbines – though
there has been notable opposition to such structures in the nearby Catskill
Park.
Geothermal Energy
Many portions of the campus are appropriate for installing geothermal
systems as an efficient way to provide heating and cooling for campus
buildings. Using the relatively stable and moderate temperature of the
ground that exists starting several feet below the surface, the ground can
be used as an efficient heat source or sink to provide heating and cooling
to buildings on the campus. A ground-source heat pump system would
need to be a vertical well system in the denser areas of the campus, but
where sufficient open space exists, there is an opportunity for a lessexpensive
horizontal loop system. We recommend conducting thermal
conductivity tests before designing vertical well systems. While the
upfront cost is higher for a geothermal system than for other heating
and cooling systems, the investment can provide long-term returns in
reduced operating costs, especially if economic incentives are offered to
the campus or energy prices rise.
WATER
Wastewater and Stormwater Management
SUNY Cobleskill’s agricultural programs potentially generate a significant
amount of agricultural waste and nutrient pollution from stormwater
runoff. The College should obtain the services of civil engineer to design
and implement enhanced best management practices and stormwater
runoff control and treatment before it enters the Cobleskill Creek. The
Nutrient Management Plan for the campus should receive regular review
and updates to ensure the best available technologies and systems are
being used and demonstrated to students and the community.
The potential to incorporate algal turf scrubbers (ATS) should be considered
due to their potential to feed back into the agricultural or bio-energy
production programs on campus.
70