LEED EAcr1 and ice storage?

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Hi All,
Has anyone successfully submitted an energy model to LEED?for NC, EAcr1 compliance that utilized an ice storage system for cooling?

I'm just curious if they considered this a valid way to meet EAcr1 since even though these systems save?money (which is?the basis for EAcr 1 compliance), they frequently use the same or even more energy than a standard chiller plant/system design.? In other words, in principle, if your proposed building uses the same or more energy than your baseline, but shows a $ savings relative to the baseline, is that still valid.

We're considering looking at ice storage for a LEED project I'm working on.? But, before we run down that route, I'm trying to determine if LEED considers it an acceptable way to meet EAcr1 and if anyone has been successfully awarded LEED certification with it.? I tried searching?the CIRs,?but the LEED search engine didn't return any matches.??There was a little traffic on Bldg-sim on it, but that?was pretty old (2005).??I also sent LEED customer service the questions along with a brief description of ice storage and the not-so-green as well as green aspects of it.??But, it was obvious by their reply?that they had no idea what I was talking about?!?!??

Any experience you all have?regarding?ice storage and?successful LEED submittals?would be great.
Thanks.
Julia

Julia Beabout's picture
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The metric in LEED (ASHRAE 90.1) is energy cost not energy usage. I am
certain that ice storage systems have been submitted and approved in LEED
projects. As currently set up you don't get full credit since both models
must use the same rate structure but you could get some credit against
standard cooling systems if the rate structure favors off-peak usage.

Marcus Sheffer

Marcus Sheffer2's picture
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Marcus,

Even if the same rate structure is used in both buildings, wouldn't the
proposed building be able to take advantage of off-peak rates since its
chillers are running during the night to produce ice, instead of during
the day as in the reference building?

Thanks,
Luka

Matutinovic, Luka's picture
Joined: 2011-09-30
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Yes but you don't necessarily get full credit since you are using the same
rate structure, all off-peak usage in the baseline building is modeled at
the off-peak rate as well. To get full credit one would model an off-peak
rate in the proposed and a standard rate in the baseline which Appendix g
does not allow.

Marcus

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Julia,

ASHRAE 90.1 uses energy cost.

Now, when you simulate an energy model for thermal (ice storage), AND if
there is differential tariff available, I am sure that the energy usage will
be less (NOT EQUAL NOR MORE) than an ASHRAE base case building.

Try your luck with this idea.

Do let me know if this made some sense.

Pramod Dhir

Dew Point's picture
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Julia-

If modeled correctly you shouldn't have any problems submitting your model
with an ice storage plant. I know of a handful of buildings that have been
successfully submitted using ice storage---namely the Bank of America
Building (1 Bryant Park) in Manhattan.

Regards,

Steve Mignogna

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