Projects

Building retro-commissioning is a systematic process for investigating, analyzing andoptimizing a building’s systems’ performance through operational and maintenance improvement measures. Energy Management is engaged in on-going projects to retrocommission 5 buildings on campus: Perry Hall, ETIC, Coburn Hall, PTB and CRC. 

To date, studies conducted by retrocommissioning agents B2Q have identified 50 measures which may result in annual savings of: 

A solar inverter is one of the most important pieces of a photovoltaic system. It is a device that converts direct current (DC) electricity, which is what a solar panel generates, to alternating current (AC) electricity, which is what UML’s electrical grid uses. 

Facilities manages 446 kW of photovoltaics across five different systems. The systems are at or past the halfway point of their expected life cycle. Although the systems are successfully producing more than their expected generation, the inverters for these systems need to be replaced to ensure continued successful operation. In partnership with the Department of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance, UML Facilities intends to replace inverters at all five systems on campus. 

The University of Massachusetts Lowell and its Facilities Department was selected by the Sponsors of Mass Save as a 2022 Mass Save Climate Leader. As one of 19 inaugural recipients, UMass Lowell was recognized for a leading commitment to climate change through its “noteworthy efforts in increasing energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the Commonwealth.”

More than half of the university’s greenhouse gas emissions come from heating and cooling classrooms, labs, residence halls and offices. UMass Lowell conducted a comprehensive study to determine a path forward to meet and exceed the state of Massachusetts' Executive Order 594 goals over the next 30 years. The university completed its Alternative Energy Master Plan, funded by a $100,000 grant from the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources, to identify and prioritize campus projects that can help meet future energy demands while also significantly cutting emissions. The study was conducted by BR+A Consulting Engineers. 

See the Alternative Energy Master Plan (pdf).  

In collaboration with UML’s Department of Mechanical Engineering, Facilities conducted thermal aerial imaging surveys for both the North and South campus district steam systems. The purpose was to identify areas of excessive thermal losses along steam and condensate lines. Once complete, Facilities used the aerial images as a layer to the university’s CampusViewer GIS to align with existing energy infrastructure. The outcome was successful and helped identify an on-going condensate leak on the South Campus.