Harvesting energy and profits: A new approach to MEP cost analysis

When it comes to environmental issues, the AEC community plays a central and ever-changing role. Whether it’s through voluntary or regulated compliance, we are tasked with implementing new ideas that have been designed to counter a century of damaging ecological effects. A clear understanding of these technologies has important implications for the built and the natural environments—and, of course, the construction budget, as well.

In the course of providing cost estimating services, educating the client on making prudent choices is a high priority for Rider Levett Bucknall. While our primary responsibility focuses on saving money, we can simultaneously work to help save the planet, too. Fortunately, these two concerns increasingly overlap through the development of innovative, energy-harvesting products and applications; as a result, there’s a growing awareness that incorporating MEP costing into the design process is of tremendous value to all parties.

An accurate MEP costing is a critical component to construction procurement, supply chain, design, and operational facility management. Informed estimating of MEP systems brings to the forefront the many ways that that energy harvesting products can have a significant effect on a project’s short- and long-term efficiencies. Among them:

• Using alternate power sources to promote energy conservation
• Enhancing energy efficiency to lower utility costs
• Reducing maintenance and repair expenses through strategic materials and systems specifications
• Employing operational commissioning programs to track and document the performance of facility systems

It’s notable that energy-centric improvements have nearly universal application potential. Energy-conscious materials and systems can be utilized in both new construction as well as existing structures. Virtually every building type—residential/multi-family, commercial, hospitality, industrial/manufacturing, sports venues, and more—can benefit from energy-harvesting strategies. Facilities that are operational round-the-clock, like airports and healthcare facilities, frequently stand to gain the most in efficiency and savings by including energy-harvesting features.

Much of the cost savings stems from industry-sponsored rebates that help customers pay for the initial investment in equipment; every state maintains a list of these incentives. Then there’s calculating the long-term payback—a key part of the MEP costing process.

Below are some of the new renewable-energy technologies and products we have identified through our cost estimating as real game-changers. While some are still in development, others are already on the market, making a positive difference.

BUILDING MATERIALS

High Density Solar Panels. These parallel-connected cells produce reliable power, reducing power loss and increasing efficiencies.

Kinetic Floor Panels. Suitable for high foot-traffic areas, piezoelectric panels generate electricity using rotary motion generated from pedestrian weight-displacement.

Solar Roofing. For commercial use, solar cells are integrated into textured glass tiles with interconnections for generating power, usage, and storage. A shingle-based design is available for residential applications.

Solar Windows. Glazing coated with thin, transparent solar cells is capable of producing electricity in the sun or shade.

INFRASTRUCTURE APPLICATIONS

Solar Roads. A modular system of panels fitted with glass microprocessors captures solar energy that can be used to illuminate integral road markings and activate heating elements that keep snow and ice from accumulating.

Kinetic Energy Speed Bumps. Cars traveling at 5mph over these high-tech traffic controls generate kinetic energy that can be converted to an estimated 2000 watts of electricity per vehicle.

ENERGY GENERATION

Tidal Energy. Suitable for coastal locations, underwater turbines are placed in areas with high tidal movements, and are designed to capture the kinetic motion of the ebb and flow of breaking waves to produce electricity.

Kinetic Water Flow. Utilizing gravitational flow from rivers, canals, dams, and streams, stored energy can be converted into kinetic energy as the water flows through a large outlet and activates a turbine.

Earth Movement. Harnessing motion from earthquakes or shifting tectonic plates can capture energy to produce emergency electric power and lighting.

Human-Based Power Generators. Hooking up tread mills and stationary bikes in health clubs and gyms can help power facility lighting and services. Similarly, dance studios and clubs can utilize kinetic flooring.

Roof-Mounted Vertical Wind Turbines. These cost-efficient turbines operate 24/7/365 and with 360º input.

With engineers, architects, and owners continuing to commit to intelligent, proactive energy planning, conducting independent MEP costing campaigns plays a vital part of the process, quantifying sustainability in both dollars and in sense.