energy

H2M performed for the United States Postal Service (USPS) an energy audit for the Long Island City Main Post Office including site visit, utility bill analysis, and building modeling simulation.  Potential Energy Conservation Opportunities (ECO) and Equipment Repair/Replacements (EER) were investigated as part of this audit. This post office sorts carrier mail and provide mail services to the public.  The reported total interior area is approximately 57,214 square feet.  This facility employs roughly 100 total staff and operates 16 hours per day, six days a week in two tours.  The facility is approximately 82 years old, being constructed in 1928, and with a renovation was completed in 2007. The mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and controls systems were analyzed to ascertain inefficiencies, savings potential, and project implementation costs.  The combination of field surveys of the existing systems, engineering calculations using industry standard practices (i.e. ASHRAE Standard 90.1), application of energy efficient technologies and adherence to the current USPS Building Design Standards resulted in the development of a package of recommended opportunities. Potential energy conservation projects for the post office were installation of a second hot water loop, a roof replacement, lighting retrofit to mail loading dock, and installation of occupancy lighting controls.  A second hot water loop would allow the air handlers and radiators to each have a dedicated hot water supply.  A new roof with insulation meeting the minimum requirement of the New York State Energy Code would reduce peak cooling demand.  The existing mail loading dock lighting fixtures are high pressure sodium (HID) with magnetic ballasts.  Upgrading the fixtures to fluorescent fixtures with electronic ballasts would result in a yearly energy savings.  Manual control of lighting creates a large potential for excessive use.  Installing wall or ceiling mounted occupancy sensors would reduce the potential of lights remaining on when no one is occupying a space. One ERR was identified during the audit.  The weather-stripping around the mail loading dock doors is damaged and in poor condition.  H2M proposed new weather-stripping would be provided for all doors. The USPS identifies six qualifying elements which must be evaluated and documented for energy impact and potential ECO.  They are lighting, HVAC, compressed air, water/plumbing, building envelope, and behavioral.  The post office met all six qualifying elements.  No ECOs were identified for HVAC equipment because a chiller plant and air handler renovation was completed in 2007.

H2M was selected for the project because H2M had been the consulting engineer for the Town in the previous 10 years and had previous landfill and NYSDEC negotiating experience to get the project completed. The project entailed evaluation and construction of a 13 acre Photovoltaic Solar Field on a landfill which will produce 2.364 MW of power. The project is the first in New York State on a closed capped municipal landfill on a commercial scale basis. The project is large enough to power an estimated 2,000 homes annually. The project qualified for NYSERDA grants and was completed at zero cost to the Town. The project was placed on line in December 2014 and is estimated to save the Town approximately $ 4.6 million in utility costs over the 30 year projected life of the project. A 20 year Power Purchase Agreement was negotiated with the project developer on a leased portion of the Town landfill which will allow the Town to take over operations of the solar field after 20 years. The excess energy produced by the Solar Field is being sent back to the utility grid and the Town is credited the excess KW. Upon completion, the project is operational, saving money for the Town, an environmental benefit, and has become a model and educational tool for other municipalities. In May 2015, the project/H2M was awarded the Project of the Year by the New York State Society of Professional Engineers.

As part of a large-scale multi-disciplined project, H2M designed a 17,000-square-foot expansion and renovations to an existing 45,000-square-foot residential treatment facility. As part of the project, H2M performed a system analysis study in accordance with NFPA 70E, OSHA, and all local regulations. Studies included short circuit analysis, equipment evaluation, protective device coordination, and arc flash analysis. The modeled system contained approximately 55 analysis buses (100 electrical equipment) with normal power and provisions for a future generator.

H2M provided complete engineering services from investigation through construction for the upgrades to the chilled water plant at the USPS Bronx General Mail Facility. This project included the installation of the following:

• Three 250-ton centrifugal chillers
• One roof mounted, three cell cooling tower
• Condenser water pumps
• Primary and secondary chilled water pumps
• Piping and associated valves and expansions tanks
• Glycol feed system
• Chemical feed system
• Complete DDC controls with graphical end user interface
• Refrigerant monitoring system
• New motor control centers and starters
• New chiller room floor drains, piping, and sump pumps

All work, including demolition and new construction, was performed during the off season to insure the new system would be complete and operational by May 2005. H2M worked closely with the USPS and the contractor to minimize any impact on the existing operations of the building.

The Brooklyn OMRDD Campus power plant was in the process of being renovated. As part of the renovation work, the Campus desired to replace the existing roofing system and cooling tower. The project included design services for the replacement of the existing cooling towers serving the main campus power plant with five new induced draft counter-flow cooling tower cells with a total flow of 5500 GPM. The towers provide cooling water to two 680-ton chillers and five generator heat exchangers. Also included was the design of new structural support steel and access ladders for the tower cells. The tower cells were equipped with variable frequency drives and a new remote sump tank was designed for installation inside the plant to provide freeze protection in the winter. New microprocessor-based sequencing and operating controls were designed as well. The power plant renovation work also included all new roofing and the installation of a new metal panel rainscreen for the entire power plant.

Based upon the critical need for standby power, we recommended the Village consider two smaller 750 KW generators as opposed to a single 1,250 KW generator. We raised concerns that a single generator or transfer switch malfunction or failure would completely disable the main Booster Plant water supply facility. A cost analysis was performed which incorporated costs of equipment, shipping costs, installation costs and determined two smaller generators and associated two smaller transfer switches could be installed for approximately the same cost as a single larger generator and transfer switch. The electrical distribution system was redesigned to put half the critical loads on a dedicated Motor Control Center connected to each generator. Each Motor Control Center had the ability to re-feed each other through a series of molded case switches in the event of a generator/transfer switch failure maintaining at least 50 percent plant load, which is sufficient for emergency backup power requirements. We designed the Village-wide water supply SCADA system which provided all water supply control and monitoring for the entire Village, and monitored generator and transfer switch status and alarms. A utility to utility transfer switch was designed to feed the SCADA control system loads which automatically switched between both utility services and both generators to provide system reliability in the event of failures. We also designed the SCADA system to remotely control and monitor the iron removal plant and backup 350 KW diesel generator. Both the Iron Removal Plant and 350 KW diesel generator were designed by H2M.

H2M provided design, permitting, bidding, construction administration and construction inspection for this project. The electrical scope of work included new electrical distribution so the facility could continue operating out of their second floor offices in a flood situation. The design included a new transfer switch, main building overcurrent protection, and options to de-energize specific portions of the facility. Included in the project was the design of new structural dunnage to support the 8,500 pound generator at five feet above grade, above the 100 year flood level and above the tidal surge from Hurricane Sandy. The installation was reviewed and approved by the Nassau County Fire Marshall.

H2M architects + engineers (H2M) was retained to provide an erosion control study to protect a Long Island substation located on the barrier island of Fire Island, New York. Erosion has occurred along the north shore of the island in the vicinity of the substation. This erosion of the shoreline had the potential to endanger the integrity of the land in and around the substation. H2M was retained to assess the geomorphology of the Site specific to the apparent receding back-bay shoreline. Services included a study of historic shoreline erosion rates, the substation’s vulnerability to foundation failure and development of conceptual design alternatives. The study also identified permit requirements for proposed mitigation measures including a review of Federal requirements in accordance with National Parks Service (NPS). We proactively engaged Fire Island National Seashore (FINS) representatives to ensure their shoreline stabilization requirements were considered when vetting remedial alternatives. As part of this investigation, the following tasks were completed: Shoreline Historic Erosion Study; Substation Vulnerability Study; Conceptual Erosion Control Study. The Conceptual Erosion Control Study was utilized to develop remedial alternatives consistent with FINS and NPS environmental goals and objectives, and consistent with permit requirements of other applicable regulatory agencies. Conceptual plans included the following: Base maps of the Site of a sufficient level of detail to accurately depict the existing conditions and proposed option design; Alternative preliminary layouts, perform engineering calculations, and develop conceptual design details; conceptual landscaping and erosion control design, including a native species plant list if applicable; and, Preliminary construction cost estimates for each option.

H2M was retained as Program Manager supporting a FEMA funded Hazard Mitigation Program (FHMP) for a major New York electric utility. Administered by FEMA under Section 406 of the Stafford Act, H2M’s role is to provide overall Program Management. The project includes multiple engineering consultants and construction contractors to be coordinated and integrated. Program management includes project controls and scheduling for the design and construction of 1,025 miles of storm hardened mainline distribution circuits and the installation of Automated Sectionalizing Units (ASUs). The H2M Program team also acts as the lead Construction Manager to document and review all construction activity. This includes safety program implementation, incident review, construction tracking, field review and documentation, materials and design reconciliation, and RFI and change request reviews. H2M’s scope includes tracking and ensuring that all required permits are filed and obtained prior to construction. This activity includes coordination with many stakeholders including the design professionals, contractors, municipalities and many other third parties.

When a major utility company in the Northeast needed help with an environmental clean-up, they called upon H2M to investigate and coordinate remedial efforts. A 51,000-gallon dielectric cable fluid release had taken place in Nassau County, NY. Two source areas were discovered where dielectric fluid had been released, with one release located within 1,000 feet of a public water supply well under construction. H2M began with an environmental site investigation to characterize the extent of soil and groundwater impacts. The fate and transport study addressed potential migration of dielectric fluid below the surface. The study included an evaluation of contaminant properties, investigation of the local hydrogeological setting and calculation of the rate of migration. Following an aquifer pump and rising-head slug tests, aquifer characteristics such a transmissivity and hydraulic conductivity were evaluated. A groundwater pump and treat system was designed and constructed in record time. The quick response of the H2M team prevented the di-electric fluid from contaminating the new well. Operated by H2M for over five years, the treatment system has contained the release.

The transport of low-pressure natural gas presents a host of environmental problems that must be addressed. Drip water is generated in natural gas service lines as a result of water infiltration through piping and fittings. Drip water from low pressure lines is different from high-pressure gas condensate, which is typically oilier, with PCB and flammability concerns. Low-pressure line drip water has its own toxicity, including the presence of benzene, which requires disposal as a hazardous waste. Working under an environmental term contract for a major utility company, H2M conducted an evaluation of mobile drip water treatment systems (DWTS) designed to treat the drip water at the point of generation to remove benzene as well as total hydrocarbons and any other soluble natural gas contaminants. Systems are comprised of a truck-mounted 500-gallon holding tank, a vacuum pump, and a filtration system with ancillary piping and equipment. The purpose of this DWTS evaluation was to develop and demonstrate the effectiveness of a treatment system for regulatory approval. H2M used actual drip water spiked with known benzene concentrations. We collected influent, intermediate, and effluent samples and evaluated the treatment system efficiency at varied benzene concentrations. We also considered different pumping alternatives, vacuum flow and pressurized flow, and different filtration options of solids filters, proprietary filtration media and granular activated carbon filters. The end product was a system design that provided benzene removal to less than 1 part per billion that could operate in both summer and winter field environments