The state Office of General Services (OGS) is looking at the sun in a new way. Its vision is to harness the sun’s energy in an effort to allow state agencies to “go green,” and also save the state millions of dollars by using solar thermal energy.
PEF
Division 179 member Rick Whitebread, a senior heating and ventilating engineer,
works at the OGS Design and Construction Group. He is dedicated to going green
and thrilled to see the recent openness to using alternative energy in New York.Whitebread became accredited by the U.S. Green Building Council in 2004. Today, he is a team leader of the OGS Design and Construction Green Quality Improvement Team.
“OGS has its own buildings and properties it services, but mostly we service other clients in the state, such as the Departments of Health, Labor, Parks and Recreation and Correctional Services, the Office of Mental Health and the State University of New York,” Whitebread said.
“Right now, we have a demo project with one of the agencies, the solar thermal initiative.”
Until the demo site is finalized, the agency can not be identified, according to Whitebread, program manager for the project.
“It is definitely happening. Once it takes off, other PEF members such as electricians, site engineers, field inspectors and support staff will also be on the job,” he said.
Saving millions
“It is still in the design stage. We want to make sure our instrumentation and system verification is good,” Whitebread said. “Then we’ll increase the number of solar collectors, known as an array, to 40 units. We expect it to be design-complete, functioning and tested by the end of this year.”
The evacuated tube collectors receive energy from direct and indirect sunlight and are suited for a northern climate. Flat solar panels are fine for warmer areas, but Whitebread said the tubes can handle the bitter cold, work when iced-over, and still produce a good amount of heat.
“The project is being funded by a system where the payback of the system is estimated. An amount of money is borrowed against the savings the system is going to provide. The system basically pays for itself,” Whitebread said.
“If we are able to expand this demo project into 30 statewide projects, we estimate it will save about $19 million over the life of the system. It will also void 1,320 tons of carbon dioxide per year and 39,600 tons voided over the life of the equipment,” Whitebread said.
Spread the word
Another benefit of the project is to demonstrate to state agencies it can be done quickly and within the existing design-bid system of the state.
“It has a good payback,” Whitebread said. “It can save energy, money and reduce carbon emissions and other emissions that come from oil and gas a facility may use to heat water.
“People are aware of solar thermal, but I don’t think they are aware of the new developments. It is a great way to go green without having to get involved with a lot of highly technical components.”
Whitebread acknowledged OGS Commissioner John Egan for having the vision to facilitate this initiative and promote it to other NYS commissioners.
“The results of our solar, wind and photovoltaic energy systems may encourage our clients to go green and comply with the governor’s alternative- energy program. It is designed to save New Yorkers money by incorporating alternative forms of energy into the way we do business,” Whitebread said.
“If the state starts placing a lot of these collectors in facilities and orders hundreds of these units, the price of them is going to drop,” he added. “A solar thermal infrastructure will start to develop across the state. It will offset prices for the consumer, and residents of New York will benefit in the end.
