Company:
PACE
Status:
Awarded
Awarded:
Small Project of the Year
Additional Files
Additional information regarding cogeneration and its application at Lake Forest II's pool facilities.
Additional information regarding the Lake Forest II aquatic facility application.
Additional Information

PACE was the lead engineer on the project and developed the concept, plans, instrumentation and controls programming and installation oversight. This concept was developed utilizing expertise in municipal water and wastewater technologies and aquatic facilities.

Lake Forest II Aquatic Facility Cogeneration Energy Production System

Project Location:

Lake Forest, CA

Project Description:

A unique application of cogeneration (combined heating and power system) was applied at the Lake Forest II Community’s aquatic facility, significantly reduced heating and electricity costs, while also reducing their carbon footprint. The Lake Forest II Master Homeowner’s Association (HOA), located in Orange County, CA, has several pools and spas at their central recreation facility that require year-round heating to serve the community.  The HOA spends an average of $140,000 a year on electricity and $40,000 per year on natural gas.

To reduce power and heating costs, the HOA considered alternative energy sources such as PV solar and thermal solar to power and heat it’s two Junior-Olympic pools (3,350 ft² each) and it’s Adult pool (2,200 ft²). However, the solar system was only projected to save approximately $12,500 per year (15+ year payback) and required additional reserves to be set aside to replace expensive inverters every 10 years and panels every 20 years. Cogeneration, on the other hand, offers a $40,000/year or 22% annual cost savings with only a five-year payback period, the savings includes on-going maintenance costs. In addition, the facility has also successfully decreased their carbon footprint by 54% by reducing their electricity consumption.

The system consists of a 75 kW cogeneration module installed in the existing main pump room to provide both power and heat for the facilities.  Heating of the pools and electric generation are optimized by a customized control system developed which allows for automatic unattended operation of the cogeneration system.  The control system continuously monitors and analyzes site power consumption and pool water temperatures so that power and heat are only generated when they can be consumed. The control system also monitors the electric utility loads so that even in the absence of heat demand, the cogeneration unit can run during “peak” demand periods, thereby minimizing “on peak” electric demand charges.  The entire control system was supplied with a secure internet connection which allows remote monitoring, control and data collection via an iPad or Windows PC.

In addition to the significant cost savings, due to the installation of the cogeneration unit, a new small commercial rate was negotiated with the gas company which reduced the price of fuel by 50%. With the new rate in place, the HOA saved $7,000 in the two months prior to the cogeneration unit even going on-line.

Project Justification:

• Demonstrates how a retrofit of an existing community facility can successfully reduce energy costs
• Reduced energy costs by over 22%
• Reduced carbon footprint by 54%
• Responsibly serves the community
• Unique application of green energy technology
• Advanced automation engineering to optimize energy efficiency and cost savings

Special Circumstances:

• Reduced gas base rates to the HOA by 50% by re-classifying the use as commercial due to the increased gas used for the cogeneration process.
• Successfully integrated the cogeneration unit within the existing pool equipment building, avoiding the need for additional space or structure to house the system.
• Previously, all operations of the aquatic facility were essentially manual. A new automated controls system was programmed to provide remote access to the system, pre-programmed triggers to activate the unit and complete operator control all through an iPad, iPhone or computer.
• Prior to the cogeneration system installation, only two pools were heated by the HOA year round due to costs, but with the cogeneration system savings, the third pool is now heated year-round providing additional recreational benefit to the community.

Project Attachments:

See attachments for additional information on cogeneration technology / aquatic facility application and on the Lake Forest II project.

Award Citation::

A unique application of cogeneration (combined heating and power system) was applied at the Lake Forest II Community’s aquatic facility consisting of two junior Olympic pools and one adult pool, reducing heating and electricity costs by 22%, while also reducing their carbon footprint by 54%.

Suggested Award Summary:

A unique application of cogeneration (combined heating and power system) was applied at the Lake Forest II Community’s aquatic facility consisting of two junior Olympic pools and one adult pool, reducing heating and electricity costs by 22%, while also reducing their carbon footprint by 54%. Cogeneration replaces on-grid power demand by converting natural gas into heat and power. Through engineering the system to integrate with the existing aquatic facility equipment and providing a state-of-the-art automated control system that can be operated remotely, the community succeeded in reducing their overall energy use and operational costs, while upgrading to better and newer technology.

To reduce power and heating costs, the HOA considered alternative energy sources such as PV solar and thermal solar to power and heat it’s two Junior-Olympic pools (3,350 ft² each) and it’s Adult pool (2,200 ft²). However, the solar system was only projected to save approximately $12,500 per year (15+ year payback) and required additional reserves to be set aside to replace expensive inverters every 10 years and panels every 20 years. Cogeneration, on the other hand, offers a $40,000/year or 22% annual cost savings with only a five-year payback period, the savings includes on-going maintenance costs. In addition, the facility has also successfully decreased their carbon footprint by 54% by reducing their electricity consumption.

The system consists of a 75 kW cogeneration module installed in the existing main pump room to provide both power and heat for the facilities.  Heating of the pools and electric generation are optimized by a customized control system developed which allows for automatic unattended operation of the cogeneration system.  The control system continuously monitors and analyzes site power consumption and pool water temperatures so that power and heat are only generated when they can be consumed. The control system also monitors the electric utility loads so that even in the absence of heat demand, the cogeneration unit can run during “peak” demand periods, thereby minimizing “on peak” electric demand charges.  The entire control system was supplied with a secure internet connection which allows remote monitoring, control and data collection via an iPad or Windows PC.

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