Arrillaga Alumni Center is latest building to pilot sustainability program
The Frances C. Arrillaga Alumni Center, commonly known as Fran, has launched an effort to reduce electricity consumption through such measures as increasing use of power strips that turn off equipment when not in use; replacing incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs; and reducing the air conditioning schedule.
BY KATE CHESLEY
The Frances C. Arrillaga Alumni Center is the latest building to launch a pilot program designed to improve sustainability through individual action, energy efficiency, increased recycling and decreased use of consumables destined for landfill.
Matt Williams, director of facilities at the alumni center, told members of the university's Sustainability Working Group (SWG) recently that staff members there hope to reduce electricity bills by 5 to 10 percent – or $7,500 to $15,000 per year. The Arrillaga Alumni Center, referred to as "Fran," includes more than 300 staff members from the Stanford Alumni Association and the Office of Development.
The "Green Fran" pilot project is modeled after a similar volunteer program completed during the spring in Building 170, a four-floor administrative building adjacent to Wallenberg Hall that houses Faculty Affairs, Public Affairs, the Budget Office and the Office of the General Counsel.
The Building 170 payoff
The three-month Building 170 pilot achieved a decrease in monthly electricity consumption by 21 percent through such measures as increased use of BigFix, a computer security and power management program; installation of "smart" power strips, which turn equipment off when not in use; and disabling of unnecessary equipment and lights. The Building 170 project is projected to recoup its costs in just 11 months.
The Green Fran project also will incorporate lessons learned from an ongoing department-wide project in the 10 buildings housing Information Technology (IT) Services. Joyce Dickerson, director of Sustainable IT, reported to SWG members that the IT Services project involves about 350 people working in the Jordan Quadrangle area. Results are not yet available for that project, which began in July.
Dickerson said the IT Services project focused on such measures as increased use of smart power strips, enhanced installation of BigFix Power Management and additional use of timers on copiers and printers. Among the next steps, she said, will be installing equipment to decrease energy use by vending machines during non-work hours.
The greening of Fran
Williams said Green Fran kicked off with a presentation to all Alumni Center occupants in September. Many staff members, he said, were surprised to learn that electricity costs about $150,000 per year in the building and that the average paper usage is 10,500 sheets per person per year.
"There was a lot of buzz generated by that meeting," Williams said. "We had anticipated some pushback around some of our proposed actions, but after everyone learned how they could contribute, there was a lot of excitement. And with 300 people, every little bit of effort helps."
Three teams of "green team" staff members are overseeing sustainability efforts on each of the three Arrillaga Alumni Center floors. A sampling of the work done so far includes:
- Installation of timers on copiers and network printers;
- Replacement of kitchen water coolers with water filtration systems;
- Reduction of the air conditioning schedule;
- Replacement of incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs;
- Increased use of smart power strips;
- Replacement of outdated printers with energy-efficient models;
- Switching to environmentally friendly and sustainable cleaning products, utensils and paper products in kitchens and restrooms;
- Elimination of unused equipment;
- Use of blinds to deflect sun; and
- Avoidance of large photo screen savers.
Sustainability interest growing
According to Fahmida Ahmed, manager of sustainability programs, the projects are based on a program design initiated by Sustainability and Energy Management. Experience so far suggests the success of building sustainability programs rests on the availability of a committed, informed and passionate coordinator.
With interest in building sustainability programs growing, Ahmed said her office is fine-tuning the program design and enhancing various tools to help coordinators survey buildings, establish goals and train students and employees. She hopes to roll out an enhanced program that can be implemented at the school, department or building level in 2010.