
The Future of Dana: Achieving Net-Zero Building Emissions and Leading by Example
With a recent global push to rapidly decrease emissions for mitigating climate change, the University of Michigan has established the PCCN to develop a framework for achieving carbon neutrality by 2030. SEAS Facilities seeks to develop evidence-based and scalable strategies to improve energy efficiency and find opportunities to integrate more renewable energy resources into the standard operation of the Dana Building. With these energy efficiency strategies in place, SEAS Facilities hopes to achieve net-zero building emissions and spearhead this movement for other buildings on campus. This capstone project generated a model of Dana and associated mechanical and electrical equipment using the DesignBuilder software, which was then utilized to assess potential energy efficiency measures and savings within the building. The research team also assessed the viability of window insulation and off-site solar installations as strategies for emissions reductions. In conjunction with this, information on mechanical and electrical systems within Dana was documented in a building manual for reference by the Facilities Department. Lastly, educational tools were developed to inform the students, faculty, and staff within Dana on how they can assist with the energy efficiency goals. This project found that even with solar installations on SEAS satellite properties and continuing efficiency measures within the building, a net-zero portfolio for Dana is unattainable without the decarbonization of the campus’ centralized systems. While energy efficiency measures and green infrastructure should be pursued within individual buildings, hope for Dana’s net-zero future cannot be achieved without larger university support.
Sarah Avery, MS (EPP); Christian Hitt, MS (SusSys), MSE (Env Eng); Kelly McElroy, MS (SusSys); Michael Orbain, MS (SusSys); Brandon Ridsdale-Smith, MS (SusSys); James Washington V, MS (SusSys)