Energy Management Systems Controls
Energy Management Systems (EMS) Controls is responsible for overseeing most campus control systems. EMS is divided into three shops:
Systems & Controls (S&C),
Temperature Control, and the
Direct Digital Control (DDC) shop. The department is responsible for installing, updating, and maintaining numerous electrical and heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems on campus, including:
- Electrical lines and meters
- Fire-alarm system
- Emergency generators
- Signal cable
- Traffic signals
Systems & Controls is responsible for programming and maintaining the DDC systems across campus. In order to monitor these systems and assess any problems, S&C utilizes the recently constructed
Energy Management Control Center (EMCC).
Temperature Control mechanics work to maintain comfort levels in campus buildings. They are skilled in troubleshooting, reparation, installation, and calibration of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and their controls, as well as air compressors.
Building automation systems are operated and maintained by the electricians of the DDC shop. These electricians perform installation, maintenance, and repair of these and other control systems.
Occupancy scheduling is an important aspect of maintenance for EMS Controls. A major advantage to
incorporating the campus’ buildings into the DDC system is the ability of EMS Controls to work with building facilitators to create an occupancy/shutdown schedule. When a building’s HVAC system is part of the DDC system, knowing the building schedule allows EMS to appropriately schedule mechanical systems to run only during periods of building activity.
EMS has also begun utilizing occupancy sensors on variable air volume (VAV) air handlers for classrooms and offices. This allows EMS to achieve additional savings during normal day hours, where the unit would be running, by closing off air dampers – or air flow – to specific spaces that do not have occupants. Once the space becomes occupied EMS can then place the room controller back in normal operation.