Ecocommercial Building: Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India

CASE STUDY ECOCOMMERCIAL BUILDING, NOIDA, INDIA

he EcoCommercial Building is part of Environmental Footprint the Bayer Climate Program, which The EcoCommercial Building seeks to reduce the company’s achieved its net zero energy greenhouse gas emissions, and objective by targeting the fol- improveT energy and resource efficiency. lowing parameters that optimize Part of this effort involves design- its air-conditioning load and ing and constructing net zero energy environmental footprint: buildings around the world. So, • Efficient building envelope design; the building, which became India’s • Climatically responsive façade first net zero energy building, was concepts, including a roof that conceived by Bayer as a proto- extends beyond all four sides of type with plans to build several the building, protecting it from such buildings to establish new direct sun and reducing heat gain; benchmarks for future sustainable • Efficient glazing balancing low developments. Sankalpan Infrastructure Pvt Ltd thermal conductivity and shading Project teams discussed and BUILDING AT A GLANCE coefficient; brainstormed ideas from concep- • Thermal mass and insulation tion as part of an integrated project Name materials; EcoCommercial Building (ECB), Noida delivery approach. Some of the • Lighting and daylighting controls; Location Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, project’s highlights include: India (25 miles SE of New Delhi) • Energy recovery opportunities; • A 40% reduction in energy use • HVAC system equipment selection Owner Bayer (compared with the ASHRAE/ at highest full-load and part-load Principal Use Office IESNA Standard 90.1-2004 base- efficiency points; and Includes Offices, meeting rooms and line) through high performance • Commissioning. ADAPTING TO Bayer AG some product exhibition spaces envelope insulation, improved Table 1 depicts the 2011 actual Employees/Occupants 50 protection against sunlight via annual energy consumption and high performance double glazed Occupancy 90% to 100% amount of carbon emitted. When windows with integrated motorized Gross Square Footage 9,600 compared to the Standard 90.1- CLIMATE blinds, and the use of energy-sav- Conditioned Space 7,151 2004’s calibrated baseline, this ing technologies associated with translates into CO emission reduc- BY ASHISH RAKHEJA, MEMBER ASHRAE Distinctions/Awards LEED-NC Platinum 2 the electrical power supply sys- (64 of 69 points), 2012 tion of approximately 40 tons. The tem/building management system; Total Cost $ 6,799,020 building’s actual on-site electricity “Adapting a building to the climate is better than adapting the climate to • Emission-free, on-site energy Cost Per Square Foot $ 708 generation for 2011 was 72,023 generation through the use of a 57 Substantial Completion/Occupancy kWh, which is 8,113 kWh over the a building” is an apt slogan of Bayer Material Science’s EcoCommercial kW photovoltaic system; January 2011 63,910 kWh consumed that year, Building Program. Its initiative to develop India’s EcoCommercial Building • Chilled beams for radiant cooling resulting in net zero energy status. that eliminate fan energy; and • A zero water discharge system that Top The building façade is optimized Design Condition Analysis (ECB) as a part of the Bayer Climate Program has set up a benchmark of through active and passive design features recycles and treats all sewage that to ensure its climate responsiveness. For A year-round air-conditioning load sustainability for the Indian construction industry. India’s EcoCommercial is generated on site. The sewage example, the roof extends beyond the build- profile was created usingISHRAE treatment plant is compact, odor- ing on all four sides, protecting the walls data file Weather Data and Design Building, located in Greater Noida, India (near New Delhi), exceeds the from direct sun and reducing heat gain. free and a uses a sequential batch The additional area on the roof provides Conditions (WeDCo) to size equip- existing standards for high performance buildings and ensures that a building reactor system to provide high adequate space for the photovoltaic cells. ment. A conventional building efficiency aerobic treatment. The Opposite The EcoCommercial Building’s may be designed for peak ambient exterior lighting is designed to minimze can deliver back to the climate rather than exploiting the resources. treated effluent is used for makeup night sky pollution while maximizing conditions, but in this project’s in cooling towers and flushing. energy efficency. system design, annual building

44 HIGH PERFORMING BUILDINGS Fall 2013 Fall 2013 HIGH PERFORMING BUILDINGS 45 This article was published in High Performing Buildings, Fall 2013. Copyright 2013. Posted at www.hpbmagazine.org. This article may not be copied and/or distributed electronically or in paper form without permission of ASHRAE. For more information about High Performing Buildings, visit www.hpbmagazine.org. TABLE 1 ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND CARBON EMISSIONS TABLE 2 INDOOR DESIGN CONDITIONS ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2004 Dry Bulb 75°F ±1° Calibrated Baseline Proposed Case One Year Actual Temperature Case (Energy Simulation) Consumption* Relative Humidity Not Exceeding 55% Air-Conditioning Load 54 ton 24 ton 24 ton Dust Filtration Combination of Efficiency MERV 8 Prefilter and Annual Energy Consumed 105,685 54,540 63,910 MERV 13 Bag Filter (kWh/yr)

Energy Use Intensity 37.5 19.1 22.73 (kBtu/ft2·yr)

Lighting Power Density polyurethane foam (PUF). Roof 1 0.67 0.67 (W/ft2) insulation materials are 75 mm (3 Carbon Emitted in.) rigid polyurethane insulation 99,661 51,431 60,267 (kg/yr) and a 50 mm (2 in.) layer of mineral

*Actual energy consumption metered from Jan. 10, 2011, to Jan. 11, 2012. wool. In addition, a window-to-wall ratio (WWR) of 33.8% helps ensure performance was evaluated along Envelope maximum daylighting potential with with the detailed study of environ- Typically in internal-loads domi- minimum solar heat gains. mental conditions such as wind nated buildings, properly speci- The envelope design minimizes Advertisement formerly in this space. speed and solar orientation to opti- fied fenestrations result in energy the energy demand and operating mize the building performance. efficiency savings of 10% to 40% power. It also reduced the size and This evaluation enabled the in lighting and HVAC. To explore cost of the HVAC system needed to design team to move away from the this potential, the building envelope maintain adequate building pres- traditional practice of low internal design was evaluated to analyze its surization, good indoor air quality temperatures. Table 2 outlines the effect on cooling loads and daylight- and a comfortable thermal environ- indoor design conditions adopted ing. Through several iterations, enve- ment for building occupants. for the project. lope specifications were identified that yielded the highest resistance Lighting and minimum payback period. Since the EcoCommercial Building All external surfaces, including the walls, roof and foundation, are insulated (using Insulation materials for exterior is a day-use building, daylighting is polyurethane panels) on the exterior. walls are 150 mm (6 in.) autoclaved maximized in all occupied spaces. This design helps reduce heat gain or loss inside the building. The rectangular aerated concrete (AAC), fly-ash Simulation software was used to eval- building includes a two-story glazed lobby, block work and 75 mm (3 in.) uate the impact of various shading which faces north. devices to minimize glare indoors. The main objective of simulation

Bayer AG Bayer was to ensure that the use of blinds/ curtains on windows not compromise occupants’ visual comfort. Integrated motorized blinds are achieving these goals, and no problems have been reported regarding their operation. An energy-efficient lighting system with daylighting controls provides additional light when daylighting is not sufficient.

46 HIGH PERFORMING BUILDINGS Fall 2013 DEFINING DAYLIGHT FACTOR BUILDING ENVELOPE

Daylight Factor (DF) is a ratio of internal Roof light level to external light level and is Type Reinforced cement concrete defined as DF= (Ei /Eo) × 100%, wherein (RCC) slab with 3 in. thick polyurethane Ei is illuminance due to daylight at a foam and 2 in. of additional mineral point on the indoor working plane and wool with waterproofing 2 Eo is simultaneous outdoor illuminance Overall U-value 0.03 Btu/h·ft ·°F on the horizontal plane from an unob- structed hemisphere of overcast sky. Walls Type 6 in. thick autoclaved aerated

Bayer AG Bayer concrete (AAC) fly-ash block work and 3 Energy-efficient lighting fixtures with day- in. thick polyurethane foam (PUF) light controls contribute to the building’s Overall U-value 0.04 Btu/h·ft2·°F

limit the number of fixture types in the system due to part-load Sankalpan Infrastructure Pvt Ltd Glazing Percentage 33.8% low energy use. Window integrated motor- The building team selected low-VOC protec- ized blinds minimize glare while maximiz- and lamp selection in order to operation most of the year. For the tive coatings, paints and flooring materials Windows ing daylighting. have reasonable inventories. EcoCommercial Building, computer and placed a priority on regional building collected in each service core. This Effective U-factor for Assembly The building uses a combination simulation tools were used to create materials with recycled content. air enters one side of the rotating 0.27 Btu/h·ft2·°F Energy-efficient fixtures and bal- of energy-efficient T5 linear fluores- a year-round AC load profile that heat wheel, chilling the wheel and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) 0.31 Visual Transmittance 50% lasts contribute to a 37% reduction cent and compact fluorescent lamps, helped improve understanding of selected for the project that accom- drying the desiccant coating. Location in lighting energy compared to which have good color rendering operating conditions. modated the building’s entire This cool and dry part of the wheel Latitude 30.44 N Standard 90.1-2004. Other benefits properties and long life and are read- Building thermal performance cal- latent loads. then rotates into the outdoor air- Orientation Northeast include enhanced lighting quality ily available, easily controllable and culations were made for two primary Dry outdoor ventilation air is sup- stream where it absorbs heat and in the space and a healthy and pro- affordable. Eyestrain and fatigue reasons: to size and select mechani- plied through an externally mounted gains humidity from the incoming BUILDING TEAM ductive work environment. Lighting due to excessive lighting levels are cal equipment and to predict the unit that dehumidifies the air before ventilation air before it is cooled to equipment selection sought to bal- reduced by high frequency electronic performance of each component it is supplied to occupied space. room temperature in the air-han- Building Owner/Representative Bayer ance the design requirements and ballasts linked to daylight sensors. that contributes to heat gain in This dry outdoor air acts as primary dling unit (AHU) room. The energy Architect, Structural Engineer, Occupancy sensors in normally the space. After several iterations, air to the chilled beams. recovery wheel reduces the ventila- Landscape Architect Sankalpan unoccupied areas like storage areas, the calculations resulted in a final A design ventilation rate of 30% tion AC load by 80%, minimizing General Contractor Shobha Developers WATER AT A GLANCE toilets and mechanical rooms mini- breakdown of space sensible and additional outdoor air over ASHRAE operating energy and the size of air- Mechanical, Electrical Engineer; Energy mize lighting use. Lighting controls latent loads. Standard 62.1-2004 enhances the conditioning equipment. Dedicated Modeler; Environmental Consultant; Annual Water Use 96,240 gallons LEED Consultant AECOM India Pvt. Ltd. ensure minimum internal heat gain The careful planning of passive indoor air quality within the build- floor-mountedAHU s are located on and reduced air-conditioning load and active design features resulted ing and provides occupant comfort. the ground floor and the first floor. Commissioning Agent Measurement & Verification Services Pvt. Ltd. (MVSPL) ENERGY AT A GLANCE in those spaces. in a total diversifiedAC load of The air quality is monitored inside 2 Annual Energy Use Intensity (EUI) (Site) Approximately 87% of total regu- 84 kW for 891 m (24 tons for the entire building with help of CO2 Chilled Beams 22.73 kBtu/ft2 larly occupied spaces in the build- 9,600 ft2). The project achieved sensors located 1.8 m (6 ft) above Chilled beams provide cooling and 2011 ACTUAL ENERGY USE Electricity (From Grid) 2.15 kBtu/ft2 ing have a minimum daylight factor 37 m2/kW (1,401 ft2/ton) for the the floor level in various spaces. offer several advantages, including VS. CALIBRATED BASELINE Renewable Energy 20.57 kBtu/ft2 of 2%. A lighting power density overall built-up area and 28 m2/kW These sensors provide an audible reducing operation costs due to sav- Annual Source Energy – 63 kBtu/ft2 (LPD) of 7.2 W/m2 (0.67 W/ft2) in (1060 ft2/ton) for the conditioned alarm to the operator when the dif- ings in AHU fan energy and simul- Annual Energy Cost Index (ECI) $0.059/ft2 all occupied spaces is significantly spaces. Further comparison is made ference between outdoor and indoor taneous reduction in chiller energy. Annual On-Site Renewable Energy lower than the Standard 90.1-2004 with Standard 90.1-2004 (for cali- CO2 levels exceeds 530 ppm. The The beams receive incoming chilled Exported 5.02 kBtu/ft2 baseline of 11.8 W/m2 (1.1 W/ft2). brated baseline case) to study the DOAS system starts at 7 a.m. to water at 15°C (59°F) rather than at Annual Net Energy Use Intensity

benefit of each strategy 2011( Actual remove moisture that builds up dur- the conventional 7°C (45°F). MWh –2.86 kBtu/ft2 Energy Modeling Energy Use Vs. Calibrated Baseline). ing unoccupied hours and brings Based on indoor design conditions Savings vs. Standard 90.1-2004 Design Building 40% It is a conventional practice to down the temperature to desired of 24°C (75°F) and 55% relative compute air-conditioning loads DOAS and DCV level before office start-up. humidity, the room dew-point tem- Heating Degree Days (base 65˚F) 848 using peak ambient conditions that As a design strategy, the room sen- The DOAS provides heat recov- perature is 14°C (57°F) and chilled Cooling Degree Days (base 65˚F) 5,091 Actual Metered ASHRAE/IESNA occur 0.4% or 1% of the year. This sible and latent heat gains were ery from the building’s exhaust. water is supplied at a temperature Energy Standard 90.1-2004 Average Operating Hours per Week 40 leads to oversized equipment selec- computed separately. A dedicated Dehumidified cold exhaust air from 1°C (0.6°F) higher (at 15°C [59°F]) Calibrated Baseline tion, which introduces inefficiency outdoor air system (DOAS) was the bathrooms and office space is to avoid any condensation on

48 HIGH PERFORMING BUILDINGS Fall 2013 Fall 2013 HIGH PERFORMING BUILDINGS 49 KEY SUSTAINABLE FEATURES

Water Conservation Zero water discharge system treats all sewage generated on site. Recycled and treated water is used for makeup in cooling towers and flushing. Daylighting Eighty-seven percent of total regularly occupied spaces in the building have a minimum daylight factor of 2%. Carbon Reduction Strategies On-site Using chilled beams to provide air condition- PV array provides emission-free energy, ing is a new concept in India. The system is exceeding building demand. a major contributor to this building’s HVAC Construction phase commissioning energy savings. It also reduces operating Transportation Mitigation Strategies costs due to savings in AHU fan energy and to ensure the proper implementation Campus bus facilities used by more a reduction in chiller energy. of mechanical and electrical systems. than 75% of occupants. Acceptance phase commissioning, Other Major Sustainable Features Commissioning which required contractors to dem- Chilled beams, efficient lighting design, dedicated outdoor air system with Despite superior standards of design onstrate the operation of the equip- demand control ventilation. solutions and exposure to new tech- ment as per design intent. nologies and products, a significant Occupancy phase commissioning, gap exists in the quality of execu- which focused on proper operation surfaces. In addition, dry fresh air tion due to poorly trained labor and of the systems by the operation and is injected into chilled beams (after conventional operation methodology. maintenance (O&M) staff. Advertisement formerly in this space. passing through the DOAS), enhanc- The project incorporated ASHRAE- Ongoing commissioning, which ing the sensible load handling capa- recommended commissioning meth- will be done at a later stage to peri- bility and minimizing the number of odology, using a third-party commis- odically verify operational methods beams inside. sioning agent and energy auditor to and equipment performance. Double entry doors with an air carry out the following activities: Energy meters monitor equipment lock help prevent hot humid out- Design phase commissioning that performance and continuously log door air from entering the building. provided early input for incorpo- data. This data is compared with the Additionally, a drip tray is provided rating monitoring mechanisms to baseline data to determine the savings. for beams in the reception area to min- facilitate successful operation and The monthly consumption of the imize the possibility of condensation. maintenance by building staff. whole building and the individual

TABLE 3 2011 ENERGY PRODUCTION, USE (KWH)

Annual Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Total

PV Production 4,149 4,743 6,776 7,438 7,852 7,210 6,064 5,706 6,759 6,616 4,427 4,281 72,023

Building Consumption 2,666 1,231 3,198 5,261 8,271 8,698 7,337 7,474 7,883 5,419 4,106 2,365 63,910

Lighting 684 349 297 180 178 152 148 244 220 152 211 413 3,227

Air Conditioning 1,042 171 2,106 4,091 6,911 7,257 6,028 6,023 6,206 4,136 3,312 758 48,045

Equipment 940 710 795 990 1,181 1,289 1,161 1,207 1,456 1,131 584 1,194 12,638

Monthly Net Energy Production/Use 1,483 3,513 3,577 2,177 -418 -1,488 -1,273 -1,768 -1,124 1,197 321 1,916 8,113

Note: Equipment includes laptops, printers, copiers, coffee maker, refrigerator, etc.

50 HIGH PERFORMING BUILDINGS Fall 2013 corners of the ECB site and have a the new landscaping, plants were NZEBS AND INDIA’S FUTURE BUILDING GROWTH total volume of 141 321 L (37,333) watered twice a day for the first Buildings account for 33% of the total for International Development (USAID) gallons. The rainwater is primarily two years. electricity consumption in India. An esti- launched a five-year program in July 2012 used to recharge the underground mated 70% of the building stock required in partnership with India’s Ministry of Power for 2030 has not yet been built. This formi- and the Ministry of New and Renewable aquifer. Material Selection. The building dable growth in the construction industry Energy that aims to accelerate India’s transi- Storm water pipes empty into 500 team placed a priority on regional and the resulting energy demand is pre- tion to a high performing, low emissions and dicted to increase dependence on imported energy secure economy. mm × 450 mm (20 in. × 18 in.) water building materials with recycled fuel, contribute to higher greenhouse gas In the building sector, the program retention tanks/catch basins, and over- content. The team also selected low- emissions, and strain the country’s fossil involves promoting energy efficiency and flow passes through oil and silt traps VOC paints, sealants, coatings and fuel dependent infrastructure. net zero energy goals. Activities include While implementing minimum energy technical resource development, capacity before reaching the rainwater harvest- adhesives whenever possible. performance standards for buildings will building, demonstration projects, Energy ing pits. The additional overflow water contribute toward checking the increasing Conservation Building Code (ECBC) imple- energy demand, net zero energy goals are mentation support and updating the ECBC from the harvesting pits is discharged Conclusion The project team researched and explored Bayer AG Bayer needed for energy security. The U.S. Agency 2007 with provision for NZEB components. in the municipal drain. In addition to The EcoCommercial Building the environmental sustainability of various The EcoCommercial Building is one of building materials. The insulating materials only a few net zero energy buildings in Source: The Partnership to Advance Clean Energy-Deployment (PACE-D) Technical Assistance Program the on-site sewage treatment system, exceeds the existing standards for contribute to the building’s reduced energy India. While initial project costs were which recycles the building’s waste- high performance buildings and use and net zero energy status. On-site PV significantly higher than typical commer- water, low-flow plumbing fixtures help ensures that a building can deliver panels generate more electricity than the cial construction costs, the investment building consumes. is providing reduced operating expenses locations, but still exceeded the park. The site is supported by well- reduce water use. back to the climate rather than for the long term. building’s consumption. The excess connected public transportation. exploiting resources. It illustrates ABOUT THE AUTHOR energy is fed into the existing adja- Bayer also provides buses to trans- Landscaping. Native and indige- the potential energy savings that consumption of HVAC, lighting and cent building within the campus. port employees to various parts of nous species were selected for land- can be achieved via early collabora- Ashish Rakheja, Member ASHRAE, is a regional managing director of building engi- other related areas were compared Delhi and its satellite cities. scaping, eliminating the need for tion to design an efficient building neering for AECOM India in Noida, India. with the monthly baseline consump- Other Sustainable Features regular irrigation. To help establish envelope and building systems. • tion figures provided through energy Site Selection. The EcoCommercial Water. Rainwater harvesting pits modeling (see 2011 Actual Energy Building is a part of Bayer’s factory 3 m (10 ft) in diameter and 5 m Use Vs. Calibrated Baseline). campus located in an industrial (16 ft) deep are located in all four Metered systems include the main incoming power supply, chillers, LESSONS LEARNED internal lighting, external lighting, Integrated Project Delivery. This method investment has considerably decreased the air-handling units, the water supply was a key to developing this building. operating cost of this building. system, the sewage treatment plant All of the stakeholders were included in Integrating Services Without Hampering and the solar PV system. the design process from the beginning. The basic intent of the EcoCommercial Design. An exposed ceiling is designed to The commissioning team did not Building’s design is to reduce the energy showcase the chilled beams, a new concept for providing air conditioning in India. Advertisement formerly in this space. identify any aspects of the project demand through implementing highly efficient energy conservation measures. This Making the exposed ceiling aesthetically that needed improvement. This reduced energy demand enabled the owner pleasing and fully functional presented a project’s innovative design and its to make an early decision to implement a challenge. Each service element, including chilled water pipes, conduit, light fittings, high performance that meets design photovoltaic system and pursue net zero energy status. chilled beams, speakers, smoke detectors, goals demonstrate the effectiveness motion sensors, etc., was meticulously Higher Initial Costs, Lower Operating Costs. coordinated by the designer, project man- of integrated project delivery. The cost of the building is relatively high ager, and electrical and HVAC vendors to compared to typical commercial building in achieve the desired result. Solar PV this region. The material and the technol- ogy used such us as photovoltaic cells for Grand Opening Activities May Explain The project’s 57 kW crystal- power generation, chiller plant and chilled Higher Energy Use. The building’s first year 2 beams, sewage treatment plant, rainwater EUI of 22.73 kBtu/ft ·yr is slightly higher line silicon grid-connected solar 2 harvesting system, additional insulation, than the modeled EUI of 19.1 kBtu/ft ·yr. system is expected to generate energy-efficient windows, cladding materials The model did not account for the grand 88.9 MWh/year. It produced 72 and LEED-certified office furniture increased opening presentations and tours, which may explain the higher than expected EUI. MWh during 2011 due to mutual the project cost significantly. This initial shading of the panels in a few

52 HIGH PERFORMING BUILDINGS Fall 2013