13 - ENERGY
Energy conservation is an important focus area in the state of Texas. The Lone Star State is home to more than 70 energy providers, from natural gas to electricity to renewable energy. Texas takes pride in producing the most energy in the nation, with 27 key refineries in the state. The Texas State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) sponsors several programs to encourage using energy efficiently, especially relying more on renewable energy and less on sources that emit carbon dioxide into the earth’s atmosphere. Cities like Austin and Houston are aiming to produce no greenhouse gases by the year 2050, and many other cities are choosing to follow their lead.
In the GCSAA Golf Course Environmental Profile, Phase II, Vol. V (GCSAA 2017), it is estimated that turfgrass maintenance accounts for 47 percent of energy use at a golf facility; this total is comprised of clubhouses, swimming pools, tennis courts, and various other operations. This study notes six major energy sources for golf course use: electricity, gasoline, diesel, natural gas, propane, and heating oil. Texas golf courses use all of these sources.
Texas golf courses can set the pace for other industries in the state when they work toward achieving energy reductions from these six sources. By aiming to lower emissions and conserving energy, golf courses promote cleaner air, encourage efficiencies, and drive innovation. Texas golf courses also provide valuable urban greenspace to help cool cities, reducing the urban heat island and helping to promote lower energy usage.
Texas Energy Conservation Resources, Incentives, Rebates
The following resources provide information on Texas conservation (i.e., alternative fuel) programs, incentives, and rebates for conserving and using cleaner forms of energy, including federal and state tax credits, municipal energy programs, and other incentives:
https://comptroller.texas.gov/programs/seco/#skip-scroll
https://www.cleanenergyauthority.com/solar-rebates-and-incentives/texas
Best Management Practices
Measure annual energy use for electricity, natural gas, gasoline, and diesel; propane, and heating oil input data from monthly utility statements, utilizing 2 years of data
Set baseline year to track improvements and future reductions; determine carbon footprint when practicable
Analyze data to identify efficiencies, prioritize reduction targets and set attainable goals; monitor metrics regularly to confirm compliance
Share data to ensure success and to identify other areas that need improvement
Prioritize opportunities and establish steps to implement initiatives, identify resources, projected energy and cost savings; incorporate all stakeholders to increase ownership
Establish and communicate position statement and energy policy; relate to guests, members, community
Audit and replace lighting and irrigation component use to identify efficiency opportunities
Ensure efficient operation and maintenance of pump station, irrigation pumps, controls, components; utilize manufacturer data to fine tune specifications and optimize conservation.
Incorporate energy efficiency and conservation measures into location, design, construction; collaborate with stakeholders to prioritize energy conservation
Explore onsite solar and electric vehicle charging stations when practicable; stay up-to-date with Texas legislation on renewables and energy efficiencies: · https://www.puc.texas.gov/agency/rulesnlaws/subrules/electric/Electric.aspx
Communicate with utility provider, insurance company, regulatory officials
Adhere to state regulations, use guidelines from U.S. Green Building Council (LEED certification program)
Educate, train, motivate employees on energy efficiency practices
Identify opportunities for product rebates and incentives
Data Analysis
To efficiently manage a golf course, superintendents need to understand energy consumption and its impact on the individual course. Conduct an energy audit through a third party or input data from monthly utility bills, receipts, and statements into a spreadsheet. Once annual data is entered, it should be designated as the baseline year to measure against in subsequent years. When practicable, conduct a carbon footprint analysis using total energy consumption to determine emissions. Golf courses also help sequester carbon, which is a factor that helps offset golf course emissions. Plants on a course assimilate carbon from the atmosphere during photosynthesis, some of which is eventually stabilized in the soil, in the form of soil organic matter. The net difference between carbon emissions and carbon sequestration on a golf course reflects the overall carbon footprint. Consult an expert to assist further in calculating and understanding impacts.
Because the pump station uses the most energy of a golf course facility, track its energy usage separately by pump station, if possible. Installing properly-working meters and gauges to measure energy used throughout the course is helpful. Segregate this data on meters by area–such as maintenance buildings, clubhouse, tennis facilities, pools, or additional amenities–for optimal monitoring and control.
Analyzing Data & Setting Energy Reduction Goals
Look at consumption metrics by month, area, day of week, and time of day. Factors to consider during analysis year-over-year, by month, or quarterly include:
Electricity utilization during peak hours 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Unusually high temperatures creating increased HVAC usage - summer season between June and September
Periods of drought causing increased irrigation
Seasonality resulting in switches between energy sources
Alterations to landscape or building renovations
Faulty or damaged equipment
Understand how faulty equipment, leaks, or peak utilization creates trends or spikes. Track these trends to prepare responsiveness to potential repairs.
When analyzing data, consider equipment maintenance and how it impacts energy use. Determine what energy is being used by different types of equipment and evaluate efficiency, costs, maintenance, and replacement costs. To better support future purchases, administer a regular inventory of equipment and log its date of operation, total energy uses, operational hours, and any further issues.
Superintendents can determine annual goals for energy based on the quantity of energy used in the last year and what your golf course has chosen to prioritize. These goals for energy conservation could encompass initiatives related to infrastructure, equipment, behavior, processes, and agronomic practices. Aim for SMART goals which are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timely. Sharing goals with employees at monthly meetings and posting them in a clearly visible area is also helpful.
Energy Use Conversion Factor
To understand aggregate energy used on a golf course for electricity, natural gas, gasoline, diesel, propane, and heating oil, a conversion factor to BTU for each energy input may be used. (reference chart footnote 12 GCSAA 2017* US Department of Energy)
Energy Use Intensity
Energy use intensity, or EUI, expresses a building’s energy use as a function of its size or other characteristics. It’s calculated by dividing the total energy consumed by the building in one year (measured in kBtu or GJ) by the total gross floor area of the building. A low EUI signifies good energy performance. EUI helps to benchmark and gauge the effect of renovations and expansion within clubhouses or other built environments. Example benchmarks and conversion data may be found at www.energystar.gov.
Monitoring, Tracking, and Communication
Keeping organized when tracking energy use is a must. Creating a spreadsheet detailing units of measurement, energy used by day, month, meter or department, rates, weather, and energy conversion factors can help indicate which goals are being met and which ones need more attention. There are tools and software services available for tracking, such as Energy Star. If feasible, particularly at resort facilities, consider energy management software which can provide robust data and controls, incorporating intelligent building automation systems and monitoring. Calculate savings achieved through energy reductions to track progress and support energy efficient capital investments.
It is best to analyze data weekly or monthly to note progress toward goals and understand any inefficiencies or issues. Establishing parameters for performance can optimize energy conservation with irrigation pumps. Discuss results with employees on a regular basis; this can be done by posting signage displaying monthly progress to goal attainment. Consider encouraging teamwork and innovation through benchmarking performance between departments, or versus similar-sized facilities.
Behavior
An energy management plan (EMP) creates structure and accountability in order to move priorities forward. It aligns stakeholders around common goals and displays a continuous improvement process centered around the concept of “Plan-Do-Check-Act” which incorporates a roadmap, implementation, monitoring, and adjustments. EMPs and BMPs often share goals. For example, an effective preventive maintenance program that improves equipment efficiency and reliability will benefit energy conservation efforts. On the other hand, EMPs can improve lifespan of equipment and reduce emissions.
Various sources can provide recommendations for energy efficiency opportunities - these can include staff, consultants, or energy providers. Engage employees responsible for a specific job or task, managers, and departments influential in decision-making or processes. Effective engagement of stakeholders will drive efficiencies, reduce bottlenecks, and positively impact departments.
What to Include in EMP: Prioritizing, Determining Steps, Assigning Tasks
Analyze and decide on the top three to five energy conservation opportunities in order to target specific goals. Areas like infrastructure updates, equipment replacement, behavioral changes, and agronomic practices or processes are examples of priority initiatives. Evaluate benefits, in addition to short-term and long-term costs in regard to priority initiatives, factoring in the source of energy (electricity, fuel, etc.)
Establish steps to implement by identifying:
Resources needed (capital expenses, acquiring products/systems, communications, etc.)
Departments involved
Projected energy reductions
Estimated cost savings
Timeframe
Accountability and teamwork can be maximized when all task owners have priorities aligned.
Implementation
Tie EMP progress to overall energy reduction goals. Communication and engagement should happen on several levels.
Engage energy management team weekly and/or monthly to review progress
Engage leadership team regularly to provide updates to support investment decisions and show progress
Communicate with all staff regularly, including updates to employees within stakeholders’ departments
Share EMP conservation highlights and achievements with members and guests
Policy and Performance Guidelines
Commit to following set energy conservation standards to highlight behavioral changes that employees and guests should follow. Emphasizing the importance of conserving energy will aid in this operation. All facilities should have a conservation plan; for example, the turfgrass department should include goals around irrigation systems, pump stations, landscaping, and the broader framework of the operation.
Behavioral Practices: Lighting, HVAC, Irrigation/Water, and Equipment
Perform a breakdown of energy usage by area. Typically, heating, ventilating, air conditioning (HVAC) comprises 40 to 50 percent of total electricity usage for a building (e.g., clubhouse). Lighting consumes about 20 percent of this total, and other miscellaneous equipment uses another 20 percent. Hot water can greatly increase the total energy, so only use it for showers, hand-washing, and restaurant operations.
By simply adhering to preventive maintenance schedules and keeping mechanical systems clean, HVAC efficiency can improve by 10 to 20 percent and lower electricity costs.
Because the pump station is the largest user of energy during the summer months, ensure it is properly engineered and maintained at regular intervals. Monitor for any signs of abnormal flow, increased pressure, or substantial gallon variances from the central computer. Power consumption can be minimized, and pipes can be better protected, through using variable frequency drives (VFD). Power surges will happen due to demand, so engineer the system to allow a variance and continue operating. The actual field heads should be audited at least once per year to show discrepancies and to fine-tune efficiency.
Schedule irrigation during off peak hours and, when feasible, use newer systems of remote monitoring pumps and flow to identify problems before they escalate.
Golf COURSE Energy Reduction BMPs Behavioral Checklist
Checklist of energy reduction behavioral best management practices for the clubhouse, golf maintenance facility, and other buildings on property. This can be used as a self-audit and guide toward continuous improvement.
Source: Radius Sports Group, LLC. 2019
Equipment and Materials Efficiencies
Evaluate new technologies, products, or upgrades that improve efficiencies through meetings with suppliers. Examine fuel types, level of energy required, and use of alternative energy or fuels. Shifting to hybrid mowers and electric golf carts helps reduce fuel consumption and lowers greenhouse gas emissions.
For new equipment purchases throughout the club, consider programs like Energy Star or the EPA’s WaterSense program for product labeling to identify products with high energy efficiency.
Design
Early in the design phase, include partners to help ensure that the completed golf course and its facilities will adhere to energy conservation plans. Communicate goals with architects and contractors for incorporating into the design and build out. Consider renovations or new construction that can provide an opportunity to integrate energy saving efficiencies into the plans. Investment determinations should be focused on integrating energy conservation measures.
Source: Energy for Sustainability, Randolph & Masters, 20
Energy Considerations During Design
Building location
Building orientation
Course slope
Vegetation
Materials used (e.g., thermal conductivity, best material for cooling, etc.)
Lifecycle assessment on materials
Technology/smart building automation
Monitoring systems
Programmable scheduling and controls
The use of locally-sourced materials is encouraged for saving construction costs and resources, especially in regard to heavy and bulky materials. This plays an important role in lowering the carbon footprint, for it reduces embodied energy (energy used in the extraction, production, transportation and construction of a building material.) Use resources like the US Green Building Council and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers, or ASHRAE for details on the LEED framework and certification for highly energy efficient buildings and for energy efficiency standards and guidelines, respectively.
Golf COURSE Energy Reduction BMPs Product Selection Checklist
Checklist of energy reduction product selection best management practices for the clubhouse, golf maintenance facility, and other buildings.
Source: Radius Sports Group, LLC. 2019
Texas Solar Site Considerations
Location (roof or ground mounted), area, orientation and tilt, shading
• Preferred orientation allows for south facing
• Roof tilt degree equal to the latitude device is located at
• Clear access to the sun for most of the day unobstructed by trees
• Adequate space on roof or property
• A roof in good condition
Onsite Solar Electricity Generation
Consider installing solar panels for onsite electricity, as many golf courses are finding this beneficial to operations. It is important to understand the long-term effects of turning to solar energy in regard to employee and community well-being, so evaluate costs and benefits with these impacts in mind.
Education
Foster education and motivation amongst employees to adhere to conservation standards through lunch and learn sessions, tips, quizzes, and challenges. Encouraging participation in these efforts will further drive energy efficiencies. Continuous education may be completed through email, signage, and stakeholder meetings.
Celebrate successes year-round. Dedicate a small portion of weekly meetings to noting progress and new goals to achieve and include stakeholders and guests in suggesting new ways to foster improvement
