KEC Evacuated Tubes

Evacuated tubes manufactured by Cinco Solar will be used to make hot water on the roof of the KEC.  This renewable energy source is part of the building's overall strategy to achieve LEED Platinum and Net Zero Energy.  Lets take a look at how this system works.

The heat pipe  is attached to the back of an absorber plate.  Evaporator fluid is contained within the heat pipe.  These components are housed within a vacuum sealed glass tube for maximum insulation and heat retention.  Solar energy is transferred through the absorber plate and the heat pipe and into the evaporator fluid, converting it to vapor.  The vapor rises to the condenser bulb at the top of the heat pipe.  The condesnor bulb is connected to a manifold via a dry socket.  Water is pumped through the manifold and absorbs heat through the dry socket.  The condenser bulb releases the latent heat of evaporation in the water flowing through the manifold and the vapor condenses.  The condensate returns to the bottom of the heat pipe and the cycle is repeated.

[sample photo]

The benefit of evacuated tubes over other types of solar hot water systems is they can be used in cold climates, they generate heat on cloudy days, and they can be used for space heating in addition to domestic hot water.  They are typically more expensive than flat plate collectors.

Progress photos can be seen below:

Happy Earth Day!

Whether big or small, let's do our part to help preserve our resources so that future generations may enjoy them as well.

“People don’t care where their energy comes from. All they want is hot showers and cold beer.” Amory Lovins RMI

As building professionals it is our responsibility to help consumers of the built environment make informed decisions about the type of construction they buy.  It is also our responsibility to continue to push the envelop and find a better way to deliver the required program, even if its as simple as hot showers and cold beer, through a more sustainable approach.

KEC Week 55

[courtyard view from the South]

With spring officially here we have ramped up the exterior activity again. 4 large trees on campus were tagged 2 years again and root pruned for transplanting to this site. The trees were relocated with a tree spade and planted in the courtyard and they look great.

On the interior, millwork continues in the labs and commons. Lights, ceiling fans, and electrical devices have been installed in the dorms as the floors are being prepared for finish flooring.

[beginning install of evacuated tubes on roof]

[courtyard pavers and tree transplants]

[courtyard reclaimed topsoil and tree transplants]

[local granite steps at courtyard]

[evacuated tube install with view of solar PV beyond]

[transplanted tree along South path to the South entry] 

[Hanover precast pavers at south entrance]

[dorm room, ready for flooring]

[faculty apartment]

[Ipe wood decking at faculty deck]

[lab casework with epoxy counters] 

[lab light fixtures] 

[FSC wood door trim ready for install] 

[bathroom wall tile in progress] 

[millwork laptop storage in small seminar]

KEC Geothermal Ground Source Heat Pumps

The KEC utilizes a very efficient mechanical system known as Ground Source Heat Pumps, or more commonly and incorrectly referred to as Geothermal.  True Geothermal heat comes from hot springs in the Earth and looks like this:

Ground Source Heat Pumps are used to efficiently heat and/or cool a building and looks more like this:

Dissapointing I know, sorry for that.

So what is it and how does it work?  I can share what I have learned from installing the system at the KEC, speaking with the project mechanical engineer, and doing some of my own research online.  These visuals were very helpful for me to understand.

Geothermal heat pumps don't create heat by burning fuel, like a furnace does. Instead, in winter it collects the Earth's natural heat through a series of pipes, called a loop, installed below the surface of the ground or submersed in a pond or lake. Fluid circulates through the loop and carries the heat to the house. There, an electrically driven compressor and a heat exchanger concentrate the Earth's energy and release it inside the home at a higher temperature. Ductwork distributes the heat to different rooms.

In summer, the process is reversed. The underground loop draws excess heat from the house and allows it to be absorbed by the Earth. The system cools your home in the same way that a refrigerator keeps your food cool - by drawing heat from the interior, not by blowing in cold air.

The Consumer Energy Center site was very helpful.

Here are some images from the design and installation at the KEC site.  During preconstruction we performed a test well to accurately measure the flow rates and temperates of our specific site so the assumed design could be fine tuned.  The ground temperatures range between 51 and 53 degrees.  The design for the KEC called for (25) wells 450' in depth.  Each well has a plastic pipe loop that goes down to the bottom of the well and then back up.  There is over 4 MILES of piping associated with this work!!  Sima Drilling performed this work.

[click to enlarge]

[well drilling]

[well drilling]

[piping at wells]

[piping from well field to building]

[piping from well field to building]

KEC Meaningful Work

I read that making the work meaningful helps everyone involved to understand and work towards the common goal.  While some understand the mission of the KEC, I began to think that others may think this is just another job.  I decided to take action and posted some informational signage up at the jobsite so the workers had a better appreciation for the work they are doing.  I believe this will help make a difference and give everyone a little extra pride in the great work they do every day.

[click for larger image]