Heating Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems within all major buildings at UNL are monitored and controlled by a networked, direct digital control (DDC) system.
Our DDC system is unique in that the majority of the field level hardware and system software has been designed, built, tested and installed on an in-house basis since the early 1980s. In addition, the majority of the software for our EMCS was built using open source development platforms and tools. This system is installed by our technicians in all new buildings and nearly all remodeling projects.
Computer technology has changed a great deal over the last 30 years. However, the reasons for pursuing an in-house and open source DDC solution remain unchanged. These include flexibility, standardization of equipment, extensibility and most importantly, lower installation costs.
Our 2010 Campus Energy Management Plan set forth a goal of reducing energy consumption in state funded buildings on city and east campuses by at least 15% within five years. We are on track to meet that goal.
Several concurrent energy conservation strategies have been implemented to meet the stated reduction goal. These encompass the functional areas of: existing buildings, new construction and renovations, utility plants, energy data collection and analysis, communication, energy project processes, and energy information systems.