2005 SANDEE AWARD WINNERS
Outstanding Organizational Achievement
San Diego Unified School District
The San Diego Unified School District received top honors for continuing to be a leader in energy efficiency and renewable energy. The district implemented the largest photovoltaic project in any school district nationwide with over 2,000 kW of solar electric power at 14 different schools. They also received ENERGY STAR certificates for nearly 200 facilities for meeting the EPA’s energy efficiency requirements. The district estimates that since its energy savings program started in 1995, total energy usage has decreased by 55 percent, saving the district about $15 million.
Outstanding Individual Achievement
David Kassel, Cedar Fire Rebuilding Resource Group
With the help of volunteers, David Kassel has been assisting October 2003 wildfire survivors rebuild their homes more efficiently which should result in about 200,000 kWh of energy savings annually. This was accomplished through outreach, workshops and meetings organized by the Cedar Fire Rebuilding Resource Group (CFRRG), which Kassel founded. Losing his own home in the Cedar Fires, Kassel himself rebuilt using a radiant barrier, tankless water heater, automated lighting and temperature controls, ENERGY STAR appliances, and a 5 kW photovoltaic system.
Special Achievement in Energy by a Medium to Large Business
KYOCERA
Kyocera’s “Solar Grove” uses a network of 25 solar trees that also provide shade to a 186-vehicle parking lot. The solar trees or 235 kW photovoltaic system will generate 420,867 kWh per year, saving approximately $50,000 in energy costs annually. Solar Grove is the largest privately owned photovoltaic system in San Diego County, and serves as a symbol of Kyocera’s goal of making the San Diego-Tijuana region an important hub in the North American solar industry.
Special Achievement in Energy by a Small Business
Jeff Katz Architecture
Jeff Katz Architecture served as the lead in making the City of San Diego’s George L. Stevens Senior Center 28 percent better than California’s 2001 Title 24 Building Standards. The building uses dual pane low-e windows, natural daylighting, high efficiency HVAC units, lighting that is 26 percent better than Title 24, water-efficient landscaping, and a 7.3 kW photovoltaic system. The center also engaged in a two-year Green Tags contract that will ensure generation equal to 100 percent of the building’s remaining electrical use from renewable wind power. Nearly 75 percent of the project’s construction waste was diverted from landfill disposal by recycling and reusing materials.
This project was truly a group effort with a list of exceptional team members including: TB Penick & Sons, Inc, BDS Engineering, Parterre, Simon Wong Engineering, ILA + Zammit Engineering, Drew George & Partners, Brummit Energy Consultants & Westberg + White. Most importantly the City of San Diego should be recognized for its leadership in spearheading such an exceptional project.
Special Achievement in Energy by a Government or Institution
University of California San Diego
The University of California San Diego (UCSD) refurbished its oldest and largest steam turbine powered chiller with a 3 MW steam turbine electrical generator, resulting in a 10 percent increase in operating efficiency and a 25 percent reduction in steam required for cooling. The purpose of the project was to maximize the effectiveness of the captured waste heat from the campus cogeneration plant by increasing energy effectiveness of the combined chiller and power generating system. The project reduced load by over 565,000 therms per year in natural gas and over 35 million kWh per year in imported electricity, saving UCSD about $3.5 million annually in total energy costs.
Special Achievement in Energy by a Nonprofit
San Diego Convention Center Corporation
After analyzing over 100 combinations of chiller equipment, the San Diego Convention Center Corporation, with the help of Next Edge Inc, chose a system based on energy efficiency and life cycle cost instead of lowest price. SDCCC replaced 3,400 tons of absorption chiller machines used for their venting and air conditioning needs, with three new chillers, an upgraded energy management system and over 20 variable frequency drives. This resulted in an annual energy savings of $344,000 and a reduction of energy consumption by 2.9 million kWh per year. The new systems are two times as efficient as the average central plant operating in San Diego.
Special Achievement in Energy by a Homeowner
Richard Caputo
After his home was destroyed in the Cedar Fires, Richard Caputo rebuilt with energy efficiency and renewable energy in mind. His new 1,712 square foot home uses 25 percent less energy than required under California’s Title 24 Building Standards. The home has a solar water heater that provides 75 percent of its hot water, a solar water heating panel that heats a well-insulated hot tub, and a 2.5 kW photovoltaic system that provides 90 percent of the home’s electricity. The home’s one-quarter acre garden uses a gray water system that captures 50 percent of the house water for use in a drip irrigation system.
The home was also constructed with a passive direct gain solar design that provides 50 percent of the home’s heat during the winter. With a pellet stove using wood by-products providing the remaining half, Caputo’s home is now heated using only renewable energy.
Runners-up
Other organizations and individuals who were recognized included:
- Global Energy Network Institute (GENI) for the development of the KLD Global Climate 100 Index, a list of 100 companies that will provide near-term solutions to global warming and climate change through renewable energy, alternative fuels, and energy efficiency
- Lopez Engineering, Inc. for a 60 kW photovoltaic system and display at the Fallbrook Public Utility District’s headquarters, providing 33 percent of the building’s energy
- Marriott Mission Valley for energy efficiency and demand response at their 350 room hotel, which saved 714,690 kWh
- Naval Air Depot, North Island for their Process Improvement Project, which identified opportunities for energy efficiency and demand reduction, saving over 3.6 million kWh and 28,126M BTU
Judging
All submissions were evaluated by the following local energy and planning experts:
- Scott Anders – Administrative Director, Energy Policy Initiatives Center, University of San Diego School of Law
- Robert J. Gilleskie C.E.M. – Resource Efficiency Manager, Tetra Tech EMI, Inc
- Stephen Kapp C.E.M., LEED-AP – Technology Resources Manager, California Center for Sustainable Energy
- Robert R. Miller C.E.M., PM, CCP – Energy Engineer (Retired)
Christopher Weixelman P.E., LEED-AP – Senior Mechanical Engineer Project Manager, Randall Lamb
Legal Note: “The SANDEE Awards,” “The San Diego Excellence in Energy Awards” and program logo are copyright protected and/or service marks of The California Center for Sustainable Energy.
