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What is the Labs21 Approach?
Quantifying the
Benefits of Labs21
Using the Labs21 Approach,
EPA and DOE believe that
laboratories can achieve signifi-
cant energy savings. EPA applied
the Labs21 Approach at its Ann
Arbor, Michigan, laboratory and
has reduced its annual electric
demand by nearly 70 percent and
its utility costs by 70 percent.
Assuming that 50 percent of U.S.
laboratories achieve a 30 percent
reduction in energy consumption,
the United States could reduce
its annual energy consumption by
84 trillion BTUs, which is equal
to the electricity consumed by
2.2 million U.S. households. An
efficiency improvement of this
magnitude would save $1.2 billion
annually.
In addition to the cost savings,
the environmental benefits of the
potential energy savings also are
significant. Conserving 84 trillion
BTUs of energy would decrease
carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
by 16.7 million tons, which is
equivalent to removing 3 million
automobiles from U.S. highways
or preserving 56 million trees
from harvest.This, in turn, will
help reduce the threat of global
climate change caused by green-
house gases such as CO2 in the
atmosphere.
Labs21 is dedicated to the pursuit of sustainable, high-performance, and
low-energy laboratories that will:
¦ Minimize overall environmental impacts.
¦ Protect occupant safety.
¦ Optimize whole building efficiency on a life-cycle basis.
¦ Establish goals, track performance, and share results for continuous
improvement.
Labs21 seeks to create environmental showcase laboratories by encour-
aging laboratory owners, operators, and designers to adopt the "Labs21
Approach." To demonstrate their commitment to this philosophy, Labs21
Partners will pursue the following:
¦ Adopt energy and environmental performance goals.
¦ Assess opportunities from a "whole buildings" approach.
¦ Use lifecycle cost decision-making.
¦ Commission equipment and controls in new construction and retrofit
projects.
¦ Employ a broad range of sustainable energy and water efficiency
strategies.
¦ Measure energy and water consumption and track emission reductions.
¦ Evaluate on-site power generation, combined heat and power
technologies, and renewable power purchases.
¦ Specify "green" construction materials.
¦ Promote energy and water efficiency operation and training efforts.
¦ Explore sustainable design opportunities beyond the building site.
Adopting the Labs21 Approach involves evaluating a laboratory's energy
use from a comprehensive perspective when considering efficiency
improvements. This requires focusing on all of a laboratory's energy sys-
tems and wastes, including its HVAC and electrical power supply, rather
than focusing on specific energy-using components.
The resulting showcase facilities will reduce emissions, streamline energy
and water usage, and decrease overall costs—all while preserving the
integrity of the laboratory's mission.
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How Can I Become a Labs21 Partner?
The Labs21 Partnership Program will evolve over a 4- to 5-year period
through two phases: Pilot and Implementation. During the Pilot phase,
Labs21 will work closely with a select group of public and private sector
laboratories to define the scope of the pilot projects, provide technical
assistance, and develop a method to measure and evaluate the success of
each project. Pilot Partners must be willing to commit to the following:
¦ Conducting a specific pilot project at one facility using the guidelines
developed by Labs21 when designing a new laboratory or retrofitting
an existing facility.
¦ Adopting the Labs21 Approach for improving energy and water effi-
ciency at the pilot project facility.
¦ Assisting the Labs21 program in developing a method to measure and
evaluate the success of the project.
¦ Granting EPA and DOE permission to publicize partnership activities.
¦ Participating in the annual Labs21 conference by reporting progress of
the pilot project.
Labs21 agrees to support the efforts of the Pilot Partners by doing the
following:
¦ Providing technical assistance, which may include developing an energy
audit protocol or reviewing a laboratory design.
¦ Providing opportunities for education and training on laboratory
energy and water efficiency.
¦ Working to identify the value of associated emission reductions and
applying the value to laboratory efficiency improvements.
¦ Developing a series of tools to promote innovations in laboratory
design and operation.
¦ Recognizing Pilot Partners through an awards program, publications,
and the Labs21 Web site.
¦ Developing case studies documenting successful efforts to reduce the
environmental impacts of U.S. laboratories.
¦ Holding an annual Labs21 conference to facilitate information exchange
and recognize Partners for their participation.
¦ Facilitating opportunities for regulatory relief.
What is the Role of
Labs21 Supporters?
Those individuals who are
interested in championing the
efforts of Labs21, such as energy
savings contractors, trade associa-
tions, and independent energy
consultants, may choose to partic-
ipate in the program as
Supporters.
Given the size and diversity of
the laboratory community,
Supporters will play a critical role
in helping EPA and DOE raise
awareness about Labs21 within
different industry sectors as the
program continues to grow.
Roles for Supporters include
promoting the Labs21 program to
their members, customers, and
clients; assisting with the annual
Labs21 conference; and helping to
support the development of the
Labs21 program beyond the pilot
phase.
The Labs21 Team will recog-
nize Supporters in a variety of
ways, including acknowledgements
in promotional materials, on the
Labs21 Web site, and at the annu-
al conference.
For more information on
becoming a Labs21 Supporter,
including a sample Supporter
agreement, visit our Web site at
.
Iabs21century>
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What Types of Projects Will Labs21 Pilot Partners Undertake?
Each Pilot Partner will have its own goals and unique needs. For some Partners, it might make
sense to begin with a complete energy and water audit. The Labs21 program will help Pilot
Partners find an experienced energy auditor to perform the audit. The audit would develop an
efficiency baseline for the facility, document building configuration and energy use characteristics,
and identify energy and water conservation measures. Other Partners might need a different
level of support, which can be negotiated with Labs21 as part of the Pilot Partner application
process. Pilot Partners also will help define the participation requirements for future Partners
who join Labs21 at the conclusion of the pilot phase.
The Labs21 program offers two categories of participation: Partners and Supporters. Partners
will include laboratory owners and operators that commit to the Labs21 Approach for new con-
struction and retrofit projects. Supporters will include any individual or group willing to promote
the objectives of the Labs21 program such as energy savings contractors, trade associations,
independent energy consultants, architecture firms specializing in laboratory design, and labora-
tory equipment manufacturers.
for more information on the Labs21 Partnership Program
and other components of the program, including the annual conference.
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