Our project is a corporate data center for a quasi-government agency; this center is considered mission critical, and the design parameters include a requirement for highest reliability. We have designed the building with a back-up generator plant for the entire building load: up to 18 Megawatts (MW) in the ultimate configuration and up to 10 MW on day one. Because the operation of this back-up system is for emergencies only, the primary utilization on a day-to-day basis of the generators will be weekly exercising. We feel that this stand-by generator system design is uniquely qualified for consideration as an Innovative Design Credit 1.2 because the design meets client requirements while minimizing emissions to the atmosphere as much as possible with current technology. The design constraints of this project require that should main utility power fail, all critical equipment powered by electricity shall continue to operate in an un-interrupted manner. This requirement reduces the alternative power sources available for use to those with technology proven to provide uninterrupted power instantaneously and reliably. The requirement for highest reliability implies that only proven technology properly applied can be considered. At this time, the best technology available employs a diesel fired generator system. Diesel fuel is an environmental intoxicant; its emissions are notoriously polluting. Engine manufacturers have been improving technology over the years to better burn the fuel and reduce emissions at the source, but to date, emissions from stationary diesel fuel burning sources are still enormous. Emissions reduction for diesel fueled engines is possible; a piece of equipment that processes the emissions and neutralizes the pollutants has to be installed on each engine exhaust while the entire exhaust system is sealed to ensure minimum leakage of exhaust prior to reaching the emissions reduction equipment. This piece of emissions reduction equipment must: 1. Incorporate best available technology to minimize Maximum Daily Emissions (MDE). 2. Minimize the risk of adverse effects to the surrounding vegetation and animal life. INTENT Comply with or dramatically exceed local Air Quality Management District requirements for limiting emissions of particulate matter, volatile organic compounds (VOC), and carbon-based fuels by products from a diesel fuel fed engine. REQUIREMENTS AND SUBMITTALS Poll potential generator suppliers to determine test results of emission tests conducted on the diesel-fueled generators determined to best fit the needs of this customer. Based on the generator chosen, obtain emissions test results from the certified test of the generator. Calculate the emissions reduction achieved by the installation of proper pollution reducing equipment. STRATEGY Obtain through research and testing an emissions reduction system that maximizes the reduction of the materials emitted by the chosen generators. Install the system on each diesel fueled generator to achieve emissions reductions. TECHNOLOGY Catalytic converters have been developed to control engine emissions. A Selective Catalytic Reduction system (SCR) that reduces Particulate Matter by 50%, VOC by 50%, CO2 by 90%, and NOX by 90% has been chosen to provide emissions reduction for this application. SUBMITTALS 1. Generator engine test data 2. NOX reduction calculations using the emissions control system Would this be considered for an Innovation point?
The project is inquiring whether installing emissions controls on emergency generators would qualify for an innovation credit. Past CIRs (in particular IDc1.1 6/4/2003) have ruled that emission controls on emergency generators, while commendable, are not in and of themselves sufficient for achieving an innovation credit because they are not part of a whole building strategy, and represent only a small fraction of building emissions. In order to achieve an innovation credit for emissions reduction, the project should list all sources of emissions from the building, determine a baseline of emissions assuming all equipment complies with local requirements, and calculate the percent reduction in emissions. Submittals for this innovation credit might include: 1) Contractor\'s submittal documentation for all installed equipment associated with on-site emissions. Documentation should include specific data on emissions. 2) Narrative describing the assumptions used for establishing the baseline and the strategies used to reduce emissions. 3) Calculations demonstrating emissions reduction. Applicable internationally.