HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 05-17-2011- 5pORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: May 17, 2011
Action Agenda
Item No.
SUBJECT: Link Government Services Center Geothermal HVAC Analysis /Cost Estimate
DEPARTMENT: Asset Management Services PUBLIC HEARING: (Y /N) No
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Attachment A — Schematic Probable Cost Pam Jones, 919 - 245 -2652
Estimate Jeff Thompson, 919 - 245 -2658
Attachment B — Well Field Location
Illustrative
PURPOSE: To review the analysis and related schematic probable cost estimate for the
installation of geothermal wells and related HVAC equipment for the Link Government Services
Center; and authorize staff to proceed with formal Construction Document preparation and
bidding of the project.
BACKGROUND: On September 21, 2010, the Board of Commissioners deferred the
construction of the second phase of the Link Government Services Center which in large part
consisted of the Commissioners' Meeting Room. As part of that deferral, the BOCC learned of
the allocation of grant funds originating from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
( "ARRA ") for Energy Conservation for Local Governments. Staff had reserved funding in the
amount of $177,675 for the purpose of supplementing the installation of the highly energy
efficient geothermal heat pump system to replace the end -of -life conventional HVAC system
originally installed in the Link Center in 1992. The BOCC supported the staff recommendation
to engage a design firm and analyze the feasibility of a geothermal installation for the Link
Center.
A geothermal heating and cooling system is a sustainable building system that utilizes the Earth
as either a heat source in winter or a heat sink in summer, and distributes heated or cooled air
to the building (or series of buildings) as needed. In general, the Earth's crust maintains a
constant temperature of approximately 55 degrees Fahrenheit no matter the surface climate
condition. Tapping into this temperature constant allows the geothermal system to use less
energy to heat and cool surface structures to a comfortable level.
The geothermal system saves approximately 30 -35% in energy use annually over conventional
systems, reduces greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere, lowers overall maintenance
requirements, is less costly to operate, and eliminates the need for noisy, obtrusive outdoor
mechanical equipment. The geothermal system is slightly more expensive to install over
conventional systems, but this first cost is typically recovered through energy savings in
approximately 5 to 10 years depending on use and local climate conditions.
In January of this year, staff interviewed four consulting engineering firms with experience in
geothermal HVAC applications. Staff selected and engaged Reece, Noland & McElrath, Inc.
( "RNM ") based on its lengthy and successful experience with the design and installation
supervision of geothermal systems. RNM's task was two fold: 1) to analyze the feasibility of a
full geothermal system replacement of the end -of -life conventional HVAC system serving the
Link Center since 1992; and 2) to analyze the feasibility of a community wide geothermal
system for the aging systems at the Jail, the historic Courthouse, the Government Services
Annex, Court Street Annex, and the Battle Courtroom.
RNM has completed its analysis of the Link Center and finds the geothermal application for the
facility feasible. RNM's findings underwrite staffs recommendation to proceed with the
preparation of the contract documents for a full geothermal system replacement for the Link
Center. RNM will focus on the task of the larger community geothermal analysis after the
completion of the Link Center analysis, design and construction phase.
Attachment A — "Schematic Design Probable Cost Estimate" was prepared by RNM. This very
conservative cost estimate falls within the amount proposed in the FY2011 -12 Capital
Investment Plan (CIP). Staff believes that this schematic estimate offers a reasonable reflection
of actual costs that the County will see at the point of bid opening and provides reason to allow
RNM to complete construction drawings and proceed with the competitive bid process.
Attachment B provides an illustrative as to where the actual geothermal wells will be installed.
These locations are under existing paved surfaces, thereby disturbing no additional pervious
surfaces in the area.
Should the Board approve the Construction Design and Bid process for this project on May 17,
2011, the project could be developed and constructed commensurate with the following timeline:
TASK
PROPOSED
BEGINNING
DATE
END BY
DATE
BOCC Action: Authorization to proceed with Construction Documents
and Bidding Process
5/17/11
5/17/11
RNM prepares documents suitable for bidding project and submits
documents for regulatory approval
5/18/11
6/24/11
Link Center Bid Process
6/27/11
7/27/11
Link Center Bid Opening
7/27/11
7/27/11
BOCC Action: Link Center Bid Award
8/23/11
8/23/11
Link Center Well Field Installation est. 3 month duration
8/29/11
11/15/11
Link Center Equipment Installation est. 3 month duration
12/1/11
3/1/12
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Funding totaling $618,000 is proposed for this project phase within the
FY2011 -12 CIP, which includes the $177,675 grant allocation provided by the ARRA program
that is appropriated to the Link Center Upfit Project. These ARRA funds must be reimbursed to
the County no later than December 31, 2011. Staff will ask for the reimbursement of these
funds during the well field installation phase of the project which is scheduled to be completed
prior to December 31, 2011.
RECOMMENDATION (S): The Manager recommends the Board review the analysis and
related schematic probable cost estimates for the installation of geothermal wells and related
HVAC equipment for the Link Government Services Center; and authorize staff to proceed with
formal Construction Document preparation and bidding of the project.
R K4 to
ENGINEERS
Reece, Noland & McElrath, Inc.
409 North Haywood Street / PO Box 540
Waynesville, North Carolina 28786
Waynesville: 828- 456 -9851 Toll Free: 800 - 849 -6205
Fax: 828-456-6205 MAIL@RNM- ENGINEERS.COM
Orange Co. Link Building
Geothermal / HVAC
Orange County, NC
Schematic / Design Development
Statement of Probable Cost
Replace Link HVAC; New Link Geothermal Well Field
3
STEPHEN C. KAUFMAN, P.E. / CHARLES W. GARRETT / JEFFREY S. PLEMMONS / MARK MCDOWELL, P.E. / J. SCOTT
DENTON, P.E. /JEFFREY POWELL, P.E.
Field Location
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trative