Bristol-Myers Squibb Demonstrates Commitment to Sustainability with
Green Globes – CIEB
In 2007, after several years of dedicated sustainability improvements, global pharmaceutical company Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) chose to evaluate its Wallingford, CT research and development facility using Green Globes for Continual Improvement of Existing Buildings (Green Globes – CIEB).
"We wanted a tool that allowed us to evaluate our efforts to date," said BMS Associate Director of Facilities Operations, Don Harwood. "But equally important is the fact that Green Globes provides a practical way to help prioritize improvements and evaluate progress over time. We already have a dozen or more improvements in the works beyond those reflected in our rating, and I anticipate that the recommendations included in the Green Globes report will be areas of focus in the future."
Situated on a 180-acre site, the 906,452 square-foot facility houses a state-of-the-art research laboratory, which was built in 1986. The multi-wing, five story complex is comprised almost equally of lab and office space and is staffed by approximately 1,250 employees.
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Energy use ranks high on the BMS list of priorities. The Wallingford facility also participates in the U.S. EPA and Department of Energy Labs 21 program for improving laboratory energy and water efficiency, encouraging the use of renewable energy sources and promoting environmental stewardship.As with most research laboratories, the BMS building requires a significant amount of energy, including both electricity and steam. In addition to equipment and other needs, the level of indoor air quality in such a facility must be extremely high, which necessitates the replacement of indoor air ten or more times each hour.
Although the building does not yet meet the Labs 21 benchmark, it has a wide range of energy-efficient systems and features, including:
Cogeneration – To optimize energy reliability and efficiency, BMS constructed a combined heat and power (CHP) cogeneration plant. The plant consists of a 4.8-megawatt combustion turbine that uses clean-burning natural gas and a heat recovery system (waste heat boiler). According to BMS, the efficiency of the CHP system is approximately 72 percent, as compared to an estimated 32 percent efficiency for the entire U.S. electric system. Considering the amount of electric and steam energy that the building draws from its CHP plant and comparing this with the alternative (i.e., buying power from the New England power pool and generating steam through a typical boiler), the company also estimates that its CHP system has reduced the greenhouse gas emissions profile associated with the site by approximately 20 percent, or roughly 6,600 tons per year.
Sensor-triggered Lighting – To reduce the need for electric lighting, Bristol-Myers Squibb implemented a photocell lighting project in the high resolution natural ambient lit areas, which included a significant amount of common space as well as corridors. In areas with glass window walls and skylights, self-contained ambient light sensors—which are connected to the building automation system and adjust to a 10-foot candle minimum range—were installed. Electric lights are only commanded on if the lighting logic, as determined by the photocell, indicates that they are needed, and schedule parameters ensure that they are enabled to operate only during standard business hours. The savings, when combined with the automation system, have resulted in light run time being reduced by approximately 80 percent.
Lab Air Change Rate – To achieve both energy savings and reduced greenhouse gas emissions in the lab, the company optimized its air change rate by installing hoods with horizontal slashes, sash position sensors, infrared/ultrasonic dual technology room occupancy sensors, system automation upgrades and programming. Air flow movement, both day and night, is now driven by occupancy of the lab. This optimization approach provided active adjustment of hood face velocity from 100 FPM occupied to 60 FPM during daytime unoccupied mode and 40 FPM during nighttime unoccupied mode, thus providing maximum efficiency.
Energy Management – Leaders at the Wallingford facility also excel at energy management and achieved a Green Globes score of 85% in this category. In addition to an energy and greenhouse gas emissions policy, an energy audit has been conducted in the last three years and an energy management plan is now in place addressing issues raised in the audit.
Other Achievements
Among its various sustainability achievements, the Wallingford facility has also been recognized for efforts related to:Water Conservation – Features include low flow faucets, toilets and urinals, automatic valve controls and/or proximity detectors and xeriscaping, which decreases the amount of water needed for irrigation.
Indoor Air Quality – In addition to effective and appropriately placed ventilation and filtration systems, the building increases the quality of indoor air with steam humidification—which utilizes clean steam instead of treated water.
Ozone Depletion – Although some R11 (CFC 11) refrigerant is used for cooling, it is being phased out. The building now also uses HCFC134, which has an ozone depleting potential (ODP) of 0 and a global warming potential (GWP) of 420, and a refrigerant with an ODP of 0.
Wildlife Habitat – To date, the company's volunteer wildlife habitat team has developed two nature trails, installed birdhouses and monitored nesting activity, developed a butterfly garden, established a pond buffer zone and worked with local youth organizations, which now use the area as an outdoor classroom. Because growing trees absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) and release clean oxygen, management of the site also assists in sequestering atmospheric CO2, which is a cause of global warming.
While recognizing achievements in each of the assessment categories, the report also recommends a variety of measures for improvement, including: installation of high efficiency boilers, purchase of green energy or installation of an additional renewable energy source on site, evaluation of once-through domestic water-cooled air-conditioning units for conversion to closed-loop cooling methods, and a waste audit to establish waste reduction targets.
"The breadth and depth of the tool required us to look at the Wallingford facility as a whole and consider the many aspects related to sustainability," said Harwood. "It will also be valuable in our efforts to identify and prioritize improvements moving forward and to monitor success."
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