City of Milwaukee: Milwaukee Central Library

Solutions

In 2010, the Central Library took its first big step toward environmental sustainability with the addition of a 30,000 square foot green roof with a 30KW solar panel system. As the building utilizes district steam for heating, library staff surveyed and repaired dozens of steam traps as well as upgraded facility air handling units. The City conducted facility energy audits in 2011 to identify additional energy saving opportunities. By 2012, the building's energy use declined by more than 10%.

In 2013, remaining incandescent lights were removed and LED lights were installed at key locations throughout the library. Additionally the chiller system has been optimized. These improvements are expected to reduce building-wide energy use by an additional 2%. The next phase for the Central Library’s energy reduction plan is to upgrade building controls and to pilot on-going commissioning software which will constantly monitor energy use and optimize coordination of the facility’s many HVAC components. With the addition of these energy efficiency measures, energy use is expected to decline another 2%.

Other Benefits

Through the Central Library project, the City has experienced firsthand how the historical character and status of a building can remain intact when properly upgraded with energy-efficiency and sustainability improvements. For example, when installing LED lighting the City was careful to maintain the proper ambiance of the lighting. And while greatly reducing storm water runoff and sewer overflows with the green roof installation, the City will effectively double the life expectancy of the flat roof to 40 years.

Brooke VandeBerg, Communications and Marketing Director of the Milwaukee Public Library, likely summarizes the business proposition for the project best: “By incorporating energy-efficient strategies, we’re making the library more comfortable for patrons while saving money on energy bills in the process.”

For more information on the Central Library’s green roof, visit the Milwaukee Public Library website.

Annual avoided energy cost estimate controls for steam and electricity utility rate increases by adjusting 2009 costs based on 2012 rates.

ANNUAL ENERGY USE

(Source EUI)

ANNUAL ENERGY COST

ANNUAL WATER USE

ANNUAL WATER COST

ANNUAL PLANT ELECTRICITY USE

ANNUAL PLANT ELECTRICITY COST

IN BUILDING ENERGY USE

IN BUILDING ENERGY COST

ACROSS NETWORK USE

ACROSS NETWORK COST

ANNUAL EMISSIONS

USE

COST

Milwaukee Central Library exterior

Solar panels on green roof

City of Milwaukee: Milwaukee Central Library

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Milwaukee Central Library exterior

Solar panels on green roof