http://repository.tamu.edu:80 The DSpace digital repository system captures, stores, indexes, preserves, and distributes digital research material. http://handle.tamu.edu/1969.1/88065 Commissioning Lessons from Study of the Advanced Systems at the CMU Intelligent Workplace Claridge, D. E. Gong, X. A detailed study has been conducted of the performance of several innovative aspects of the Intelligent Workplace (IW) at Carnegie Mellon University, a low energy consumption building that uses radiant heating, cooling and a desiccant ventilation unit. The following aspects have been studied in detail: the heat transfer process of radiant mullions and overhead radiant panels, the impact of the radiator position on heating load and thermal comfort, the influence of infiltration on indoor humidity in a radiantly cooled office with a solid desiccant ventilation unit, and an energy consumption comparison of the sensible heating and cooling systems with a single duct VAV system. This report summarizes the conclusions and observations relevant to commissioning of such buildings. http://handle.tamu.edu/1969.1/88064 Recommendations for 15% Above-Code Energy Efficiency Measures on Implementing Houston Amendments to Single-Family Buildings in Houston Texas Liu, Z. Mukhopadhyay, J. Malhotra, M. Kota, S. Haberl, J. S. Culp, C. Yazdani, B. This report presents detailed information about the analysis that was performed to calculate the energy saving potential for residential buildings in Houston. In this analysis the energy efficient measures were proposed by the building officials of the City of Houston. Along with the options proposed by the officials, additional measures were selected from the previously-conducted 15% above code energy analysis conducted by the Energy Systems Laboratory for residential houses across the State of Texas. A total of thirty measures were selected based on the energy savings above the base case. These measures were categorized into five groups: Renewable Power Options, Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC), Fenestration, Envelope and Lighting and Domestic Hot Water (DHW) options. The analysis was performed using a simulation model of an International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)-compliant, single family residence in Houston, Texas. Four sets of simulations were considered based on the choice of heating fuel type and thermostat setback: a) natural gas (i.e., gas-fired furnace for space heating, and gas water heater for domestic water heating) with thermostat setback, b) electricity (i.e., heat pump for space heating, and electric water heater for domestic water heating) with thermostat setback, c) natural gas (i.e., gas-fired furnace for space heating, and gas water heater for domestic water heating) without thermostat setback, and d) electricity (i.e., heat pump for space heating, and electric water heater for domestic water heating) without thermostat setback. Individual measures were then categorized into four groups: 2 to 5%, 5 to 10%, and 10 to 15% and above 15% energy savings above base case. Ten grouped measures were then simulated from combining individual measures from the four categories whose combined savings are more than 15% above the base case. The cost of implementation of the individual as well as grouped measures was also calculated along with a simple payback period. The photovoltaic options presented the maximum savings in the approximate range of 15-40% for all base-case houses. The solar thermal option for domestic water heating presented energy savings above 15-20% for all of the base-case houses. http://handle.tamu.edu/1969.1/88063 Fall 2008, Volume 4, Number 3 2 I Saving for dry days Aquifer storage and recovery may help 8 I Research needs to address ASR challenges 10 I Understanding what lies beneath Groundwater critical to Texas water 14 I Transboundary aquifers Southwestern states assess 18 I Rio Grande project partnerships 24 I Combating soil erosion AgriLife scientist discovering what works for Fort Hood 28 I Blackland’s flood warning system protects soldiers 29 I TWRI Briefs http://handle.tamu.edu/1969.1/88062 Economic Impacts of Salinity Control Measures for the Upper Pecos River Basin of Texas Thompson, William This report presents the results for Subtask 1.7 of the Pecos River Basin Assessment project sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB). The original objective of Subtask 1.7 was to measure the economic impact of Tamarix spp. (saltcedar) control along the Texas portion of the Pecos River. As work progressed on other hydrologic studies associated with this project, the scope of the project shifted to analyze the expected economic impacts of implementing potential salinity control measures on the Pecos River above Red Bluff Reservoir to decrease salinity levels in water used for irrigation in Texas. Scenarios evaluated quantified the economic impact of improving water quality used by Texas irrigators to the level of water utilized by the Carlsbad Irrigation District in southern New Mexico. The purpose for this evaluation was to see if the overall economic impact of producing less salt tolerant, more profitable crops might be significant enough to encourage producers to convert current cropping practices to more profitable practices not currently useable due to elevated irrigation water salinity levels. Between 1970-2005, irrigation storage and delivery data from the Red Bluff Water Power Control District (RBWPCD) were analyzed and water delivery from the year 2005 was used as a representative level of available irrigation water. Estimates of current cropping patterns for the irrigated lands within the seven sub-districts of the RBWPCD were established. Data were collected and reviewed for the Carlsbad Irrigation District of New Mexico, just up stream from Red Bluff Reservoir, to establish two estimated alternative cropping patterns under a reduced salinity environment. The differences in the value of farm production between the baseline scenario and the two alternative cropping patterns were entered into the Impact Analysis for Planning (IMPLAN) input-output model of the six county upper Pecos River Basin to quantify the general economic impact to the local economy as a result of changes in current cropping practices. As compared to the typical cropping practices, Alternative 1 reduces the more salt tolerant cotton acreage and moderately tolerant wheat acreage while increasing the acreage of moderately salt sensitive alfalfa. The direct output effect for this alternative cropping pattern was $1,446,206; an increase of 120 percent over the current typical cropping system. The total economic impact to the local economy was $2,807,166 with a net creation of 1.17 full time employee (FTE) jobs. This scenario did not incorporate the impacts to local cotton gins and as a result may be a less desirable option. Alternative 2 maintains cotton acreage, reduces wheat acres, and increases alfalfa acres as compared to typical practices. Compared to Alternative 1, this scenario models one-third of the alfalfa acreage, 5.5 times more acres cotton and equal amounts of wheat. The direct output effect for this alternative cropping pattern was $815,378; an increase of 130 percent over the current typical cropping system. The total economic impact was $1,588,795, and will generate a net increase of 7.8 FTE jobs. 2 The combined effective delivery losses of the Pecos River channel and the sub-district delivery infrastructure have averaged 55.5 percent since 1970. Uncertainty stemming from weather patterns, annual irrigation water availability, and the delivery losses of the current system complicate planning and deter investments by both farmers and irrigation districts making a large-scale conversion from current cropping practices to potentially more profitable practices less likely. In order to increase the likelihood of cropping changes and promote future irrigated agriculture in the basin, a new study of the infrastructure improvements for the RBWPCD and the 7 sub-districts is needed; this was last done in 1991. This study did not measure the impact of increasing available water supplies because it is outside the revised scope of the project and is furthermore an unlikely scenario given the region’s climate. Tremendous increases in grain prices, fuel, and fertilizer costs in recent months can potentially alter economic impacts predicted by this study; these dramatic changes have likely changed demand and production functions of several industries. An updated analysis is needed to better quantify potential economic impacts under the current economic situation. The primary focus of this analysis has been on irrigated farm production; however, the initial intent was to evaluate the economic impacts of saltcedar control in the riparian corridor in general. A large majority of lands in the riparian corridor and watershed are classified as rangelands; which can have a significant impact on the watershed’s economy. Results of a survey of landowners/managers along the Pecos River can be found in appendix 2. This survey was conducted to quantify economic impacts realized by landowners along the river as a result of saltcedar treatment along the river. Generally speaking, these landowners/operators have had little economic benefit or value from the treatment of saltcedar along the Pecos River.