Peak load - research building
Peak load - research building
(OP)
Hello -
I am way out of my engineering area, but I am in the unlikely position of looking at a peak load estimate for an approx. 280,000 sf lab building.
I am going to work with an EE to look at the specifics, but I was wondering if anyone knew of a reference for estimating peak loads for buildings based on square footage, avg. temperature, etc.
We have been told that the building has a peak demand of 6,400 KW - I just want to see if this within the realm of reality or way off.
Again - this is not my area.
Thanks
I am way out of my engineering area, but I am in the unlikely position of looking at a peak load estimate for an approx. 280,000 sf lab building.
I am going to work with an EE to look at the specifics, but I was wondering if anyone knew of a reference for estimating peak loads for buildings based on square footage, avg. temperature, etc.
We have been told that the building has a peak demand of 6,400 KW - I just want to see if this within the realm of reality or way off.
Again - this is not my area.
Thanks






RE: Peak load - research building
RE: Peak load - research building
As a point of comparison, the IEEE Gray Book has a little table indicating the the heat loss can be as high as 11.7 watts/sq ft.
The Gray Book is pretty dated, but might be a sanity-check reference. (IEEE Std 141)
"An 'expert' is someone who has made every possible mistake in a very narrow field of study." -- Edward Teller
RE: Peak load - research building
Where is it? Geographical location?
RE: Peak load - research building
Thanks to everyone for the quick responses!
A newly constructed building w/Silver LEEDS Rating.
mid-atlantic region.
DPC- Sanity check is what I am looking for!
Note - the building is not fully occupied.
RE: Peak load - research building
If occupancy is partial, there will be a larger load later on. Has the building had all the labs up and running?
RE: Peak load - research building
RE: Peak load - research building
If you are not billed a demand charge, the meter may still have a demand register. If the meter has a demand register it will show the maximum demand since the meter was last reset, typically day one if you are not charged for peak demand.
Bill
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"Why not the best?"
Jimmy Carter
RE: Peak load - research building
If there are clean rooms, multiple fume hoods, make up air fans, 100% outside air/100%exhaust,(no recirculated return air), laboratory ovens, imaging loads, things of that type- the loads can be significantly higher than a typical facility, but it is tough to pinpoint without more information.
But your figure should be ok as an upper limit for a peak figure.