Thesis Proposal PDF (Version 1.0)

Thesis Proposal PDF (Version 2.0)

The main update between Version 1.0 and Version 2.0 is the construction management breadth has been updated to include a more comprehensive evaultion of the construction management changes needed for the implemenation of the proposed GSHP system. Also the thermal ice storage evaluation has been removed to provide a more specific focus on the GSHP sytem.

Thesis Proposal:

The thesis proposal presents information that outlines the direction that will be taken for the mechanical re-design of the New York Police Academy. More importantly, it will provide a basis of research and education in regards to optimizing mechanical systems.

Major Topics of Study (Depth):

Hybrid Central Plant & Ground Source Heat Pump System

The actual plan for the NYPA is to have a central plant located in the West Campus that will serve the entire academy as well as future buildings. The major alternative design that will be proposed for the New York Police Academy will be to incorporate a ground source heat pump system (GSHP) for the East Campus building of the NYPA. The GSHP is not intended to replace the central heating and cooling plant. The central plant will be necessary for the heating and cooling needs of the West Campus as well as for future buildings. The GSHP system will allow the central plant to be greatly reduced in size, and the cooling and heating will come from a more energy efficient source.

Breadth Topics of Study:

Electrical :

The New York Police Academy is a very large facility, which offers a tremendous amount of rooftop space. Much of the roof top of the New York Police Academy is not being used, and it offers a unique opportunity to explore a large photovoltaic array. The proposed area for the photovoltaic array would be on the West Campus above the Athletic Facilities (see figures below). There are also several long sky-lights that run the length of the roof that could potentially offer valuable space for an array, a schematic section view is shown below. These sky lights offer a tilted axis as well as direct southern exposure, which both would benefit the electrical output of the photovoltaic array.An electrical analysis will be done to calculate the amount of electricity produced by such a system. Also an economic feasibility analysis will be done to determine if this system could potentially produce enough electricity to have a payback period that is worthwhile.

Constrution Management:

The feasibility of the GSHP system will be evaluated from a constructability standpoint. The construction and placement of the vertical boreholes will be evaluated. The position and construction techniques needed to install this system will be considered. The NYPA is in the infancy stages of construction. Obviously, it will be assumed that a GSHP system would have been implemented as an original system in the project. A GSHP for this size of building would not be feasible if the building has already been constructed. Therefore, the construction of GSHP will be treated as if the building has not yet been constructed. Also the reduction in equipment needed for the central plant will be evaluated against the cost of the system.

A construction management evaluation will take into account many different factors. First the layout of the boreholes will be evaluated and the optimum placement/layou of the holes will be determined. There are several hundred structural piles that will be implemented into the NYPA construction site. It will be proposed to also dig the GSHP bore holes in coordination with the structural piles. During this period, the site would already be properly prepped for digging the bore holes.  Also there will be a schedule impact because there is a considerable amount of time that will need to be designated for the installation of the bore holes. Thus, schedule coordination and added cost will be evaluated from a construction standpoint.

Master of Architectural Engineering Incorporation:

As part of the integrated Master of Architectural Engineering and Bachelor of Architectural Engineering program information from graduate level classes must be integrated into the thesis analysis. AE 557 Central Cooling Systems and AE 558 Central Heating Systems are classes that provide information directly related to central heating and cooling plants. The NYPA is equipped with a central plant and information from AE 557 and AE 558 were integral in understanding the central plant system. More specifically, a thermal storage system is being proposed as a design alternative and this specific topic directly relates to AE 557, where thermal storage techniques were covered. Also the storm water- domestic water system that is being proposed is relevant to AE 557 and AE 558. These courses provides information regarding equipment used for water distribution and filtration which will directly affect the storm water-domestic water system.