O'Brien & Gere is currently developing the climate action plan (CAP) for Berry College. The approach includes following a “stabilization wedges” technique that utilizes a portfolio of numerous existing technologies to reduce carbon emissions. The technique uses a diverse mix of demand side management, renewable energy, and offsets to develop a CAP specific to Berry. O’Brien & Gere views the development process as highly interactive, utilizing stakeholder input to establish that the plan meets Berry’s short and long-term goals with cost-effective and scientifically sound emission reduction strategies.

This food conglomerate has a corporate goal to supplement its energy use with 10% renewable and alternative energy sources. O'Brien & Gere was retained to conduct a feasibility study of 55 plants that elevated the potential for waste-to-energy technology to aid in the achievement of this goal. The solution included developing a model to estimate potential energy that could be realized, as well as a ranking matrix to identify the top opportunities. Budgetary capital and operating costs were estimated and applied against potential energy and waste disposal savings for the top selected plants. Potential rates of return on investment and life-cycle costs were generated from this data. The client was pleased with O'Brien & Gere's high level review and recommendations and is utilizing the work to develop a plan for meeting corporate alternative and renewable energy goals.

At James Madison University (JMU), O'Brien & Gere’s approach to developing the greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory followed the international consensus GHG accounting protocols developed by the World Resources Institute and World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WRI/WBCSD, 2004) in conjunction with the Clean Air – Cool Planet (CA-CP, 2008) Campus Carbon Calculator (V. 6). Both programs are based on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) guidelines for national-level inventories, and represent state-of-the-art scientific methods for calculating GHG emissions. Emissions were considered from the six categories of GHGs included in the Kyoto Protocol. A critical step in GHG inventory development is the identification of all activities that lead to GHG emissions from the organization. To identify these activities at JMU, a qualitative GHG activity description questionnaire covering Scope 1, 2, and 3 sources was distributed to JMU staff. A quantitative GHG data collection scorecard was developed based on the emission sources identified in the questionnaire. The scorecard was distributed to JMU staff and filled out for fiscal years from the baseline year.

O'Brien & Gere completed conceptual design and basis of design (BOD) for a membrane bioreactor (MBR) and process water treatment system using results from pilot studies. The system included primary screening and clarification, MBR biological treatment, nanofiltration (NF), ultraviolet (UV) disinfection, chemical storage and delivery, solids handling, and a dewatering facility. The BOD included mass balance and process and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs). O'Brien & Gere also developed civil, structural, and mechanical process and piping systems, supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA), and electrical equipment and instrumentation specifications.

Leveraging its scientific and engineering expertise, O’Brien & Gere, in partnership with Constellation Energy Projects and Services Group, developed a climate action plan (CAP) process for Syracuse University (SU). A key step in the planning process was the development of a financial model to help SU determine the costs and benefits of potential climate action projects involving conservation, efficiency improvements, renewable energy, and carbon offsets. Using this model, factors such as capital investment and payback period were balanced against greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions over the project lifespan. As a result of this work, SU staff was empowered to identify technically sound and cost-effective climate action projects and create a roadmap toward carbon neutrality for SU leadership. In addition, these projects will help to minimize SU’s financial risks arising from upcoming federal and local regulations and legislation.

O'Brien & Gere provided design-build of a new $6.6M 21,000 square feet two-story brick and stucco facility at McGuire Air Force Base (AFB), the latest of many design-build contracts performed at McGuire. O’Brien & Gere, with Lindbergh & Associates, is performing: civil, architectural, interiors, structural, mechanical, and electrical design work; design and installation of an automatic wet-pipe sprinkler system zoned by floor; design and installation of a complete voice evacuation fire alarm integrated with a mass notification system (MNS); environmental permitting; geotechnical services; and leadership in energy and environmental design commissioning services. The project is designed to attain a LEED silver certification.

As part of a corporate-wide environmental management and sustainability initiative by this major soft drink bottler, O’Brien & Gere conducted a water conservation audit at several bottling facilities. The project included: reviewing typical daily operations; reviewing major unit processes that require water usage; developing schematics outlining water usage by process; measuring/estimating flow associated with each major unit process; identifying/evaluating potential water conservation/reuse alternatives; and providing short and long-term recommendations for water conservation/reuse at this facility. The recommendations from this project could be leveraged across the client's other facilities.

O'Brien & Gere completed a water and wastewater balance based on site measurements, site observations, and interviews identifying viable opportunities to recognize 10% reduction of water, energy (hot water), and chemical usage. Wastewater studies identified the potential opportunity to install a new anaerobic wastewater pretreatment plant. Preliminary economics identified that implementation of an anaerobic pretreatment system at this plant has the potential to save over $800,000 per year in wastewater discharge loading surcharges and provide biogas as a renewable energy source.