Mt. St. Helens National Monument – Forest Service Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy and Ground Source Heat Pump Feasibility and Design

OurEvolution provided engineering and project management for the evaluation, feasibility study, and design of energy efficiency and conservation measures and renewable energy for a seven building national monument visitors center located in the Mt. St. Helens Ranger District Pine Creek Work Center. This project was funded under the ARRA program for the Forest Service.

The analyses included comprehensive on-site energy audits combined with the development of Energy Pro (DOE-2) models in order to determine the most economically feasible energy efficiency upgrade opportunities. Additionally, OE completed renewable energy resource assessments to quantify and select appropriate renewable energy opportunities. As a supplement to the original work scope, OurEvolution engineers completed a ground-sourced heat pump feasibility study in order to determine the technical and economic feasibility of implementing a ground-coupled heat unit upgrade.

Ultimately, OurEvolution was able to specify, cost and provide engineering designs of the major upgrades to the buildings including: fenestration upgrades, attic and sub-floor air sealing and insulation, and replacement of the major heating systems and the integration of a 15 kW solar photovoltaic system, and ground-sourced heat pump systems into this facility’s existing off-grid power system. OurEvolution provided construction oversight for this project which was completed in the summer of 2013.