Power & Energy
The IDS Group’s power and energy team is the recipient of numerous awards for conservation and renewable energy products, thermal energy storage, new design, seismic retrofit, utility infrastructure design, and HVAC renovation and retrofit projects. We also provide an array of engineering services that includes central plant, geothermal, photovoltaic energy and solar thermal energy production; thermal energy storage; and a variety of other energy solutions that provide good sustainability solutions.
Our expertise includes an analytical and in-depth understanding of the process of power generation, utilization, and energy management, which allows us to provide clients with detailed and accurate economic analysis and the proper engineering design for a successful and economically-viable system operation.
IDS Group designed the nation’s first sustainable powered parking structure, consulted on the largest LEED Certified Gold project at Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii, and was instrumental in the photovoltaic design at the Mission Viejo Mall, which is recognized as the largest solar-retail installation in the United States.
The Shops at Mission Viejo Photovoltaic Roof-top Solar Installations
John Wayne Airport Parking Structure C Photovoltaic (PV) System
John Wayne Airport New On-Site Central Utility Plant
Cedars Sinai Medical Center Parking Structure Photovoltaic Panels Addition
Hickam Air Force Base Solar Array Project
City of Montebello Bus Transportation Facility Parking Structure Seismic Assessment
Orange County Transportation Authority Santa Ana Bus Base Building Repairs
Martin Luther King Jr. Medical Center East Parking Structure Load Study for 100 EV Charging Stations
City of Costa Mesa City Hall EV Charging Stations
John Wayne Airport
New On-Site Central Utility Plant
In response to rising energy costs and declining reliability, John Wayne Airport (JWA) initiated a project to develop a 7-megawatt on-site electric generation plant. This facility was designed to power the entire terminal complex’s electrical load while simultaneously providing heating and cooling via an extensive heat recovery system. Aesthetic considerations were paramount, ensuring the building blended seamlessly with adjacent structures while delivering reliable, efficient energy to the 300,000-square-foot terminal and associated parking facilities with long-term durability, minimal cost, and maximum noise attenuation.
IDS Group developed both interior and exterior layouts to accommodate four 1,750-kW natural gas-fired diesel generators, four absorption chillers, and the comprehensive heat recovery system. Throughout the project, IDS presented JWA with multiple solutions, each offering distinct cost-saving and operational advantages.
In addition, IDS reviewed the building’s structural computer models to ensure compliance with seismic performance standards and designed major structural components and equipment supports in accordance with the airport’s design guidelines. Collaboration with the landscape architect resulted in the integration of “green screens” that visually harmonize the facility with the surrounding environment while also contributing to noise reduction within the plant.
SERVICES PROVIDED:
The Shops at Mission Viejo
Photovoltaic Roof-Top Solar Installations
After providing services for the expansion, IDS was instrumental in the Mission Viejo Mall becoming the largest retail solar installation in the United States. IDS provided survey and site investigation services for the design of the solar panel layout. The roof-top survey included roof perimeter (outside and inside of parapet), all permanent structures, all HVAC units, vents, and other mechanical systems; all electric receptacles or boxes, etc., all conduit and pipe of any kind, etc., all satellite dishes, or communication equipment, etc., roof tears/ damage of the roofing system, roof slope and roof drains.
SERVICES PROVIDED:
Survey
John Wayne Airport
Parking Structure C Photovoltaic (PV) System
IDS was retained by John Wayne Airport (JWA) to evaluate the installation of a photovoltaic (PV) system on the upper level of parking structure C. JWA’s intent is to construct shade structures at the upper level of the parking structure to protect customer’s automobiles utilizing valet parking services. The shade structure would support the PV panels.
IDS developed a conceptual design for both the shade structure and PV system and an opinion of probable construction cost. PV performance estimates were performed and a spreadsheet model was developed that combines the performance of the PV system with the cogeneration system so that utility costs could be estimated. A cash flow analysis was performed to determine the return on investment and simple payback.
Cedars Sinai Medical Center
Parking Structure Photovoltaic Panels Addition
IDS Group was selected to evaluate the existing 8-floor multi-level parking structure to provide and install 250 KW photovoltaic (PV) systems on new canopies at the existing rooftop parking level. IDS provided a feasibility study of the existing structure, evaluation for size and location of the new canopies and available areas for provision for minimum 250 KW PV systems.
Hickam Air Force Base
Solar Array Project
A $1.1 million solar array project designed to power the base hydrogen production and fueling station was completed in 2009, marking a ‘first’ for both the Air Force and the State of Hawaii. After six weeks of installation, 810 solar modules now produce 146 kilowatts of energy per hour (equivalent to what it would take to power approximately 30 standard homes), enough to handle the maximum power demand of the hydrogen plant. In 2008, the average cost of power on base was 21-cents per kilowatt hour. At that cost, these solar panels will save an average of $43,000 per year. The project is currently one of the largest LEED Gold-rated privately-funded projects in the United States
City of Montebello
Bus Transportation Facility Parking Structure Seismic Assessment
The City of Montebello is implementing a state-mandated zero emission fleet rollout plan, with Hydrogen operated buses being preferred by the City over Battery Electrically operated buses. As part of the plan the City is considering placing a hydrogen fueling station with a large Hydrogen tank over the parking deck, with a weight exceeding 50 tons.
IDS Group worked with the City to provide seismic assessment per ASCE 41-17 and options for structural seismic retrofits and repairs, including a rough order of magnitude (ROM) cost estimate.
SERVICES PROVIDED:
Orange County Transportation Authority
Santa Ana Bus Base Building Repairs
The 8,000-sq-ft one-story facility, constructed with masonry walls and a steel-deck roof supported by steel trusses, is currently used for washing OCTA buses. The building has experienced significant deterioration of structural steel members, electrical and mechanical systems, and equipment. IDS is providing design services for immediate repair or replacement of key elements. Issues include severely corroded 62-ft LH steel joists, cracked panel-point connections, and original joists that were coated only with a short-life factory primer. The bus-wash environment’s high alkalinity (pH 10–12) has accelerated corrosion. Replacement joists will be hot-dip galvanized, requiring a midspan field splice to fit galvanizing-tank limitations, and will receive a high-performance field-applied coating for extended service life.
SERVICES PROVIDED:
Martin Luther King Jr. Medical Campus
East Parking Structure Load Study for 100 EV Charging Stations
IDS provided electrical engineering load study, basis of design and bridging documents for a required total of 100 Level II electrical vehicle charging stations. Levels one through five required 17 EV parking spaces and level six required 15 EV parking spaces reserved for EV / Clean Air Vehicle (CAV). These 100 parking spaces located throughout the entire parking structure were provided with the payment option of using credit/debit cards for the County to accept payment.
SERVICES PROVIDED:
City of Costa Mesa
City Hall EV Charging Stations
The City of Costa Mesa retained IDS to complete of the City Hall Electric Vehicle Charging Stations project’s final design, process the permits from utility companies and the City’s Building Division, and provide support during the construction phase. It was essential that the final set of construction documents accounted for and properly designed all necessary improvements to ensure that the charging stations met the construction schedule of September 2020.
Scope of work included field review and investigations, evaluation of existing conditions, research of existing plans and records, meeting with City staff to define the detailed project scope and objectives, and coordination with Southern California Edison (SCE), and complying with ADA requirements.
SERVICES PROVIDED: