BSEE
For years, building owners have faced the challenge of combining multiple systems to manage lighting, HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning), air quality and shading. Dean Reddy, product marketing manager for building automation at ABB, explains how the latest HVAC systems can reduce installation costs as well as saving 30 per cent energy
and regulatory reporting.
The challenge with conventional HVAC systems has been that they have often been difficult to integrate. Traditionally, HVAC systems are created by combining multiple different systems, each of which controls a different piece of the picture. For example, there are separate systems to control chillers, boilers, heating or cooling circuits, ventilation fans, radiators and floor heating, cooled ceilings and fan coil coolers.
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This presents the challenge of combining multiple different controllers and user interfaces. This process takes time and dedicated effort, and therefore represents additional cost. It also makes it difficult to optimise the overall system to minimise energy consumption. As a result it has been difficult to achieve Class A energy savings under the EN 15232 standard.
However, a new generation of ABB ibus HVAC control products is now being introduced to meet the requirements of Class A and enable straightforward installation and management.
Ultimately, the aim is to demonstrate that it’s possible to gain fingertip control over cooling and heating and reduce energy bills at the same time as ensuring straightforward integration with building management and record-keeping systems.
Why is it difficult to achieve Class A under EN 15232?
The EN 15232 regulation covers the energy performance of buildings and classifies buildings by the energy savings that can be achieved with Building Control and Automation Systems (BACS) and Building Management Systems (BMS). Class A indicates that energy savings of 30 per cent can be achieved and is therefore attractive to building owners who want to demonstrate sustainability and future-proof their buildings in line with tightening environmental legislation.
However, Class A requires a level of automation that integrates HVAC control with lighting and blind control. It also calls for standardised monitoring and alarms, as well as enhanced diagnostics and reporting of energy consumption.
It is now possible to achieve this with the latest generation of ABB ibus HVAC solutions. These are based on the KNX standard for building automation and are designed to integrate all elements of HVAC as well as lighting and shading control.
Controllers, sensors and actuators are all combined under the KNX standard with a consistent interface and approach to programming. As a result, HVAC integrators and smart building technicians can engineer systems more quickly and efficiently with fewer issues arising.
How do building automation systems work?
u30 new devices under its ClimaECO system brand
Building automation systems typically work on three levels: field level, automation level and management level. Traditionally, room HVAC systems, actuators, sensors for lights and blinds have worked at the field level, with local control. The automation level covers functions like timers,
logic and controllers. At the top level, management integrates monitoring, alarms and reporting through a building automation interface such as BACnet. The latest generation of building automation integrates devices and controllers that share the same standards and interface to function seamlessly across all three levels everywhere in the building. They cover everything from individual rooms and spaces, the boiler or chiller room and the high-level building management system. The overall goal is to produce the right amount of water at the right temperature at the same time as automating control, management and reporting to meet Class A requirements under EN 15232.
Why KNX?
Using KNX devices and products that can be combined in a standard way cuts out the time and effort required to combine devices that have multiple separate operating systems and user interfaces.
This means more efficient installation, maintenance and upgrades to save costs during projects.
What new products are being introduced?
A whole range of products covers many options for heating, cooling and distribution through different circuits. Individual devices control mixing valves, pumps, fans and individual radiators or coolers. Lighting and blind control can also be interfaced with building management systems. One example is controllers will give control over fan coil units for precise control over temperature. Another example is variable speed control of fans, which is a step forward from the previous best-in-class of one, two or three-step speed control.
Another new addition is wall-mounted sensors for accurate temperature detection that give building occupiers a straightforward control interface.
Looking at the higher level, a new type of device called an application controller is designed to work between the automation and management levels. It has in-built intelligence, a web interface and the ability to communicate with building management systems. Finally, building owners can get a visual overview of the status of their entire installation through building automation controllers and advanced visualisation package.
To achieve the vision of combining cooling and heating circuits with automatic lighting and blind control, ABB is introducing more than 30 new devices under its ClimaECO system brand and plans to expand the range in the future.
uBuilding owners can get a visual overview of the status of their entire installation, thanks to automation controllers and advanced visualisation package
uilding owners and facility managers in the commercial and industrial sector are under constant pressure to deliver comfort and control for building occupiers at the same time as meeting tightening legislation that covers energy efficiency, record keeping
AIR CONDITIONING & IAQ HVAC systems smarten up their act
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Ultimately, the aim is to demonstrate that it’s possible to gain fingertip control over cooling and heating and reduce energy bills at the same time
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uLighting and blind control can also be interfaced with building management systems
new.abb.com/buildings/applications/ building-automation-system
20 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER FEBRUARY 2019 Read the latest at:
www.bsee.co.uk
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