BSEE HEAT PUMPS U


Mark McManus, Managing Director at Sebel Eltron UK, discusses the growth in demand for ground and air source heat pumps and their energy ecient credenals.


K attitudes towards a wide range of sustainable energy sources are beginning to change, with the country starting to adopt an outlook that embraces innovation and new methods of increasing energy efficiency.


This change has brought about a steady growth in demand for ground and air source heat pumps that provide outstanding performance when compared to more traditional methods of heating and cooling.


Rising standards


The average consumer is becoming increasingly environmentally conscious – a change that is happening in tandem with increasing living costs. Subsequently, efficient energy performance is viewed as an increasingly important consideration for those choosing to rent or buy a home. The knock on for housebuilders and developers is that further onus is put on them to ensure that the projects they undertake, whether they be new- build homes or retrofit projects in existing property, deliver the energy efficiency and reduced costs consumers are increasingly demanding. Increasingly, this leads to the consideration of air source and ground source heat pumps. Innovations in technology mean heat pumps are recognised not only for their efficiency, reliability, green credentials and low running costs, but also their space saving and integrated cutting-edge technology.


This is aptly demonstrated by Stiebel Eltron’s internet service gateway, which allows customers to reliably monitor the performance of their system and ensure any required maintenance is carried out swiftly and without issue.


New systems also allow for plug-in-and-play connections, which provide installers with an easy solution that allows them to quickly install units while ensuring they are viable in areas that lack space. It is the ability of these systems to operate


CYBER SECURITY


Robin Whitehead, Strategic Projects Director at systems integrator and industrial networks expert Boulng Technology, explains the top consideraons to ensure cyber security when retrofing a system.


Retrofitting cyber security


n 1982, long before a cyber security threat to control system networks was widely recognised, a Trojan horse attack on control system software reportedly caused a huge explosion in a Siberian gas pipeline. Even now, many systems that have been retrofitted for compatibility with the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) are not well protected. Connected devices have led to an increased value on data from real- time monitoring, as well as the creation of initiatives, such as the smart grid, digital oilfield and smart asset management in the water industry. However, these new technologies and applications have also led to a rise in potential security risks within a plant’s network. Because very few companies are able to build a new facility from scratch, many plant managers and engineers are choosing to retrofit existing systems with smart sensors and communication packages to take full advantage of the benefits of IIoT. Many systems such as motor control centres (MCCs) and programmable logic controllers (PLCs) have an expected lifespan of decades and were originally designed to operate in isolation during a time of low cyber-attack risk. Connected devices can create


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vulnerabilities if substantial security systems aren’t in place.


Threat


Just one weak spot in a plant, such as an unprotected PLC can leave an entire network vulnerable to cyber attack, especially as there are currently no regulations or clear rules about how these networks should be protected. Research agency Gartner estimates that more than 20 per cent of enterprise security attacks will involve the internet of things (IoT) connections by 2020 and it is safe to assume that many of these attacks will use weak points such as improperly secured MCCs and PLCs to gain network access.


The Siberian pipeline attack is just one example of the devastating effects of control system vulnerabilities.


Aack


If a vulnerability is present, an insecure network can allow a threat such as a self-replicating worm to quickly become widespread throughout the facility.


Legacy systems typically worked on closed, proprietary communication protocols and the migration to open protocols including TCP/IP means


34 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER NOVEMBER 2018


security flaws are likely to be found quickly and patched before potential attackers discover the risk. When connecting a legacy system to an open protocol security, patches can be vital in reducing potential cyber- attacks, however many


manufacturers forgo their roll out due to high costs and concerns about potential downtime.


Just one missed patch can make it impossible to ensure a legacy system is protected.


Prevenng vulnerabilies


Retrofitting existing equipment is the ideal way for many plants to take advantage of IoT, but care must be taken when implementing older technologies into networks. Continual risk assessments are essential to determine potential points of attack and take all connections into account, predicting the worst-case scenario of a security breach. Boulting Technology has a thorough understanding of industrial cyber security and works closely with partners to advise plants on the best way to improve cyber security for their unique network.


For a few plants, a complete overhaul of network security may be


uRetroflng can beneflt plants in many ways, but ensuring systems are cyber secure is essenal.


necessary, for example updating a protocol to one with continued security patches. However, the majority of plants will find that installation of additional software, security patch updates or a top down study of network connections will be sufficient to bring cyber security to the necessary levels. Cyber security is an ongoing concern for any plant as the threat of cyberattack is growing year-on- year and is now significantly higher than during the Siberian pipeline attack in 1982. Additional care must be taken when integrating legacy systems into existing networks.


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Adversing: 01622 699116 Editorial: 01622 687031 Building a sustainable future with heat pumps


in small areas that make them an increasingly popular choice for those looking to minimise the aesthetic impact of the heating and cooling infrastructure on their property.


Crunching the numbers


The results that heat pumps can achieve for homeowners are clear to see across a wealth of detailed case studies, demonstrating the capability of the systems to vastly increase energy efficiency.


Stiebel Eltron recently partnered with Pure Renewables to provide a WPF 10 S ground source heat pump at a large private property in Windermere – with the results demonstrating why heat pumps are being increasingly adopted. Since beginning operation the unit has achieved a seasonal coefficient of performance of 5.3 across December, January and February amongst a host of other impressive results including: uHeat out since system commissioned: 8 MWh uElectricity consumed since system commissioned: 1.39 MWh uReal efficiency: 5.75 (575%) uDomestic hot water generated: 0.9 MWh uElectricity consumer: 0.3 MWh uReal DHW efficiency: 3 (300%)


In many ways, the installation at Windermere encapsulates why many feel heat pumps are a viable alternative to other energy sources. The property is a large new-build that supplements the system with robust insulation which compliments the heat pumps ability to provide heating and hot water across the expansive premises.


However, insulation is not the only way in which to improve the integration of heat pumps into a property. As the technology used throughout the housebuilding process evolves to make homes more energy efficient, the popularity of ventilation systems integrated with heat recovery has grown exponentially.


uSebel Eltron UK’s WPF 10 S ground source heat pump in situ.


Innovation in the construction sector and building materials, including insulation and weather stripping, has seen a marked improvement in the heat retention of homes. When considering energy efficiency, this is a positive. However, it’s also key to consider the effective ventilation of these properties, as UK building regulations call for the air within a building to be renewed every two hours. By integrating ventilation and heat recovery systems into new build homes, developers and residents can maximise the efficiencies achieved by both the installed heat pump systems and ventilation systems.


www.stiebel-eltron.co.uk


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