Renewables
www.heatingandventilating.net
Silviu Catana, specification manager at ELCO Heating Solutions
System performance optimisation and collaboration
The launch of CIBSE’s AM17 guidance document for heat pumps in large buildings is a welcome addition to best practices in the industry, writes Silviu Catana, specification manager at ELCO Heating Solutions. He takes a look at AM17, and what it means specifically for collaboration within the world of heat pumps in non- residential applications
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or some it has to be John Lennon and Paul McCartney. For others, of a certain age, Morecambe and Wise. And for yet more: Sergei Brin and Larry Page. Great partnerships that proved collaboration can – and indeed will –
change the world. It might be a cliché in business that more can be achieved by working together, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a hefty dollop of truth in it. In our industry, if you have a look around you’ll see that partnerships and
collaborations are actively encouraged – some might say “baked in” to the regulatory framework. Take CIBSE’s newly released guidance AM17 on heat pumps in non-domestic buildings as an example. While the snappily-titled AM17 might not set pulses racing, it is actually
specifically recommending collaboration and cooperation as best practice. It’s an approach that we have been utilising at ELCO for many years already – but we’re very happy to see it written down in official guidance. So, why was AM17 introduced and why is it so important? AM17 followed its
well-received companion AM16, which concentrated on heat pumps in multi-unit residential buildings. AM17’s focus is entirely on non-residential buildings. When the guidance was commissioned, CIBSE said its desire was to “ensure that heat pump installations follow best practice and are delivered safely, legally and to a high quality.”
The document is wide-ranging and covers a great deal of technical and detailed
information, ultimately setting out clearly what best practice looks like. It covers various areas in depth, including the specification and configuring of systems –
20 December 2022
whether ground source or air source heat pumps – and highlights the advantages of various types of heat pump technology. The comprehensive document also goes on to look in detail at the risks and challenges associated with various installations, particularly in large buildings, as well as the impacts of heat pump installations. Chapter six – which is what we’re focusing on in this article, looks at System Optimisation Modelling as well as the relationships between stakeholders. The guidance contained in this chapter shows the change in approach and how best practice is all about collaboration – between manufacturer and system designer, client and installer. It also is very clear on how technical data about any heat pump system should be shared and used in the design and installation process. The detailed information on system modelling for optimum performance
addresses the “performance gap” of how a system is designed on paper, versus how it works in the real world. It’s the difference between the energy estimated to be used in the design stage, as opposed to the actual energy used in the completed building.
CIBSE takes the view that, where possible, metered data from comparable,
existing buildings should be used to validate the energy model. And that annual energy modelling for a heat pump system should account for building-specific factors such as occupancy, equipment and operational profiles. It also recommends sensitivity studies to examine the effect of varying conditions. The guidance also makes recommendations on how a consultant should calculate system performances. Previously, a consultant would often just take a standard
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