Energy efficiency Shane Leather
Scaling up the efficient way
Shane Leather, business development manager – tall buildings, Armstrong Fluid Technology explores how to safeguard energy efficiency in projects that need to scale-up over time
the HVAC system expands incrementally over time, possibly over a number of years. The main problem with staggered installation like this is that operating oversized HVAC equipment is a sure-fire route to energy wastage, and building occupants are unlikely to welcome poor environmental performance in the early and transitional phases.
N Make it modular
The obvious answer is to go modular. But you need to design for a modular approach from the outset, rather than deciding further down the line that you need to bolt additional capacity on. Remove as many variables as possible from the future expansion projects by avoiding bespoke solutions (where final performance may be difficult to predict) in favour of purpose-designed modular systems (for example the Armstrong iFMS integrated pump package) with
ot all projects have a neat and tidy delivery schedule, with a single installation. An increasing number of projects demand that
the advantage of repeatability associated with off- the-shelf, tried and tested products.
Insist on demand-based control
Capacity-based control (based on independent control loops) simply cannot deliver the flexibility necessary for projects that will be scaled-up over time. Instead, design for demand-based control (using methodologies such as Hartman LOOPTM digital relational control) to optimise energy efficiency across the range of demands experienced by the system– from early low demand scenarios right through to full system load. Digital relational control does this by treating the
entire system ‘holistically’, rather than as individual sub-systems. Key energy consuming components can be sequenced to operate along their peak efficiency natural curve for all load conditions. As well as ensuring the efficiency of individual components, this optimises power relationships across the system, with equipment loading in one
device traded off to pick up more load on another. This achieves the same net kWc for a lower kW input (a COP of greater than 7.0 compared to previous averages of between 3.2 and 2.2).
Keep your options open
When specifying individual components for your installation, look for latest generation solutions capable of delivering energy efficient performance across a wider operating envelope. The variable speed intelligence embedded in the controllers of these products enable them to respond automatically, optimising energy efficiency as demand changes, either during the design process or after installation, without the risk of underperformance or the need for replacement.
Demand more transparency
An installation which is scaling-up over time needs a higher level of monitoring to ensure peace of mind. Look for products and systems offering embedded intelligence and connectivity as standard, at no extra cost. Armstrong’s Pump Manager, for example, is a web-based service, available for all of the company’s pump ranges which delivers real-time alerts and warnings. Operators have immediate knowledge of challenges such as deadheading, cavitation, a broken coupling and excessive vibration, in addition to comprehensive online trending and analysis across multiple parameters on single pumps or an aggregated basis for multiple pumps.
Scaling-up at Blackburn Meadows
The Blackburn Meadows biomass-based district energy scheme in Sheffield is an example of a project that needs to expand incrementally in the coming years
30 September 2017
The Blackburn Meadows biomass-based district energy scheme in Sheffield needs to expand incrementally as additional plant rooms are added to the network in the coming years. R K District Heating Limited installed six Armstrong 4300 Design Envelope variable speed pumps integrated with Armstrong’s IPS4000 Pump Controller to manage this requirement. The variable speed pumps incorporate on-board inverters which enable them to respond instantaneously and automatically to changing requirements, adjusting their motor speeds and drawing only the power required to meet
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