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Chiller optimisation.
Chiller optimisation in the context of business energy refers to the process of improving the efficiency of chiller systems, which are commonly used for air conditioning in large commercial and industrial buildings. The optimisation can involve several methods such as adjusting operating schedules, improving maintenance, upgrading controls and equipment, and reducing the chillers' energy consumption to save costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The goal is to reduce the energy consumption and costs associated with running these systems, while still providing comfort for building occupants.
What is Chiller Optimisation?
The optimisation process involves adjusting the operating schedules of the chillers, improving maintenance, upgrading controls and equipment, and reducing energy consumption. Regular maintenance, such as cleaning and replacing filters or lubricating moving parts, can help ensure the chillers are running at peak efficiency. Upgrading or replacing controls and equipment, such as thermostats or installing more efficient chillers, can also improve the efficiency of the system.
ARC (Automated Response Command) is our custom technology that optimises packaged commercial and industrial chiller plants to suit the dynamics of any cooling load. ARC software monitors and optimises cooling loads to deliver significant reductions in electrical consumption. This is achieved whilst maintaining existing process and comfort cooling performance.
Why did we develop ARC?
Considering that with global temperatures continuing to rise, chillers will be expected to run harder and for longer to meet the increasing demand for cooling comfort and process cooling. Many chillers are poorly controlled and inefficiently run in accordance with their demand profile. There is a disconnect between the building cooling requirement and the controller within the chiller. While Building Management Systems (BMS) are typically tasked with addressing this issue, they fall short and are costly from a commercial and environmental standpoint. Hence, the development of ARC was necessary.
How does ARC optimise Chillers?
ARC is a self-learning software that decreases the energy consumption of chiller cooling systems by optimising compressor operation. The ARC software constantly monitors and logs plant output, total energy consumption, and common header temperatures. ARC then uses this data to predict what is going to happen within the plant, based on historic events under the same ambient conditions - recommending optimal adjustments accordingly. The software constantly monitors its own performance to account for seasonal demand changes and adiabatic conditions.
The benefits speak for themselves.
Chiller Systems are generally energy-wasting pieces of equipment when they aren’t fully optimised. Making sure it is optimised will lead to a whole load of other benefits.
Lower energy
costs.
Chiller optimisation can significantly reduce a business's energy consumption and operating costs, leading to lower utility bills.
Improved comfort levels.
Optimisation can maintain or improve comfort levels for building occupants, providing a better work environment.
Increased equipment lifespan.
Regular maintenance and upgrades as part of the optimisation process can help extend the lifespan of the equipment.
Improved
reliability.
By ensuring the efficient operation of the equipment, chiller optimisation can help reduce the risk of equipment failure and increase reliability.
Better indoor
air quality.
By reducing energy consumption and improving the efficiency of the equipment, chiller optimisation can also help improve indoor air quality.
Reduced carbon
footprint.
Lower energy consumption as a result of optimisation can reduce a business's carbon footprint, helping to mitigate its impact on the environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is the ARC installation using a temperature set point reset?
Yes, we use the reset option on the chillers to unload them safely when necessary. As the setpoint is increased thus the chiller unloads.
How is control integration between multiple chillers and how is chiller sequencing maintained?
Our controllers are installed into each chiller and connected to their own LAN. The controller outputs the same setpoint offset together in each chiller or to the common sequencer to ensure that the entire plant experiences the same demand thus not increasing load elsewhere and ensuring sequencing strategy is maintained.
Our chiller consumption is only 20% of the total building energy usage as against 58%specified in document “Introduction to ARC” (source Masdar Institute of Science and Technology in Middle East) indicating savings would be overstated.
The figures in the presentation are very broad and thus apply to commercial buildings. In this case we have based all our calculations on actual consumed kWh provided or assumed load figures from the survey sheet.
Can the ARC system be switched ON and OFF when required for performance comparison and maintenance purposes?
Yes everything is done remotely and “on off testing” will be done as agreed by all parties. Full visibility provided to all parties involved. Further “Bypass” function is provided on the controllers to facilitate any maintenance or chiller works. This can be set to self-enable or to remain off indefinitely should need arise.
Does ARC replace the existing control strategy?
No, ARC uses the existing control strategy to make savings only when the existing controller deems it fit and safe to do so. Thus, all this occurs within the designed control philosophy of the chiller according to the chiller manufacturer.
Can the ARC system be switched ON and OFF when required for performance comparison and maintenance purposes?
Yes everything is done remotely and “on off testing” will be done as agreed by all parties. Full visibility provided to all parties involved. Further “Bypass” function is provided on the controllers to facilitate any maintenance or chiller works. This can be set to self-enable or to remain off indefinitely should need arise.
Can ARC decrease the chiller set point?
No, ARC installation is setup only to increase setpoint.
Chiller setpoint reset strategy can be implemented within our BMS with no additional hardware. BMS contractor can provide algorithm for BMS to implement with only the programming and testing costs involved.
ARC is using this analogue input to implement its learned parameters to modulate the chillers refrigerant and thus increase overall suction pressure experienced by the chiller’s compressors. This is done at a frequency of 2 – 4 time an hour for a calculated period with a calculated magnitude and a calculated trajectory time. This can be adopted for any base control strategy no matter how much head pressure management is currently deployed in the chiller’s controls.
Historical data shows only during peak summer, chiller is running at capacity over 50%.Rest of the time, only one chiller is required to operate catering the cooling demand.
We are using actual data provided or demand load annual hours.
Confirm the ARC system will not interfere with existing ambient lockout strategy in place.
ARC can only work when the chiller is working/running and thus will not affect this strategy. As the ARC algorithm only works when there is demand on the system vs achieved setpoint it stands to reason that if the LWT increases and there is no electrical measures demand ARC will automatically revert to “pause”. If one of the machines are locked out it will remain so until changed as per normal operation. The only thing that ARC can do is raise the setpoint marginally thus facilitating our need to unload during demand. ARC constantly monitors RWT& LWT ensuring internal temperatures are maintained.
What maintenance is required and what are the costs?
There are no annual maintenance requirements however it is good practice to undertake an annual inspection of the installation to verify M&V (separate document)data and process used. There is an ongoing fee for the data feed which combined with the annual visit costs c. £750 per year. There is no separate annual charge under the SaaS model.
Will it affect any warranty on the chillers?
No, Chiller warranties are maintained as the interface to the chiller is done using chiller manufacturers provided control inputs, much the same as BMS interface or analogue input modules. This is the case on all modern chillers.
