Grundfos MAGNA3 pumps help optimize multi-building retrofit project in Coquitlam

A district energy system in Coquitlam, B.C. utilizes Grundfos pumps to optimize system performance and reduce greenhouse gas emissions

By Erika Carmody

Located on the eastern borders of Vancouver, B.C., the city of Coquitlam offers extensive sporting, cultural and recreational amenities to both residents and visitors. To support efforts to continue providing exceptional public facilities while minimizing environmental impact, the municipality commissioned the City Centre District Energy Project to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The project, which includes the City Centre Aquatic Complex, Coquitlam City Hall, the RCMP Public Safety Building and the Evergreen Cultural Centre, uses thermal energy to heat and cool buildings with minimal waste.

TC Thermenex Inc. designed and installed the innovative system which captures and transfers thermal energy among the buildings through water circulation. This technology makes it possible for the chillers and heating system to operate at their most efficient point, while ensuring an optimal indoor environment.

“Cheap systems are no longer the focus of most clients,” says Ian Hall, a principal of Thermenex. “They want value and energy efficiency; we give them both.”

Thirty-four Grundfos pumps, three heat exchanges and a number of flanges and pump accessories were utilized in the Thermenex system. The pumps were selected for their simple installation, compact size and efficient operation which were essential for this retrofit application. Ten VSM close-coupled vertical space miser pumps and seven UPS three-speed wet rotor circulators were used along with 17 MAGNA3 multifunctional variable speed pumps.

The most energy-efficient circulator in North America, the MAGNA3 is used to circulate water in the heating and cooling loops of the system.

“Everywhere we turn, this pump was saving time, which is money,” says Darcy Hart, director of operations for Thermenex. With an extensive range of features including a builtin flow meter, fluid temperature measure, pressure and power consumption gauge, the MAGNA3 helps to optimize system operation.

A close-up look at the MAGNA3 pump.

The small mechanical rooms and high flow requirements of the proj- ect meant that equipment would need to be not only compact but also powerful and efficient. The MAGNA3 met these requirements with its patented AUTOADAPT function which automatically analyzes system performance and adjusts pump speed to meet changes in demand. The integrated speed drive, movable pump head and BACnet integration capabilities also made installation and set-up simple.

“We are really finding that Grundfos products are great all the way through the line, great documentation and great support,” says Hart. “It has really stepped up our game a lot in this retrofit.”

The City Centre District Energy System is expected to be operational in the spring of 2015. The infrastructure is anticipated to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 480 tons during its first year of operation.