37 minute read
Mark Hobbins o ers an insight to energy managers into the pros and cons of this option
Products in Action
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VSDs chosen to control booster pumps
SUEZ Water Technologies & Solutions recently chose 12 Danfoss VLT Aqua AC variable speed drives to control skid-mounted booster pumps. Nevertheless, this project posed two interesting challenges: how to make convenient and costeffective provision for cascade operation of multiple pumps, and how to avoid delays in setting up and commissioning the drives at a time when the Covid-19 pandemic made it impossible for Danfoss engineers to visit the SUEZ site.
Danfoss VLT Aqua Drives have support cascade operation but have always required additional hardware and extra connections between the drives to implement it. SUEZ was looking for a simpler option that would eliminate the need for the additional connections between the drives. This was important because the booster pumps are supplied as a ‘plug-and-play’ solution that requires a minimum of on-site configuration and set up.
With this in mind, engineers at Danfoss developed new firmware for the drives which supports cascade operation entirely over the Modbus connection that SUEZ uses to provide overall control for its installations. With the new firmware, no additional connections are needed between the drives, which simplifies installation on site and reduces the risk of errors. In addition, this new solution provides full cascade control without the need for extra hardware.
In addition, SUEZ wanted Danfoss to help commission the drives. Normally this would have been no problem, but because of the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions, the Danfoss engineers couldn’t travel to the SUEZ factory.”
Working together, engineers from SUEZ and Danfoss devised a solution based on the use of TeamViewer. With the aid of this package in conjunction with the free downloadable Danfoss MyDrive software toolkit and MCT10 programming software, the Danfoss engineers were able to sit at their own desks and view the desktop of a computer connected to the VLT Aqua Drives in the SUEZ factory. The engineers at the two companies also talked to one another by phone while they were configuring and commissioning the drives.
ONLINE ENQUIRY 105
Bristol home for air conditioning first
A former tram station in Bristol has become the first building in the UK to benefit from large scale R32 air conditioning.
The Art Deco building in Gloucester Road was originally a main station for electric trams, and is now occupied by one of the largest environmental business networks in the UK – Future Economy Network.
Renamed the Future Leap Hub, the refurbished ground floor now brings together likeminded companies and acts as a showcase for sustainable businesses. It offers a carbon-neutral, co-working space, meeting rooms and an event space for hire, in which weekly, sustainability themed events are hosted.
The F-Gas Regulations are affecting all air conditioning systems and the next step in the phase down of refrigerants with high global warming potential (GWP) takes place in January. The air conditioning industry has been transitioning to R32, which has a significantly lower GWP than previous R410A systems but this has not been possible for larger VRF (Variable Refrigerant Flow) systems until the launch of the City Multi R32 VRF at the end of 2019.
“We looked across the market at a whole host of technologies for our heating and cooling and when Mitsubishi Electric’s R32 system was recommended to us by EnviraMech Services, we quickly realised it was absolutely the right product for us,” said Alan Bailey, director of the Future Economy Group and Future Leap Ltd. “So far, we’ve been really pleased with the end result.”
When I first started talking to Alan about his requirements it was obvious that he wanted a system that would help promote energy efficiency and future-proof the building,” explained Terry Macleod, Managing Director of Envira-Mech Services Ltd.
The three PURY YNW-A outdoor condensers are installed in a compound in an old storage yard and these serve 14 PEFY fan coil units throughout the ground floor. Although R32 is mildly flammable, and room sizes were considered during the design phase, the level of ventilation mean that leak detection wasn’t required.
The Future Leap Hub has been re-opened since July and now offers Bristol businesses 70 socially distanced desks as well as an ethical cafe and lifestyle shop. ONLINE ENQUIRY 106
University technology building benefits from insulation
Coventry University is laying the groundwork for future developments in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) with a new, state-ofthe-art postgraduate facility, completed with a building service specification featuring premium performance Kingspan Kooltherm Pipe Insulation and Kingspan Therma Duct Insulation.
The Beatrice Shilling Building is the third collaboration between Coventry University and designers. The four-storey facility provides a range of cutting-edge facilities including a specialist rapid prototyping area, laser facility and science and technology labs. Constructed by Speller Metcalfe, the new building is linked to the undergraduate teaching block, ECB1, through a covered bridge on the third floor.
As part of its commitment to reduce its carbon emissions by 20 per cent relative to a baseline period of 20089, the University has developed a
sustainable building framework which focuses on full lifecycle emissions and costings for new buildings. The Beatrice Shilling Building was the first to be constructed under this framework and this contributed to the specification of over 7,000 m Kingspan Kooltherm Pipe Insulation for all domestic, heating and chilled water service pipework across the building whilst 400m2 Kingspan Therma Duct Insulation was fitted on external ductwork.
Data Centre Technology
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Data centre cooling with SWEP heat exchangers
Data storage has become one of the world’s fastest growing businesses as cloud storage becomes more and more commonplace. Storing data consumes a great deal of energy and produces a lot of heat, so large-scale data centres need powerful cooling to ensure optimum running of their IT equipment.
Estimates from various sources suggest that data centres account for between 2 and 5 per cent of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. And cooling systems are responsible for almost 40 per cent of the power consumed in a typical data centre.
Installing and maintaining an efficient cooling system will greatly reduce operational costs and energy use. And key components for many of the best-optimised data centres across the world are SWEP Brazed Plate Heat Exchangers (BPHEs).
Energy efficiency in cooling systems is not the only driver for ensuring a data centre’s maximum effectiveness. Optimisation of floor space is also a key element. White space is the functional area within a data centre for IT equipment,
while grey space is where the mechanical equipment (i.e. switchgear, transformers, chillers etc.) is located. The advantages of using SWEP BPHEs in the premium white space area include their compact footprint, high efficiency, modularity and cost-effectiveness.
SWEP BPHEs can be used as major components in several cooling applications in data centres: • free cooling, which augments or temporarily replaces a refrigerant chiller supplying chilled water to an industrial process or aircon system; • intermediate circuit as a glycol breaker, enabling the use of water as the coolant in cold circuits; and • designed with double integrated coils; one for condensing and another for free cooling.
Any downtown in data centre operations is highly detrimental to business operations, so the provision of highly efficient cooling is a rapidly growing market. And key technologies like SWEP BPHEs are playing a vital role in maximising the efficiency of the industry, now and in the future.
ONLINE ENQUIRY 126
Water Management
For further information on Wave Utilities visitwww.eibi.co.uk/enquiriesand enter ENQUIRY No. 129
Wendy Monk is director of regulation and compliance at Wave Utilities
Adapt to the crisis
Wendy Monk looks back at how the water industry adapted to support businesses during the coronavirus crisis and what you should do if you run into problems
The term ‘unprecedented times’ has been used abundantly since March; it’s certainly true that we all continue to deal with exceptional circumstances. The water industry is no different and the scale of change has been significant. In terms of COVID-19 support, here’s what recent regulatory changes mean for your business.
It seems like a lifetime ago when we were advised to ‘work from home if you can’. On 23 March, the order came for some businesses to close to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Like many, we found ourselves working remotely. Not only did we need to get teams up and running from home, we had an immediate need to support customers in the best way possible.
As lockdown started, customers told us they were concerned about bills. That same week, we were involved in industry discussions and within a few days Ofwat, the water regulator in England, introduced an urgent change to support businesses and water retailers.
Had nothing changed, businesses would have continued to receive bills based on water use during ‘normal’ operations. Likewise, retailers would have received invoices for wholesale charges. This is because the market works by estimating charges based on past consumption.
Unable to pay bills Ofwat and MOSL, the market operator, recognised that businesses closed by the Government would be unable to pay their bills. In turn, retailers would be unable to pay wholesale charges. Without action, there was a high risk that retailers would default on charges, putting the market in danger of collapse.
The code change aimed to relieve this pressure, recognising that where businesses were closed, they were either not using water or using very little, and that it would be difficult to get meter reads.
An existing flag in the central market system meant wholesale charges could be suspended for a period of vacancy. This functionality allowed retailers to apply a vacant flag for premises closed due to COVID-19 between 16 March and initially to 30 June 2020. This was later extended to 31 July. The change became effective on 30 March and retailers were able to
pass the benefits to customers.
After such a short turnaround we had to quickly adapt. Using various contact methods, we set out to collect evidence of closure in line with the guidelines for retailers. We set up a dedicated team so we could make swift decisions and act efficiently, including senior management, technical experts and operational leads.
Ofwat and MOSL set clear expectations that we must use temporary flags appropriately. We set to work to pause accounts by cross-referencing the Government’s list of business closures - specifically looking at SIC codes - doing desk research and asking customers to contact us online to confirm closure dates and provide meter reads where possible.
We made thousands of premises vacant, and MOSL reported that by mid-summer, around 250,000 premises became vacant due to COVID-19 (around 18 per cent of the market). The pandemic broadly doubled the number of vacant premises in the market.
Meter reading services stopped due to lockdown. Although services have increased since measures eased, customer-supplied reads have become invaluable to help keep accounts on track.
Premises that closed but continued to use water also presented issues. The Code stated that premises could be temporarily vacant if not open to workers, the public or visitors or there’s a significant decrease (reduction of 95 per cent or more) in usual activities. Many retailers interpreted this as economic activities. However, Ofwat confirmed this as reduction in water use.
For some customers where premises were made temporarily vacant in good faith, this means the flag will be reversed if consumption is over 5 per cent. Where flags have not been applied for qualifying vacant premises, they can be retrospectively applied.
Ofwat ended the scheme on 31 July in line with many restrictions easing. If your business has been closed and water use is below 5 per cent of your usual consumption, you shouldn’t expect charges to apply if your closure was between 16 March and 31 July 2020. If you reopened before 31 July, you should supply this information. If closure consumption is above 5 per cent, you should expect charges when billing restarts. We know water is vital to businesses and we’ve introduced a repayment scheme for customers having difficulty paying.
Occasionally, consumption may mean a leak, so please provide meter reads as and when you can. If you’ve unexpected consumption during closure, contact us as soon as possible.
If you haven’t already, let a supplier know your circumstances. You should also get in touch if you’re having difficulties paying and we’ll let you know the support available. Don’t forget to provide meter readings, as this will help you receive more accurate bills.
Water Management
For further information on Xylem UK visitwww.eibi.co.uk/enquiriesand enter ENQUIRY No. 130
Ian Thompson is the Managing Director of Xylem UK&I
Smart water management
Ian Thompson looks at how smart solutions, including cutting edge pumps, digital tools and analytics can combine to match performance with water demand Smart water solutions is a relatively new field that combines intelligent equipment and wireless smart networks with digital Smart water solutions could play a key role in addressing a deepening global water crisis that led to a 13 per cent decrease in water consumption. The monitoring of pressure and temperature also gave the company a much better understanding of the network’s approaches, such as cloud analytics, overall performance. powerful data modelling, and the Smart water solutions are a internet of things. relatively new phenomenon, and
While still in its infancy, developers work to quantify their full impact is who are open to the technology’s ongoing. But early indications suggest innovative approach can reduce the technology could deliver savings energy consumption, contribute of between £9.5bn and £11.5bn a year to lower emissions, and improve through reductions in capital and operational efficiencies — whether operational expenditure. they are creating new communities or All industry sectors appear keen to simply upgrading existing stock. to demand. Once connected to a treatment plant inside a fibreglass embrace the possibilities. Nowhere is
Worldwide, developers are building’s monitoring system, such tank. this more pertinent than in building creating buildings at an astonishing systems can predict, and adjust to, Wastewater is lifted into the tank by and construction. rate as they respond to burgeoning future usage patterns. In addition, energy-efficient pumps before being There are three guidelines that populations and rapid urbanisation. constant pressure systems with treated with chlorine. Pumps and energy managers can follow: At the same time, thousands of variable frequency drives can speed mixers remove the disinfectant and • don’t try to do everything at once, public and private dwellings, offices, up or slow down pumps depending the water is discharged into the city’s instead ask where smart water shops, and more are being converted, on a building’s real-time water sewage system. All the equipment solutions might be able to deliver upgraded, and adapted to meet the requirements, thus providing reliable, used in this innovative solution is built the most impact. Consider these as demands of the modern world. constant pressure on demand without on cutting-edge technology that not the initial use cases for exploring
But these residential and waste. only prevents clogging, but enables technological solutions – and learn commercial properties are responsible Almost instant hot water is an low energy use. from them; for an enormous amount of energy expectation in today’s buildings – yet Another example of what can be • don’t be afraid of workarounds consumption — an estimated 20 per it can be energy intensive. Fortunately, achieved with smart water solutions today while laying the foundation for cent of all energy used, much of which modern hot water recirculation comes courtesy of Thames Water. The tomorrow: Of course, a digital strategy is expended on heating, cooling, and systems work on the same “supply utility installed smart meters across is beneficial, but you don’t need it water management. and demand” principle meaning they its network of 15m customers, and straightaway. Start piloting smart
As energy managers struggle to are much more efficient. They can also began to collect and analyse daily data water solutions in high impact areas drive down both their costs and their boost safety by keeping water in the reports. to drive value, and use the findings to carbon footprints, water management central heating pipework above 55°C, As well as using this information to inform a robust digital strategy; and becomes a crucial piece of the energy ensuring it is free from contaminants quickly locate leaks, the organisation • be part of the conversation by efficient jigsaw. such as legionella. found that the meters resulted in building technology and thought
Today, buildings must be water increased customer engagement partners. As the sector undergoes and energy efficient, as well as flood The challenge of waste water Cutting-edge pumps and variable speed something of a digital revolution, resilient, all on a budget that allows Wastewater is another area of interest controllers can drive performance efficiency several technology and water utility for profit and growth. for many energy managers in the organisations, as well as industry
With developers and energy buildings and construction space. It networks, are leading the way. managers under this increased must be collected, transported, and Working in partnership with them pressure, smart water solutions can disposed of, all of which can be a real can help all parties understand each enable them to do more with less. challenge, especially in hospitals and other’s needs so that the necessary In the broadest terms, the approach other public buildings where kitchen capabilities can be built more quickly utilises intelligent, energy-efficient or feminine hygiene waste disposal It’s early days for smart water equipment which interacts with can clog up systems. solutions, but what we do know is sensors and digital tools, such as Reliable products and sound pump that they could play a vital role in analytics, to monitor use and respond system design are crucial if systems addressing a deepening global water to change in a way that simply hasn’t are to remain sustainable in the long- crisis and accelerating the transition to been possible before. term. the smart, resource-efficient buildings
Cutting-edge pumps, variable speed When the Civic Hospital of of the future. pump controllers, packaged pump Partinico, in Palermo, Italy, needed And developers who are willing systems and UV/ ozone treatment to increase capacity at the start of to think innovatively and help drive equipment can, for example, drive up the COVID-19 crisis, the team turned the conversation stand to reap the efficiency by matching performance to state-of-the-art tech and built a benefits.
Steve Stark is sales director trade UK & Ireland at Ledvance
Lighting Technology
For further information on Ledvance visitwww.eibi.co.uk/enquiriesand enter ENQUIRY No. 131
Smart lighting, smarter working
Automated smart lighting can revolutionise our workplaces. Steve Stark examines how human centric systems can improve wellbeing and help make major energy savings
Even before lockdown, more and more workplaces were moving to smart automated lighting systems. The choice of products available to choose from is amazing – smart lamps in a wide variety of shapes, smart luminaires, products for indoor and outdoor use or plugs for integrating conventional light sources into more advanced systems. Using Bluetooth, ZigBee, an app or simply their own voice, office lights can easily be adapted to suit the changing workplace, especially as many more of us now It has been scientifically proven or floor of an office is unoccupied. have an office at home. that workspaces which use human Smart lighting systems achieve
The ‘unprecedented times’ we centric lighting systems have ultimate energy efficiency by are living in have already shone improved employee wellbeing, protecting themselves against our a light on the hygiene hazards concentration and reduced staff own human inefficiency. that come from multiple hands sickness. touching a shared light switch, but Furthermore, smart lighting Controllable LED lighting there are even more reasons for installations require offices to A human-oriented lighting concept workplaces to adopt these smart transition their lighting to LED known as human centric lighting systems. luminaires, which are significantly (HCL) uses smart controllable
First, automated systems provide more efficient than traditional LED lighting systems to simulate managers with the valuable incandescent or fluorescent lights. the characteristics of natural opportunity to adapt workplace Too many workspaces are lagging daylight with brighter, bluer light lighting to workers’ circadian behind and still using yesterday’s during the day which reduces in rhythms. inefficient, energy-hungry lighting, brightness and blue content in the
Humans are known to be heavily at the expense of reduced financial evening. The easy controllability of influenced by variations in natural cost. Moreover, the fluorescent LED lighting makes it possible to light throughout the course lighting that many workspaces and replicate and even idealise natural of the day. A human-oriented facilities are settling for contains light, to better support human lighting concept such as BIOLUX harmful mercury gases and circadian rhythms. This enables uses smart controllable LED produces a yellow-tinged lighting, everyone to be happier, healthier, lighting systems to simulate the which can cause migraines and and more productive. characteristics of natural daylight, eye strain among workers. An Traditional electric lighting combining the visual and non- upgrade to smart lighting improves visual biological effects of light. employee health and wellbeing in
Artificial light that synchronises with our circadian rhythms the process. In addition, lights that are Human centric lighting simulates the characteristics of natural daylight is proven to make us happier, not switched on all the time healthier and more productive not and tailored to the individual only in office scenarios, but also requirements of an office classrooms, warehouses and health provide excellent energy savings. facilities. Once the timings of the Luminaires can be programmed workday have been touchlessly with the start and end times of programmed, an automated a working day to illuminate the lighting system can co-ordinate office only when necessary. They with our own natural rhythms, can be further programmed to providing an optimum workspace. turn themselves off when a room has typically allowed dimming but provided few, if any, other practicable options to adjust the light to suit the users’ needs. Now, with simple electronic or software control and the right combination of emitter types, an LED light engine can manage the spectral content with great precision to produce almost any colour or adjust “white” light throughout a range of correlated colour temperatures (CCT) expressing ambiences from warm, to cool, to daylight white. At any desired dimming ratio.
Arising from this new-found flexibility, concepts such as colour quality, mood lighting, and humancentric lighting have gained traction. Each offers an approach to creating a more comfortable, compelling environment.
Large lights from above that imitate a sunlit (blue) sky have the greatest biologically activating effect. Therefore, at the start of the day until lunch time and after the lunch break, bright, cold white light with a high blue component (such as 6,500 Kelvin at an illuminance of 300 lux at the eye) should be used. Indirect light which includes both ceilings and walls is ideal for this. Towards the evening the lighting should be changed to direct warm white light without blue components (such as 2,700 to 3,000 kelvin) to help our bodies relax and prepare for the night.
The BIOLUX HCL Controller has been designed to automatically adjust the intensity and spectral content throughout the day in keeping with current knowledge about human responses to natural lighting. The controller is easy to install, with automated selfconfiguration, and is designed to apply correct circadian timing to let users begin applying human centric lighting without any prior knowledge. A simple rotary switch and display allows advanced users to optimise the lighting for individual needs or specific situations. Wirelessly connected luminaires such as LEDVANCE‘s 4000lm HCL Panel and 2000 lm HCL Downlight convert the settings into optimised light that complements the effects of natural light throughout the day.
Lighting Technology
For further information onTÜV SÜD visitwww.eibi.co.uk/enquiriesand enter ENQUIRY No. 132
Neal Paley is specialist lighting designer at TÜV SÜD
Slave to the rhythm
Energy-efficient lighting and biological rhythms go hand in hand. Neal Paley examines how modern lighting technologies bring the benefits of natural lighting indoors
High-efficiency lighting technologies offer up to an 85 per cent improvement in energy efficiency compared with conventional lighting technologies, while providing an equal or better quality of light. A host of voluntary certification and labelling programmes enable the identification of the most energyefficient lighting products, which are consistent with a building’s particular needs. These regulations and voluntary programmes are being continuously updated to reflect the introduction of new lighting technologies that promise even greater energy efficiency.
For example, in the UK, Part L of the Building Regulations (England and Wales) contains requirements relating to the conservation of fuel and power. The commitment within this is to raise the energy performance of buildings by limiting heat losses and excessive solar gains, ensuring that energyefficient fixed building services are installed, and that the building owner is provided with the information required to maintain the building and its services.
Lighting technologies have evolved significantly over the last five years. The rise of the LED has created a very fast-moving lighting industry. This momentum will continue without doubt.
Manufacturers are making huge leaps in the light output of LED modules, which are becoming more efficient and smaller in size, while utilising powerful wattages. Thermal management is also improving and heat sinks to dissipate the unwanted heat are becoming smaller. All of this technology can now easily be fitted in the palm your hand, as LED light sources are becoming brighter, smaller and more efficient.
To take advantage of this innovation, and develop the optimum energy-efficient lighting, the designer must ensure that
Illuminance and changing colour temperatures should be dynamically tuned to the time of day
the most efficient luminaires are used and in the most effective combination. The design, from both a creative and technical perspective, must therefore be considered in its entirety. Other technical considerations must also be made. For example, not all drivers are fully compatible with every downlight or linear LED and any dimming may therefore not be smooth, as it could flicker or not dim down to a really low level without a sharp cut-off.
Reality of wireless lighting Wireless lighting is now also a reality across the commercial and residential sectors and is increasing in popularity. Although Bluetooth is still relatively new in the lighting controls world, its mesh technology brings simple wireless control to large installations. The familiarity of Bluetooth and the open protocol nature of the technology will mean its entry into the mainstream lighting market is not far off.
Biologically effective lighting can sustainably strengthen our sense of wellbeing, especially in rooms in which people spend long periods and in the winter months when our internal clock is poorly synchronised. Illuminance and changing colour temperatures
Modern lighting concepts should bring the dynamism of natural daylight indoors to support human biological rhythms and the lighting level should be designed to meet the requirements of the relevant visual tasks. Human centric lighting usually means intense blue-rich light in the morning, or at times when you want people to be alert, and warmer, softer light in the afternoon and evening
when things are winding down. For example, an activating effect can be achieved by 250 lux vertical illuminance at eye level with a colour temperature of 8,000K.
Lighting can also help us unwind, with around 200 lux vertical illuminance at eye level and a colour temperature of no more than 3,000K. Large-format luminaires and illuminated ceilings can simulate the sky during the day, delivering energising planar light with a high blue content and more than 500 lux illuminance. In the evening, the body needs a chance to produce the sleep hormone, melatonin, which can be facilitated by lower illuminance and directional warm white light from direct luminaires.
Mobile working and hot-desking are growing within an office space and people may work in different spots throughout the working day. This means task lighting is increasingly important, which helps users of the space work better if lighting can be tailored to individual requirements and they have some control themselves.
Today, lighting can be fully electronically controlled throughout the day to create programmed lighting atmospheres that support circadian rhythms, so having full lighting control in offices is very important. The rise of wireless controls and power-line communication means that it is no longer such a headache to add controls to an office space even if it is an existing building.
While circadian rhythm lighting can be a great enhancement for the users of a space, this does come at a higher cost. This is mainly due to the lighting control system required. However, as the technology becomes more widely available, just like when LED technology was first introduced, the price will start to decrease, and we will without doubt see working and living spaces implement this type of technology more widely.
Lighting Technology
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Programless configuration of lighting systems
Beckhoff is making available its TF8050 Lighting Solution software, a ready-made PLC application library for its PC-based control systems. Offering easy configuration, control and monitoring of DALI/DALI2 devices, TF8050 is decentrally scalable and supports limitless DALI lines each with a combination of up to 64 ballasts and switching devices. Fast functional changes, address changes, system expansions and cross-DALI line groupings can be carried out without operational interruptions.
Based around the ‘human-centric’ control concept, TF8050 provides simple, programless configuration of complex lighting systems. With features such as Circadian colour temperature control, daylight control, constant light regulation and scheduler/holiday setting, a web browser is all that’s required to configure, define functionality, commission and monitor the system. Alternatively, configuration can be achieved via an Excel spreadsheet which provides a secure way of backing up and restoring lighting projects.
To simplify the maintenance and management of lighting systems,
information such as hours run, power consumption, readdressing of ballasts and fittings, and fault and status monitoring is instantly available to facilities managers. This information can also be displayed on any device with a web browser or via one of Beckhoff’s panel-mounted or in-wall display panels.
TF8050 supports the latest generation of DALI2 sensors, including motion and Lux sensors from the likes of Steinel and B.E.G. Regular pushbutton and retractive switches can be simply incorporated into the system using Beckhoff’s standard digital input terminals.
Beckhoff’s open hardware architecture and flexible programming environment mean that lighting applications can be extended with the user’s own code, for example, to incorporate heating, cooling and shading control using a wide array of industry standard networks such as BACnet, Modbus, M-Bus, KNX or wireless EnOcean, providing a huge advantage over traditional standalone lighting control systems. All operational data can be passed in real time into cloud platforms using MQTT, AMQP or OPC UA.
ONLINE ENQUIRY 133
Lighting Technology
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Gardens shine in the glow of new luminaires
Birmingham Botanical Gardens (BBG) recently turned to EcolightingUK to upgrade its current lighting system to LEDs. With hundreds of fittings around the property, BBG made the decision to switch their halogen and fluorescent tubes to LED luminaires in order to lower its electricity and maintenance costs.
Areas at the 15-acre National Trust site including the gift shop, subtropical house and rear kitchen were among the indoor spaces receiving upgrades. Outdoor spots include the terrace, bandstand, pavilion and car park were also included. Each area required different types of luminaire, from floodlights to ceiling panels, and PIR sensors and DALI dimming options were also installed.
Colour changing lights were also specified for the job as they were necessary for both aesthetic and practical purposes to create visual effects and ambiance at the many events hosted on site.
James Wheeler, chief executive at Birmingham Botanical Gardens, commented: “We are working with Aston University on an EU-funded project to reduce the Gardens’ carbon footprint and Ecolighting was recommended as a firm to approach for a tender for the work.
“Our new lighting is a big improvement on previous installations,
making us better lit, safer for visitors, more secure and more energy efficient,” Wheeler added. “This saving in electricity consumption is enabling us to put in improved lighting of our buildings and gardens which is more flexible, creative, colour changing and more easily tailored to the mood and theme of our events. We will receive a benefit of up to 90 per cent savings on our expenditure on electricity for lighting.”
As a project that strays outside the norm for Ecolighting, the lighting required for the site’s beech trees and aviary lawns were a stark contrast to its usual applications. To meet the outdoor requirements, RGBWW floodlights are being installed at the front of each rose garden in front of each of the two aviaries and new underground channels for cable with concrete plinths were required to provide power.
RGBWW floodlights were also specified in the terrace, bandstand and pavilion. The gift shop has received LED ceiling panels and spotlights and emergency lighting has been upgraded in the subtropical house.
Following the successful initial installation, BBG asked Ecolighting for extra works to be carried out. These include an external sign, upgrades in its Mediterranean and Arid houses, the Japanese garden as well as new lighting for its toilet blocks.
ONLINE ENQUIRY 134
NHS trust makes huge savings thanks to LED upgrade
As part of the NHSI Improvement Program, Energys Group has delivered an LED upgrade at Croydon University Hospital. Over 6,000 fittings were replaced across the whole site using products from Energys’ extensive LED range and utilising Energys’ Smart Illumination controls where appropriate.
The financial impact of this project has been significant: energy savings are £206,000 per year (which represents savings of almost 2.5m/kWh P/A). ROI will be achieved in 3.46 years. These cost savings can now be used for other projects or front-line services.
Energys Group’s range of LED lamps with built-in lighting controls were selected for this project. This technology operates on a fitting-by-fitting basis. This offers the Energy & Estates team at Croydon two major energy advantages. First, the hospital is able to benefit from the very latest lighting controls without the need for an extremely expensive controls system. Each fitting operates independently which means that, if desired, users can have a single fitting with controls without any
additional cost. Second, by operating independently, each fitting responds directly to its specific environment.
Detailed site information was provided by the NHS Trust. However, to ensure that we had a complete picture prior to project commencement, we undertook a site-wide survey of the hospital. The key findings and reported benefits to the hospital including the large energy savings, maintenance savings and operational benefits enabled the application for funding to be approved across the hospital.
ONLINE ENQUIRY 136
Lighting Technology
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The right light for the right site
Lighting in industrial facilities must meet the demanding requirements of dusty, damp or vibrating environments. The right light in the right place improves efficiency, eliminates errors and boosts concentration.
LEDVANCE’s trunking system TruSys is one of numerous specific LED lighting solutions for industrial use. The latest addition to the TruSys product family of trunking systems, the TruSys PERFORMANCE luminaires, consists of three different models: TruSys Performance On/Off, TruSys Performance DALI and the TruSys Performance EM (emergency). All generate up to 11,200 lumens with a colour temperature of 4,000K. Additionally, they have a very high system efficacy of up to 160 lumen per watt and an average lifespan L80/B10 with up to 60,000 hours.
In factories with many open milling machines, damp-proof luminaires are needed which can withstand residues in the air. The damp-proof luminaires from LEDVANCE are suitable for a wide range of applications as they come in several versions (switchable, DALI, through-wired, battery for safety lighting). Offering IP67/IP69K protection, the damp-proof special luminaires are extremely robust and specially suited for industrial use with oily environments or uncovered outdoor applications thanks to high-quality PMMA plastic in combination with stainless steel components.
The newest addition to the LEDVANCE product family of high bay luminaires is the high bay VALUE which offers a very homogeneous light distribution due to a frosted tempered glass cover. Due to modern attractive slim and compact design, the luminaire is weight and size optimised. The new HQI LED HIGHBAY lamps are ideal for use in large, high spaces such as production halls or high bay warehouses. With 13,000 lm and 20,000 lm they are an attractive LED alternative for applications with high lumen package demand. The HQI LED HIGHBAY models are a cost-efficient replacement for traditional 250 W and 400 W metal halide lamps with quartz technology (HQI) and can be operated on conventional control gears and ignitor.
The SubstiTUBE T5 UN and SubstiTUBE T8 UN are energy-efficient all-in-one solutions, replacing traditional T5 and T8 fluorescent lamps. The LED tubes are made of glass, and bending is thus avoided. They can be used in sensitive areas thanks to a shatter protection film. ONLINE ENQUIRY 142
Michael Phelan is CEO and co-founder at GridBeyond
Batteries & Energy Storage
For further information on GridBeyond visitwww.eibi.co.uk/enquiriesand enter ENQUIRY No. 140
Don’t ignore big business
To get towards net zero the government must not overlook the role of large businesses in facilitating a post-COVID-19 economic recovery, says Michael Phelan Investment in new environmentally friendly residential projects and modernisation of the old housing system. That is part of the Government’s strategy to Industrial and commercial energy users will need to be incentivised to retrofit their operations with new technologies we anticipate that the growing demand for DSR services is likely to boost the monetary value of its provision. This would inherently provide large energy users with a fight unemployment and the post greater opportunity to access new
COVID-19 recession. The goal is to sources of revenue. When this is provide green jobs and affordable offered without any impact on their housing, while simultaneously operational capabilities and capital advancing decarbonisation. expenditure budget, the business
While it is encouraging to see case is increasingly financially the Government take action on its viable, particularly in the current commitment to carbon neutrality by economic situation. 2050, in reality, these goals will not The need for greater energy be achieved without empowering flexibility on the grid is becoming a and further incentivising industrial more prominent topic of discussion, and commercial businesses (I&C) not only for energy experts, but also to retrofit their operations with among decision makers in various new technologies and become political spheres. In response more flexible with their energy AI and machine learning residential, the fight against climate to the Government’s recovery consumption. algorithms find patterns of change will not be won without plans, the Net-Zero All Party
The UK’s plans leave little consumption to automatically the involvement of I&C business Parliamentary Group; a coalition emphasis on retrofitting the ascertain production and processing and their willingness to embrace of MPs with an interest in shaping industrial sector to ensure it meets schedules for optimal costs and innovation and new technologies. and accelerating energy policy, the needs of a net-zero economy. greater efficiency. In-depth analytics Property investors should see the called for the ministers to enhance
In contrast, the EU’s €500bn benchmark the current performance pandemic as an opportunity to demand response incentives for I&C investment in zero-carbon buildings against historical data and industry advance climate resilience standards consumers to encourage greater and industrial processes has been operational standards, enabling early for buildings, both to support the participation in balancing services. driven by the understanding that fault recognition and supporting low-carbon economy and deliver Due to the combination of widespread uptake of flexibility and predictive maintenance processes financial and operational benefits increased demand flexibility energy efficiency solutions by large to prolong assets’ life cycle and through active participation in the requirements from National businesses will lower their costs and reduce risk of operational downtime. energy markets. Grid and the growing social and support job creation, to fight against The most powerful technological Ultimately, large energy users political pressure to deliver against post-pandemic recession. “With a solutions, such as ‘hybrid battery and across multiple sectors, such as net-zero targets, now is an ideal strong European manufacturing demand network’, help to unlock metals, chemicals, refrigeration and time for I&C consumers to explore base, Europe can show worldwide energy flexibility of seemingly data centres, that choose to take opportunities in the energy markets industrial leadership...Our joint inflexible assets, retrofitting even advantage of demand side response and intelligent energy technologies. industries and associations are older machinery and making it more (DSR) programmes, help grid Advanced AI-powered platforms committed to making a green resilient to any new decarbonisation operators to achieve decarbonisation enable access to new revenue economic recovery a collective standards the industry should expect targets while benefiting from streams through participation in success”, wrote the representatives of as part of the net-zero strategy. substantial revenues and savings. balancing services, in addition to electricity, heating, cooling, building These opportunities should not be increased efficiencies, savings and and transport sectors in their letter to Missed an opportunity overlooked, especially in light of overall business sustainability.
EU leaders in April this year1 . The Government’s current green recent energy market forecasts from The Government’s current
Energy retrofitting in the context recovery strategy lacks not only the grid operator. economic recovery strategy focuses of the energy intensive I&C sector focus on modernisation of the National Grid’s annual report, on creating new green jobs through means making production plants existing industrial sites, but it Future Energy Scenarios, projects investments in the residential and operational processes more has also missed an opportunity that the value of energy flexibility sector, however, large businesses efficient, resilient, and controllable. to include advanced energy grows in line with the increasing need to step in and play their critical
New energy technologies, such as technologies as integral elements integration of renewables. The part in day-to-day decarbonisation intelligent energy platforms, enable of the new building specifications, volume of ‘pure’ demand side and advancement of the country’s flexible energy consumption that especially when it comes to high response derived from load rather climate change commitments. helps to integrate more renewables energy consumption sectors. With than on-site batteries or generation, onto the grid, and real-time energy estimates showing non-residential is likely to double within the next 1) https://www.eceee.org/all-news/news/ performance monitoring of each buildings being on average 40 per two to three years from the current eugreenrecovery-to-restart-europe-call-toconnected asset. cent more energy intensive than level of 1GW to 2GW. Consequently, eu-leaders/
