Archive

EnergyLink’s smart energy management system with submetering was installed for NSW Ports, Port Botany. This sub-metering covers all the individual distribution boards (DB) and the main air conditioning (A/C) board.

Previously this A/C board consumed more than 80% for the electricity for the site, as it was running 24/7. Identification of its ongoing costs made a strong business case for actioning capital upgrades to resolve the central A/C issues.

Underlying issues with the central A/C included extended operating hours for tenancies, continuous operation of communications equipment, limitations of the chilled beam cooling design in a humid environment, and faults occurring on controls of the chiller and heat recovery unit.

A contractor was brought on to update the control settings for the building management system (BMS). Alongside the facilities manager, they worked to resolve the equipment faults, integrate equipment upgrades, and address design and cooling limitations for the building technology.

With the focus of reducing central A/C runtimes, workday schedules were implemented for the air handling units (AHU) by floor alongside push buttons to provide A/C when necessary after-hours. Additionally, a Computer Room Air Conditioner (CRAC) unit was installed in the IT and communications room for after-hours. These measures enable a shutdown of the main A/C at night, both reducing the building’s electricity consumption as well as extending operating life. The integration of the CRAC Unit with the BMS and main building A/C was completed in August 2016, enabling greater savings to be reflected from the month of September.

Figure 1: Main A/C on MCC board turns off overnight when the smaller A/C on DB 3S switches on

The main outcomes highlight a large savings of 35% on the main A/C board or an average 17% savings reflected at the building level compared with the baseline year. At a financial level these savings are currently tracking at $32,000 per annum.