Project: 67 GREENHILL ROAD · FINAL PROJECT REPORT ... return air temperature, ... outdoor air...

Project No: SSE 1823/Engineering Services Date: January 2015 Revision: F

Project:

67 GREENHILL ROAD CLIMATE WIZARD INSTALLATION

Subject:

BUILDING INNOVATION FUND FINAL PROJECT REPORT

Prepared for:

Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources GPO Box 1047 Adelaide SA 5001

Prepared by:

System Solutions Engineering Level 1, 75 Fullarton Road Kent Town SA 5067

SYSTEM SOLUTIONS ENGINEERING PTY LTD

SSE1823 Final Project Report 2 67 Greenhill Road N:\SSE PROJECTS\sse1800 - 1899\sse1823\Engineering\BIF Application\Final Report\SSE1823 - Report_Final.docx

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................................ 2

INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................... 3

1 PREAMBLE ................................................................................................................... 3

2 SCOPE ......................................................................................................................... 3

3 AIMS............................................................................................................................ 3

4 INFORMATION SOURCES ............................................................................................ 3

5 LIMITATIONS .............................................................................................................. 3

PRE-PROJECT SYSTEMS / BACKGROUND............................................................................. 4

BUILDING INNOVATION FUND PROJECT DESCRIPTION ..................................................... 6

RESULTS ............................................................................................................................. 10

1 GREENHOUSE GAS ABATEMENT, ENERGY AND COST SAVINGS ............................... 10

2 INDOOR ENVIRONMENT ........................................................................................... 12

3 INNOVATION AND DEMONSTRATION POTENTIAL ................................................... 14

4 SUMMARY ................................................................................................................. 14

APPENDIX A ........................................................................................................................ 15


INTRODUCTION

1 PREAMBLE

This final project report has been prepared to report on the effect of the Climate Wizard Unit

installation at 67 Greenhill Road, which received funding from the Building Innovation Fund in 2010-2011 financial year. The report aims to review the performance of the Climate Wizard technology,

the suitability for installation and performance benefit received from the installation represented in energy and greenhouse gas emission savings.

2 SCOPE

The scope covered by this report comprises the following:

- gather all information depicting the site mechanical services

- review performance of existing mechanical services

- provide energy and condition based comparisons between existing and upgraded plant

- prepare this analysis, which covers our findings.

3 AIMS

The aim of this review is to report on the installation of the Climate Wizard units installed as part of

the Building Innovation Fund works.

4 INFORMATION SOURCES

The information used in preparation of this report included the following:

- existing design drawings and documentation

- site investigations

- code compliance

- manufacturers’ information and recommendations

- general engineering practice

- Building Management System’s (BMS) sensor data and reports (temperature, humidity,

carbon dioxide (CO2, VOC)

- energy accounts.

5 LIMITATIONS

This report is subject to the following limitations:

- it has been assumed that the equipment is maintained and is functioning as expected

- assumptions are based on the information available; no guarantee has been given as to the

accuracy of the equipment performance, flows, and capacities

- commissioning results and BMS tuning is assumed to be accurately displayed and reporting.


PRE-PROJECT SYSTEMS / BACKGROUND

The following is a description of the systems installed prior to the project works associated with the Building Innovation Fund.

67 Greenhill Road is a three (3) story office building with underground car-park, located in Wayville,

South Australia. The building is primarily conditioned by four (4) main air handling units (AHUs) that serve the majority of office areas throughout the building. Each AHU is multi-zoned and serves

typically one quarter of the building – either east or west – ground or first floor. The remaining areas are served by ducted split systems or package units. The four (4) main AHUs are fitted with chilled

and heating hot water coils – connected to the building’s chilled water and heating hot water plant – being an existing reciprocating chiller and natural gas fired boiler respectively. The main thermal

plant and air handling units are in good repair, while many of the package units required

replacement. In total, eleven (11) units are in operation conditioning general areas throughout the building. Specialist supplementary computer room air conditioning systems are also installed. All the

units present prior to the Building Innovation Fund works remained installed after the works were completed, with the Building Innovation Fund project providing additional units, in order to improve

the efficiency of the entire plant.

Figure 1: Front View of 67 Greenhill Road

Unit Designation Location Served Unit Type

AHU-1 Ground Floor – East CHW / HHW AHU

AHU-2 First Floor – East CHW / HHW AHU

AHU-3 First Floor – West CHW / HHW AHU

AHU-4 Ground Floor - West CHW / HHW AHU

AHU-5 Ground Floor – North East

Perimeter Air Cooled Package Unit

AHU-6 First Floor – North East Perimeter

Air Cooled Package Unit

AHU-7 First Floor – North West


AHU-8 Ground Floor – North West


AHU-9 First Floor – Boardroom Split Ducted


Unit Designation Location Served Unit Type

AHU-11 Second Floor – East Water Cooled Package Unit

AHU-12 Second Flor - West Water Cooled Package Unit

Notes from table above:

- Chilled Water (CHW)

- Heating Hot Water (HHW).

Control of the air conditioning plant within the building was via a pneumatic control and time clock

system prior to the project works, which provided no reporting functionality and limited variability in

capacity control / delivery. Pneumatic temperature sensors and valve control were used throughout the zone of the four (4) main AHUs, while the individual package units were controlled via local

controllers.


BUILDING INNOVATION FUND PROJECT DESCRIPTION

In 2009, Harmony Syndicate No.4 Pty Ltd (Harmony Group) – owners of 67 Greenhill Road engaged System Solutions Engineering (SSE) to undertake a feasibility study on 67 Greenhill Road, outlining

new and innovative technologies that could be installed to supplement the existing air conditioning

plant and the replacement works that were required to improve the conditions and energy efficiency of the building.

In June 2011, Harmony Syndicate No.4 Pty Ltd was awarded $160,000 (ex GST) as part of the Building Innovation Fund for the installation of Seeley Climate Wizard Indirect Evaporative Cooling

Units and a digital Building Management System (BMS). Works commenced in October 2011 and were completed on 15th July 2012. The upgrades were to supplement the existing mechanical plant

installed on site, to provide more efficient operation of the existing systems, and to monitor the

performance and control operation of the mechanical plant within the building. The total cost of the project works amounted to approximately $315,000 ex GST and was made possible from funding

support through the Government of South Australia’s Building Innovation Fund, as well as financial input by the building owners group, Harmony Syndicate No.4 Pty Ltd.

Climate Wizard is an indirect evaporative air conditioner and works by using the natural cooling power

of evaporation to dramatically reduce air temperature. Air supplied to the building is indirectly cooled via the evaporation of air in adjacent wet channels, with the cooled air delivered to the building via a

dry channel resulting in no increase in moisture. Further information can be found on Seeley International’s website (http://www.climatewizard.com.au). The Climate Wizard units provide an

efficient source of cooling that is used in conjunction with the chilled water plant to deliver better conditions to the tenanted spaces of the building. As the result of the project, four (4) Seeley Climate

Wizards - Indirect Evaporative Cooling units and a new digital BMS were installed. Also,

complementary to these works Harmony Group provided further funds for the replacement of four out of the five air cooled package units.

A new digital Building Management System (BMS) replaced the pneumatic control system that was in place prior to the project. This enabled control of the Climate Wizard units and better monitoring and

control of the entire building’s air conditioning plant


Figure 2: The Climate Wizards Units Installed

The original pneumatic system initially continued to control the air conditioning plant, while the new digital BMS sat on-top and recorded conditions within the building. The BMS was installed in this

manner because the pneumatic system had no monitoring or recording ability and to compare the

original building conditions against the post project conditions this was required. As the Climate Wizards were installed, the BMS commenced control and monitoring of the new equipment. Following

completion of the entire installation, the BMS was switched over completely to control the new Climate Wizards and existing Air Handling Units (AHUs) and thermal plant, improving performance

and creating energy savings in the building.

The Climate Wizard installation was configured such that the units treated and provided conditioned

outdoor air into the return air path of the existing AHUs, retaining the existing chilled water coils, fans

and air distribution ductwork throughout the building. Temperature sensors were installed so that the return air temperature, the Climate Wizard unit supply air temperature, mixed air temperature and

AHU supply air temperature could all be measured and used to control the space conditions efficiently as possible.

Within each of the zones served by the main air handling plant, temperature, humidity, Volatile

Organic Compound (VOC) and Carbon Dioxide (CO2) sensors were also installed to monitor and

control the level of outdoor air supplied to the building and zone conditions. The image below is

taken from the BMS graphic pages, and shows the layout of the air handling plant within the building. The layout shows all air handling systems, such that zones with high temperatures, humidity or CO2

can be readily identified.


Figure 3: AHU Layout Zone Summary

The second image on the following page is taken from a single air handling unit and shows the sensors installed that are used to monitor and control the system. The layout is from AHU-1, which

serves ground floor – east. As can be seen, the unit contains three (3) supply ducts – each containing individual heating and cooling coils, while the Climate Wizard unit is installed to supply air

into the return air / outdoor air mixing chamber.

Sensors are installed to measure:

- outdoor air temperature

- outdoor air humidity

- return air temperature

- Climate Wizard unit supply air temperature

- Climate Wizard unit supply air humidity

- mixed air temperature (temperature mix between return and outdoor air)

- mixed air humidity (humidity mix between return and outdoor air)

- leaving air temperature (after cooling and heating coils)

- zone temperature

- zone humidity.

This page also shows the VOC levels for each of the zone served, as well as damper position, time

scheduling, set points and operation of the plant.


Figure 4: AHU-1 Ground Floor East - AHU

The total cost of the works associated with the installation of Climate Wizard and BMS amounted to

approximately $315,000 ex GST and was made possible from funding support through the Government of South Australia’s Building Innovation Fund, as well as financial input by the building

owners group, Harmony Syndicate No.4 Pty Ltd.

The Climate Wizard installation was also supported by the installation of economy cycles, variable

speed drives (VSDs) and variable outdoor air control to the four (4) AHUs that serve the main areas

of the building, to further decrease energy use of the air conditioning system. Including the BMS

modifications, outdoor air quantity and fan speed is now controlled to optimise energy use – running

only at 100% when required.


RESULTS

1 GREENHOUSE GAS ABATEMENT, ENERGY AND COST SAVINGS

In the 12-month period (October 2009 to November 2010) prior to being awarded grant funding the

base-building energy consumption was 772,013 MJ of gas per annum and 262,850 kWh of electricity per annum, with greenhouse gas emissions of 74 kg CO2-e /m

2 p.a.1 representing NABERS 3.5 stars.

Base building electricity usage comprises common area light and power, and the air conditioning plant delivering heating and cooling to the building, while base building gas usage comprises usage from a

domestic hot water system and gas boiler, which provides heating within the air conditioning plant.

The main electrical meters record the total electrical usage for the building, and as such, for the base

building NABERS energy rating, the tenancy electrical meters are deducted. In the 2009-10 rating

period 377,366 kWh of electricity was consumed by the tenancies.

At the time of designing the project, the predicted resultant or post-project greenhouse gas emissions

were 62 kg CO2-e /m2 p.a., represented by 214,092 kWh p.a. base-building electrical usage and 733,412 MJ p.a. natural gas usage, representing NABERS 4 star Base-building Energy.2

Following the installation of the BMS (stage 1 of the project in October 2011) during the period June

2011 to June 2012, as a result of efficiencies gained through mechanical plant performance tuning, the gas consumption reduced to approximately 498,000 MJ (from 772,013 MJ); representing 64.5%

of the original usage, while whole of building electricity usage reduced to 587,726 kWh from 640,215 kWh. Tenancy consumption data was not available for the same period, but assumed to be

consistent with 2009-10.3 Based on this assumption, the June 2011 to June 2012 annual energy usage for base-building was approximately 210,360 kWh, representing a reduction of 52,000 kWh or

80% of the original usage and ahead of what was predicted.

The most recent energy usage for the building – being December 2012 to December 2013 has resulted in further savings from those modelled at the time of designing the project and has led to

further energy and financial savings to the building owners. The most recent energy (whole building to tenancy) breakdown is included below and on the following pages.

Table 1: Electrical Energy Distribution

Whole of Building Tenancy Base-Building

Dec 2012– Dec 2013 570,834 kWh 373,125 kWh 197,709 kWh

To December 2013, base-building electrical energy consumption has reduced by approximately

65,000 kWh compared with the pre-project performance, representing approximately $16,000 p.a. (inc GST) in savings to electrical energy running costs (based on $0.25 / kWh). Gas consumption has

reduced by 467,848 MJ, representing approximately $14,035 p.a. (inc GST) in savings to gas energy

running costs (based on $0.03 / MJ, as determined from current energy bills). If current energy usage is maintained at this level, annual savings of approximately $30,000 inc GST are expected,

which results in a payback of approximately 11 years (based on current energy costs and assumptions listed. Savings are primarily based on the BMS and Climate Wizard installation, as

package unit works were part of life-cycle replacement).

The following graphs indicate the base-building electrical and gas usage over the project timeline.

Pre-project usage represents usage prior to any works commencing on site, while the predicted usage

1 (CO2-e refers to carbon dioxide equivalent and equates emissions in terms of Carbon Dioxide only). CO2-e / m

2 p.a. refers to the Carbon

Dioxide equivalent, per meter squared of floor area, per annum 2 Predicted greenhouse gas emissions were determined prior to the commencement of the project and represent the energy savings from the plant installation and increased efficiency in operation, as a result of the BMS installation. 3 No changes to tenancy leasing arrangements or operation of internal equipment have been made during this period. Review of data

available confirms that tenancy energy usage varies only marginally, with most recent data from 2012 to January 2014, confirming only a 3% change over this period, representing approximately 11,000 kWh change.


represents the energy targets determined through energy modelling at the time of application. Both

interim and post-project usages are also shown with their respective end dates.

Figure 5: Annual Base Building Electrical Consumption

Figure 6: Annual Natural Gas Consumption

Table 2: Pre-project, Interim and Post-project Energy Usage Breakdown

Base-building Electricity Usage

Natural Gas

Full Cycle

Greenhouse Gas

Emissions

NABERS

Star Rating

Pre-Upgrade

Usage 262,850 kWh p.a. 772,013 MJ p.a. 74 kg CO2-e /m

2 p.a. 3.5 star

Predicted End

Project Usage 214,092 kWh p.a. 733,412 MJ p.a. 62 kg CO2-e /m

2 p.a. 4.0 star

Interim Usage 210,360 kWh p.a. 498,000 MJ p.a. 61 kg CO2-e /m

2 p.a. 4.0 star

End Project Usage

(December 2013) 197,709 kWh p.a. 304,165 MJ p.a. 54 kg CO2-e /m

2 p.a.4 4.0 star

4 The building is current (December 2013) running with rated hours of 50 hours per week. Rated area is 3,016.7 m2


The majority of savings modelled were as a result of operating the Climate Wizard units in summer

preferentially over operating the chiller and chilled water plant. As the Climate Wizard units are a cooling only product, no energy savings result during operation in winter months when heating is

required; however through the installation of the Building Management System, inefficiencies in the system have been removed and resulted in energy savings through the gas plant.

This decrease in gas consumption relative to the previous year’s data has been realised through the

better monitoring and control of the plant operation, as too has a reduction in fan energy through the installation of VSDs.

Through the installation of the BMS and monitoring systems, plant performance and control has been carefully monitored and has led to the identification of inefficiencies with the existing plant, and have

been rectified. Without the BMS upgrade, these inefficiencies would not have been identified. Further savings are expected through continued tuning and operation of the Climate Wizard units in summer.

Occupancy levels within the building changed slightly during the interim usage period, and are

reflected in the emissions and NABERS estimations used.

2 INDOOR ENVIRONMENT

As a result of the Building Management System (BMS) installation, the indoor environment at 67

Greenhill Road is now controlled and monitored to optimise internal conditions and maximum energy

savings at the building. Like many older buildings, the previous BMS installation was not capable of monitoring the internal conditions and only provided control over spatial temperatures. Excessive

outdoor air supplied to a building results in additional and excessive energy usage from the building’s mechanical plant, however through the installation of the BMS, outdoor air quantity and indoor air

quality is controlled to reduce energy usage as much as possible.

The Climate Wizard units provide conditioned outdoor air to the chilled water air handling units,

meaning there is no additional load imposed on the chilled water plant when outdoor air is introduced

into the building, improving conditions within the tenancies. The BMS controls and monitors the outdoor air requirements to each space served by the four (4) main air handling units, operating

outdoor air dampers at a setpoint of 800 ppm (parts per million) of CO2 within the space. If the space reaches 850 ppm, the outdoor air dampers open fully, to provide the maximum quantity of

outdoor air possible in order to reduce indoor contaminants.

ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Engineers) uses 1,000 ppm as the recommended maximum for outdoor air control, while 5,000 ppm is the point at which

occupants begin to suffer health effects. Using a setpoint below the ASHRAE standard, provides the required level of outdoor air supplied to the space, whilst optimising energy efficiency.

Australian Standard 1668.2 requires 10 L/s.person of outdoor air to be delivered to the space, with an

office environment typically designed and occupied at 1person / 10m2. The building contains a usable net lettable area (used for the NABERS rating) of 3,016.7m2, which by AS1668.2 requires

3,020 L/s of outdoor air to be delivered to the building as a fixed minimum, unless controlled by CO2 sensors. With the installation of the Climate Wizard units, each unit provides 1,100L/s of outdoor air,

in addition to the outdoor air introduced through the existing package units, providing in excess of 4,400 L/s to the building under Climate Wizard operation. This increase in outdoor air by

approximately 45% above the required minimum and previous conditions, leads to improved indoor

air quality within the building – a direct result from the installation of the Climate Wizard units. Increased outdoor air rates reduce the concentration of airborne contaminants and help reduce staff

sickness, by limiting the quantity and concentration of recirculated air.

The graphs contained within Appendix A show the CO2 level concentration prior to the project works,

post project works in 2012 and during 2013. The graphs show that indoor air quality has been

maintained within acceptable levels and increased where required, which reduces the possibility of sick building syndrome. The graphs on the following page indicate the relationship comparison

between pre and post project works for the first week of December 2011 and 2012 respectively. As shown, zone temperatures pre-project works were typically above 25°C, even when ambient

temperatures were lower than indicating in the graph post-project works, where zone temperatures were almost constantly below 25°C.


Table 3: NABERS Input Data

Table 4: NABERS Base-Building Star Rating Cut-off Levels

Rating Benchmark Factor

NABERS 3.5 star 120

NABERS 4.0 star 104

NABERS 4.5 star 88

Base-building Electricity

(kWh p.a.)

Natural Gas

(MJ p.a.) Area (m²) Hours

Benchmark

Factor

Full Cycle GHG Emissions (kg

CO2-e / m2 p.a)

Pre-Upgrade Usage 262,850 772,013 3,248.4 43.8 118 74

Predicted End Project Usage 214,092 733,412 3,248.4 43.8 103 62

Interim Usage 210,360 498,000 3,016.7 50 96 61

End Project Usage (December 2013) 197,709 304,165 3,016.7 50 89 54


3 INNOVATION AND DEMONSTRATION POTENTIAL

The Climate Wizard technology is still new and its potential is still being realised and demonstrated

through this and other installations. The technology was developed and is manufactured by South Australian air conditioning company, Seeley International. The installation at 67 Greenhill Road is

ideally located on the second floor roof of the building, between the tennis court and outdoor areas,

enabling tenants and visitors to the building to safely view the plant in operation. This installation is the first of its kind known to be connected to a chilled water air handling plant, and therefore

represents a key proving and example site for this technology and installation configuration.

An LED LCD display panel has also been located in the building foyer, which enables employees and

visitors to the building to observe the building’s performance and conditions. The display is directly linked to the BMS and displays real-time data of the BMS sensors installed throughout the spaces and

on the equipment providing conditioning and ventilation of the building.

Comments from the building tenants have been received, who have viewed the display in the front foyer and the instantaneous and historic energy use within the building.

4 SUMMARY

The project installation at 67 Greenhill Road is demonstrating the use of innovative technologies to

provide improvements in energy efficiency and indoor environment levels. The installation has led to a reduction in gas consumption to 39.5% of the original level, and a reduction in electrical

consumption to 75% of the original levels. Indoor environment conditions are being monitored and improved through the introduction of an increased quantity of outdoor air, generally decreasing

carbon dioxide levels within the spaces, whilst maintaining a reduction in energy consumption. The installation of the Climate Wizard units had led to an increase of 45% in the quantity of outdoor air

supplied to the building when the Climate Wizard units are operating, providing improved internal

conditions for the occupants and visitors to the building.

The building NABERS rating post project works is 4 stars, being an improvement of greater than 0.5

NABERS stars, as indicated in Table 1: Pre-project and Current Energy Usage Breakdown.

To note is that the current energy consumption is marginally below achieving NABERS 4.5 stars;

however the building is likely to reach this level in the following months.

Project Consulting Engineers: System Solutions Engineering

Wk: 08 8333 1855

Mechanical Contractor: Applied Air Conditioning SA

Wk: 08 8246 3999

Controls Contractor: Austec Building Automation

Wk: 08 8363 0959

Building Owners: Harmony Syndicate No.4 Pty Ltd, Contact David Bates

Wk: 08 8297 2400


APPENDIX A

0.0

5.0

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25.0

30.0

35.0

40.0

Tem

pe

ratu

re (

De

gre

e C

)

Temperature - Zone A1-1A December 5 to 9 2011 (Pre-project works)

Space Temp (Degree C)

Ambient (Degree C)

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)

Temperature - Zone A1-1A December 3 to 7 2012 (Post-project works)

Zone Temp (Degree C)

Ambient Temp (Degree C)


The following graph indicates the Carbon Dioxide (CO2) levels within the building during 2013 in the

dates as indicated. The graphs show constantly achieving internal conditions below the 1,000ppm limit. To note is that the setpoint for CO2 control was adjusted slightly in 2013 (from 800ppm to

900ppm) to provide greater energy savings, whilst maintaining acceptable internal conditions – indicated by the consistent increase in CO2 levels towards the end of the graph.

The three (3) high readings for AHU A3-3B are likely attributed to a person standing directly in front

of the sensor, providing an artificially elevated reading, nevertheless, the system still responds and will provide an increased quantity of outdoor air to the space.

0.0

200.0

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1400.0

1600.0

Car

bo

n D

ioxi

de

Building CO2 Levels April 5 to July 21 2013

Zone A1-1A

Zone A1-1B

Zone A1-1C

Zone A2-2A

Zone A2-2B

Zone A2-2C

Zone A3-3A

Zone A3-3B

Zone A3-3C

Zone A4-4A

Zone A4-4B

Zone A4-4C





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