Pal Technology’s claim to fame is that its plant on Reem Island is an example of a measured approach to district cooling at the height of the construction boom in the UAE …

In the UAE district cooling landscape, the Pal Technology-engineered Reem Island district cooling plant (DCP) is a rarity. Though, with a footprint that can accommodate a capacity of 90,0000 TR, inclusive of 70,000 TR of chillers and 20,000 TR of thermal energy storage (TES), the DCP has an installed capacity of only 45,000 TR, which has minimised idle capacity for its owners. Following a soft launch, the DCP has been running at 20-25% of its installed capacity. B Surendar spoke to Sheraz Siddiqui, the Projects Director at Pal Technology, and Masood Raza, the Head of Engineering, on the district cooling scenario, in general, and the plantroom, in particular. Excerpts…

What does the road ahead look like for the district cooling industry?

Sheraz Siddiqui: In 2006, at the time we started out, we saw district cooling as a viable solution and as something that would lead to a significant reduction in the consumption of electricity and operating costs, plus benefits from an end user point of view and for the environment from a carbon footprint point of view.

The way district cooling was done was not right, though. We saw projects over-built to capacity. Today, the modelling of district cooling, the way the rates are structured, is not right – it is more expensive than conventional cooling systems. But with small changes, district cooling can be back on track. We do firmly believe that district cooling is the long-term solution.

How would you back your statement?

Sheraz Siddiqui: In a conventional building, the cost of air conditioning is built into the construction and paid as rent. When you don’t take that charge, you charge them separately for cooling to compensate for capex. In the case of a standalone system, the user is paying for the FCU and, on the face of it, not for the chillers, which is being paid by the owner. The point is, the building owner is somehow charging the tenants for the chiller.

Masood Raza: Things are beginning to look up for district cooling. There is a change in thinking, and the developer seems to be agreeable to bear the cost of piping network. This is a step we have taken – we are educating the developer that it is to his benefit.

Sheraz Siddiqui: We have spoken to a number of developers, and they are taking the piping network into their infrastructure costs, so it becomes a development cost.

Masood Raza: A standalone chiller in a building is running in a very inefficient manner, because it is air-cooled, but the tenant does not feel it, because it is included in the monthly rent; and without his knowledge, he is paying more for it than he would be, in the case of a district cooling system.

Plus, the fact that district cooling saves on power consumption, swings things in its favour. The Reem Island project is an example; if it were not for district cooling, the demand for electricity would be much more than what it currently is.

Do you think the industry has resolved its water needs? What’s the situation at Reem Island?

Sheraz Siddiqui: We are not using treated sewage effluent (TSE) in the new buildings, owing to lack of occupancy. We are using potable water at the moment, but the design is suitable for TSE. We also have a condensate-recovery system, which has the capacity to yield an estimated 8-12% of the required make-up water at peak conditions.

What kind of efficiencies are you getting?

Masood Raza: We are getting part-load efficiency but not as planned. If the plant were running at 40-50% at least, we would get efficiency, but currently, it is running at 20-25%. We have 60% connected load but no occupancy, because the buildings have not been delivered yet.

Is hydraulic balancing an issue?

Sheraz Siddiqui: Hydraulic balancing is not an issue, because the velocity is not so low. But sometimes, we have to supply at low delta T, and that’s the inefficiency we were talking about. The only solution would be to get the occupancy up, which is not in our hands.

What’s the solution to the issue of over-estimating to capacity?

Masood Raza: During the boom period, district cooling was a third party and, sometimes, not given enough importance. Bodies like DEWA and ADWEA always build over capacity, but then they are government-subsidised entities; district cooling, on the other hand, has been a private entity.

In Norway, the government took up ownership of the district energy system from the inception, and once a mechanism for O&M and metering and billing had been established, passed on the responsibility to private players. Couldn’t this region try a similar approach?

Masood Raza: Government ownership is not an answer, but government partnership is good. In a partnership, the benefits that the government is getting from district cooling should be passed on to private players. When electricity demand load is peaking up, every authority is paying a very high cost to accommodate it. We in the district cooling industry are shaving the peak demand, which means the authorities should pass on the benefits to us. Government ownership will likely lead to inefficiency.

This has been discussed ad nauseam, but I would like to hear from you all the same how the government can support the industry.

Masood Raza: The issue is that the villa owner does not want to see a hefty bill at the end of the month. The villa owner does not want to pay on time for district cooling services provided. If he does not pay his electricity bill on time, then he is faced with the threat of disconnection of services, which is not the case with district cooling. A villa owner will get electricity at a subsidised rate, five fils, whereas we have to pay 15 fils. So while he is looking at only five fils, we are forced to pay more for electricity, which raises the cost for providing district cooling. This is because we don’t get subsidised rates.

What role can a body like Estidama play in this?

Sheraz Siddiqui: Estidama is making it mandatory to achieve energy efficiency, so there is an opportunity for district cooling. Let’s take the example of a 400-square-metre villa, where it will cost AED 35,000 to install split units. But with Estidama on board, the villa owner cannot install split units, owing to energy-efficiency concerns and also due to ozone restrictions. A VRV for a villa of the same size will cost AED 120,000.

District cooling is in the business of sustainability and energy efficiency, and we can step in and make use of the opportunity created by Estidama. Thanks to Estidama, the playing field is even. It is up to us to be energy efficient and give benefits to the end-user.

In 2006, at the time of starting, we were convinced that district cooling is beneficial, and we had several plans to give several additional benefits.

Masood Raza: We are a youthful company with a lot of out-of-the-box thinking. In 2006, we aimed for the concept of self-sufficiency, be it power or water. We wanted to establish a power regimen and also a sewage treatment plant. But the way things evolved, we couldn’t go ahead. At one stage, we learnt it (Reem Island) was prime land, so we couldn’t have land for power and water regimens. At that time, the scenario involved several tall towers, so we factored in CHP (combined heat and power) and TES (thermal energy storage) and estimated a 1ºC requirement, but then came the height restrictions – no building can be taller than 75 floors – and so we have had to settle for an 4ºC approach.

Considering the slowdown in new construction, are you considering introducing district cooling in existing building neighbourhoods?

Sheraz Siddiqui: We are considering Abu Dhabi mainland, as well. We are, in fact, working on it and, at the moment, things are at a discussion phase. We have to consider several factors. Abu Dhabi is already suffering with infrastructure-related roadblocks, so if at all anything a distributed-cooling approach would be viable.

Saying that the radio devices offer a control of energy costs, because recording and billing according to individual consumption could contribute to energy saving, and dubbing it a technological breakthrough, Techem has announced introducing Radio system data III.

In the context of introducing the new system, Techem points out that radio technology has positively revolutionised the entire process of measuring and billing heat and water, and says that data III offers the benefit of a technology, wherein the consumption data is recorded precisely and read without meter readers entering the consumer’s residence.

Radio system data III

According to Techem, the radio system data III serves the collection, saving and technical radio transmission for all data entry equipment required for consumption-dependent measuring devices. The devices consist of intelligent modules, each with their own battery, explained Techem, and added that the radio transmitters work in the 868 MHz frequency band and create no electro-magnetic load due to their low transmitting power and minimal transmission period.

Techem lists the following product features and advantages:

• Easy to install and require no cables
• Radio-controlled meter which is easy to retrofit
• You can save time by transferring consumption data to Techem, as it is no longer necessary to make on-site appointments
• Everyone can check their own consumption easily
• The residents need not be at home on the readout day
• No more estimates, as the reading is accurate, transparent, cost-efficient and prompt
• Consumption data is recorded automatically and transmitted
• No transmission and processing errors
• No meter reader enters the apartment

Saying that professional kitchens consume a significant amount of energy when compared to other spaces on a property, with ventilation in a commercial kitchen operating typically at 100% of capacity regardless of kitchen appliance usage, Halton Group has announced the global launch of Halton Marvel system, a demand-based indoor climate solution for commercial kitchens.

Halton Group, which markets, develops, and supplies indoor climate products and systems, points out that energy consumption can be cut in half through correct design of kitchen ventilation and demand-based ventilation and air conditioning systems. For example, it says that a typical restaurant can save thousands of Euros every year by using an energy-efficient ventilation system.

According to the manufacturer, Halton Marvel is the first intelligent, responsive, and completely flexible demand-controlled ventilation system for commercial kitchens.

The manufacturer lists the following features and advantages:

• It surveys the status of each kitchen appliance constantly and adjusts the airflows and duct pressure levels accordingly.
• It can be reprogrammed at any time in response to changes in kitchen or galley layout.
• Adjustments are done hood by hood, totally independently to keep power consumption to the minimum.
• Constantly operating ventilation systems waste heating energy. With Halton Marvel heat can be recovered from the exhaust air and used either for heating supply air or for heating water with a heat pump. Thus savings are achieved in both heating and electricity consumption.
• It leads to greater profitability.
• It provides better indoor environment and better work conditions with no unwanted odours and with the right temperature and moisture level.

Halton claims that the Marvel system has been awarded lnnovation prizes in the following countries: Netherlands –2010: Food Hospitality Innovation Award; Finland – 2010: Finbuild Highlights 2010; Poland – 2011: EuroGastro 2011 exhibition and Sweden – 2011: nominated as the finalist in Stora Inneklimatpriset competition.

Saying that it is extending its portfolio of damper actuators, Siemens Building Technologies Division has announced introducing two new models – GAP and GNP.

According to Siemens, the new models complement its range of OpenAir damper actuators by special versions that are especially required for production centres, industrial exhaust systems and in connection with fume hoods in laboratories.

The manufacturer points out that on these and other crucial applications, it is important to have the right amounts of fresh air supplied within a short period of time. The company claims that the two fast runner actuators meet these requirements by delivering a torque of 6 Nm at a running time of only two seconds, enabling them to move air dampers quickly and to provide very accurate positioning and a high-holding torque. Accurate positioning and low power consumption in standby/holding mode help improve the actuators’ energy efficiency, says Siemens, and adds that the new actuators are suited for use with air dampers having an area of up to one square metre.

The manufacturer lists the following product features and advantages:

They can be controlled by two or three-position signals as well as DC 0/2…10 V or DC 0/4…20 mA signals. This wide choice of control signals affords straightforward configurations of plants matched to specific requirements.

The GNP is an electronic spring return model, which ensures immediate shutoff, should a power failure occur. The supercaps required for this function enable the air dampers to close within only two seconds due to their efficient power supply concept.

Owing to their compact design, the GAP and GNP damper actuators are suited for universal use.

Ease of installation is ensured by a self-centring shaft adapter and single bolt fastening.

Dubbing it a subterranean solution, Sipos has introduced variable speed actuators for valve control. According to Sipos, the new design uses concrete rings as an alternative to shafts and tunnels.

Sipos points out that built-in shafts and tunnels, traditionally below ground systems are costly to construct, and extending the network or providing ongoing maintenance is expensive and preventing ingress of water, soil and other particulates is challenging. Sipos says that the ‘concrete ring’ solution has, therefore, been introduced, making it ideally suited for the application.

The manufacturer lists the following product features and advantages:

The actuators can be mounted on a below-ground valve, with the electronics unit installed in a separate, readily accessible, above ground cabinet.

An integrated frequency converter protects motor controls, making the product a ‘fit-and-forget’ solution, ideally suited for below-earth application.

The underground application comes with an eight-year servicing cycle and IP68 protection class, which confirms the product’s high corrosion resistance.

Saying that it can be used for rapid conversion of humidity measurements, E+E Elektronik has announced introducing the humidity calculator.

The manufacturer claims that the calculator can calculate from the temperature and relative humidity, dew point, frost point, mixing ration and other humidity measurements with ease.

The product also includes measurement uncertainties in the calculation, it adds. This, says E+E Elektronik, is helpful for obtaining realistic and reliable overall uncertainties based on the specification of the measuring device.

According to E+E Elektronik, the humidity calculator can be used online without need for any program to be installed on the PC. It adds that the free online humidity calculator can be tested at http://www.humidity-calculator-online.com/

Aldes has announced introducing the second generation of low-energy consumption cabinet fans with Inovec micro-watt, a full range of seven C4 cabinet fans. The manufacturer says that the fans are fully cast in one piece, and the range covers any airflow up to 12000m3/h.

Aldes claims that the cabinet fans, benefiting from an innovative ergonomics, show higher performances and offer a large range of functionalities. It adds that while keeping a 400°C for half-hour fire resistance, the fans guarantee low-energy consumption with savings up to 30% compared to Aldes actual VEC microwatt range of fans.

The manufacturer lists other product features and advantages:

• Noise reduction from 1 to 2 dB on acoustics fading, compared to Aldes previous range of fans
• Adapted airflow up to 12000m3/h with a static pressure up to 300 Pa
• Integration of practical functionalities for installation and maintenance phases
• With micro-watt cast in one piece, the pre-built and prewired micro-watt box directly integrates into the fan unit
• Allows both a front digital display and better control
• Equipped with a vertical or in-line exhaust, offers two potential installation choices
• Equipped with a large access door on its side, it is easy to reach the impeller and the motor and easy to maintain
• Can be equipped with anti-vibration mountings located outside the fan to improve performance level and reduce noise
• Comes with integrated handles for easy handling and transportation

According to Aldes, Inovec Micro-Watt cabinet fans are available in three sizes and seven models.

AHRI on Twitter

Launches AHRI Cert, a new Twitter account for AHRI certification

AHRI has announced that it is now sending tweets related to AHRI’s certification programme on Twitter. You can follow it on AHRI_Cert by signing up directly and get updates about ahridirectory.org, AHRI certification programmes and current domestic and global certification marketing efforts, says AHRI.

You can also follow AHRI on the main Twitter address, AHRI2009, to receive breaking news and updates from AHRInet.org, trade press, media outlets and information on industry initiatives. AHRI2009 is currently followed by almost 600 members, contractors, media and others, revealed AHRI.

AHRI CSS reviews standards

Approves four

AHRI revealed that its Cooling Standards Subcommittee met recently to review revisions to the following AHRI Standards and addenda:

• AHRI Standard 1160-2008, performance rating of heat pump pool heaters
• AHRI Standard 530-2005, rating of sound and vibration for refrigerant compressors
• Addendum 1 to ANSI/AHRI Standard 1230-2010, performance rating of variable refrigerant flow (vrf) multi-split air conditioning and heat pump equipment
• AHRI Standard 370-2001, sound performance rating of large air-cooled outdoor refrigerating and air conditioning equipment
• Addendum 1 to AHRI Standard 810-2009, performance rating of automatic commercial ice makers
• Addendum 1 to AHRI Standard 885-2008, procedure for estimating occupied space sound levels in the application of air terminals and air outlets
• AHRI Standard 910 – 2006, performance rating of indoor pool dehumidifiers

AHRI said that the following standards were approved by CSS and will appear on the AHRI website as 2011 versions:

• AHRI Standard 1160-2011, performance rating of heat pump pool heaters
• AHRI standard 370-2011, sound performance rating of large air-cooled outdoor refrigerating and air conditioning equipment
• Addendum 1 to AHRI standard 810-2009, performance rating of automatic commercial ice makers
• Addendum 1 to AHRI standard 885-2008, procedure for estimating occupied space sound levels in the application of air terminals and air outlets

IEC Subcommittee 61D meets at AHRI HQ

Reviews technical comments regarding the updating of IEC Standard 60335-2-40

According to an announcement, the International Electrotechnical Commission’s Technical Committee 61/Subcommittee 61D gathered at AHRI headquarters from March 29 to 30. The attendees included members from Germany, Italy, Belgium, Japan, China, Denmark, South Korea, UK and the US. The Subcommittee reportedly reviewed technical comments regarding the updating of IEC Standard 60335-2-40, particular requirements for electrical heat pumps, air conditioners and dehumidifiers, into version 4.2.

Public review of ASHRAE/ASHE Standard 189.2P announced

Might be used in conjunction with ANSI/ASHRAE/ASHE Standard 170

ASHRAE has announced an advisory public review of proposed ASHRAE/ASHE Standard 189.2P, Standard for the design, construction and operation of sustainable high-performance health care facilities.

Proposed Standard 189.2P intends to prescribe the procedures, methods, and documentation requirements for the design, construction, and operation of high performance sustainable health care facilities, the announcement said. It is anticipated that the proposed standard will be used in conjunction with ANSI/ASHRAE/ASHE Standard 170, which prescribes the ventilation requirements for health care facilities.

More information is available at www.ashrae.org.

AHRI Expands its Presence in China

Participates at China Refrigeration and Heating Exhibition

AHRI President and CEO Stephen Yurek led a delegation to China on April 7 to advance the association’s goals in the global policy arena. The trip coincided with the 2011 China Heating and Refrigeration Expo, which took place in Shanghai from April 7 to 9.

The 22nd Annual International Exhibition for the HVACR and the frozen food processing, packaging and storage sectors, attracted over 1,000 exhibitors from numerous countries, said the announcement, and added that it was certified by the US Foreign Commercial Service of the Department of Commerce as meeting the high standards of international trade shows. AHRI had an adjoining booth with the China Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association (CRAA) that highlighted CRAA as the official agent of AHRI Certification in China, the announcement revealed.

At the show, AHRI and CRAA reportedly hosted a seminar on AHRI’s Certification Programme, with a particular focus on the water source heat pump and ground source heat pump certification programmes, as well as the Energy Star Programme for which AHRI is now an approved certification body.

Photos from the Food Chain event held in May 2011

Will throw light on recent developments in MicroGroove Technology

The International Copper Association (ICA) has announced that it will sponsor two webinars on the use of MicroGroove technology in the development of evaporator and condenser coils for air conditioning and refrigeration applications. The webinars will take place on June 14 and June 22, the announcement said.

According to the announcement, the June 14 webinar titled, “The MicroGroove advantage: achieving higher energy-efficiency with smaller-diameter copper tubes”, is scheduled for 2pm Central European Summer Time. It will update the information presented in the MicroGroove webinar of December 15 and will answer many of the questions raised in the first webinar, which is now available on-demand via the website: www.microgroove.net/webinars. The June 22 webinar, titled “Boost ACR energy efficiency with copper microgroove tubes”, is scheduled for 1pm Eastern Daylight Saving Time, and will present new content relating to the design and manufacture or heat exchanger coils.

More information about the webinars can be found on the website, the announcement said, and added that registrants can submit questions in advance through the registration page.

 Pointing out that as OEMs seek to increase the energy efficiency of their air conditioning and refrigeration products and that higher levels of performance are being demanded from heat-exchanger coils, ICA claimed that one path to higher performance coils and energy-efficient AC&R products was the use of smaller-diameter copper tubes with inner grooves. In this context, ICA explained that it was sponsoring the webinars to bring US and European designers up to speed on information regarding this.