Twycross Zoo - Himalaya
Date: February 2019
Client: Wates FM
Project Value: £ Cost of annual maintenance visit (PPM) plus additional investment for CO2 Sensors
Services: Maintenance, installation of new sensors, optimisation and modification of software, commissioning and documentation update.
What We Did
At Hills Energy Management Solutions, our partnership with Wates FM at Twycross Zoo is built on a foundation of trust and a shared commitment to sustainability. Our focus has always been on leveraging our annual maintenance visits to not only ensure the smooth operation of the Himalaya Building's facilities but also to identify and implement strategies for energy savings.
Objective
Our goal was and is to find and implement energy saving opportunities during our routine maintenance checks. This approach ensures that our service provides tangible value to our client, balancing cost with environmental responsibility.
Implementation
Our latest maintenance visit revealed a significant opportunity for energy savings in the Air Handling Units (AHUs) servicing the building's retail, function, and kitchen areas. Despite being equipped with Variable Speed Drives (VSDs), the units were running at a constant speed, missing out on potential energy efficiency gains.
To address this, we proposed the introduction of a Demand Controlled Ventilation (DCV) strategy. This involved:
- Installing CO2 sensors in the return ductwork to monitor air quality.
- Updating the BMS software to allow AHU speeds to adjust dynamically based on CO2 and temperature data.
This approach meant the AHUs could operate more efficiently, adapting their output to the actual needs of the building and reducing unnecessary energy consumption.
Challenges
Implementing this system was not without its challenges:
- Balancing the Kitchen's AHU. It was crucial to ensure the kitchen's ventilation system remained efficient and safe. We carefully adjusted the AHU to maintain airflow, preventing the activation of the kitchen's gas safety interlock.
- Fresh Air Requirements. We also needed to ensure that our adjustments did not compromise the building's fresh air intake, essential for a healthy indoor environment. Through careful planning and system configuration, we maintained air quality standards while achieving our energy-saving goals.
Outcomes
The implementation of the DCV strategy led to a notable decrease in energy consumption by the AHUs. Additional benefits include extended lifecycles for fan motors, filters, and heating/cooling coils due to more optimized airflow throughout the AHUs. This means less waste and lower maintenance costs.
This initiative not only supports Twycross Zoo's sustainability goals but also demonstrates how targeted maintenance can offer both financial and environmental benefits.
