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Project
“ Should one transformer experience a failure, the system can be manually configured to draw power from the operational transformer to both MCCs.”
University of Stellenbosch chiller.
Image by Two Oceans Air Conditioning.
This repurposing for the heating side of the new system demonstrates a commitment to resourcefulness.
A sophisticated Building Management System( BMS), provided by SSD Controls oversees both the central plant and the individual building systems. This integrated approach allows for real-time data feedback from the buildings, enabling intelligent optimisation of the central plant ' s operation for maximum efficiency.
“ A key element in the pursuit of energy efficiency is the inclusion of hot water storage tanks. This innovative feature allows the university to generate and store hot water during off-peak hours, when electricity costs are lower. During peak demand periods in the winter mornings, the system can then utilise this stored hot water, potentially allowing the chillers to be turned off for a significant portion of the day, leading to substantial energy savings. While the full impact of this feature became realised as more buildings were integrated into the system through subsequent phases, the potential for reduced energy consumption is considerable,” explains Lombard. Ultimately, the university may be able to run as much as half the day on the hot water storage, avoiding the peak tariff periods.
MULTI-PHASE ROLLOUT DEFINES SU PROJECT The project is being implemented in multiple phases to minimise
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RACA Journal I August 2025 www. refrigerationandaircon. co. za