www . refrigerationandaircon . co . za RACA Journal I October 2023 25
Feature
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© Eamonn Ryan | RACA Journal
1 and 2 : A BMS system installed at Eagle ’ s Pride chicken hatchery in Pretoria .
Energy Partners occupant comfort . Embracing global best practices and collaborating with industry experts are key to successful BMS implementation and maximising the benefits of modern building management ,” says Freeman .
BMS SYSTEMS : ENHANCING CONTROL AND READINGS Another function of BMS lies in enabling other services such as servitisation . A crucial element in servitisation is the utilisation of a BMS to manage the refrigeration system effectively , says Energy Partners ( EP ) general manager for refrigeration Dawie Kriel . The BMS acts as the central control hub , monitoring and optimising various parameters to ensure efficient operation . “ By utilising the BMS , businesses gain real-time insights into the system ' s performance , allowing them to make informed decisions and adjustments . With the BMS providing accurate readings , companies can identify potential issues and optimise energy consumption , leading to cost savings and improved overall efficiency .
“ Utilising technologies like the Trillium Jeyes PLC and 3D MJ solutions , refrigeration systems can collect and transmit data seamlessly . This data , coupled with sophisticated control systems , such as GI cursors and Danfoss controllers , enables precise management of the entire refrigeration process . The integration of these technologies ensures efficient cooling and temperature control in various settings , from plant rooms to cold storage facilities .”
Energy Partners ( EP ) general manager for refrigeration , Dawie Kriel .
SERVITISATION ALLOWS FOR TAILORED SOLUTION Servitisation , a concept now being researched by universities such as Aston University in the UK , is gaining traction globally . Experts at Aston University have won a grant for research aimed at improving UK economic productivity , with the project investigating how industry can respond to environmental challenges by being innovative and potentially changing business models . ‘ Servitisation ’ describes the strategy of creating value by adding services to products or replacing a product with a service .
While it may seem new to some , servitisation has been around for quite some time , with industries like the printer industry adopting it to great success . Servitisation revolves around providing services instead of selling products outright . In the context of refrigeration , it translates to offering cooling or refrigeration as a service tailored to the unique requirements of each customer .
Servitisation finds parallels in the well-established concept of district heating and cooling systems . District heating and cooling have been prevalent in countries like Sweden and Norway , where centralised systems circulate hot or chilled water to buildings for heating or cooling purposes . However , the key distinction is that in district heating and cooling , customers have limited control over the temperature they receive . They receive a standardised temperature provided by the system . In contrast , Energy Partners ' servitised refrigeration allows for custom solutions , providing customers with precise temperature control based on their specific needs .
A pioneer in the field of energy efficiency and sustainability in South Africa , Energy Partners is making waves with its innovative approach to refrigeration , cooling-as-a-service ( CaaS ), a concept born from the global phenomena of servitisation . Central to the concept of servitisation is that clients pay for a service rather than the equipment itself .
PLANT DATA ENGINEERING SYSTEMS : ENHANCING CONTROL AND EFFICIENCY A crucial element in servitisation is the asset management team using Data Engineering Systems ( DES ) to generate the intelligence
www . refrigerationandaircon . co . za RACA Journal I October 2023 25