www . refrigerationandaircon . co . za RACA Journal I October 2023 27
Feature systems . Cloud-based solutions offer scalability , cost-effectiveness and efficient data management , enabling EP to build a metering system that accurately measures cooling consumption and supports ongoing analysis and optimisation .
© Eamonn Ryan | RACA Journal
TAKING REFRIGERATION UTILITY CAPITAL OFF BALANCE SHEET Kriel explains that CaaS allows its customers to take energy assets off-balance sheet and convert utility costs to operational expenses . In terms of IFRIS , an essential aspect of servitisation is the ownership of assets by the service provider . In addition to owning the equipment , service providers offer an extended warranty and comprehensive maintenance and support services . In the case of refrigeration systems , service providers deploy their personnel to ensure round-the-clock monitoring and maintenance . This proactive approach allows for a timely response to alarms , ensuring operational efficiency and customer support . Service providers allocate a portion of the contract value to regular maintenance , ensuring the longevity and reliability of the refrigeration system .
Servitisation contracts typically span a significant period , typically between 10 and 20 years . These long-term agreements provide stability and predictability for both the service provider and the client . However , he explains , customers also have the option to buy out the system at any point during the contract period . This flexibility ensures that customers are not locked into a service agreement if they are dissatisfied or wish to explore other alternatives .
Bruce Kinnear , BMS sales manager for iLED Building Automation .
ENERGY EFFICIENCY IS KEY Bruce Kinnear , BMS sales manager for iLED Building Automation , says : “ Air conditioning is still the biggest user of electricity in a building . A chiller draws massive kilowatt hours – and when talking about energy saving , most electricity bills are calculated on maximum load multiplied by kilowatt hours . If we can reduce the maximum load by say 20 points , we can save money . That can be achieved simply by starting the chiller a little earlier or a little later than when everything else is being switched on , thereby preventing a spike in power usage . Lighting doesn ’ t draw a lot of power , but it is constant if left on all day and night – unless managed ,” says
Image by Usertrmk on Freepik
In a digitised building , each vital cog starts continuously providing the data required to obtain operational insight .
Kinnear . “ There is no human interface – the idea is to automate it . If there ' s no movement in an office after 5-10 minutes , the lights switch off . Even that technology has evolved to infrared detection .
“ The payback calculations we ’ ve done suggest a BMS pays back its capital investment in about two years on an averagesized office block . A properly engineered BMS is like a toolbox : the tools save time . These provide the maintenance manager with visibility before any complaint or problem arises , letting them know exactly where to go and what tools to take . It can go as far as informing what individual component is required to repair a fan . This saves a huge amount of time – and time is money . Saving energy really involves a mindset change .”
A BMS is effective for any size building – whether industrial or commercial – but Kinnear emphasises that the payback is typically longer with smaller buildings , as the average cost diminishes the bigger the system .
“ In addition , it ' s easier to install a BMS on a new build , as you get to choose appropriate fittings and units better suited to a BMS , whereas with a retrofit you may have to change the fittings if you want that level of interface . For instance , in a new build , you can choose a generator which has a BACnet IP controller .”
BMS provides benefits that extend beyond the financial . It results in an improved experience for the occupants of a building . Kinnear describes it : “ With a proper BMS , we monitor air quality so as to be able to improve it when it gets bad . Staff feel better and more energised . Air conditioners can be connected via bluetooth to an individual ’ s smartphone so they are in control and can change the set points . How far you want to take the benefits is limited only by your capex budget and your imagination . We can automate everything .” RACA
REFERENCES :
1 . https :// www . tridium . com / us / en / Learn / by-connectivity-need / building-management
2 . https :// www . aston . ac . uk / latest-news / aston-university-winsshare-ps10m-research-improve-uk-economic-productivity
www . refrigerationandaircon . co . za RACA Journal I October 2023 27