The Chiller Plants team has been working to optimize the chilled water plant infrastructure serving UVA Medical Center over the past two fiscal years. It has been an ongoing priority for the team to generate cooling while consuming as little electricity and water as possible, according to Associate Director of Chiller Plants Justin Callihan.
“That has been a hallmark of what we do for years,” said Callihan. The University’s chiller plants consume more than 20% of the purchased electricity and 25% of the water at UVA, making them a primary target for efficiency initiatives and greenhouse gas reduction strategies.
The most recent project has involved contractor Optimum Energy, which provides integrative solutions to further optimize plant control systems and equipment. “Pulling in Optimum Energy is just the next step in the progression,” Callihan stated.
Cooling towers. A digital monitor of the cooling system. Chiller plants on Grounds can be monitored by a smartphone app. (Photos by Jennifer Watson / User Experience & Engagement)
The amount of power consumed by a chiller plant depends on many variables and an automation system can help guide decisions about how to operate the equipment at the most optimum point possible.
“For example, colder condenser temperatures cause the chiller to consume less power, but the cooling tower fan has to consume more power to cool the condenser water,” explained Callihan. “In this example, decisions have to be made continuously to evaluate that balance and act accordingly.”
The most recent improvements to the systems serving UVA Health will save between $300,000-500,000 annually in energy costs.