Chilled Water System Upgrade at the 680 5th Plant Results in $146,000 Rebate and Long-term Energy Savings
Upgrading a chilled water system involves a substantial amount of work and planning. The process includes the initial energy analysis, feasibility studies, design builds, construction, and commissioning.
Smith Engineering recently completed a chilled water system upgrade project at JLL’s 680 5th Ave Plant in New York City. The goal of the project was to improve the system’s energy efficiency by replacing aging chillers, pumps, towers, and OA dampers, and upgrading instrumentation and controls.
Smith Engineering began by conducting an energy analysis to compare JLL’s existing energy consumption and proposed improvements. This included surveying the existing equipment, creating an energy model of the existing system operation, and creating another model of the proposed system operation. Then we were able to recommend some Energy Conservation Measures (ECM).
Here is the list of ECMs Smith Engineering recommended to help JLL maximize the energy efficiency in their Chilled Water plant:
- Chiller Replacement
- Cooling Tower Replacement and VFD Control
- Chilled Water Pump Upgrade and VFD Control
- Condenser Water Pump Upgrade and VFD Control
- Secondary Dual Temp Water Pump Replacement and VFD Control
- AHU-7 and AHU-8 VFD Fan Control
- EF-4 VFD Fan Control
- Replace/ Automate OA Dampers
- BAS Upgrade and Automation
The Smith Engineering team on this project included our Design Engineers and Energy Engineers.
As project lead, Ram Nagarkoti was responsible for leading site surveying, design drawing development, construction administrative services, and commissioning. According to Ram, one of the key challenges on this project was JLL’s mechanical room. The tiny room was cramped with larger but aging mechanical and electrical equipment. We explored a variety of layouts to find one that would fit two new chillers and free up space.
And rather than only replacing the chiller, we upgraded the entire chiller plant and enhanced the Building Management System (BMS) to give the building engineer better tools for operating the system. We also increased the system reliability with N+1 capacity on chillers, pumps, and towers. Through this project, we helped JLL make their system more energy efficient and reduce their carbon footprint. As a result of this work to make these buildings leaders in clean energy, JLL has been approved for $146,000 in rebates.
Elizabeth Ramirez, Property Administrator for JLL, worked alongside Smith Engineering through each phase of the project. She shared that she “thoroughly enjoyed collaborating with Smith Engineering,” and she was “thrilled that the energy savings and rebate amounts exceeded expectations.”