Applications: Recreation
Lowering operating costs in recreational facilities enhances property value, improves the ability to compete for tenants, and increases the borrowing capacity of the owner. Recreation facilities often run on slim margins and tight schedules. Energy management can be challenging as any savings can be wasted due to losses caused by lack of access to the facility such as ice rink down time. The ability of the energy director system to make small, incremental load interactions keeps ice quality and availability at the forefront while generating monthly energy bill savings. It can also provide a system operator with valuable information and remote access to the refrigeration system that may help prevent interruptions.
Typical loads that the Energy Director optimizes include:
- heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC)
- refrigeration and freezer units
- compressors
- overhead and parking lot lighting
- steam and hot water boilers.
- And more!
Loads can be regulated while maintaining overall conditions within desired ranges. Additionally, some loads may be deemed discretionary and, during periods of peak demand, shut down completely. Commercial facilities using the Energy Director have reduced peak demand levels and experienced 5 – 10 percent reductions in total energy bills, receiving payback on investment in less than two years.
Case Study Overview:
San Diego Ice Arena
Description: A 60,000 square foot facility with 16,000 square feet of ice surface. Read more...
Installation Date: December 2002
Application: Initially, power demand control for ammonia compressors, a cooling tower, and air handling equipment. Having experienced no problematic effects, it now manages additional tasks further reducing electric utility costs: timer functionality, scheduling, and alarm notification. .
Energy Savings: Average peak demand reduction of 50 kW per month; a 18 percent decrease in demand.
Project Payback: 16 months
San Diego Ice Arena