Efficiency and flexibility. A new cooling system solution

High efficiency and energy saving with plug and play solutions are nowadays the key efforts for a proper design of HVAC systems. To achieve these targets a new solution, an advanced hydraulic module, has been designed to simplify the connection between the chiller and the users in a plant, (e.g. an air handling unit for ventilation and humidity control coupled with chilled beams for ambient temperature control) and to save as much energy as possible for the production and the distribution of chilled water. The research activity allowed to optimize the coupling of the air handling unit and the chiller in order to reduce energy consumption. An algorithm to modify the temperature of the chilled water according to the request so increase the EER coefficient has been carried out. In addition variable flow pumps for the secondary circuit allowed to reduce the energy need for the water distribution. Two different types of plants have been compared, a traditional one and the one with the proposed innovative solution, in order to simulate the operating conditions and consumptions of the two solutions and to quantify the benefits that can be obtained. Four different climates have been analyzed: tropical monsoon climate (Bombay), temperate maritime climate (Lisbon), Mediterranean or temperate climate (Rome) and cold climate (Stockholm). The proposed solution, providing water at a variable temperature and an appropriate flow rate, satisfies the demand of users, realizing a significant improvement in the efficiency thus reducing the energy consumption.