Colworth Science Park
Case Study: Colworth Science Park
Air Handling Unit CO2 Control
Environment
Colworth Science Park is a research and development campus located in the village of Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire, UK. The park covers an area of 71 acres and is home to more than 20 high-tech companies and research institutions.
It specialises in a variety of fields including food and beverage innovation, biosciences, sustainable technologies and advanced materials.
The park offers state-of-the-art facilities such as laboratories, research and development areas and office spaces. It also has access to a wide range of research equipment and resources as well as a team of experienced researchers and support staff.
Identification
AES Control Systems used multiple software applications to analyse, monitor and identify areas where energy savings could be made. Following the first quarter of AFM maintenance it was identified that many of the Air Handling Unit (AHU) fans variable speed drives were operating the fan speeds at a fixed rate, in most cases 100% of their maximum output. This highlighted an opportunity for energy savings by reducing the maximum fan speeds and implementing speed modulation based on building occupancy to achieve maximum energy efficiency.
Solution
The proposed solution was to install sensors in the extract ducts to monitor the CO2 levels in office environments. Our team modified the existing control strategy to allow for reduced maximum fan speeds, with modulation based on occupied area CO2 concentration.
By doing so, we aimed to improve the efficiency of the HVAC system, reduce energy consumption and costs, and create a more sustainable workplace.
The AHUs performance was monitored through our analytical platforms which showed immediate results. With energy consumption and AHU motor speed exponentially related, even a relatively small reduction in speed resulted in a significant energy saving.
We were able to see a minimum of 20% reduction in speed across all AHUs with some areas experiencing a reduction in almost 50% in low-traffic areas.