UA students and employees looking to stay cool during the dog days of summer can do so thanks in part to the latest addition to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of cooling on campus.
The Tutwiler Energy Plant recently joined Shelby Hall and the East Quad Energy Plant in the next phase of the Central Campus Thermal Energy Project to provide chilled water for cooling buildings in a more efficient and sustainable manner. The energy plants provide chilled water for cooling and warm water for heating air conditioning units across campus.
The energy plants are up to 40% more efficient than building-level air cooled chillers and utilize less refrigerant. Additional advantages include reduced noise levels from large HVAC units around campus and a centralized location for maintenance.
The chiller optimization control system automatically determines the best operating conditions across the three energy plants and dynamically adjusts the building-level cooling equipment in real time. The system responds to changing building conditions such as weather and occupancy. The optimization software works in conjunction with the existing building automation system to operate all equipment at the lowest total possible energy consumption per ton of chilled water load.
In addition to being more sustainable, UA’s energy plants are also economically friendly with annual electric, operational and maintenance savings of more than $1 million.
The Central Campus Thermal Distribution Network consists of approximately 90,000 feet, or 17 miles, of underground piping that connects the energy plants. The network extends as far south as Tutwiler Hall, to Cyber Hall to the north of campus and east to the Moody Music Building.