The client had enterprise level data centers that used chilled water Computer Room Air Handling (CRAH) units. The chiller plant was approximately 2k ton and was maintaining a fixed chilled water temperature (CHWT) of 42 degrees Fahrenheit. The CRAH units were operating at approximately 10% capacity because the CHWT was so low. The client wanted to decrease energy costs by automatically increasing the CHWT based on the CRAH unit’s operation.

A&IS was retained to design a Chilled Water Optimization control program that automatically increased & decreased the CHWT based on the CRAH unit operational capacities. The Chilled Water Optimization strategy we developed interfaced with the client’s existing BAS and CRAH unit controls, and was designed to operate the CRAH units at a minimum of 40% capacity.

Upon implementation of the Chilled Water Optimization function, the BAS was able to automatically increase the CHWT up to 58 degrees Fahrenheit without affecting the space conditions within the client’s critical data centers.

The client purchased a $250k Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) system expecting to reduce their energy costs. After the ATC system was installed the client was very concerned because they did not see a decrease in their energy costs.

We met with the CEO and explained that there is a difference between an Automatic Temperature Control system and an Energy Management System (EMS). We offered to analyze their energy costs and develop a solution to cost-effectively reduce their energy costs by incorporating the EMS programming function into the ATC system.

We then evaluated the client’s energy bills and usage metrics to determine the best way to deploy the EMS without affecting the operation of the facility and impacting the rare archives, libraries and artwork housed there.

After implementing the EMS function the client’s utility bills decreased by about $12k per month. The savings was so significant that the local utility company tested their main utility meter to ensure that it was operating correctly. Needless to say, the client was thrilled with the savings, which allowed the original ATC and the EMS system costs to be recovered in less than 2 years.

The client was building a new Data Center to support its 5M SF manufacturing facility, and retained A&IS to design and implement a Critical Facility Monitoring System (CFMS). The CFMS had to monitor the critical HVAC & Power systems that maintained the data center infrastructure, which included Computer Room Air Conditioning (CRAC) units, Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS), electrical utility services and emergency generators. The CFMS also had to interface with the client’s BAS and Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) system using various industry standard protocols, such as BACnet and Modbus.

A&IS designed and implemented a CFMS that interfaced with the client’s electrical and environmental systems and supported their Data Center.

The CFMS interfaced with the client’s BAS to monitor & control comfort cooling HVAC systems using BACnet/IP protocol, and interfaced with the electrical utility systems using Modbus protocol. The CFMS also interfaced with the client’s SCADA via BACnet/IP protocol to allow their facilities and maintenance personnel to monitor the CFMS using the SCADA system. The client was also able to monitor the Liebert UPS and CRAC units using Liebert’s proprietary protocol.