Automated Logic's New High Efficiency Chilled Water System Optimizer Helps Customers Save Energy

Automated Logic Corporation (ALC), a leading provider of innovative building automation systems, has expanded its suite of optimization solutions for the WebCTRL^® building automation system to include a new chilled water system optimizer. The new WebCTRL chilled water system optimizer minimizes the energy use of the entire chilled water system in a commercial building, including air handling units, fan coils and other chilled water distribution equipment. Based on laboratory and field tests, energy savings in the range of 3-15%¹ have been achieved, as compared to non-optimized systems. ALC is a part of UTC Climate, Controls & Security, a unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX).

The optimizer solution consists of an Automated Logic controller, a patent-pending control algorithm, and an integrated dashboard that allows facilities staff to monitor the overall efficiency of the chilled water system from anywhere at any time. In order to achieve overall combined chiller plant and air-side energy savings, the control algorithm intelligently computes the optimum chilled water and condenser water setpoints for the plant, while continuously monitoring plant room and load-side energy consumption.

The optimizer interfaces seamlessly with existing plant controls and equipment, eliminating the need for costly system upgrades, plant analysis and system modeling. It can be used on plants of varying size, up to a maximum of eight chillers. The system can be configured to optimize the chilled water side alone, the condenser water side alone, or both, depending on the building’s needs. In addition, the optimizer’s intelligent learning algorithm adapts easily to changes in environmental conditions or equipment performance, providing optimal energy savings and occupant comfort over varying equipment and environmental profiles. The optimizer is also scalable, allowing additional chilled water distribution equipment to be added easily and included in optimization calculations.

"The new chilled water system optimizer is another example of our commitment to innovation and sustainability,” says Mead Rusert, president, Automated Logic. “Using the intuitive dashboard that the WebCTRL^® building automation system provides, customers can receive immediate, actionable insight on how the new optimizer is improving building efficiency, while behind the scenes, the system’s patent-pending algorithm provides the unique ability to save energy by intelligently resetting plant setpoints. And, because the optimizer functions as an integration to existing plant control systems, it allows customers to improve the efficiency of their existing plant without investing in costly system upgrades.”

The optimizer launch follows the recent release of the Automated Logic® PlantCTRL™ solution, which provides factory-engineered algorithms to control the individual components of a chiller plant, including chillers, pumps and towers. The new optimizer interfaces seamlessly with the PlantCTRL solution, adding full system optimization to the chilled water plant.

The optimizer is now available for sale through Automated Logic field offices worldwide.

¹The optimizer algorithm was evaluated using modeling and computer driven simulations and tested in several field trial sites. Actual savings may vary depending on duration of use, plant size, equipment used, and the existing plant control strategy.