Consulting-Specifying Engineer - December 2008 - (Page 36)

\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ Also for reliability reasons, redundant chilled water piping loops were installed. By using a control algorithm and VFDs, the system flow was split between each loop during normal operations, yielding an additional energy savings of $16,000 per year. High-efficiency lighting sources were added to reduce lighting heat from fixtures in the hallways by 40%. Low-flow toilets were retrofitted in. The existing 2,200-ton chiller plant was augmented to include 3,900 tons of capacity with the addition of two new variable-speed drive chillers. The most efficient chillers were staged to use first for optimal energy performance. High-efficiency lights and low-flow toilets were added in. said. “Instead we were able to save $100,000 by not using temporary generators.” To do so, ATCG prepared detailed procedures for the changeover to eliminate the need for temporary generators. Stephanie Taylor, ATCG’s lead electrical engineer for the project, said four pairs of paralleled, 2 MW, 12 kV generators were backed up by a ninth 2 MW, 12 kV “swing generator” that was held in reserve and could be used in the event of a breakdown. The end result ATCG hopes the project will be U.S. Green Building Council LEED certified in the near future. The former energy hog is now a highly efficient data center with a peak power usage effectiveness (PUE) of 1.66, well below the typical PUE average of 1.83 for data centers. That means for every 1 W of computer power, 0.66 W of power is being consumed by HVAC, lighting, etc. Said Chadwick, “Peak PUE assumes the worst possible weather conditions and redundant equipment failures. With the redundant equipment and air-side economizer systems operating, an annualized PUE of 1.27 will be obtained.” Despite all the energy-efficient changes, which typically cost more up front, ATCG ended up 15% below the initial project budgets by implementing sustainable and cost-effective design strategies. “Equinix told us this is the best project they’ve done in the last 10 years,” Chadwick said with a laugh. “It was a great project because we worked well together as a team.” Challenges and solutions Challenges included expanding and completing the construction without disrupting the existing 20,000 sq ft of live data center operations, and dealing with an inefficient existing infrastructure system that limited the overall building performance capabilities. (Think of the small business owners who would be furious when their Web sites went offline if the data center went down during the construction phase.) To provide additional reliability, ATCG specified dramatic upgrades to the DDC system to provide redundant controllers for an all-new HVAC system, which provided control functionality in case a DDC ever failed. “We consulted with several contractors who all said temporary generators were the only way to keep power going,” Chadwick The interior infrastructure system included overhead distribution of HVAC, electrical, and IT services with a central spine of utilities routed throughout the remodeled space. The front entrance of the facility was remodeled. Additional roof screening was provided for sight screening and acoustical treatment to address the addition of rooftop air-handling equipment. 36 Consulting-Specifying Engineer • DECEMBER 2008

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Consulting-Specifying Engineer - December 2008 Contents Viewpoint News M/E Roundtable ARC Awards New Construction Gold New Construction Silver New Construction Bronze Renovation Gold Renovation Silver A Green Approach to Air Conditioning Systems Turning Down the Lights Case Study New Products Equipment Lifecycles Advertiser Index Green Space Gas Technology Pure Power Supplement

Consulting-Specifying Engineer - December 2008

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