- Project avoids the need for extra rooftop refrigeration condensers.
- Installation included a new controller and web supervisor.
- Work of BGES praised by national building consultancy
BG Energy Solutions (BGES), a specialist in turnkey energy-efficiency solutions, has completed a major plantroom project at the prestigious Royal Liver Building in Liverpool. The work has helped achieve one of the project’s main objectives, which was to preserve the building’s Grade I listing by avoiding the need for further refrigeration condenser units on the rooftop.
Royal Liver Assurance began life in 1850 as The Liverpool Lyver Burial Society, which was formed by nine working men in a pub known as the Lyver Inn. Following various moves around the city for the next 60 years, Royal Liver started work on the landmark Royal Liver Building in 1908, and moved in upon completion on 19 July 1911.
As part of the latest upgrade and maintenance project, and due to its expertise in working on listed buildings, BGES was appointed to help avoid the need for additional refrigeration condenser units on the building’s roof.
Laying the foundations
In the first instance, a new plantroom was created at basement level with heating and cooling equipment installed to feed a 7,500 litre buffer vessel. Pipework was then installed up through the existing risers to allow the new fan coil units (FCUs) within the developed spaces to utilise the buffer vessel circuit.
The existing LTHW (low-temperature hot water) pipework circuit has been extended into the new plantroom and, via a heating-plate heat exchanger, maintains a minimum temperature of 20°C during occupied hours.
In summer months, and under increased rejection of heat by the building circuits, a new 600kW dry cooler maintains a temperature in the buffer of less than 28°C via a cooling-plate heat exchanger while utilising the maximum amount of free cooling from external ambient air.
New plantroom controller
The existing MCCP BMS controls in the main boiler house are Centraline AX with LON distributed I/O modules. BGES fitted a new EagleHawk controller in the new plantroom MCCP, complete with panel-mounted keypad that provides a user interface with animated graphics for all system parameters, set points, faults and alarms.
A new Tridium Niagara4 Web Supervisor has also been introduced by BGES, which incorporates all points from both the original and new plantroom controllers. Through the utilisation of the latest generation Niagara4 HTML5 graphics capabilities, a complete user interface has been provided, allowing a rich graphical interface with enhanced graphs and charting. These can be accessed from any PC browser, tablet or mobile device without the need for Java plug-ins or drivers.
Glowing testimony
Among those impressed with the achievements of BGES at the Royal Liver Building is Daniel Clarke, Senior Director at national building consultancy CBRE Ltd.
CBRE works for the landlords on this culturally significant and iconic building, and not only had to provide a technical solution, but one that was sensitive to the owners and tenants: “It was a very challenging project but throughout the whole process, including through commissioning and set-up, BGES delivered to our high standards” he says. “We appreciate that the team at BGES are both highly proactive and good communicators; they kept us updated on challenges and the potential solutions. They are always available to address any ongoing issues.”
The ‘full circle’ approach deployed by BGES means that the company supports customers at every stage of their carbon reduction journey, from initial consultation through to the implementation of energy management technology and ongoing monitoring and targeting.