Retrofit drives save energy for hospitals in Bradford

ABB retrofit variable speed drives
Adding ABB standard HVAC drives to AHUs in two Bradford hospitals is making a major dent on energy consumption.

Energy savings of over £26 000 a year are expected at hospital sites in Bradford following the installation of ABB standard drives for HVAC to 28 air-handling units at Bradford Royal Infirmary and St Luke’s Hospital. The drives are installed in critical areas such as theatres and infection-controlled zones where airflow is controlled to promote safety and comfort. The load on the AHUs varies with outside temperature, but the biggest difference is between day and night, with fans typically running at half speed at night.

The new drives are rated from 750 W to 30 kW and are expected to save more than 200 MWh a year.

The drives were installed and commissioned by Halcyon Drives, a members of the ABB drives alliance.

Installation and commissioning had to be carried out without disrupting critical air-handling operations, which was possible because of the redundancy already built into the hospital’s systems.

Each drive is connected to the wider building-management system via the BACnet protocol that is native to ABB HVAC drives.

The project was part of a wider initiative by Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to save energy as part of its preparations for the introduction of the CRC Energy efficiency Scheme. The draft policy includes specifying the application of variable-speed drives on all future motors.

For more information on this story, click here:  Jan 2012, 120
Related links:



modbs tv logo

Government must do more to tackle heat pump and electric vehicle barriers, Which? says

Which? is calling on the government to provide more support for greener home heating and cars, as new research shows cost and other barriers are putting people off making the switch.

New study reveals job stress affects 70% of construction workers

A groundbreaking study conducted by researchers from the University of Cambridge has revealed that at least 70% of people in the construction industry report feeling stressed at work, and this not only has a negative impact on job performance but also personal life. The findings highlight the urgent need for effective strategies to combat workplace stress.