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Mitsubishi Electric has launched a new air conditioning web-based controller to replace the “Baby” GB-50 and offer users high level control and energy monitoring functionality. The controller is aimed at the more cost and environmentally conscious end users in these times of austerity and energy conservation.

The new GB50ADA is the latest web-based group controller from Mitsubishi Electric and offers much of the functionality previously only available in the more advanced touch screen AG150A controller, but at a significantly lower price.

The new controller is compatible with the full range of Mitsubishi Electric Air conditioning products such as City Multi, Mr Slim and M Series product ranges. It also supports the latest Windows 7 operating system and can control up to 50 indoor units or groups.

“There are occasions where buildings do not require the full scope of advanced controls provided by the AG150A, and there are also applications where not having a touch screen interface on the controller provides a good level of security against unauthorised use, and this new model recognises both of these applications,” explains Philip Ord, Product Marketing Manager for Mitsubishi Electric’s range of air conditioning products.

With easy connection to the Internet and full group control, the energy use of the outdoor units can be controlled efficiently and the energy usage monitored. Support for third-party pulse meters also allows other building services to be monitored in real time.

Advanced annual scheduling allows for two different seasonal settings (summer and winter) and both fan speed and air direction can also be set.

The new GB50ADA web controller comes with additional functions including optimised start – which enables the system to reach setpoint temperature in a faster and more responsive way – refrigerant gas volume status check, USB memory backup and restore, outdoor ambient temperature interlocking, night setback (night-time low energy mode) and interlock control which can be used for interlocking related third party equipment with the air conditioning system.

“Building owners are looking for ways to control costs and this new model brings together a number of useful facilities that let people monitor trends and identify where savings can be made,” adds Ord. “The Internet is now part of everyday life and it allows us to offer our customers advanced energy monitoring so that they can be sure that their system is always optimised for performance and energy use.”

The new intelligent GB50ADA controller learns how long it takes to reach a set temperature, so it is no longer necessary to switch on the air conditioning two hours before it is needed. Automatic setpoint adjustment also takes into account seasonal effects so that the indoor temperature works in line with actual outdoor temperatures to provide greater levels of comfort.

Advanced night set back allows the temperature for each indoor unit to be as low as 12°C, with the relevant unit restarting if the temperature drops below this preset level. The controller also has an in-built refrigerant status check which can be activated to check the City Multi outdoor units.

“We have listened carefully to our customers and are continuously striving to bring them low cost but advanced controllers that increase information and control,” says Ord. “This new unit will allow more organisations to get a grip on their energy use in a more advanced way than before.”

For further information on the GB50ADA and the complete range of advanced air conditioning controls, visit www.mitsubishielectric.co.uk/aircon.

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Ecobuild first timers Klober will be exhibiting its range of vapour permeable underlays, vapour control layers and air barriers on stand 1717. The roofing ventilation specialist will be highlighting how to achieve an effective airtightness strategy while providing effective, controlled ventilation. A new CPD presentation 'Taking control of air leakage' gives a valuable insight into how to achieve an effective airtightness strategy, relating the principles of building fabric air permeability to the requirements of Building Regulation, the CSH and BREEAM. Managing Director David Arendell commented, “Energy and CO2 emissions are now key considerations for any builder as they make the biggest overall contribution to the nine method of assessment categories within the CSH. With the need to improve the performance of both new homes and commercial buildings, air leakage can only become a more significant consideration as we move towards deadlines for zero carbon construction”.

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A newly installed Daikin air cooled scroll chiller, which adds to the 1800kW of cooling previously provided by 5 existing Daikin screw chillers at the ‘state of the art’ Northampton factory of Uniq plc subsidiary, Uniq Prepared Foods, supplies top up cooling for a new food production area.

Uniq plc has a turnover of around £750 million and manufactures a wide range of well known chilled and frozen food products, which it supplies to retail and food service customers throughout the UK and continental Europe.

Uniq Prepared Foods is an award winning supplier of high quality sandwiches, wraps and deli products, principally for a major high street retailer and several airlines. An enviable combination of cutting edge automated technology and a highly skilled workforce enables the company to match quality to quantity to ensure that its products are produced to the same exacting standards.

Late last year, a new chiller was required to provide additional cooling for the conversion of some main bulk storage areas into a new sandwich production facility. Specialist contractor, ITEC Industrial Services Ltd, Halesowen, West Midlands, was engaged to engineer and install the new chiller plant – a 260kW EWAQ260 R-410A air cooled unit — supplied by Daikin Airconditioning UK Ltd.

The new Daikin chiller provides chilled glycol at 00C to the cooling coils of a specially designed McQuay air handling unit, which supplies the production area with precisely controlled tempered fresh air.

ITEC managing director, Bob Garner, comments: “It is vital that air conditioning systems for this type of application prevent the ingress of micro organisms and retard or prevent their growth. Also, they must not be the primary cause of contamination and must prevent cross contamination and air turbulence. This can only be achieved by high levels of filtration, draught free air distribution, careful room pressurisation and the provision of cool air temperatures between 10 and 120C.”

“ITEC has considerable experience of supplying chilled water systems for food engineering and other process cooling applications and the good part load efficiency, precise water temperature control, advanced technology and reliability inherent in the Daikin EWAQ range represented an ideal solution to the requirements of this particular application.”

The EWAQ260 is top capacity model of this recently introduced range of Daikin air cooled chillers, has an EER of 2.70 at full load and excellent part load efficiencies. Designed for the supply of chilled water at temperatures down to -100C, it is fitted with micro processor control and a new Daikin ‘Pcaso’ controller with user friendly and powerful LCD interface.

The McQuay air handling unit delivers high levels of air filtration up to H11 standard and incorporates ‘free cooling’ motorised modulating dampers to enable fresh air to be used for cooling during low ambient conditions. At Uniq Prepared Foods, the conditioned air is delivered via ceiling mounted textile ‘socks’, which run the length of the production area and gently distribute it evenly and without turbulence and draughts.

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A programme of maintenance and energy efficiency practice at the University of Sussex in Brighton has involved the installation of Crittall steel windows throughout the Falmer campus. As part of an energy drive to save both costs and the effect upon the environment, the Crittall W20 profiles are being installed in four buildings across the site, replacing the existing windows which were the originals from when the university was first created in the early 1960s.

The University of Sussex was amongst the first wave of similar educational establishments to be founded at the time and it was awarded the Royal Charter in 1961. Since then, it has grown to be classed amongst the top 150 universities in the world as confirmed by the 2008 Times Higher Education University World Ranking.

The decision to replace the single glazed windows with contemporary, modern and high performance double glazed weatherstripped units was made by the Estates and Facilities Management Division in conjunction with surveyors, BLB Surveyors and management contractors, Sussex Building Co. The work involved a like for like replacement following recommendations from the local planning authority, initially for four buildings two of which are Grade 2* listed.

According to Neil Troak, Head of Maintenance at the University, the replacement has not only aesthetically made a big difference, but it announces the university’s dedication to energy efficiency. “As the original windows were supplied by Crittall the new windows were a perfect match,” he comments. “However, the thermal performance and environmental credentials of the new W20 profiles means that in terms of energy efficiency, they meet our strict environmental criteria. Also, out of all the work being done on the campus to improve the external fabric of the buildings, the window replacement scheme went smoothly and completely to plan thanks to the expertise of the Crittall team and the contractors. The result is exactly what we wanted and we are in the process of planning for more of the buildings on the campus to have their windows replaced.”

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New control system will enhance grid reliability and extend link’s life span

ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, has been selected by Hydro-QuǸbec, Canada, for an upgrade of a high-voltage, direct current (HVDC) converter station. The 25-year-old 1000-MW (Megawatts) Chǽteauguay back-to-back HVDC station will be equipped with ABB’s control and protection system, MACH 2.

“ABB’s well-proven HVDC control technology, MACH 2, will improve the performance and extend the life of the converter station,” said Peter Leupp, head of ABB’s Power Systems division. “Upgrading of HVDC plants is a good illustration of ABB’s long term commitment to the protection of investments in the transmission industry.”

The MACH 2 system is the world’s most commonly used control system for HVDC and FACTS (flexible AC transmission systems) with over 400 systems in operation. It is used in all types of HVDC installations from small, but very demanding, HVDC Light installations, to large, 3,000-MW power links. ABB has the widest experience of control system upgrades in the HVDC industry. Recent upgrade projects delivered by ABB include the Square Butte and the CU HVDC links in the U.S., the two Skagerrak HVDC links in Scandinavia and the on-going refurbishment of the Apollo converter station of the Cahora Bassa HVDC link in Southern Africa.

Hydro-QuǸbec generates, transmits and distributes electricity, mainly using renewable energy sources. The company provides electricity to customers in QuǸbec, other parts of Canada, as well as to northeastern parts of the U.S. and is one of the world’s largest producers of hydroelectricity.

The new control and protection system in Chǽteauguay will be commissioned during April and May in 2009, with an outage time of only seven weeks. Since the station comprises two blocks and each block will be renovated separately, the station will maintain at least half of its capacity during the installation period.

ABB is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs more than 110,000 people.

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Tyco Electronics has extended its popular Dorman Smith Modis 25/32 modular distribution system with a Form 4 Type 6 MCCB Panel Board. This compact, flexible solution can be utilised either as an integral part of a Modis switchboard system or used as a floor-standing self-contained unit.

Available in 8 or 10 ways with front or rear access, the MCCB Panel Board also has the ability to be stacked, increasing its range of options to 8, 10, 16, 18 and 20 ways. With a busbar rating of 1000A and a withstand rating of 50kA 1sec., the Form 4 Type 6 MCCB Panel Board accommodates the YA3 range of SP and TP MCCBs (20-250A).

Providing an economic power distribution solution, the unit is designed to take into account the L2 building regulation requirements for energy metering. In recognition of these requirements the doors have knock outs for fitting the Crompton Instruments Integra 1630 digital metering system and an optional extra kit for mounting the range of Crompton Instruments current transformers is also available.

Tyco Electronics device, Tyco Electronics, Dorman Smith and Crompton Instruments are trademarks. Crompton is a trademark of Crompton Parkinson Ltd., and used by Tyco Electronics under licence. Other trademarks are property of respective owners.

About Tyco Electronics

Tyco Electronics Ltd. is a leading global provider of engineered electronic components, network solutions, wireless systems and undersea telecommunication systems, with fiscal 2007 sales of US$13.5 billion to customers in more than 150 countries. We design, manufacture and market products for customers in industries from automotive, appliance and aerospace and defense to telecommunications, computers and consumer electronics. With approximately 8,000 engineers and worldwide manufacturing, sales and customer service capabilities, Tyco Electronics’ commitment is our customers’ advantage.

About Tyco Electronics – Energy Division

The Energy Division of Tyco Electronics is a global manufacturer of products and systems for the electrical power industry. Its products are extensively employed by power utilities and equipment manufacturers, in rail transport systems and in industry around the world.
The Energy Division of Tyco Electronics offers a wide product range from brands such as AMP, Axicom, Dulmison, Raychem, SIMEL, Bowthorpe EMP, Crompton Instruments, Dorman Smith, including cable accessories, connectors and fittings, switching and power management devices, lighting protectors, surge arresters and insulators.

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Manufacturer of high quality resin surfacing systems, Addagrip, has introduced a series of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) seminars designed for Architects, Quantity Surveyors, Contractors, Housebuilders and Building Services Engineers.

The presentations offer guidance on surfacing options and encompass information on both the resin bonded and resin bound porous systems. The presentation is conducted by experienced technical engineer, Tim Hopkins from Addagrip, giving attendants the opportunity to gain bespoke project advice through a question and answer session included in the presentation.

The seminar also includes information on important changes in the rules and regulations that cover the general principles behind surface water drainage and the use of resin bound surfacing in sustainable urban drainage systems. As Addagrip is a company that recognises the importance of environmental impact of its operations, the CPD presentation also includes guidance on environmental issues, the use of recycled products and land restoration.

Commenting on the CPD presentations, Roger Critchley, Managing Director of Addagrip said, “Relationships with our customers, specifiers, agents and suppliers are of great importance to us. The CPD seminars not only aid our endeavours to be approachable, supportive and helpful, but also give us the opportunity to listen and develop further understanding of our customers needs.” Addagrip manufactures a range of exterior surfacing products including Addastone, Addaset and Addagrip Eco Pave, which use a range of sustainable and recycled aggregates to provide a low maintenance and hard wearing surface with the appearance of natural stone. Addagrip’s high quality exterior resin surfacing systems can be used for a range of applications from domestic drives and paths to parks, monuments and heritage sites.

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Ability Projects Ltd has secured the order for almost 600 Matrix EC fan coil units for the initial phase of the Masdar Institute in Abu Dhabi. The 2 pipe cooling only units, which are for installation in laboratories and accommodation blocks, have capacities uo to 7kW. The institute is part of Masdar City, a prestigious six square kilometre development designed by Foster and Partners, which seeks to use 100% renewable energy, generate zero waste and be carbon neutral.

The unique feature of a Matrix EC fan coil unit is its capability to independently adjust the air volume delivered by each duct on the same unit. This gave Masdar designers the option of using a single unit to condition two spaces, where in the past two units might have been required. This feature, combined with the energy savings afforded by EC motors, made Matrix the natural choice for such an energy conscious project.

Matrix units at Masdar employ both demand and occupancy dependent fan speed control — developments first marketed by Ability in 2005. Demand dependant fan speed allows the fan speed and therefore the air volume, to vary commensurate with thermal demand. The upper limit is what would (in the past) have been the design fan speed and the lower limit is a percentage reduction determined by the designer.

Occupancy dependent control is a feature whereby the fan coil set points are allowed to move apart and adopt a holding strategy while the space remains unoccupied. With both features operating in tandem, the fan coil is activated only when personnel enter the room, at which point the fan speed imperceptibly modulates to deal with the current cooling load and no more. On the Masdar project specifically, many units will also receive control signals from window switches, enthalpy sensors, time clocks and key cards.

Peter Lowther, managing director of Ability Projects states, ”I am absolutely delighted that all the hard work we have put into advancing EC fan coil technology has been recognised as worthy for use on such an internationally ground breaking project. Our products have been used on many Breeam Excellent projects in the UK but this project takes both Ability and Matrix onto the worldwide stage.”

Whist Masdar City exploits the best of modern technologies, surpassing all the highest standards currently demanded by internationally recognised organisations, its design also incorporates many traditional design techniques to help reduce energy consumption still further. Shaded walkways and narrow streets reduce glare and solar gain while the diagonal orientation of the urban layout makes the best use of cooling night breezes and lessens the effects of hot daytime winds. Other traditional features such as wind towers and solar shades help further improve comfort levels.

The Masdar Institute will soon offer Master’s and Doctoral level degree programs focusing on the science and engineering of advanced energy and sustainable technologies. It has set its sights on being the centre of high calibre renewable energy and sustainability research, capable of attracting researchers and scientists from around the world.

Peter Lowther concludes – “the fact that Matrix will help condition the space in which some of the world’s greatest thinkers will assemble to research energy security, sustainability and climate change, underlines its unique operational flexibility and remarkable energy conservation characteristics. This project opens up an exciting opportunity for the advanced technological concepts inherent in Matrix and already widely recognised among leading UK building services designers, to be illuminated under an even brighter international spotlight.”

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Vent-Axia, leaders in air management technology, has published its new handy-sized product selector and price guide to provide essential technical information on the company’s extensive product range.

An invaluable, simple to use source of information for wholesaler and contractor, the comprehensive, new A5 guide features product and pricing information on the company’s high quality residential and commercial product range. It covers toilet, bathroom, kitchen and utility room fans, unitary heat recovery units, commercial fans, the cooling range, heating products, whole-house systems, controllers, sensors and accessories and the company’s Roof Units product range. These product groupings are categorised by colour-coded sections in the guide to help navigation and speed up selection, estimation and specification.

Vent-Axia is the UK’s leading provider of air management technology, with over 70 years experience supplying industrial, commercial and domestic ventilation and is the company behind the innovative Lo-Carbon™ collection of energy saving ventilation solutions. Committed to protecting health at home, at work and at leisure, protecting property from the damaging effects of condensation, removing stale air, creating thermal comfort and protecting the environment, Vent-Axia delivers on all fronts.

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