Improving efficiency of building air-conditioning systems

• Main Author: Tay, Shu Ping.
• Other Authors: Gooi Hoay Beng
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2009
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Mechanical engineering
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/16751
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Singapore is a city with limited natural resources. Hence currently energy needs in Singapore are reliant on fossil fuels. Energy efficiency is currently universally recognised as one of the quickest, most cost effective ways to reduce energy related emissions associated with global warming, climate change, acid rain and smog. Improving energy efficiency is the key strategy in making the world’s energy systems more sustainable, both economically and environmentally. Thermal Energy Storage (TES) is the temporary storage of thermal energy at high or low temperatures. The stored energy is then used to improve the performance of energy systems, which in turn lead to better energy management in terms of more efficient consumption of electricity, energy conservation and improved cost effectiveness. It also improves efficiency and effectiveness of the utilisation of air-conditioning systems. Chilled water storage systems use sensible heat in a body of water to store energy. Water is cooled by chillers and stored in a tank for use in meeting cooling load later. Chilled water storage systems are typically charged with chilled water at temperatures between 4°C and 7°C and allow the use of conventional chillers. Chilled water storage tanks may also serve as reservoirs for fire-protection water, providing the building owner with a saving in capital cost and also an alternative during retrofit where there is limited space for additional storage tanks. In the BCA Awards 2006, Republic Polytechnic won the Platinum Green Mark Award. Republic Polytechnic was the first building project in Singapore that made use of the Thermal Energy Storage (TES) system to reduce its energy bill by saving $380,000.00 per year.