–What smart HVAC means for next-generation buildings in Hong Kong
As commercial HVAC systems integrate IoT capabilities, they reduce energy consumption and slash carbon emissions. Hong Kong is making the leap to more sustainable HVAC.
IoT: Beyond the Hype
IoT – or the Internet of Things – seems to be the technological buzzword of the decade. However, IoT and its implications are often discussed in terms of future possibilities rather than the current state of implementation. But regardless of where IoT is at in terms of maturity, the shift towards a reliance on sensors and big data processing to improve outcomes is underway in nearly every industry – and HVAC is no exception.
In its most basic sense, IoT refers to the power of internet-enabled sensors to collect real-time data on a host of apparatus, and draw meaningful insight from algorithmic analysis. From a heavy industry standpoint, it gives operators granular and real-time information that can help visualise and improve the performance of complex systems – while reaping energy and cost savings in the process.
As climate change action becomes more urgent than ever, finding operational efficiencies in HVAC systems – one of the greatest greenhouse gas (GHG) emitters of major cities – with the help of IoT technologies will be vital.
IoT-enabled HVAC brings big energy savings to commercial buildings
Commercial HVAC systems present an ideal carbon-cutting opportunity as IoT and AI algorithms advance in sophistication. In a typical commercial building, the HVAC system is the most dynamic and complicated mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) process, and consumes anywhere from 50% to 70% of a building’s electricity.
It is the 24/7 motion of a multitude of interconnected mechanical components – pumps, chillers, boilers, condensers, filters, coils – that drive this complexity, and make it particularly difficult for operators to quantify and manage.
When one element is underperforming, it impacts total system efficiency. Yet, identifying the underperforming element and addressing it before failure eludes the capability of current Building Management Systems (BMS).
“With BMS you cannot look into the details of how a subsystem is performing, let alone do analytics on how to operate the system most efficiently,” says Dr Vincent Cheng, Director of Building Sustainability, Arup.
“We need a way to effectively integrate the system with the pump, fan and chiller. We need a way to respond to the changing external environment – outdoor climate, for instance – as well as the internal space based on the shifting profile of people and their individual needs.”
Besides lifecycle inefficiency, HVAC system downtime due to repairs and maintenance is the greatest cost threat that building owners and operators face.
So how can IoT-enabled solutions help solve this challenge?
By connecting sensors to all operating facets, building owners can obtain a real-time read-out of system performance. Predictive algorithms identify faulty equipment and nodal pain points, allowing for preventative maintenance, staving off system failure and costly downtime.
Over time, the HVAC system learns from its behaviour when subjected to changes in real-world conditions (such as shifts in outdoor air temperature) and fluctuating user demand. It feeds this gained knowledge back into operational actions, improving performance, reliability, and efficiency over time.
Just take this scenario described by Sam Xue, Director – Product Management, Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning:
“When the HVAC system fails in a commercial building – think a restaurant, hotel or an office – and it’s summer or winter time, then you cannot operate the business. It's a disaster. With predictive maintenance, we can detect the potential risk of the system, then schedule a suitable time – say the weekend or at night when no users are there – to fix the issue without affecting the daily operation of the building.”
These advancements signal a paradigm shift in how we can achieve more efficient HVAC systems. While the strategic design of optimal mechanical equipment is still a priority, those efforts will only squeeze out a limited percentage of improvement. However, better operation based on dynamic information promises efficiency gains of between 20% and 30%.
“Today, we talk about control at the palm of your hand, control at your screen,” adds Lawrence Chu, Director of Design and Controls IoT Product Management at Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning.
“It is going to be radical in terms of how efficient we become.”
Hong Kong: Embracing the Era of Smart HVAC
For a better understanding of the benefits of integrating these systems into a large commercial building, consider the case of Hong Kong’s 108 story International Commerce Center (ICC). At 485 metres, it is Hong Kong’s tallest skyscraper and as is typical in the city’s large buildings, the HVAC system consumes 70% of ICC’s electricity.
By incorporating sensors and a centralised real-time data analysis platform, every minute detail of the system is quantified. That means knowing airflow at every floor, internal and external temperature, pollutant levels and energy consumption. The system responds to this data by delivering cooled air to individual floors and rooms on-demand, and preserves energy when chilled air is not needed.
These innovations help ICC save 15 million kWh of energy, HK$3M - in electricity costs and 9000 tonnes of CO2 emissions from entering the atmosphere each year.
As Hong Kong embarks on its mission of becoming carbon neutral by 2050, implementing smart HVAC in both new buildings and retrofits will be a critical piece of the puzzle. A city like Hong Kong presents several opportunities for implementing smart HVAC on a large scale, and its commitment to green buildings has even earned it the nickname the “The City of Sustainable Skyscrapers”.
What needs to happen next?
While IoT powered HVAC is already in play to varying degrees in cities around the world, uptake is nowhere near universal, nor to the extent needed to make a significant dent in climate goals. While lifecycle operational benefits are decisive, upfront capital costs and the training needed to acclimate new technical knowledge into the workforce presents a hindrance.
Further, the promised benefits of IoT and AI require immense data processing capacity on a scale that is out of reach for many locales – particularly developing nations.
Yet, if cities like Hong Kong can continue on their current path, they can set an example for neighboring cities in the region and worldwide, leading a revolution in commercial HVAC.
To learn more about the future of the Hong Kong HVAC industry and advances in new technology, read the full whitepaper. Click here.
by Hitachi
