ESI HQ-The Most Intelligent Building in the World?
Author: Staff
Date:03/11/2011
Website: http://www.realcomm.com/advisoryweb.asp?aid=465
Finally! After years of searching for the most intelligent building on the planet, we may have finally found it – complete with fire extinguishers attached to and managed over the Internet!! ESI’s new state-of-the-art corporate headquarters is a showpiece of technology and innovation, designed to reduce operating costs and environmental impact.
THE PROJECT
Environmental Systems Inc. (ESI) is a building and facility system integrator headquartered in Brookfield, Wisconsin. Established in 1986, ESI provides solutions for control & automation, systems integration, security, life safety, energy services and building operations. The new headquarters is a 34,100 square foot, Class A office building located in the Gateway West Commerce Center I. The building strategy consisted of improved building performance and an integrated security system that would reduce operating costs, improve productivity, and generate measureable return on investment.
THE REQUIREMENTS
ESI needed additional space. They decided it would be beneficial on a number of fronts to be in a sustainable building and utilize the technologies they apply and use in a wide range of buildings for their business. Goals for the facility also included achieving a LEED rating - the building has achieved a LEED Platinum certification.
THE RESULTS
With impressive results to date, ESI’s new corporate headquarters is operating 41% more efficiently than baseline design – ASHRAE 90.1-2004. In addition, the building has achieved an Energy Star rating of 98. The building is 10,000 square feet larger than their previous location; however, the utility costs in the new building are running at 33% less than what they were in the previous building.
The building also serves as a teaching tool. Its innovative practical applications of cutting-edge building management systems and design enable visitors to visualize the difference sustainable design can bring to their own facilities, as well as its overall profitability.
"Considering the business impact of efficiency and sustainability efforts, I believe the interest in our new facility derives from executives wanting to understand how improved building performance reduces operating costs, improves productivity and generates a measureable return on investment," commented Paul Oswald, President, ESI Inc.
Tridium’s Niagara Framework was key to successfully integrating all the systems, equipment and devices in the building including:
- Lighting. The system utilizes JACE Controllers with integrated I/O, outputting 0 to 10 V to adjust dimmable lighting ballasts to maintain 20 foot candles of lighting based on ambient light sensors. Fluorescent task lighting is used for desk and workstation areas. Building occupancy from the access control system is used as part of the lighting control strategy, which is integrated with PowerLink circuit breaker panels from Schneider Electric for on/off control functions. If any employee enters the building in off hours, their task and egress lighting are enabled.
- HVAC. Mechanical system capacity requirements were reduced due to the high performance building envelope design. This resulted in a reduction of over 330,000 btu/hr of heating and 14 tons of cooling. Heating is provided by a 750 MBH, 88% efficient hot water boiler utilizing hydronic baseboard heating and VAV boxes with reheat coils.
The system also features a 5,000 cfm energy recovery unit. The HVAC equipment is located in the building to provide easy access for maintenance and keep the roof clear for solar arrays. The decision to use an air handling system, as opposed to the more common practice of using roof top units, is an example of a design decision with higher initial costs, but one that provides a 159% ROI over the equipment life cycle.
Controls for the HVAC system include a combination of LonTalk and BACnet controllers. Energy meters are connected via Modbus and all of the subsystems; HVAC, metering, lighting, access control, fire system monitoring, are integrated using the Niagara platform.
- Continuous Commissioning. Unless occupants complain about the temperature being overly hot or cold, systems in light commercial buildings are often forgotten and energy is wasted. ESI’s systems are continuously monitored and employ fault detection and diagnostics and advanced data analytics to notify operators if equipment is drifting out of proper operating parameters. The alerts/alarms are linked to Eagle Technology’s ProTeus computerized maintenance management system via BACnet to generate necessary work orders.
- Security. In addition to access control, the building incorporates eighteen cameras inside and outside the facility. Video history is stored for 30 days.
- Fire Monitoring & Alarm. The building features a fire alarm system connected via BACnet to the Building Automation System to monitor all initiation and annunciation devices that are part of the fire alarm systems. In addition, the system monitors fire extinguishers for proper pressure and that they are physically in place and are not obstructed. (More Info)
- Information Display. The lobby features large flat-screen monitors displaying real-time information about the building’s performance. Many parameters are monitored and calculated, including energy metering, energy analysis, and sub-metering including HVAC, lighting and plug load.
SUMMARY
This building may very well be the smartest building on the planet from the standpoint of operational efficiency. All building systems were converged, including communications, control, security, life safety, audiovisual, and digital signage into a common building network that can generate and share data and enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the structure. The unified operations system is designed to realize benefits such as operational continuity, energy-efficient performance, and occupant comfort and safety, while streamlining productivity and reducing operating costs and environmental impact.
The ESI Headquarters is truly an example of 21st Century innovation and a benchmark for our industry. As we continue to wrestle with a looming energy crisis, it is innovative ideas such as “connected” fire extinguishers that raise the bar for new technologies in real estate. These ideas will ultimately allow us to operate our facilities with more precision, creating properties that run more efficiently, conserve energy in ways never before imagined, provide for a safer environment for tenants, and produce more profitable assets.
Author: Staff
Date:03/11/2011
Website: http://www.realcomm.com/advisoryweb.asp?aid=465