Control & Automation
Controls & automation are an increasingly important part of integrated renewable energy systems. They provide the ‘smart controls’ that enable the monitoring and switching from one energy source to another and coordinating multiple inputs to the energy mix.
Controls & automation are an increasingly important part of integrated renewable energy systems. They provide the ‘smart controls’ that enable the monitoring and switching from one energy source to another and coordinating multiple inputs to the energy mix.
Importance of Control
Renewable energy integration is applied when several sources of renewable energy are utilised in a single heating & cooling or electrical/mechanical system. These are then combined with high efficiency conventional HVAC and other equipment to seamlessly integrate the renewable energy inputs into the overall system.
A simple example is a gas-less aquatic centre, which could utilise solar thermal, solar PV, geothermal & air source heat pumps, waste heat recovery etc and include multiple heating and cooling demands simultaneously. Efficiencies can be gained that can substantially improve the performance of certain aspects of the system via a customised controls platform.
Operations & Maintenance – Automated
Controls provide for system operation and monitoring, both on and off site. Off site management becomes simple and very cost effective. Most trouble shooting can take place online. Issues are recognised via monitoring and alarm systems connected to pumps, pipes, valves, temperature sensors, batteries, generators, solar panel systems etc.
Accurate targeting of issues can provide trades personnel with clear instructions and scope of works prior to them needing to visit a site. Our engineers guide on-site personnel through operational issues and tradesmen.
On-site personnel are harnessed with sophisticated controls displays that offers assurance that the systems are working as designed and programmed. Communication to end users and management becomes a simpler process and takes less time. Sophisticated visual cues are the norm in an intelligently designed graphical user interface. Operators can enjoy a positive user experience without the need to spend time working out what is wrong with a system that they are not trained to maintain. Costs are minimised and control is optimised across the board.
Our engineering team designs the systems and the controls or designs the controls to match the system (if existing). We provide design, construction, commissioning, operation and maintenance of control systems for buildings that we design and install. We take responsibility for the system’s performance.
We do this in coordination with local contractor teams, who provide onsite support.
There is no more thorough application than this for advanced controls systems management.