Transforming Chiller Plant Efficiency with SC+BAS: Case Study in a Hong Kong Shopping Mall

The imperative for building managers, in the face of high-density urban environments, is to drive the existing chiller plants to greater operational efficiency through the application of advanced technological interventions. The case for applying Supervisory Control (SC) and Building Automation System (SC+BAS) for optimizing chiller plants is the subject of investigation here, through the lens of a typical commercial shopping mall in the high-density infrastructure of Hong Kong. The application of SC+BAS falls into the realm of advanced Trim/Respond algorithms coupled with sophisticated sequencing algorithms that allow for refined optimization of the chiller operations in response to the dynamic demands of urban infrastructure. The SC+BAS features an array of optimizations specifically for the chiller plant. Incentive parameters such as cooling capacity, energy usage, and Coefficient of Performance (COP) were thoroughly studied through 12 months’ worth of data, before and after the implementation of the SC+BAS. Empirical observations indicate a statistically significant 17.6% energy usage decrease, coupled with a 15.3% decrease in the related energy expenditure costs. Furthermore, the environmental impact is calculated, with an estimated 61.11 tons reduction in the amount of CO₂ emissions, hence emphasizing the capacity for SC+BAS in offsetting the carbon footprint for commercial buildings. These data prove convincingly that the implementation of SC+BAS can increase the energy efficiency in chiller plants in commercial buildings, supporting the overall sustainability of urban infrastructure. In turn, the authors suggest other areas for optimization through advanced sequencing of chillers and demand-based cooling strategies. It highlights the ability of SC+BAS in creating more economical and green building operations, regarding urban microclimate, occupant behavior patterns, and interactivity with the power grid, leading ultimately to the holistic optimization of chiller plant performance within the urban framework.