Optimum Energy LLC (Optimum Energy), a US-based provider of HVAC optimization software applications, has commissioned its OptimumHVAC software at Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC). In the initial five months of operation, the airport’s HVAC system has preserved over 235,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, which is equal to utility savings of over $35,000, and a carbon footprint reduction of about 300,000 pounds CO2.
“The City of San Jose is committed to finding creative ways to reduce our operating costs and improve our environmental performance,” said Patrick Tonna, SJC deputy director for facilities and engineering. “HVAC optimization software has helped us toward our goal to achieve airport LEED sustainability certification by reducing our energy use, while both maintaining a comfortable building for our customers and enhancing the efficiency of our staff and tenants.”
Engineering services firm WSP Flack + Kurtz supervised the addition of a new 1,100-ton chiller unit to the SJC facility’s central plant, and upgrade of SJC’s two existing 450-ton chillers with installation of variable frequency drives and readjustment of the existing air handling units. Once the central plant modernizations were complete, OptimumLOOP software was installed. In the initial five months of operation, the San Jose Airport chiller plant lessened its average kW/ton from 1.23 kW/ton to 0.65 kW/ton, a 47% reduction.
“The success of our OptimumLOOP software at the San Jose Airport helps prove that Optimum Energy’s approach to energy efficiency in commercial facilities is leading to a paradigm shift in HVAC energy efficiency,” said Nathan Rothman, president and chief executive officer of Optimum Energy. “The San Jose Airport installation is phenomenal in that we’re already seeing outstanding results even through the winter months and Terminal B is not yet open. Since OptimumHVAC optimizes performance continuously based on real-time demand, we expect the energy savings to be even greater as the weather warms up and the facility is completed and fully utilized.”
The company’s OptimumLOOP software monitors and supervises the operation of the San Jose Airport’s entire chiller system. OptimumLOOP automatically adjusts the plants all-variable-speed chillers, pumps and tower fans to maintain occupancy comfort while optimizing equipment efficiency based on current load conditions. Using Optimum Energy’s Performance Assurance software, building operators can view plant real-time performance and track savings via the Web.