The document outlines a workshop on maximizing energy efficiency in data centre design using the EXEED methodology, emphasizing the importance of energy efficient design (EED) and energy management principles integrated throughout the project lifecycle. It details stages such as energy balance studies, challenge and analyze workshops, and the importance of a structured project execution plan (PEP) to ensure energy performance objectives are met. Key learnings from past projects highlight the need for early application of EED principles, client engagement, and collaboration among stakeholders to unlock energy-saving opportunities.

1. MAXIMISING ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN DATA CENTRE DESIGN
FOLLOWING THE EXEED METHODOLOGY
SEAI EXEED Workshop May 2019

2. Contents
• Introduction
• Project Execution Plan
• Design for Energy Performance
• Design for Energy Management
• Project Summary Report
• Learnings
• Q & A

3. INTRODUCTION

4. Quick Introduction to FDT
• Established in 1991
• 100% Irish-owned process engineering consultancy with ~ 30 full-
time employees
• Process industry experts with many years of in-house experience
• Operating in Irish, European and Global markets
• Winners of Envirocom, International Green Apple and IBEC
environment awards
• Leading consulting engineers and project managers
• Proven trouble-shooting track record
• Specialists in Energy Efficient Design (EED):
• Food and Beverage – Process and Packaging Plants
• Medical Devices
• Pharmaceutical
• Freight/Logistics
• Semiconductors
• Water and Waste Water Treatment

5. Energy Efficient Design
• Initially developed in Denmark > 10 years
ago
• Intended as a sanity check on the project
design from a energy and water
consumption perspective
• Required for ISO 50001
• New build/upgrade is opportunity for open
mind to deliver step changes:
• Change the Process
• Challenge Peak Calculations / Future
Expansion allowances
• Right size Process or Utilities
• Allows optimum measurement and
metering strategy to be employed
• Usually helps to reduce Capex also
• “Savings” from Poor Design and Cheap
Equipment usually cost significantly more
over lifecycle of equipment

6. Energy Efficient Design

7. Energy Efficient Design, how FDT
implement EXEED
In practice the ESR is the hub around
which EED is built and how it is
integrated into the conventional project
workstreams – via change control

8. Project Execution Plan (PEP)
• Is it a revision controlled document, with a
clear overview of the project
• It should have the requirements for design
for energy performance and energy
management, list the EED project objectives
and requirements for energy measurement,
monitoring and reporting
• The PEP should have project timelines for the
delivery of EED objectives, with a schedule of
meetings/reviews where the overall project
design will focus on EED.
• The lines of communication requirements
between the EED Owner, Expert and project
design team should be presented and clear,
as well as other interested parties
• The PEP should present a first initial EED
assessment of the project, including:
• Varying operating conditions
• Criteria for identifying SEU’s
• Criteria for determining if EED opportunities
will be incorporated into the project
scope/design and how they will be proven to
be successful
• The PEP should also comment on how the
procurement and contracting strategy will
support EED
• Consideration of national policies or other
mechanisms that could support the viability
of energy performance opportunities should
also be referenced at the outset.
• A list of identified risks and opportunities
related to the design project should be
considered - this is a precursor to
‘challenge and analyse’

9. Design for Energy Performance
(DfEP)
• Design for energy performance (DfEP) is a process comprising of an energy balance
study stage, challenge and analyse stage, and an implementation stage for design
projects.
• DfEP consists of:
Energy balance study
• Should be completed at URS stage and updated continually
as new information becomes available.
• A baseline is typically used to record the EED savings
against.
• The point at which baseline is taken depends on the type of
project; Greenfield/Brownfield/Replacement etc. and at what
stage EED is implemented (pre/post URS, pre/post contract
etc.).
Challenge and analyse
• Ideally carry this out as early as possible, with a number of
workshops:
• W/S 1: URS Stage – highest impact for lowest capex.
Typically EED Team, Designers and Client
• W/S 2: Pre-Contract – Still good commercial leverage with
preferred supplier. Typically EED Team, Designers, Supplier
and Client
• W/S 3: Post Contract / Detailed Design Stage – Usually
carried out at P&ID finalisation / Hazop stage. Typically EED
Team, Designers, Supplier and Client
Implementation
• Opportunities selected for implementation should be
reviewed and integrated into the design, construction and
commissioning project stages.

10. I.S. 399 & Project Implementation

11. I.S. 399 & Project Implementation
Project Activities:
Funding Application
URS
Basic Design
Scope of Works
Tender
EED Activities:
Energy Balance
First Challenge and Analyse
Initial Register of Opportunities
Project Activities:
Tender Analysis
Contract Negotiations
Contract Award
Detailed Engineering
Drawing Sign-off
Layout sign-off
Hazop
Construction
Initial Commissioning
EED Activities:
Second Challenge & Analyse
Amend Register of Opportunities
Set EED KPI’s
Project Activities:
Commissioning
Operational Qualification (OQ)
Project Takeover
Project Handover
EED Activities:
Measurement and Verification
Validate EED KPI’s
Validated Register of Opportunities

12. Project Execution Plan (8.3)

13. Project Execution Plan (8.3)

14. DESIGN FOR ENERGY PERFORMANCE (8.4.1)
• ENERGY BALANCE STUDY (8.4.2)

15. Energy Balance Study (8.4.2)
• The Energy Balance Study should be completed at URS
stage and updated continually as new information
becomes available.
• It is a baseline which is typically used to record the
EED savings against, but should use whatever
information is available to maximise return on the ‘EED
effort’.
• The point at which baseline is taken depends on the
type of project; Greenfield/Brownfield/Replacement
etc. and at what stage EED is implemented (pre/post
URS, pre/post contract etc.).
Consumption Breakdown Production Assumptions
Utility Assumptions

16. Energy Balance Study (8.4.2)
• Key Questions Include:
• What is the Energy Service?
• What are all the energy uses and energy sources?
• What are the significant energy uses?
• What are the expected running hours?
• What is the annual consumption?
• What is the peak demand for each utility?
• The Energy Balance Study should be completed at URS stage and
updated continually as new information becomes available.
• When carrying out the energy balance, you should be
thinking of the challenge and analyse phase as well. Some
initial questions that may arise include:
• Storage – thermal storage, battery storage etc.
• Heat Recovery
• Plant Turndown
• What grade of Utility is required?
• Question:
• What is the Energy Service for your project?

17. Energy Balance Study (8.4.2)
• The EBS should identify the type of utility consumed,
how much of it and why it is being consumed….
• This analysis focuses the challenge and analyse
activity….

18. Energy Service
Identifying the correct energy service is a
skillset/mindset
It can help push queries/opportunities beyond the intended
brief to areas where further opportunities can be unlocked:

19. Energy Service
The best EED analysis ensures opportunities can be disseminated
outside of the project group to the relevant stakeholders

20. Energy Balance Study - Example
PROCESS DESCRIPTION:
• Process plant receives liquid at 50 deg.C, sterilises it at 90 deg.C and
cools it before sending to storage at 5 deg.C.
• Plant processes 25 m3/Hour of liquid and runs for 60 hours per week.
• Tasks:
• Define the Energy Service
• Compute the Hot Utility
• Compute the Cold Utility
• Estimate any other energy inputs
• List any clarifications you think are needed

21. DESIGN FOR ENERGY PERFORMANCE
• CHALLENGE AND ANALYSE
• ENERGY SAVING REGISTER

22. Challenge and Analyse (8.4.3)
• Ideally carry this out as early as possible, with a number of
workshops:
• W/S 1: URS Stage – highest impact for lowest capex. Typically EED
Team, Designers and Client
• W/S 2: Pre-Contract – Still good commercial leverage with preferred
supplier. Typically EED Team, Designers, Supplier and Client
• W/S 3: Post Contract / Detailed Design Stage – Usually carried out at
P&ID finalisation / Hazop stage. Typically EED Team, Designers,
Supplier and Client

23. Challenge and Analyse (8.4.3)

24. Steriliser – Example of Challenging the
‘Energy Service’
PROCESS DESCRIPTION:
• Process plant receives liquid at 50 deg.C,
sterilises it and cools it before sending to
storage at 5 deg.C.
• Plant processes 25 m3/Hour of liquid and
runs for 60 hours per week.
• 90 % regeneration on steriliser means
that some heat recovery already in place,
liquid enters cooling section at 55 deg.C.
• Cooling section is required to cool liquid
from 55 deg.C to 5 deg.C – glycol at 0
deg.C proposed for the duty.
PRODUCT
FORWARD
PRODUCT
FORWARD
STERILISER
REGENERATION
STERILISER
REGENERATION
25 m3/Hour
50°C STERILISER
HEATING
STERILISER
HEATING
STERILISER
COOLING
STERILISER
COOLING
PRODUCT TO
STORAGE
PRODUCT TO
STORAGE
86°C
90°C
54°C
5°C
Glycol
0°C
1,430 kW of Cooling
408 kW of Electricity
1,225 MWh per Annum
Steam
117 kW of Heating
412 MWh per Annum

25. Steriliser – Example of Challenging the
‘Energy Service’
STERILISER
COOLING
STERILISER
COOLING
PRODUCT TO
STORAGE
PRODUCT TO
STORAGE
86°C
10°C
Glycol
0°C
320 kW of Cooling
92 kW of Electricity
275 MWh per Annum
Steam
117 kW of Heating
412 MWh per Annum
NEW COOLING
SECTION
NEW COOLING
SECTION
Water
25 m3/Hour
18°C
1,700 MWh per Annum of thermal
savings (pre-heating of Water,
50% used in Boilers)
50°C
54°C
25 m3/Hour
50°C
MM
PRODUCT
FORWARD
PRODUCT
FORWARD
STERILISER
REGENERATION
STERILISER
REGENERATION
STERILISER
HEATING
STERILISER
HEATING
90°C
Question:
Does the liquid need to be
cooled to 5°C?
Answer:
No, 10°C is satisfactory
Question:
Are there any other ways
of cooling the liquid?
Answer:
Yes, possible heat recovery
into the water system feeding
the CIP plant or boilers
LEARNING:
Challenging the core process
can yield significant energy
benefits.

26. Energy Service (8.4.3)
• Define the energy service in a hotel?
• How can the energy service be met?
• Give an example of Challenge and Analyse that could
apply to your project(s)?

27. Energy Service (8.4.3)
• Define the energy service in a hotel?
• Comfortable atmosphere all year round
• Temperature
• Humidity
• Lighting
• Air Changes
• Hot water on demand
• Leisure Facilities (if Applicable)
• Pool Temperature
• Pool Water Quality
• Etc.
• How can the energy service be met?
• Natural Ventilation
• Natural Lighting
• Intelligent Layout
• Zoned Control – Area based setpoints
• Combined Heating and Cooling (e.g. heat recovery from chillers)
• CHP

28. Energy Service (8.4.3)
Energy Audit
-lights
-boiler
-AHU
-Cooling
Implementation
of Energy
Savings Register
EXEED
EXEED IS NOT:
Energy Audit – See Hotel Example
Hotel Utilities
DHW
Ventilation
Light
Power
Heating
Cooling
Hotel Accommodation
Wing
Certify an Asset
EXEED IS:
Define Asset, Energy Balance, Challenge & Analyse, EED Energy Balance, Implement
Define Asset
Service
23°C
50% RH
95 Lumens
15 ACH
Inst. Hot Water
@55°C

29. Challenge and Analyse (8.4.3)
Challenge and analyse is a mindset…..
• Apply a ‘currency’ to data
quality
• Alternatives to
silicon
• Renewables
• Data Centre
Hardware – ref:
other
presentations
• Energy Storage

30. Challenge and Analyse (8.4.3)
Challenge and analyse is a mindset…
Select most efficient equipment
Correct equipment sizings
Ensure right balance of expandability versus parasitic
losses if underutilised spare capacity
Best in class cooling
design, provide cooling
at highest possible
temperature at lowest
allowable flowrate
Select
optimum
operating
environmental
conditions
Floating setpoints, optimise efficiency
based on external conditions

31. Energy Saving Register

32. Measurement and Verification
(8.4.4)
• Common Mistakes to avoid ahead of implementation
with respect to Measurement and Verification include:
• Setting EnPI’s and KPI’s that are difficult to measure
• EnPI’s based on peak plant output, plant never achieves peak.
• Selecting meters with insufficient accuracy or turndown.
• Not considering parasitic load from services
• Heat from pumps into liquid – negative impact on cooling consumption.
• Heat load from lighting into environment
• Not setting benchmarks for ‘baseload’ operation
• Potential to miss opportunity for Economy mode
• Too many meters – analysis becomes cumbersome

33. DESIGN FOR ENERGY MANAGEMENT

34. Design for Energy Management
(DfEM) (8.5.1)
• The process and controls integrated into the project design having an
objective to include provision for best practices in energy
management
• Provide a systematic approach within the design lifecycle to manage energy
consumption in operation and are intended to support the energy management
requirements of ISO 50001.
• It should broadly take place in the same timeline as DfEP.
• Energy Measurement Planning
• Energy Variables Review
• Energy Performance Deterioration

35. Design for Energy Management
(DfEM) (8.5.1)
The optimum output from DfEM is to implement in
same timeframe as challenge and analyse and ensure
outputs are captured in the ESR

36. Energy Variables (8.5.3)
What are Energy Variables?
• “quantifiable variable that impacts energy performance (3.21)”
• EXAMPLE: production parameters (production, volume, production rate), weather conditions
(outdoor temperature, degree days), operating hours, operating parameters (operational
temperature, light level)
Energy Variable Review
• Of SEUs to understand how Energy Performance affected by varying operating conditions.
• Challenge the design to ensure SEUs operate efficiently under expected or planned
variability in operating conditions.

37. Energy Performance Deterioration
(8.5.4)
Energy Performance
Deterioration
• “determine the potential for
deterioration in energy performance
during operations.
• Appropriate measurement & mitigation of this potential deterioration shall be considered
during the design stage.
• Output – Design Change, Metering, O&M procedures
• EXAMPLE: Fouling in Heat exchangers, HVAC Filters Blocking, Bearing wear etc, Lighting
Performance deterioration, Dirty Skylights- can you access easily to clean?

38. Energy Measurement Planning
(8.5.2)
Energy Measurement planning
• Defines“energy measurement and reporting requirements”
• Energy metering plan to deliver these requirements.
• Verification Requirements and Deterioration incorporated.
• Can be used to form the basis of measuring EnPI's for project
validation and tracking post project (e.g. ISO 50001
management system)

39. Energy Measurement Planning
(8.5.2)

40. (8.7) Post Completion Review / Project
Summary Report
Typical Output for the Summary Report should include:
1. Executive Summary
2. Project Description and Asset Definition
3. Performance versus PEP
4. What does the EXEED design process look like
compared to baseline?
5. List of EED OPPORTUNITIES including Opportunities
Identified and Opportunities Implemented
6. Savings Achieved/Projected
 Include impact assessment on opportunities which may
have interdependencies, or an either/or impact on other
initiatives
With appendices including:
• Final PEP
• Final EBS
• Final DfEP
• Final DfEM
• Full Energy Savings Register

41. DISCUSSION/QUESTIONS

42. LEARNINGS

43. Learnings from Projects using EED
Based on the experience to date,
there have been a number of
learnings, such as:
• If you are working on a project as an
EED Owner or EED Expert, you cannot
always ensure the process is followed
strictly.
• For example, a project may be
fast track and opportunity to
reduce energy consumption have
been missed.
• However, experience has shown
that once the process starts, there
are always opportunities to be
unlocked.
• The client usually needs to be
challenged more than the supplier!
Barriers that need to overcome to
maximise EED benefits include:
 Specifications
 Timelines
 Budgets
 Contracts
 Perceived ’Hassle’ Factor
Source: Kit Oung, Energy Management in Business
SOURCES OF ENERGY INEFFICIENCY

44. Learnings from Projects using EED
• Once the supplier understands EED, they are generally
positive – briefing them in advance of a workshop is a good
idea.
• Having a client sponsor with influence on capex is a key
criteria for success of EED in any project.
• It is important to review the register of opportunities with
the Project Manager before formal issue.
• They will ultimately be held to account for any proposed savings, so
they need to be comfortable with the calculations and assumptions
used.
• One of the key advantages EED can provide to a project is
looking at the areas surrounding the project and
determining positive and negative impacts on utility
consumption, as well as potentially larger opportunities
outside of the core project scope.

45. Learnings from Projects using EED
• Apply EED principles as early as possible to a project
 Sometimes can be difficult in practice, many projects do not get funds
approved for engineering until the business case has been made and
approved.
 By the times this happens, the URS may be ‘locked down’.
 Trying to have the principles of EED applied earlier in the project
lifecycle affords greater opportunity to significantly impact the ‘energy
service’.
• Capturing the outputs of EED from projects and applying
them to subsequent projects is key.
 By doing this, EED becomes a routine element of the project lifecycle,
in the same way as say, a Design Risk Assessment, or Hazop
• Co-ordination is key!
 Good: Applying EED to a refrigeration plant and requesting a best in
class COSP.
 Bad: Cooling distribution with high pipework pressure drops and too
tight of a temperature difference across heat exchangers.
 Result: Lost EED Opportunity

46. Learnings from Projects using EED
• Carrying out EED at any stage in a project always yields
benefits, especially on smaller projects. Even if
opportunities are missed, they can be captured and
possibly remedied on subsequent projects.
• The importance of EED in delivering improvements in plant
throughput is sometimes missed.
 Heat recovery projects, especially when applied to the main process
can also deliver reductions in heat up/cool down times.
• It is vital that the EED expert takes the time to look outside
of the boundary of the project to see if there are
‘integration’ type opportunities that could be realised by
good design.

47. DISCUSSION/QUESTIONS

48. Address: Unit 1, Churchtown
Business Park, Dublin 14
Phone: +353 1 2960022
Email: john.hanley@fdt.ie