Rocky Mountain Energy Services (RMES) is a building automation company that specializes in load-based control strategies to optimize energy usage. RMES designs, installs, and programs building automation systems using KMC Controls products. They focus on fully utilizing control system data and implementing control strategies based on actual building load rather than outside air temperature alone. Example load-based control strategies presented for boilers, chillers, air handling units, and VAV boxes are aimed at reducing energy usage while maintaining occupant comfort. Case studies on past projects demonstrated energy savings of 20-47% through control optimization and retrofits.

1. Ennovate Corporation
10/2/12
Load Based Control
Jeff Lucas, C.E.M
Rocky Mountain Energy Services

2. Building Automation Gone Wrong

3. Agenda
About RMES
Product Offerings
What We Do
Core Beliefs and Objectives
What We Do Different
Example Load Based Controls Strategies
Example Projects

4. About Rocky Mountain Energy Services
• Founded in 2006
• Based out of Centennial
• 12 full time and 2 part time employees
• More than 125 years of combined experience
• Factory authorized KMC Controls dealer
• Niagara Integrator

5. www.kmccontrols.com
Product Offerings
KMC Controls
 Started in the controls business in 1955
 Make building automation components including valves
and actuators
 Made in the USA
 BACnet open protocol
 Web services are supported
 All products carry 5 year warranty
 RMES is not the only Denver dealer
Niagara Integration
 Allowsintegration to many legacy protocols
 Web access to protocols other than BACnet

6. What We Do
Building automation systems design and
installation
Existing building retro-fits
Project specification and design consulting
VFD installation
Lighting upgrades
Systems integration
Energy auditing
Building automation system commissioning
Retro-commissioning
Third party M&V

7. Core Beliefs and Objectives
Optimization of control systems from installation
Full utilization of control system data
Document everything
Avoid system lockdown. This allows our customers
to choose to do business with us
Quality before profit
100% perfect start-ups
Customer service is key to our success

8. What We Do Different
We don’t leave until it works
Fully document system checkout
24/7 system monitoring free for 1 year
Extensive documentation
Employee training
Profit sharing
Attention to detail
Fixed markups
Open book pricing available
We leave our systems open
Postmortem meetings

9. Load Based Control

10. Typical Boiler Control Sequence
IF OAT < 57 THEN OAT
OAT
START BOILER SYSTEM
ENDIF
IF OAT > 60 THEN
STOP BOILER SYSTEM
ENDIF HVAC
HVAC
Building Load
Building Load

11. Load Based Boiler Control Sequence
OAT used only as a check. OAT
OAT
HVAC
HVAC
Control is based on
building load. Use only
what is needed.
Building Load
Building Load

12. Example Control Strategies (Boiler)
 Boiler enable
 Enable boiler plant when average space heat PIDs > 20%
 OAT < 50º
 Boiler supply reset (example condensing boiler)
 VAV heat PID loop reset schedule (0% = 90º , 100% = 180º)
 ∆ T reset schedule (design min ∆ T = 90º , max ∆ T = 180º)
 OAT reset schedule ( 60º OAT = 90º , 10º OAT = 180º)
 Average all three resets for final setpoint
 Disable boiler plant when building is unoccupied and OAT > 37º
 Continue running pumps for 30 min after shutdown
 Predictive weather data

13. Example Control Strategies (Chiller)
 Chiller enable
 Enable chiller plant when average space cooling PIDs > 20%
 Average economizer position > 85% for 30 minutes
 OAT > 57º
 Chilled water supply reset
 VAV cooling PID loop reset schedule (0% = 52º ,100% = 42º)
 Average CHWV position reset schedule(0% = 52º ,100% = 42º)
 OAT reset schedule ( 57º OAT = 52º , 90º OAT = 42º)
 Average all three resets for final setpoint
 Condenser water reset
 Condenser water pump speed
 Flatplate HX changeover
 Real time KW per ton

14. Example Chiller Control Strategies
Chiller staging

15. Example Control Strategies (AHU RTU)
 Supply air reset
 VAV cooling PID loop reset schedule (0% = 67º , 100% = 55º)
 Duct static reset
 VAV damper position
 VAV CFM setpoint error
 Economizer modulates to maintain supply air reset + fan gain
 Economizer enabled if OAT < RAT
 Never allow simultaneous heating and cooling
 HWV controls to SAT SP – 3º
 When unoccupied modulate hot water valve to maintain 42º
mixed air temperature
 Control return fan off pressure
 Demand based ventilation
 Morning warm-up, optimum start/stop

16. Example Control Strategies (VAV)
 Allowoccupant adjustment limited to 4º
 Close re-heat valve when unoccupied and OAT > 37º
 Open re-heat valve 30% when unoccupied and OAT < 35º
 Schedule VAVs in zones and close when possible

17. Example Control Strategies (Demand
Limiting)
 #1 Goal is to have a low impact on occupant comfort
 Shed loads in stages based on a PID
 Setpoint changes monthly based on baseline
 First step shed non-necessary equipment like exhaust fans
 Second step slow down fans
 Third step slow pumps
 Fourth step begin shedding cooling loads
 Fifth step begin turning off fans

18. How Much Energy Will Be Saved?
6 projects saw a 20%-32% savings programming
only
4 projects saw a 27%-47% saving with VFD
retrofits

19. Example Projects
 Lockheed Martin Deer Creek
– A partial energy audit was performed on this building in 2010.
The building is 750,000 sq ft. Rocky Mountain Energy Services
implemented several energy saving measures. Details of this
project are confidential. 4.75 month payback on $150,000
 Elizabeth High School
– A full energy audit was performed on this school in 2008.
Several energy saving opportunities were identified. Rocky
Mountain Energy Services implemented several energy saving
measures. 4 month payback. Energy use down 32%

20. Example Projects (full DDC Conversions)
 6860 Yosemite Street
– A full energy audit was performed on this building in 2010.
Rocky Mountain Energy Services determined that a new DDC
system needed to be installed. The system was installed,
programmed and commissioned by Rocky Mountain Energy
Services. Customer is on target to realize a 2.75 year ROI.
 Singing Hills Elementary
– A full energy audit was performed on this school in 2009.
Rocky Mountain Energy Services determined that a new DDC
system needed to be installed. The system was installed,
programmed and commissioned by Rocky Mountain Energy
Services. Customer is on target to realize a 3.4 year ROI.

21. Installation Pictures

22. Training

23. Warehouse

24. Control Panel Building

25. Example AHU Graphic

26. Example Floor Plan Graphic

27. Questions?
Thank You!