{"id":5616,"date":"2020-08-11T15:56:54","date_gmt":"2020-08-11T15:56:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.star-ref.co.uk\/?post_type=smart_thinking&p=5616"},"modified":"2024-04-09T14:30:16","modified_gmt":"2024-04-09T14:30:16","slug":"data-collection-for-refrigeration-performance-optimisation","status":"publish","type":"smart_thinking","link":"https:\/\/www.star-ref.co.uk\/smart-thinking\/data-collection-for-refrigeration-performance-optimisation\/","title":{"rendered":"Data Collection, Analysis and Reporting in Refrigeration Plant Performance Optimisation"},"content":{"rendered":"
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This article describes recent work completed in the area of refrigeration plant performance optimisation, exploring the benefits and limitations of different data collection systems and the challenges of data analysis.<\/p>\n

The past two decades have seen a growing global commitment to reduce electrical energy consumption at all levels – governmental, corporate and personal. Given the energy intensity of many industrial sectors, this is vital in terms of the challenges associated with climate change and generally makes good business sense.<\/p>\n

In some sectors of the refrigeration industry, such as cold storage and distribution, the cooling system accounts for 70-80% of a temperature controlled facility\u2019s energy bill. Lowering energy consumption is a top priority for end users, driven by environmental commitment and a desire to make energy savings to cut operating costs. This in turn has been the key driver for many efficiency innovations in refrigeration plant manufacture, including those associated with system configuration, component design and control strategy.<\/p>\n

Despite these innovations in plant design, it remains the case that in time, the majority of refrigeration systems do not continue to run as efficiently as the manufacturers intended. An aging system may be operating far from optimal design parameters due to failed components or poor maintenance. Past studies (Carbon Trust, 2007) and present experience indicate that efficiency improvements of 10-30% can be anticipated in systems that have not been recently optimised for operation.<\/p>\n

This operational inefficiency is generally associated with a lack of information, knowledge and incentive to improve the situation. Site managers may lack the technical understanding to challenge the prevailing condition and explore energy saving opportunities. In addition, plant operators and engineering staff may lack the system designer\u2019s insight on optimised operation and an understanding of the impact operational changes can make. Access to relevant data and a lack of time to undertake a meaningful assessment of plant performance may also be a barrier.<\/p>\n

Recent advances in data monitoring technology, computer modelling software and network connectivity are helping to overcome these barriers. Plant performance data can now be continuously and automatically collected, analysed off-site and the results delivered to specified personnel, with recommendations clearly explained in an appropriate \u2018technical language.\u2019 Effective data analysis enables engineers to optimise refrigeration plant performance and maximise system efficiency, reducing energy consumption and running costs.<\/p>\n

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Other opportunities and benefits of data analysis include:-\u2022 Capital Investment justification \/ payback calculation<\/p>\n