When Maximum Efficiency is Required
Incorporating Modular in Your Project
Whether you’re trying to achieve ZNE, planning a “standard” build, or have efficiency requirements somewhere in between, a modular utility system can help your project attain the desired level of efficiency and provide many other benefits.
Modular systems can include geothermal, cogeneration/trigeneration or anything else you might want. The key is to incorporate modular in your plans from the beginning. That way the system can be designed to take advantage of all possible efficiencies.
You also want to make sure to choose an experienced manufacturer with a proven track record of innovation and successful projects. You want a manufacturer that will work with you to provide the most efficient and advanced utility solution for your project needs.
Find out more about Systecon and the benefits of a Systecon modular system.
*More information about Bristol Community College John J. Sbrega Health and Science Building
Awards & Recognition -
- LEED Platinum
- MA DOER Leading by Example Award, 2014
- ASHRAE Region 1 Award for Engineering Excellence, 2014
- NACUBO Innovation Award, 2015
- MA DOER Renewable Energy Grant, 2015
- MA DOER Pathways to Zero Grant, 2015
- Community College Futures Assembly Bellwether Award Finalist, 2015
- I2SL Go Beyond Award, 2016
- AIA COTE Top Ten, 2017
Articles - An internet search will provide pages of results related to this project. Below is a small sample. (Check out the photo on print page 9)
- HPB Magazine (Check out the photo on print page 9)
- Architect Magazine
- NESEA
- AIA
- Glass Magazine
- Building, Design, + Construction
- School Construction News
Why Include Modular
There are many reasons why a modular system (specifically from Systecon) was included as part of the BCC project. Everything about a modular central plant - from its design, assembly and testing - can maximize the efficiency of the system.
“Systecon is an excellent design partner with a perfect track record of designing systems like this. For this project, their ability to build the heat pump system in parallel to the construction of the building was imperative. The pump skid arrived commissioned and tested, with fully automated building controls in place.” – Anthony Petone, PE, LEED AP
Principal, Bard, Rao + Athanas Consulting Engineers, LLC (BR+A)
At Systecon, we work with project owners/consulting engineers to custom design a modular system that meets their project requirements. Our OEM relationships add another layer of customization, allowing customers to select the component brands and models that best fit their project.
Modular systems are factory-built, so they can be built in parallel to the building construction. Factory building also provides the opportunity for factory testing.
Systecon’s in-house flow test stand allows systems be tested/UL certified before delivery to the job site. This allows any issues to be addressed before the system leaves the factory, ensuring efficient system operation, system control verification and validation, and provides a performance guarantee.
For BCC, Systecon provided a custom, modular geothermal heat pump system that could incorporate ground source and air source heat pumps. The system underwent a witnessed flow test in the factory to ensure guaranteed performance:
Chilled Water
25% 94 GPM 1.8 Max kW
50% 187 GPM 3.3 Max kW
75% 280 GPM 6.3 Max kW
100% 375 GPM 11.5 Max kW
Geothermal Water
25% 114 GPM 3.0 Max kW
50% 228 GPM 7.1 Max kW
75% 341 GPM 16.3 Max kW
100% 455 GPM 32.1 Max kW
When Maximum Efficiency is Required
Think modular utility systems will limit the level of efficiency that your project can achieve? It’s actually quite the opposite.
Engineers and designers of the most innovative projects, pushing the boundaries of energy efficiency, include modular pumping systems and modular chiller plants in their plans to attain maximum efficiency.
Case in Point
You’ve probably read or heard about the Bristol Community College (BCC) John J. Sbrega Health and Science Building. The project has received numerous awards and recognition for its energy efficient design.* It’s LEED Platinum and designed to achieve Zero Net Energy (ZNE), meaning it should generate at least as much energy as it uses. This is an impressive feat, even more so because the building is in the difficult climate of the Northeast (zone 5) and includes many energy-consuming instructional labs.
The level of efficiency achieved with this project is the result of an integrated, comprehensive design that addresses every aspect of the building’s systems. The design included such things as a green roof, domestic hot water from solar, enthalpy wheel heat recovery, high-performance envelope and a combination of air-source/ground-source heat pumps in a modular geothermal heat pump system.
