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Pitch

A real time EER/COP monitoring supplement to Split ACs/large air-conditioning systems that greatly impacts energy efficient use of ACs.


Description

Summary

cBalance Solutions along with its partner Panasia engineers aims to create a real time EER / COP monitoring supplement to Split ACs / large air-conditioning systems, a monitoring system that will greatly impact the field of preventative maintenance of ACs to keep them functioning at the rated EER. This will be achieved through real-time measurement of delivered cooling from the evaporator and condenser side of HVAC systems along with energy consumed by compressors and other ancillary equipment. Use of appropriate emissions factors in the computing algorithm will enable estimation of indirect Scope 2 GHG emissions.

The technology will enable MRV of life-cycle GHG (direct and indirect) emissions of ACs to highlight the relative lower GHG emissions of natural refrigerant ACs by calculation total energy used during operations (to deliver a specific cooling tonnage) and real-time refrigerant leakage during operation. The direct GHG emissions will established through pressure measurements of refrigerant coil to establish total mass of refrigerant on a real-time basis to thereby allow estimation of refrigerant leakage and hence direct Scope 1 GHG emissions.

Conventional f-gas refrigerants (HFCs and HCFCs) are being phased down through the MLF provision of the Montreal Protocol and are expected to be gradually replaced with alternate Natural Refrigerant ACs using Hydrocarbons, Ammonia, CO2, Water etc. over time. These are known to reduce life-cycle GHG emissions from HVAC systems due to their often higher refrigeration cycle COPs or at least lower fugitive emissions stemming from their near-zero GWPs. However, scarcity of data (historic or real-time) related to direct GHG emissions of conventional ACs in developing countries prevents MRV-compliant estimation of GHG mitigation from these alternate technologies. This technology seeks to address these lacunae of MRV to enhance uptake of these technologies as a legitimate mechanism for meeting low-carbon development goals.


Which proposals are included in your plan and how do they fit together?

cBalance Solutions is running a 3-year programme  called FAIRCONDITIONING which aims to promote energy efficient cooling technologies in India. This project will be a part of the FAIRCONDITIONING programme. In this programme cBalance Solutions sensitizes HVAC consultants, Architectures and consumers about the energy efficient and sustainable cooling technologies through training programmes, workshops, building energy modelling software training, site visit for performance demonstration of installed energy efficient cooling technologies. Fairconditioning programmes is also up-lifting the energy efficient cooling technologies through connecting manufacturer with consumers to adopt and consider the energy efficient cooling technologies by commercial, industrial and retail consumers for current needs and future projects.

cBalance Solutions and Panasia Engineers have already tested the basic concept of data acquisition and broadcast to cell phones via Wi-Fi using a different set of data. The way forward for our project is to identify the new instrumentation required and to develop the appropriate algorithm to interpret the data and to send the appropriate message. We also anticipate the need to modify some of the basic input circuits to in our basic model to expect the new sensors.

cBalance Solutions and Panasia Engineers will conduct research on existing monitoring technologies and how these technologies can be improved, design the technology, manufacture and fabricate the prototype unit and run field trials on split and custom designed centralized air-conditioning systems in an adequate scale in buildings accessible to interested parties, modify design & fabrication based on outcomes.

The project team will consist of 7 professionals – 2 project managers, 4 project assistants and 1 finance officer. The technical operations will be handled by cBalance Solutions and Panasia Engineers jointly. cBalance Solutions will be responsible for maintaining budget and records related to all financial transactions of the project. The budget allocation will be based on predefined monthly project plan. Project team will participate in review meeting on a weekly basis to discuss the development and further actions based on project plan. Each weekly review will be documented and a consolidated development report will be prepared on a monthly basis to send across all stakeholders of the project. cBalance Solutions will coordinate with the national and international organisations, such as AEEE, ISHRAE, CSE, IGBC, IIHS etc., to enhance the research and knowledge base related to RAC sector.

these actions will be taken by: 

  • cBalance along with Panasia Engineers
  • Any residential society or commercial entity interested in a real time EEP/COP monitor for their respective HVAC systems.
  • HVAC Consultants, Energy Auditors, and Sustainable Architecture firms can also aid their client’s energy and GHG conservation goals through this technology.


Explanation of the emissions scenario calculated in the Impact tab

The objective of this project is to assist users to check the contracted energy efficiency. Any reduction in performance will be relayed in real time so remedial measures could be taken immediately thus limiting the admission of excess GHG emissions. And monitoring of refrigerant leakage will reduce Scope 1 GHG emissions.


What are the plan’s key benefits?

  • Awareness about EER/COP of an Air-conditioning system among consumers
  • Keep air-conditioning systems functioning at their rated EER
  • MRV-compliant estimation of GHG mitigation from these alternative green cooling technologies.
  • Reducing energy consumption and thereby GHG emissions by adopting green cooling technologies.
  • Reducing refrigerant consumption by estimation of refrigerant leakages.


What are the plan’s costs?

Total Estimated Cost 4,000,000 INR for first 500 units.

Note: Cost of infrastructure resources like space, people and working capital are not included and con not be predicted at the moment.


What are the key challenges to enacting this plan?

Scarcity of data (historic or real-time) related to direct GHG emissions of conventional ACs in developing countries prevents MRV-compliant estimation of GHG mitigation from these alternate technologies. This technology seeks to address these lacunae of MRV to enhance uptake of these technologies as a legitimate mechanism for meeting low-carbon development goals.


Timeline

The technical operations will be handled by cBalance Solutions and Panasia Engineers jointly will accomplish the project in a duration of 12 months.


Related plans


References