Siemens' intelligent infrastructure pays off

After installing the Siemens Demand Flow energy optimisation system, Robina Hospital on the Gold Coast in Queensland is already exceeding targets and is now on track to save enough electricity in its first 12 months to run MCG light towers for a year.

The upgrade is the first Australian installation of Demand Flow, part of Siemens’ intelligent infrastructure solutions, which uses variable pressure curve technology that optimises chiller plant control systems to reduce total plant energy consumption of between 20 and 50%.

The hospital has reported a 24% reduction in total consumption of the chiller plant, reducing energy consumption by 367,154 kWh, more than 65% ahead of the set target for the period (221,314 kWh).

According to the hospital, the first month saw an overall 7.04% reduction in total energy consumption for the hospital.

Gold Coast Health Senior Director Operational Support Services Nigel Hoy said the health service was delighted by the initial savings delivered by Siemens.

“We were looking for ways to reduce the hospital’s energy consumption and were impressed by the results Demand Flow had achieved in hospitals around the world,” said Hoy.

“In addition to significant energy savings, the work Siemens carried out at Robina provided the opportunity for us to consolidate chilled water infrastructure from three separate chilled water plants into one. This has resulted in a reduction to the ongoing maintenance requirements and costs for the facility.”

Siemens Executive General Manager Building Technologies Stefan Schwab said the upgrade is well on track to achieve the annual target of reducing energy usage by 792,091 kWh, and the resultant $95,051 cost saving.

“Given that we have already achieved 367,154 (46.35%) of the annual guarantee figure of 792,091 kWh in just four months, we are confident of hitting the guaranteed payback period of 3.3 years in an even shorter period,” said Schwab.

“Demand Flow is one of the most innovative examples of Siemens energy optimisation I have seen. It’s the latest example of how Siemens harnesses innovation to provide lowest total cost of ownership,” he added.

Image caption: Gold Coast Health Maintenance Coordinator Barry Walker, Senior Director Infrastructure and Support Services Nigel Hoy and Building Engineering and Maintenance Manager Shane Berryman. Image courtesy of Siemens.