One Galle Face commissions world’s leading energy efficient chillers

• Makes positive contribution towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions 
• Deploys largest oil-free magnetic bearing air conditioning technology from SMARDT via ECO33

Operating the One Galle Face mall cost effectively, even at low loads was a primary requirement of the Shangri-La. The slightest decrease in chiller performance can have a major impact on energy efficiency, especially when procuring capital goods such as chillers that need to operate for the next 20 years. With energy efficient technology electricity demand is minimal thus reducing the burden on energy supply – this will greatly assist the national climate goals of Sri Lanka.

Colombo’s first prestigious shopping development, and a premier retail, entertainment and dining paradise to unite local and global shoppers, from the outset One Galle Face was designed to offer a fusion of clear sight lines, ease of access and an environment rendered in high quality materials. Offering the globe’s best known and best-loved names with optimal display and foot traffic opportunities, it ensured that visitors were engaged and satisfied with an experience unlike anything else in Colombo.

ECO33 introduced the SMARDT magnetic bearing chiller as the first magnetic bearing technology to enter into the Sri Lankan market in 2014. It is the first choice for energy conservation, environment and sustainability consultants/engineers. These units are acclimatised for local conditions, ideal for customers going for LEED or green building ratings. Units can be customised to overcome restrictions on access and movement. ECO33 has installed over 30 units (82 compressors) in Sri Lanka. Its engineers are trained and certified by SMARDT, according to ECO33 Chairman Dammica Wickramaratne.

HVAC systems used in buildings consume about 50 to 60% of total energy. Buildings are the main power consumers and is the largest consumer in a property.

“Post-COVID, Sri Lankan businesses will have to look at cost reductions from inefficient usage of energy. The only way for present market challengers to stay afloat is for properties to operate energy efficiently on a sustainable pattern, and to compete in the ‘new normal’,” Dammica added.

He said Shangri-La showed great foresight in choosing an efficient technology, so as to optimise energy usage and contribute to national climate action goals. It installed the largest magnetic bearing chiller technology in Sri Lanka 1600TRx1+1200TRx3.

“These machines automatically adjust the speed to match the load. These chillers will work at a higher level of efficiency. What this means in layman’s terms is that for lesser power you will have the same work done,” said ECO 33 Director and CEO Rukshan Sheriff.

All SMARDT chillers, whether water-cooled or air-cooled, are designed to optimise the performance of oil-free centrifugal compressors from Danfoss Turbocor Compressors Inc. They use oil-free magnetic bearings and variable-speed drives to deliver better IPLV efficiencies than conventional oil-lubricated centrifugal, reciprocating, scroll and screw compressors. They are also high speed – up to 48,000 rpm – very compact, very quiet, rugged and reliable. Power factor is a high .92. Proprietary magnetic bearings replace conventional oil-lubricated bearings, eliminating high friction losses, mechanical wear and high-maintenance oil management systems, to deliver energy savings of 35% and more over conventional chillers, all while ensuring long-term reliability. Over 90,000 magnetic bearing machines are operating in the field, mainly in high-end vacuum pumps and CNC spindles – any innovation risk with this component technology has been long overcome. Turbocor’s one main moving part (rotor shaft and impellers) is levitated during rotation by a digitally controlled magnetic bearing system. Position sensors at each magnetic bearing provide real-time feedback to the bearing control system, 120 times each revolution, ensuring constantly centred rotation.

Algorithms used in all SMARDT chiller controllers further enhance the intelligence built into the compressor – achieving further efficiencies across each compressor’s operating map, and further, optimising each compressor’s intrinsic part-load efficiencies in delivering integrated chiller efficiencies that are currently unmatched. 

SMARDT, headquartered in Canada, has manufacturing plants in Canada, USA, Germany, China and Australia, and has installed over 8,000 units worldwide.

ECO33 incorporated in Sri Lanka in 2014, with its corporate office in Australia, and is one of two companies established by award-winning entrepreneur Dammica Wickramaratne. ECO33 continues to lead the Energy conservation sector beyond the shores of Sri Lanka, with game-changing business models suitable for today’s and tomorrow’s business/economy contributing over 29 million kWh of savings (20,356,091 kg CO2 equivalent savings for the environment). The company also received a National energy savings award from “Energy Globe – Austria,’ presented by Kofi Annan, Martin Sheen, and Mikhail Gorbachev in 2018/9.

ECO33 and SMARDT representatives with Senior Project teams of Shangri-La, JSI and CHEC