A Case Study from a trial carried out at a popular UK Racecourse over a period of 1 month
We chose a few assets to monitor over the course of the month to be able to identify troubled areas and give an insight in to energy consumption. A high-level analysis of each asset monitored is outlined below:
Power/ Energy Monitoring
Equipment in scope – Ground Floor Kitchen Supply Fan
Sensors in scope – 3 x CT’s were placed on the Kitchen Supply Fan to monitor Amps and kWh
For the 30-day period between 06/04/2022 and 06/05/2022 the fan remained operational throughout the
duration as shown in the Amperage graph below:
Phase 2 – 328.61 kWh
Phase 3 – 309.29 kWh
For a total of 983.31 kWh
Using the website Business Electricity Prices –
https://www.businesselectricityprices.org.uk/cost-per-kWh/
The average kWh unit price for businesses in 2022 is 17.73p.
Using this figure, the monthly cost of running the fan can be estimated at 983.31 kWh x 17.73p = £175.
During this period there were three race events as indicated below on the 9th, 19th and 29th April.
The client may want to consider reviewing the operating cycle of this equipment and turning off during non-race periods to reduce operational costs and to extend the equipment operating life. There are 3 fans on this particular site so the above figures can be extrapolated to arrive at a possible monthly saving across all the fans. As this was a trial, no further energy monitoring was carried out for other higher consumption equipment. The client may want to expand the monitoring scope for a commercial installation to review operational schedules and further opportunities to reduce costs
Equipment in scope -Pump Pit
Sensors in scope – 2 x H20 Water detectors were placed in the pit No leaks were detected during the period of monitoring.
This was a risk reduction exercise due to previous flooding on the site. Such an event has a direct impact on cost, customer goodwill and impact on brand in the event that the flooding impacts a race day and as such an immediate cost/ benefit can be shown via mitigation of risk.
The best outcome of this trial was being able to demonstrate how the data from the leak detection sensors could report to our gateway even though they were placed 2 metres below ground in a reinforced steel pit. Using our high gain antenna we were able to show un-interrupted data and status.
Indoor Air Quality Monitoring
Equipment in scope – Hospitality Suite
Sensors in scope – The suite was monitored for Temperature/ Humidity/ Total Volatile Organic Compounds
(TVOC), CO, CO2, Sound and Light.
This use case was designed to provide a review of the air quality within this area. We use Well Certified thresholds as a guideline for such metrics.
These monitors can be used to review air ventilation strategies with the aim of minimising the risk of
COVID-19 transmission and demonstrate to customers that their wellbeing is important to the company.
General wellness and room comfort can also be observed with HVAC controls adjusted, if necessary, as a result of the analysis.
The data can also show possible energy saving opportunities by reducing temperature/ airflow during periods of non-use.
During the monitoring period, general room comfort was within set thresholds for temperature and humidity, however humidity was relatively low during race days and temperature remained in the 20-25 centigrade range for a sustained period. The client may want to consider reducing the temperature during days of non-use to reduce the energy costs.
CO2 build up is also to be expected during these times. Although the peaks are above recommended levels this is not sustained. However, the client may want to increase fresh air flow during busy race days to increase room comfort and as a preventative measure for COVID-19 spread. CO is within set thresholds however there is a definitive increase in CO following the race event on the 9th so this may warrant further investigation. PM2.5 Levels were well within recommended thresholds during the monitoring period:
Hot Water Services
Both HWS were running consistently below the recommended threshold of 50 degrees for legionella prevention which is a risk to the company.
Although the services are not used on a consistent basis, during the race events the water was still not reaching recommended threshold temps. It is recommended that the system be drained and flushed through if the water temp is below these levels between race events.
Refrigerant Pressures
This use case is designed to minimise the risk of refrigerant leaks which can be costly and exposes the company to government environmental fines. We do this by providing an early warning alert in the event of pressure drops.
No leaks were detected during the monitoring period and pressure readings were within the recommended thresholds
