Priva eliminates boilers and chillers in new headquarters

18 March, 2007

A true representation of the Priva organisation — managing director Meiny Prins’s on the new headquarters building in The Netherlands, which does not have boiler or chiller plant.

Priva Building Intelligence has eliminated the need for boilers and chillers in its new headquarters in The Netherlands by integrating an underground thermal storage system (UTES) into the design for the 8200 m2 building. Previous installations have shown that such a system can reduce energy costs by 40 to 80%. There are separate cold and warm wells that can supply up to 437 kW of heating and up to 465 kW of cooling. Heating and cooling can be supplied at the same time, and the system can respond quickly in response to weather conditions. Arnood Rook of Priva explains, ‘Experience has shown that temperatures of 80 to 90°C are achievable in the warm well, with low-temperature heat storage at 40 to 45°C. The introduction of the UTES system has meant that the new Priva building can operate perfectly efficiently without the need for boilers or chillers.’ The building and its systems performed well last summer — the hottest in recorded history for The Netherlands. Managing director Meiny Prins says, ‘While outside temperatures were rising to record levels, the internal temperature remained at a comfortable 24°C. This was achieved using chilled ceiling beams supplied with cold water from the UTES system.’ The services are managed by a Priva building-management system, which also manages the natural ventilation in the atrium. It is based on greenhouse technology, of which Priva has extensive experience, and opens skylights to match internal cooling requirements. ‘The building is a true representation of the Priva organisation — open, flexible and innovative,’ summarises Meiny Prins.

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