World News

Industry news and insights from Europe and around the World

UK News

Latest news and developments in the United Kingdom

Products

Keep up-to-date with the latest new products and technology

Features

General articles, applications and industry analysis

Climaventa has sustainability in the bag

URUGUAY: Climaveneta chillers and AHUs are supplying the perfect environmental conditions to a new shopping centre in Las Piedras, Uruguay, a country where 97% of the total electricity comes from renewable sources.

The Las Piedras shopping mall was created to serve the rapidly growing city in the Canelones region. The 38,000m² mall comprises 100 shops, five movie theatres, a superstore and a large food court with 12 different restaurants. The building is on three levels, the underground level is dedicated to parking, the other two are for commercial and recreational activities.

Uruguay is a country of almost 3.5 million inhabitants that has no oil reserves and that until just over 10 years ago imported oil from neighbouring countries. Thanks to the green energy policy launched in 2000, the country now produces 97% of its total electricity requirement from renewable sources: solar, hydroelectric, wind, and biomass.

Sustainability and respect for the environment were the cornerstones for the design of the new building. Great importance was given to lighting, with large use of windows and therefore natural light, flanked by artificial LED lighting. The centre’s air conditioning and ventilation system has also been designed and implemented with a strong focus on energy efficiency.

The air conditioning of the shopping centre is based on a centralised system with water-cooled liquid chillers that provide the various commercial premises and air-handling units that serve all the common areas.

To reduce energy consumption, while guaranteeing maximum reliability and internal comfort for customers and staff, high efficiency Climaveneta units were selected. This comprised three FOCS2-W/CA water-cooled liquid chillers, in a high efficiency version, with a total cooling capacity of 3,417kW. These units are connected to cooling towers.

Engineer Louis Lagormarsino, who designed the mechanical plant, said: “We decided to install water-cooled chillers in the mall because in this project the operating cost was very important and keeping chillers with cooling towers positively impacted the costs related to electric consumption.”

To optimise the energy performance of the building, a free-cooling system was also set up to exploit the favourable temperatures of the outdoor air to support the air conditioning system. The air treatment is carried out by 10 WIZARD-TA-7500 CA air handling units, with a total air flow rate of 244.035m³/h.

Latest News

28th March 2024

Copeland releases 50hp scroll in Asia

CHINA: US compressor manufacturer Copeland is to launch a 50hp scroll for heat pump OEMs in Asia.
27th March 2024

Daikin redesigns Perfera R32 air conditioner

BELGIUM: Daikin Europe has announced a next generation All Seasons Perfera R32 air conditioner with redesigned indoor and outdoor units, making them easy to install and use.
27th March 2024

Press fittings go large

UK: Conex Bänninger has expanded its >B< MaxiPro range of press fittings with the addition of a 1⅝in fitting.
27th March 2024

Distilling the zero carbon benefits of heat pumps

IRELAND: An Irish distiller is now producing carbon neutral whiskeys following the installation of high temperature heat pumps from Finnish manufacturer Oilon.
27th March 2024

Daikin acquires Danish distributor

DENMARK: Daikin has acquired its Danish HVAC distributor BKF-Klima A/S from Swedish refrigeration and air conditioning wholesaler Beijer Ref.
26th March 2024

Low carbon specialist moves to new premises

UK: Strong growth has prompted Hull-based BREng, the building services company specialising in low-carbon air conditioning and heat pump projects, to move to new offices in the city centre.