Raising the stakes in energy efficiency

UK: Everyone was a winner in a three-horse race to supply coldrooms and cellar coolers to the new Princess Royal Grandstand at Cheltenham Racecourse.

Named after, and opened by, HRH Princess Anne at the end of last year, the new grandstand was part of a £45m redevelopment of the world famous racecourse.

The new grandstand boasts multiple banqueting suites, dining rooms and function rooms. The building spans across six levels serviced by a total of 15 cold rooms and seven cellar coolers, including a champagne bar on the first floor named after the horse Big Buck’s. One particular hospitality suite, The Royal Box, even has its own designated cold room.

Leicester-based Celltherm Coldrooms originally won the contract through its ability to build a fully cam-locked room incorporating a passer system on each wall panel to provide a tight fitting cell for energy saving. Following the success of phase one of the project in 2014, Celltherm was approached to supply all of the coldrooms and cellar cooling for phase two. Installation was carried out by the company’s experienced installation team with regards to delivery, installation of pipe routes, positioning of remote condensing units.

Celltherm Coldrooms began work on the project in Spring 2015 and consulted its long-term partner, Climate Center, to supply 22 Danfoss Optyma Plus condensing units.

Having been a Danfoss user for many years, Alan Wood of Celltherm Coldrooms said: “When the MK 2 range launched it was an obvious choice for us to change over because it gives better energy savings and less refrigerant gas in the system – especially for prestige installations such as this.

“When we were first approached to supply a series of condensing units that would meet this spec, the obvious partner was Climate Center as we have used them for many years and the service and technical knowledge we received on this project was a tremendous help in achieving the correct units and pipe sizes for challenging pipe runs totalling approx. 3.5km.”

The Optyma condensing units combine energy-efficient and low-noise scroll compressors with microchannel condensers and intelligent electronic controllers.

“Since the legislation changes we have seen sales for this product increase more than 10%, and are projecting the same level of growth next year,” said Danfoss account manager John Smerdon. “On average Optyma new gen units can provide 30% less refrigeration charge, 50% less running time of the crankcase heater and an overall 15-20% reduction in power consumption,” he maintained.

“Since the revision of the F-gas legislation more companies are approaching us for the latest technology and enhanced electronic products specifically designed to help them comply,” commented Zachary Wynne, Climate Center’s north and central regional sales manager. “The solution from Danfoss was perfect for this application as it will provide the company with significant energy savings as well.”