Cooling innovation scores at Ecobuild
UK: Cooling technologies are well represented in a special new product presentation at the forthcoming Ecobuild exhibition at ExCel in London.
The CBES Mistral Air refrigeration system and Artus hybrid fan coil, developed by Airedale International and ARUP, are amongst the five finalists in the Ecobuild and M&S Big Innovation Pitch 2017.
The Big Innovation Pitch is designed to identify innovations across the sustainable design, construction and energy sectors. Now in its third year, the initiative stems from M&S’ Plan A commitment, which aims to to help protect the planet with responsible sourcing, reduced waste and community support.
The winner of the award will be decided during Ecobuild 2017, 7-9 March at ExCel London.
Due to launch in July 2017, the Artus hybrid fan coil unit is said to combine the flexibility of traditional fan coil units with the low-energy usage of chilled beams, at a cost, comparable with FCUs.
The hybrid promises to solve the biggest complaints in comfort cooling, including; energy efficiency, draughts and dead spots, space claim of secondary ductwork, unit footprint, cluttered ceiling void services, and restrictive access for maintenance and installation.
The Mistral Air system for CBES is a new concept in retail refrigeration using ducted cold air. As such it does not require drainage on the sales floor and is claimed to be more efficient than standard technology. The number of working parts has been reduced, and all engineering parts have been removed from the shop floor refrigeration cases and relocated to the roof. Basically a cold shelf, it reduces running and maintenance costs, is more sustainable and removes the requirement for engineering works to be carried out in stores.
Commenting on the shortlisted finalists, Imogen Cust, M&S’ engineering R&D manager, property and facilities, said: “It was great to see UK inventors and UK-manufactured products solving problems which have the potential to address the energy challenge across the wider construction industry, as well as help us meet our ambitious targets.”
