Smart-ready service C-2a · Cooling
Generator control for cooling
In short
- 1This page covers the regulation of the chiller, a smart-ready service within the cooling domain.
- 2It concerns how well a cooling machine or chiller adjusts its capacity to the demand in the building.
- 3The service has four functionality levels, ranging from simple on/off switching to control that also responds to electricity grid signals.
The levels
Level 0
On/Off-control of cooling production
Level 1
Multi-stage control of cooling production capacity depending on the load or demand (e.g. on/off of several compressors)
Level 2
Variable control of cooling production capacity depending on the load or demand (e.g. hot gas bypass, inverter frequency control)
Level 3
Variable control of cooling production capacity depending on the load AND external signals from grid
What is chiller control?
The chiller is the equipment that produces cooling for a building's air conditioning system, for example a chiller or refrigeration machine. Within the Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI), it is assessed how well this equipment can match its capacity to actual demand. This service falls under code C-2a and is part of the cooling domain.
The service counts towards method A, the simplified assessment method of the SRI. Method A uses a limited selection of smart-ready services to provide a representative estimate of building intelligence.
What functionality levels are there?
The SRI methodology distinguishes four functionality levels for this service, numbered 0 to 3. Each level represents a step in how well cooling production adapts to demand.
- Level 0: on/off control of cooling production, without intermediate steps.
- Level 1: stepped control of production capacity, for example by switching multiple compressors on or off individually.
- Level 2: variable control of production capacity, for example using hot gas bypass or frequency control via an inverter.
- Level 3: variable control that responds not only to the load within the building but also to external electricity grid signals.
Why does this count towards the SRI score?
A chiller that can adjust its capacity continuously typically consumes less energy than a system that only switches on or off. This aligns with the impact criteria of the SRI, which include energy efficiency and the ability to respond to user needs.
Level 3 goes a step further: it links control to signals from outside the building. This matches the impact criterion that examines the ability to adapt to the electricity grid, for example when renewable energy supply varies.
Relevant for these building types
Next step
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