+46-8-514 306 76 info@smartbalancing.com

ENERGY SAVING & INCREASED COMFORT

HYDRONIC BALANCING OF HEATING & COOLING SYSTEMS

This is how you detect systems out of balance

 

  • It takes a long time before all rooms reach the correct temperature when starting up after night or weekend lowering.

  • Energy consumption becomes abnormally high.

  • Tenants complain that it is too hot or cold.

 

Guideline values for energy saving

Depending on the status of the system, energy use can be reduced by 10 – 30%

Heating system: 10 – 15%

Cooling system: 15 – 20%

A degree above 20 C increases the heating cost by 5 – 8 %

A degree below 23 C increases the cooling cost by 15 – 20%

 

 

 

 

Energy saving project

In February 2008, the Swedish property owner SABO started an initiative with a focus on reducing energy consumption by 20% during the period 2008 – 2016.

For the entire period 2008 – 2016, the 105 property companies with approximately 400,000 apartments reduced consumption from 153 kWh per square meter & year to 127 kWh per square meter & year, approximately 17%.

 

A total of 4.7 TWh of energy was saved over the nine years.

The end result was a saving of 0.84 TWh per year, (839 GWh per year) i.e. over SEK 800 million per year.

A total of approximately 8.1 TWh up to today, which corresponds to a saving of approximately SEK 8 billion.

 

 

 

 

 

The companies have listed their most profitable measures;

Commissioning the heating and ventilation system, and lowering the average temperature over the property

Install heat pumps

Adjust operating times and control of fans

Recovery of ventilation heat

Additional insulation, walls, attic & roof

Electricity efficiency, lighting, laundries, etc

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property portfolio

The energy savings of a property portfolio depends on a number of conditions, for example the current status (kWh/m2, year), the price of energy and the extent of the reduction. The diagram gives an approximate picture of what can be achieved in terms of annual savings.

At an energy price: 0.1 € / kWh

Property portfolio with 250,000 sqm – Annual savings 350 000 – 600 000 €

Property portfolio with 700,000 sqm – Annual savings 800 000 – 1 500 000 € 

Property portfolio with 2,550,000 sqm – Annual savings 3.0 – 5.0 million €

At an energy price: 0.3 € / kWh

Property portfolio with 250,000 sqm – Annual savings 1.0 – 1.8 million €

Property portfolio with 700,000 sqm – Annual savings 2.5 – 4.2 million €

Property portfolio with 2,550,000 sqm – Annual savings 9.0 – 15.0 million €

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hydronic Balancing Method

All large systems contain some degree of complexity, when the flow is adjusted in a balancing valve, the pressure drop will change in the valves and pipes, affecting the differential pressure across the balancing valves elsewhere in the system. When the flow is adjusted on a valve in a branch, the flow in other valves that have already been adjusted, will also change.

There is a need for a robust method, a work schedule.

Static valves – Hydronic Balancing of systems

Dynamic Valves – Hydronic Balancing of valves

Proportional method

All correct working methods for balancing a system are based on a Proportional Method. All terminal units, branches and risers are balanced to the same proportion or ratio of the calculated flow. When the total flow is adjusted at the pump, all units will have the correct flow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commissioning with the Proportional Method

Proportional adjustment is a work schedule on how the measurements of a flow system should be carried out. The methodology is based on repeating a few steps successively in a loop through the flow system.

The work can be carried out significantly more efficiently if two measuring sensors are used, one sensor at the reference valve and one sensor that is moved between the terminal valves.

 

Heliomotion PV-4

A high efficiency solar tracking power plant with universal framework for mounting four solar panels. Mounted free standing on an included extension column. Suitable for installation at a villa, up to 100 meters away.

 

  • Automatically finds the sun’s position using GPS.
  • Following the sun in two axis with only one motor.
  • Rotates 180 degrees along the horizon, 20-70 degrees vertically.
  • Low energy consumption and reliable operation.

Modell 1: PV-4M

  • Rated power: 1200 watt
  • Panels: 4x Maysun 300W
  • Electricity production: 1400-2700 kWh/year

Modell 2: PV-4

  • Without solar panels. For those who want to use their own panels.

Heliomotion Manual En PV4
Solar Tracker Manual En 2019 2

Heliomotion PV-6

A high efficiency solar tracking power plant with universal framework for mounting six solar panels. Mounted free standing on an included extension column. Suitable for installation at a villa, up to 100 meters away.

 

  • Automatically finds the sun’s position using GPS.
  • Following the sun in two axis with only one motor.
  • Rotates 180 degrees along the horizon, 20-70 degrees vertically.
  • Low energy consumption and reliable operation.

Modell 1: PV-6M

  • Rated power: 1800 watt
  • Panels: 6x Maysun 300W
  • Electricity production: 2100-4000 kWh/year

 

Modell 2: PV-6

  • Without solar panels. For those who want to use their own panels.

Heliomotion Manual En PV6
Solar Tracker Manual En 2019 2

 

Solar panel

Maysun panels provide a good balance between high efficiency and low price.

Model 1: Maysun Solar

  • Rated power: 300 watt
  • Module efficiency: 18.4%
  • Weight: 18 kg
  • Size: 1640x992x35mm

Maysun Datasheet

Grid-tied microinverter

A grid-tied inverter converts DC power from solar panels to 230VAC  household electricity which is synchronized to the grid. The locally produced power reduces the need to purchase electricity and the surplus is supplied to the grid. An agreement must be made with your utility provider to become a producer of electricity.
  • Model: Kaideng WVC-600
  • Type: 1-phase grid-tied microinverter
  • Capacity: 2 panels, up to 300 watt each
  • Noise level: Fanless

 

Wvc 600 Datasheet
Wvc 600 Manuall
Kaideng Certificates
Kaideng Emc Report
LVD Report Kaideng Sr En 60950 1 Report

How does a Solar Tracker track the sun?
The tracker has an integrated GPS module used to determine the local time, date, latitude and longitude. Using this information the tracker calculates the sun’s position in the sky in order to follow it.
How much does tracking increase electricity production?
Solar tracking increases energy yield by 30-60% per year, compared with a stationary panel facing south with an ideal tilt. The energy increase depends on the latitude where the installation is located, from +25% at the northern equinox to +60% in Scandinavia. The extra energy is generated in the morning and in the evening which matches the consumption curve of a typical household much more efficiently than a static system which peaks at solar noon – often when everyone is out of the house.
How is the Solar Tracker powered?
The solar tracker can be powered from any constant 24 VDC power source, either using the included 24 VDC power adapter or by connecting it to a 24 V battery bank. The permitted input voltage range is 10-29 VDC. Average power consumption is 0.4 watt.
How much wind load is the Solar Tracker designed to handle?

The Solar Tracker is engineered to withstand high wind loads and even the largest PV-6 system can resist wind speeds up to 30 meters per second – equivalent to 67 miles per hour. Should you expect winds in excess of this, it is recommended that you use the provided extension rod to tilt the panels horizontally. This will protect the installation until the storm passes, as this is the optimum position for the installation to resist high wind loads. PV-6 units in the field have survived wind speeds up to 42 m/s, but we do not recommend installations where wind speeds beyond 30 m/s is common.

How does snow impact the performance of the Solar Tracker?
In a snowy climate, the foundation column should be at least 1 metre above ground level to prevent the tracker from getting stuck in the snow during winter. As the panels are at a steep angle in the tracker’s morning and evening positions, most snow falls off the unit and there is usually no need to remove the snow manually. As an added safety feature, the tracker will pause tracking if it is unable to move, for example due to excessive snow or vegetation blocking its path. Remove the obstacles and the tracker will automatically resume normal operation within a few hours.
Does the Solar Tracker work in dry regions?
Yes. Keep in mind that in dry regions it may be necessary to wash the panels every couple of months to prevent dust and sand from building up on the panels. In regions with rain, the solar panels are typically self-cleaning and do not require additional attention.
Can the tracker be reconfigured?
The tracker is designed to work without any reconfiguration. For service purposes the tool Heliocom can be used to communicate with the tracker. Start the tool on a Windows laptop and connect it to the USB terminal on the tracker’s circuit board using a USB cable (Type-A Male to Type-A Male). A description of the tool is available Heliocom Manual.
How long is the design life and warranty of the product?

The Solar Tracker is designed to last for as long as the panels last, typically 25-40 years. We give a 3 year warranty to provide free replacement parts. The warranty appears on the last page of the manual.

The Maysun panels have a 12 year product warranty guarantee on materials and workmanship, and an 80% output guarantee after 25 years.

How far away can a Solar Tracker be placed?
We recommend the power plant is placed within 100 meters of where the power will be used. The cable size can be adjusted to keep transmission losses low between the power plant and the house. A cable with 2.5mm2 thick wires is suitable for distances up to 40 meters, whereas a cable with 6mm2 thick wires is recommended for longer distances up to 100 meters.
Should I choose a grid-tied or a battery-tied system?

Typically, you want to use a grid-tied system if utility power is available, because it has a lower cost and it allows you to automatically utilize 100% of your produced electricity. The surplus electricity not consumed by your household will be sold to the grid.

Battery-tied system are most often used for off-grid installations when there is no access to utility power. They can also provide backup power during blackouts and allow a greater proportion of generated solar energy to be consumed within the household. When considering a battery-tied system it’s important to keep in mind that generated solar energy that is not consumed will be discarded when the batteries are full. Therefore, to make full use of a battery-tied solar system it should be paired with reoccurring daily loads, such as a heat pump or an electric vehicle.

How much battery capacity should I have for an off-grid system?

Since batteries are expensive, storage capacity is an important issue. We offer deep-cycle GEL batteries by default because of their many benefits compared to standard lead-acid batteries.

For backup purposes and cabins without access to a fixed power grid, we recommend at least 5 kWh GEL battery capacity (4pcs 12V x 110Ah battery). Larger needs are usually combined with a larger Heliomotion and a larger battery bank. We typically recommend 5 kWh for PV-2M/3M, 10 kWh for PV-4M and 15 kWh for PV-6M. This allows storage of about half a day’s solar energy.

Which battery type should I use?

We recommend the deep-cycle GEL batteries. They are maintenance free, can be used indoors, have a long lifetime, and are made to withstand deep discharge cycles. They are ideal for solar battery systems.

What is the noise level generated by the system?

The grid-tied microinverters are fanless and make virtually no noise. The battery-tied solar stations have fans which kick in progressively as the inverter load increases, so it should be placed somewhere where the sound doesn’t bother anyone, such as a garage, a shed or a cabinet.

The solar tracker itself is very silent. Listening carefully right next to the tracker, it makes the sound of a distant cicada every 7 minutes or so when it updates its position.

Is it possible to fit solar thermal collectors on the tracker?
Yes, but we have transitioned to primarily focusing on electrical installations, as demand for them have been considerably larger. If requested, we can provide thermal systems under the model names TC-1000 and TC-2000 (TC for thermal collector).
What is included in the package?
See the product page or a description of the packages. When you order a Solar Tracker you can specify what your package should contain. We manufacture power plants for both grid-tied and battery-tied applications in different sizes. The packages can be ordered with or without panels and inverters.
Can a Solar Tracker be installed on a roof?
We advise against installing the Solar Tracker on a roof. A free standing unit on the ground is much easier to install and service.
What happens during a blackout?
This depends on whether you have a grid-tied or battery-tied inverter. A grid-tied solar inverter feeds power to the grid and so during a blackout the production is halted until power is restored. A battery-tied solar inverter works independently of the grid and so it will continue to supply power to connected loads even during a blackout.
How do I use the power from a battery-tied inverter?
A battery-tied inverter creates its own local power grid which is independent from the utility’s grid. To make use of this power an electrician needs to connect the power output from the inverter either to new power outlets or to existing power outlets through the building’s main fuse box. Keep in mind that the 1-phase VAC generated by a battery-tied inverter is not synchronized to the utility grid and so cannot be used in combination with the utility grid to power any 3-phase loads.
How long do the batteries last?

The GEL battery is durable and has a design life of up to 12 years. Each charge/discharge cycle reduces the maximum capacity of a battery, more so the deeper the cycle is. After 750 cycles that are 50% deep, or 1800 cycles 30% deep, a GEL battery will have lost 20% of its maximum capacity. This is called one service life.

When the capacity has fallen beyond what you are willing to accept, it is time to replace the battery. This is usually after two service life cycles have been consumed. So if the average cycle per day is 3% deep then the battery can be considered exhausted after 3600 cycles or 10 years. Keep in mind that GEL batteries must never be left in a discharged state for any longer periods as that will reduce their maximum capacity.