Modern usage of combined energy sources with B&R automation

The Measuring and Control Division at REVOS specializes in the long-term implementation of control and measurement systems for heating and technical equipment in buildings, district heating systems, heating plants and transfer stations. Recognizing that proprietary building control systems tend to be too deterministic, with performance and reliability often approaching lower limit requirements for automated building systems, REVOS engineers decided to apply the more advanced control solutions found in industrial applications.

 Steps ahead of traditional building technology

State-of-the-art industrial automation technology from B&R brings new benefits to the world of building control systems, such as open programming options, standard communication interfaces and protocols, substantially higher computing power and improved reliability. "B&R industrial control systems are always several steps ahead of traditional systems for building technology," says Radomír Fireš, thermal technology representative at REVOS. "They offer outstanding reliability, excellent technical support and a single development environment for all aspects of an application." REVOS has implemented B&R systems to control heat sources and technology in dozens of buildings, plants and district heating systems. Unlike traditional building technology, B&R systems are fully open, freely programmable and easy to control. They are also supported by the universal development tool Automation Studio, which ensures backward compatibility with installed hardware and software while also allowing for continued innovation.

Combining traditional and alternative energy sources

B&R solutions are now the preferred standard for all of the company’s applications. One such state-of-the-art application can be found in the Fabrika hotel in Humpolec, Czech Republic, completed at the end of 2011. The new convention hotel built by Fabrika in Humpolec offers 19 rooms, five conference rooms for up to 130 guests, a restaurant and a wellness center. REVOS was responsible for the building’s heating and air conditioning technology. Heat for the hotel is provided primarily by two Danfoss heat pumps with five 150-meter deep wells (providing 35 kW and 42 kW of power) as well as two auxiliary gas-fired boilers. Heat collected from the hotel’s interior during summer is stored in the ground. Air temperature and quality is controlled by a powerful air conditioning system, and the rooms feature a combination of floor heating and ceiling cooling.

The heat pump room and control cabinet at the Fabrika hotel	The control cabinet for the heating and cooling control system

The neighboring facilities of the MHA company, the owner of the hotel, have a Tedom gas cogeneration unit that provides 30 kW of electric power and 62 kW of heating power. This unit is primarily designed as an emergency source for the hotel. It supplies electricity for the MHA building and heat for both MHA and the hotel in winter. It also helps with cooling the hotel in summer, using a 42 kW absorption cooling unit. Heat from the hotel waste water is also recovered to further minimize heat loss.

Control with integrated convenience

A B&R system controls the two buildings’ heat pumps, cogeneration unit, five air-conditioning units, absorption unit and waste water cooling equipment. The control system consists of two intelligent Power Panel systems with touch screens connected to the hotel’s computer network, a range of X20 I/O modules providing 430 I/O channels for the hotel and MHA building, as well as the corresponding software. The whole system can be controlled not only from the hotel’s computers, but also from virtually anywhere in the world with an Internet connection. The technology control system is connected to the booking system as well, making the hotel even more efficient.

Radomír Fireš - Thermal Technology Representative at REVOS "B&R industrial control systems are always several steps ahead of traditional systems for building technology. They offer outstanding reliability, excellent technical support and a single development environment for all aspects of an application.