Evaluation of low-lift sensible cooling in the tropics using calibrated simulation models and preliminary testing

Abstract

This article addresses an opportunity to improve Low Exergy air-conditioning system efficiencies in the tropics by incorporating ‘low-lift’ chillers. This paper builds on the 3for2 Project in Singapore, the region's lowest energy consuming office. Using calibrated energy models, laboratory measurements of the low-lift chiller and preliminary on-site testing, the performance of a low-lift chiller was studied in relation to a high-lift chiller. The paper concludes that the complete energy saving potential of high-temperature radiant cooling panels can be realized only if the high-temperature chilled water is produced directly by a low-lift chiller. The preliminary indicate that the peak and annual aggregate of radiant sensible cooling can be reduced by 22.8% and 13.5%