Johnson Controls launches new products as it marks SA milestone

20th April 2018

By: Schalk Burger

Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

     

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Building technology systems multinational Johnson Controls launched the new range of YZ York chillers and the new R-1233zd low-global-warming potential and low-pressure refrigerant in South Africa as part of its fiftieth anniversary in the country.

Johnson Controls South Africa GM Neil Cameron highlights that the chillers, which use magnetic levitation-bearing technology and variable-speed drives, are about 35% more energy efficient than fixed-speed, oiled-bearing chillers.

Further, the way in which the refrigerant is used in the process has also changed, with the new chillers requiring a significantly lower refrigerant charge to operate effectively and efficiently.

“The chillers use magnetic varying compressors and do not use flood evaporator technology, but a low-pressure and low-volume system that sprays a thin layer of refrigerant over the evaporation tubes before they are flashed off, increasing efficiency by 4% to 5%.”

The chillers’ design aims to minimise operating costs by leveraging the benefits of the new R-1233zd refrigerant in new heat exchangers and motor or compressor driveline, while mitigating the high cost of the next-generation refrigerant.

Further, Johnson Controls Building Solu- tions Europe, Middle East, Africa and Latin America VP and president Jeff Williams and Johnson Controls Middle East and Africa VP and GM Claude Allain highlight the unprecedented levels of investment the company is making in focusing and realigning the business for growth.

“Smart connected systems and energy efficiency are the two strategic themes of the investment and realignment drive across the company’s global footprint. Merging with security systems multinational Tyco and separating from automotive components manufacturer Adient in 2016 have made Johnson Controls once again a pure-play building systems company in anticipation of smart and sustainable cities,” says Williams.

Framing the relevance of the company’s competences and the scale of the challenge, Williams highlights that air conditioning is the largest energy consumer in cities worldwide. The company has a significant share of the global building management systems market and has developed new products for the nascent smart building, including the touch-screen Glas thermostats that facilitate easy user interaction in connected smart buildings.

Allain notes the company’s innovation and development to integrate existing systems into modern building management systems, as well as unified building management systems, in the form of a digital platform, which allows for all building systems – including security, lighting, air conditioning, access control and emergency and health and safety systems – to be managed.

Cameron highlights that the Johnson Controls chiller systems in the Carlton centre (installed in 1973), in Johannesburg, and the State broadcaster SABC campus (installed in 1978), in Auckland Park, are still operating and supported by Johnson Controls’ service teams, albeit reinstrumented and using new refrigerants.

“Everything is becoming Internet Protocol-enabled and can be connected to a framework for data aggregation to produce information and, from this, generate actions, especially the proactive management of systems, equipment and maintenance demanded by clients. Supporting these capabilities is how Johnson Controls creates value for clients,” adds Allain.

Cameron agrees, noting that the emphasis of clients is less on connectivity and more on what information can be leveraged to improve various processes, whether for use in-house or by a third party and service providers.

Companies are increasingly aiming to meet various energy efficiency targets using the data to more effectively manage their systems as part of a knowledge-based approach to building and equipment management.

“In line with this, many of our clients are using cloud computing capacity and machine learning, as well as investigating the use of artificial intelligence, to more effectively manage their buildings.”

The 133-year-old company is primed to support these new demands for energy efficiency and smart, connected systems for the next 50 years in South Africa, concludes Williams.

Edited by Martin Zhuwakinyu
Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

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