Insights 02-2014

Insights

 Information from the Hoval Group 2014/15

Im Fokus Introduction

Dear Reader

It may surprise you that we’re publishing

the issues of environmental protection and

this issue of Insights under the motto

energy conservation, we are pleased to show,

“family”. Even in our world of increasing

once again, Hoval with its innovative solutions,

anonymity, many people are yearning for a

help to save energy sustainably for the longer

family. And this is true for our professional

term. We are especially proud of the fact that

life as well as our private one. At Hoval, we

our applications are so in-demand across the

consider our family-like culture and the

globe and that we are able to share some

values that go along with it to be a key part

renowned testimonials from Asia with you

of the way that we do business/conduct

in this issue. As well as the world’s tallest

ourselves. Various contributions in this

building in Dubai, Hoval products are also

edition of “Insights” illustrate this perfectly.

now rendering their services in the tallest

For us, this family mind-set is not something

building in Japan and in Chinese skyscrapers.

that stays exclusively within the limits of our company building. Quite the opposite, in fact.

We are delighted when our valued customers and partners also think of themselves as part of the Hoval family. In our opinion, there’s no better compliment. A genuine, mutual partnership is very important to us!

In a family, you should take on responsibility.

At Hoval, we especially want to take on the “responsibility for energy and environment”.

Although at present it seems that the tendency is to see everything in the short term - a feature of our society - which may overshadow

2 _ Insights 2014/15

Peter Gerner, Management Board Hoval Group/ CEO Heating Technology

Contents

Insights 2014/15

05

10

26

16

In focus

04 Hoval – one great big family 05 Hoval shows responsibility for those in need

Hoval employees love their brand 06 New home for Hoval Italy 08 Hoval: an employer for generations

Film project: experience Hoval

12

In the market

09 Rays of light from the world of Hoval

30 19 Efficient heat distribution with the Hoval TopTronic supervisor

®

20 An outdoor pool benefits from Hoval’s energyefficient solution 21 Achieving excellence with Hoval UltraGas and solar thermal energy

®

22 Renovations with Hoval: old farm turned into plus energy complex 23 ABB is building of the year with Hoval technology 24 Hoval hall climate solution saves energy and provides comfort 26 An ecological role model due to Hoval

In operation

12 Hoval heating in the world’s tallest building 13 Hoval meets ecological objectives in Osaka 14 Chinese skyscrapers rely on Hoval technology 16 Sophisticated Hoval solution for a luxury hotel 17 Hoval pellet boiler in the high-class hotel industry 18 Hoval comfort ventilation: a pleasant atmosphere for the doctor’s surgery

In detail 27 Strong arguments for biogas 28 Energy efficiency class labels as of Autumn 2015 30 Test rig for rotary heat exchangers 31 In retrospect Legal

Insights 2014/15 _ 3

In focus

All for one and one for all! a ks

of o

ucc ur s

es s lly nic a

a d va

nc ed

te c h of fer er s. e w We all know this famous quote from e om c aus c ust s r y b e s to our a The n i d r „The Three Musketeers” by Alexandre Dumas. t r a o e sy s t e m e ex t al ar or c lima v o tH It represents solidarity, being there for one another, helping do We a g a n d i n in t a e h

pe even

each other, appreciation, loyalty and trust. It is precisely these values that

you’re certain to find in strong family units.

Thinking and acting like a family is one of Hoval’s strongest core brand values. A core brand value that goes hand in hand with the term “success”, as thinking and acting like a family allows you to achieve more than if you go it alone.

One person’s weaknesses are balanced out by the strengths of another, meaning that we are confident when we say: „Together we are stronger!”

A common guiding principle, a common motivation, a common passion that bonds us together and makes the impossible possible. This has allowed Hoval to grow continually since the registration of the brand name in 1945: the company now has 16 subsidiaries worldwide and exports to more than 50 countries across the globe. The Hoval product range is growing and, at the same time, combining expert knowledge of heating, cooling and ventilation technology.

These synergies, much like a family, nurture new additions, new technical solutions, new business areas, new customers and new fans.

More than anything, it requires a close-knit, family-like work culture including a comfortable atmosphere with colleagues and managers that also extends to customer contact. In addition to quality and technological excellence, when it comes to customers and partners, support, service and trust in the product and the people behind it are key.

Intelligent indoor climate solutions for the home as well as large-scale commercial and industrial projects require teamwork so that synergies can be used productively. In addition to our family values, the responsibility for energy and the environment is a key concept behind every Hoval system.

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Above all, YANA helps children and, in turn, their families.

The YANA foundation stands for a clear and warm message: You Are Not Alone.

Reaching out a hand, building, guiding, teaching – simply being there or actively supporting. The YANA foundation was established nearly 20 years ago in Vaduz, Liechtenstein, and has since then proved itself to be an effective path for helping the poorest of the poor in Eastern Europe. Antonia Frick, founder and Chairwoman of YANA, is always overwhelmed by the gratitude and joy shown by those that the foundation has been able to help.

The aid scheme and its three child care centres in Romania give children hope and prospects. Hoval provides both financial and practical support to the foundation, heating systems

can give warmth but so can devotion, initiative and a sense of responsibility for people. At Hoval, responsibility is a guiding principle that comes from the heart and has genuine family importance through our work with YANA.

For more information, see www.yana.li

The children beam when they get visitors from Lichtenstein.

Hoval employees love their brand.

Brand is not just a logo, a product or a set of rules. Brand is a good feeling because people are emotional and intuitive.

Brands are defined by personalities, not by companies, markets or public opinion. And that’s what we have in our brand ambassadors. Companies that inspire and create emotional bonds with their employees, customers, partners and so on are brands.

Hoval works intensively to bring the core Hoval brand values to life through its employees as they learn to understand and live their role as a brand ambassador.

This means translating the core values of the Hoval brand into their everyday working lives.

In workshops and through teamwork, the Hoval brand ambassadors analyse which brand contact points they encounter on a daily basis. They then evaluate how in tune they are with the brand in their internal and external approach to their job at this contact point and learn how they can optimise their work if need be. It’s not an easy

process, but once it is understood and successfully applied a few times, it becomes second nature. The key concept here is “practice makes perfect” and that’s easier if every Hoval employee works as a team.

We’re strongest together, just like a family.

The Hoval brand ambassadors met Peter Frick, Chairman of the Administrative Board, in Vaduz for the kick-off meeting.

Insights 2014/15 _ 5

In focus

The Hoval Italia family has a new home: Casa Hoval is an industrial building with energy class A.

Hoval Italia has moved. Since the end of September 2014, Hoval Italia has been moving out of its historical headquarters in Grassobbio (BG) into spacious premises located on a logistically beneficial site just a few kilometres away in Zanica. From the ground-breaking ceremony to moving in, the whole process has taken just 6 months. Hoval’s brand new site now has 700 m² of office space and storage facilities of more than 1,000 m².

efficiency class A is 65%. This corresponds to a consumption of 24 kWh/m² a compared to a conventional industrial building that consumes 68 kWh/m². The annual reduction in CO2 emissions was also calculated at 49%, which corresponds to an annual CO2 emission of 4 kg/m² a compared to emissions for heating that uses a conventional gas boiler with values of 8 kg/m² a.

This is a new construction project in which Hoval has clearly bucked the trend of the general business environment, with a genuine commitment to investing in energy consulting, which is currently showing a positive development. This was possible due to the foresight, dedication and continuous investment into Research & Development for which Hoval is renowned.

David Herzog, Managing Director of Hoval Italia, confirmed their choice: “The solution has impressed us, as it’s the result of the interplay between various work forces that cover all the skills and knowledge required for dealing with a project of this magnitude with all-round expertise. Everyone played an important role in this project, from structural engineers, energy certification specialists, through to ClimateHouse experts. And the result proves us right.”

The “Casa Hoval” is the winning project from the architecture competition, in which the key requirement was to reflect Hoval’s brand values in the building’s architecture and energy consumption.

Today, Casa Hoval is a testimony to the company philosophy “Responsibility for Energy and Environment”. The annual energy saving expected for a building of this size in energy

6 _ Insights 2014/15

The expert team succeeded in interpreting the key requirements perfectly by producing an industrial building with energy efficiency class A that runs an in-house central heating system and a training centre. All of this is in keeping with a defined sustainability concept and a social responsibility represented by the Hoval brand. What’s more, the increased

Our new company headquarters is a successful example for industrial companies that want to save operating costs by improving the overall energy efficiency of their building.

energy efficiency even results in an energy surplus which is fed into a nearby district heating network.

The cubical space of the building has been kept to a minimum intentionally to open up a “dialogue” with the building interiors that allows employees and visitors to experience both worlds on the inside and the outside. The workspaces were designed following bio-architecture principles and meet certain requirements: letting in as much natural light as possible, featuring transparent room concepts and functioning according to “Green Building” principles. Spacious functional areas were also integrated for the logistics division and meeting rooms. The centre of the new Hoval building is the exhibition and training area where specialists and young people alike can learn about the Hoval expertise gathered over many years.

“I believe that training plays a vital role”, explains David Herzog, “and I firmly believe that we can make a definite contribution to rounding out school and university education. Above all, this is because education in our country is often too theory-based.

We offer an alternative to this with practical and applicationbased training on the product concepts directly. We’re known as the air conditioning technology specialists from the Alps and we’re

David Herzog Managing Director of Hoval Italia

offering our skills and expertise in our training centre – which we call the “Alpen Campus” – to professionalise the level of training in the industry at a local level, too. We have also implemented original ideas that are unique in the sector: a climate chamber in which the conditions of various geographical zones can be simulated using defined humidity and temperature parameters.”

Our experience gives rise to the ideal solution for an industrial building of energy efficiency class A. The development of this ambitious project is a result of the company’s own energy consulting activities. David Herzog explains how: “Our new company headquarters is a successful example for industrial companies that want to save operating costs by improving the overall energy efficiency of their building.

Before we decided on this project, we also compared various solutions, such as modernising our previous headquarters, purchasing and modernising another existing building or a new build that completely conforms to the energy efficiency principle. We decided on the last option. This means that we are able to use our own first-hand experience to advise other companies on their energy-efficient industrial or administrative buildings and offer them ideal solutions.”

All details about the Casa Hoval project are available at www.casahoval.it

Im focus In Fokus

Learning from scratch.

In most families, members

are bound to one another for a quite long time, often over many generations. A few decades ago, that was also true for professional life. Now, however, experience is “gained” as quickly as possible and people frequently change their employer.

Both methods of career progression are absolutely legitimate and there are life models that speak for both approaches.

At Hoval, we have a good mix of employees who have been members of the family for anywhere between 5 to 45 years. In technology industries, experience is highly valued as it increases over time and is therefore closely guarded by the company. And of course, the employee’s bond with the company is also important.

This bond is mostly defined by emotional

reasons such as a fulfilling job, a fair boss, a pleasant work atmosphere and, of course, the welfare that the company offers. Nowadays, workplace satisfaction is indication of a good employer.

Hoval offers various skilled professions, is attractive to professionals and, at the same time, open to people changing careers. Like in a good family, the new member not only needs to meet the technical requirements but also must be a good fit for the company. This is where the values of the employer and the new member play an important role, as only employees who “fit” feel comfortable and

happily stay for 45 years. This ensures that company knowledge and culture can be passed on and stays “in the family”.

At this point, we’d like to say a big thank you to every single employee in the Hoval Group that has chosen to forge a career with us – no matter how long or short!

Experience Hoval through a group-wide film project.

Telling and staging stories and making the Hoval brand come alive were the specifications for a group-wide film project that called for contributions from every subsidiary.

Halfway through the current business year, four short films are already finished. These show the brand values from entirely different perspectives and mostly star our own employees as the protagonists. Developing the subjects and honing ideas alone has brought the team members closer together – not to mention the fun they had actually filming!

Have a look for yourself at www.hoval.tv/Hovalerleben

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You can find more on the film project at:

In the market

COMPUTER CENTRE COOLING – CONCEPTS AND SOLUTIONS INTERNATIONAL APPRENTICE CAMP Around 30 apprentices from Liechtenstein, Austria and Germany packed their bags to spend a week together packed with adventure in Lucerne, Switzerland. The aim here was to give the apprentices a chance to get to know each other and grow as a team. In addition to group work, the week’s itinerary included a trip to the Hölloch cave, a catamaran building and sailing activity on Lake Lucerne and a visit from the famous Swiss weather prophet Martin Horat.

You can watch an exciting video about the apprentice camp at:

You can find more information on the book here:

What do I need to monitor when operating a computer centre? What concepts are suitable for efficient cooling and air conditioning? What future challenges lie ahead and how can these be monitored? The specialist book by Jürgen Dorenburg, “Kühlung von Rechenzentren – Konzepte und Lösungen” (Cooling Computer Centres – Concepts and Solutions), gives concise answers to these questions and more. “With his creative, innovative and flexible way of thinking and mindset, Jürgen Dorenburg was often ahead of his time with his solution orientated approach”, writes Peter Wimböck, Managing Director of Hoval Climate Technologies, in the foreword to the specialist book by Jürgen Dorenburg.

ISBN: 978-3-922420-31-6

EXPERT SOLUTIONS FROM HOVAL ON DISPLAY Around 800 exhibitors took part in this year’s Chillventa trade fair in Nuremberg, Germany, presenting their specialist range of cooling, ventilation and air conditioning and heat pump technology. A key topic at the trade fair was the thermodynamic cooling circuit process and the associated applications, equipment and services. Hoval, with more than 40 years of experience, is an expert in the air conditioning technology sector.

At the trade fair, interested parties and customers were able to visit the Hoval stand and get information on its new Hoval solutions for hall cooling with indirect adiabatic ® cooling units, such as Hoval AdiaVent . In addition, a new specialist book by Jürgen Dorenburg, who has been a Hoval employee for many years, was also launched. The book provides concepts and solutions for cooling data centres.

Insights 2014/15 _ 9

Im the In Fokus market

TEAM SPIRIT AT THE HOVAL FOOTBALL WORLD CUP The Hoval football world cup took place this summer for the fourth time and was held at the sports field in Triesen, Liechtenstein. Seven motivated international Hoval teams battled it out on the pitch in the bright sunshine.

Hoval’s best football players competed in a small tournament. The FIFA World Cup in Brazil spurred on the teams to play their hearts out in an effort to win the trophy for their country. It was a day of exciting duels, a lot of shots on goal and spectacular solo efforts. Every team for itself – all leading up to the placement matches and an exciting final. This time, victory was Slovakia’s. For the first time since its introduction in 2008, the football tournament’s favourite Liechtenstein was beaten. The Hoval team from Italy won over the spectators’ hearts and was awarded this year’s ‘Fair Play Prize’.

PRODUCTION CLOSE TO THE MARKET: ROTARY HEAT EXCHANGERS MADE BY HOVAL UK

COVETED AWARD WON James Hibberd (middle), an employee at Hoval UK, has been awarded the extremely coveted apprenticeship prize “Apprentice of the Year Award 2014” at Central College Nottingham. James joined Hoval in August 2009 and has been studying Engineering and Technical Support (specialising in Fabrication and Welding) whilst working as a Production Controller at Hoval. James completed his apprenticeship with distinction which made his colleagues very proud.

But that wasn’t enough for James. He would now like to build on his studies and begin a degree course in this specialist area. We wish you the very best for the future, James!

10 _ Insights 2014/15

The Hoval production facility in Newark is expanding to include the manufacture of rotary heat exchangers. Hoval already has many years of expertise in the production of heat exchangers for heat recovery systems as, until now, the Hoval factory in Slovakia has manufactured them and then exported them to England. An additional production facility for rotary heat exchangers has been built in the UK so that Hoval can service customer requirements more quickly and, above all, reduce transport costs and the associated environmental impacts. The new manufacturing facility is state-of-the-art and offers excellent quality assurance. In addition, Hoval has invested in a new laser cutting system for metal that can guarantee the high quality requirement placed on Hoval products.

Im Fokus Am Markt

CHARLES UNIVERSITY IN PRAGUE INVITES HOVAL TO THE LIECHTENSTEIN DAY The country of Liechtenstein was invited to the renowned Charles University in Prague for the first time on 25 September.

Liechtenstein could present itself as a centre of excellence for finance, tourism and education. Around a hundred students, professors, media professionals and representatives from the fields of economics and politics used the Liechtenstein Day as an opportunity to network. Both countries have past and present links through politics and economics. Hilt AG, Hoval and Oerlikon Balzers, all companies with their roots in Liechtenstein, currently employ 220 people in the Czech Republic. Petr Bohuslav, Managing Director of Hoval Czech Republic, and Marketing Manager Adela Lustykova represented Hoval at the Liechtenstein Day.

10 YEARS OF HOVAL SLOVAKIA On 19 September, the Slovakian Hoval subsidiary celebrated its 10th anniversary. All the employees and their families were invited to the jubilee celebration and the Group’s executive board travelled in from Vaduz to congratulate the managing directors in person. The production and sales departments at the Hoval site in Slovakia employ around 200 people. The production department specialises in the manufacture of heat recovery systems and air conditioning units for halls. To mark the occasion, the production hall was opened up for every visitor to see. Even a go-kart track was set up on the factory premises to entertain the guests. The children had their fun too with a bouncy castle and professional face-painting. A lovely celebration as a thank you to all the employees and their families.

THE HOVAL LEGACY IS SECURE! Hoval Germany employees attended a Hoval meet-and-greet day with their families at the company headquarters in Aschheim. Around 100 adults and 20 children met on 10 October for an informal get-together. The social event gave partners and children the chance to get an idea of the work that the Hoval employees do. The new showroom displaying the wide variety of different Hoval products was a particularly interesting centre of attention. An enormous barbecue was set up in the inner courtyard – Oke Seisser (Product Manager), Alexander Schnell (Marketing) and Wolfgang Allgäuer (Managing Director) manned the barbecue, cooking the food for the large number of guests.

Insights 2014/15 _ 11

Einblicke

Im operation In Detail Fokus United Arab Emirates.

Hoval and the Burj Khalifa.

Where the land is flat and night quickly falls, people need

reference points. In Dubai, this point is a needle that points up into the heavens. Sharp and pointed in the glistening backlight of the day, a vertical rod of lights in the night.

At 828 metres tall and with more than 160 floors, the Burj Khalifa towers over everything.

The tallest free-standing building in the world, highest inhabited floor, highest viewing platform – the superlatives are seemingly endless.

When the demands are literally sky-high, you can always rely on Hoval.

11 Hoval UltraGas ® provide hot water in the world’s tallest building. It’s not just the Alps that experience harsh wind and weather. Hot sand and dry deserts also pose a challenge for heating and air conditioning technology.

Hoval, used to the unrelenting Alpine climate, is up to the test.

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Im Fokus

Towering achievements – in ecological matters, too.

Japan.

One thing

that China and Japan have in common is their tendency to build to dizzying heights. Japan’s tallest structure – the Abeno Harukas building, a skyscraper standing at 300 metres high – can be found in the harbour city of Osaka. This building towers above all the rest not only because of its height, but also because of its approach to energy and the environment.

When the sun rises over the Osaka horizon, the new Abeno Harukas skyscraper is the first building to benefit from its light. “Harukas” is an old Japanese expression meaning “to brighten” or “to clear up”. The Kintetsu Corporation, the company that owns the building, has certainly made sure that the building lives up to its name.

But first, a few facts: the record-breaking building is 60 storeys tall, with another five underground. The Kintetsu department store takes up more than a dozen: this retail space, covering a total of 2 around 100,000 m , includes three floors that house 44 restaurants.

Above, it is possible to find the Abeno Harukas Art Museum, office floors and the Osaka Marriott Miyako Hotel with 360 rooms.

Taking in the long view: A sea of houses If you have just half an hour, for example, a train or bus can take you from Kintetsu Osaka-Abeno station to the two international airports. But if you’re not in a hurry, you can take the lift to the Harukas 300 observation level on the building’s top floor. In the first three months alone since its official opening on 7th March 2014, around a million people have gazed out from the lofty heights of the building over the megacity’s seemingly endless sea of houses and out into the distance.

Taking in the long view: The environment The builders envisioned a bright future when designing the building: with the long-term view in mind, they made the decision to go for environmentally friendly technologies. At various height levels on the building, the steel-andconcrete structure has horizontal openings that leave the building’s steel skeleton exposed. These allow natural light and cool, fresh air to flow in, reducing the need for ventilation and

air conditioning. Furthermore, biogas – which is converted into electrical energy and heat for the building – is produced from the biological waste generated in the hotel and restaurants. According to the builders’ specifications, the building is able to produce 25% less CO2 compared with conventional buildings.

Taking in the long view: Energy efficiency Energy efficiency is a big talking point for people with a vision that is focused on environmental – and financial – matters. And that’s exactly why those in charge of this project turned to Hirakawa.

The Hoval sales partner in Japan ® recommended the Hoval UltraGas condensing boiler for supplying the building with heat and hot water. A building crane was ultimately called in to hoist six boilers, each with a maximum output of 720 kW, up to the 15th floor and another five to the 56th.

Hirakawa also installed boilers from its own range, such as VEC heaters and JSN steam boilers. Together with the ® Hoval UltraGas condensing boilers, this highly efficient system supplies the building with heat energy.

Insights 2014/15 _ 13

Im operation In Fokus

China’s cities shooting up to the sky.

China.

In recent years, China has erected skyscrapers that break all of the

country’s records. Five of the tallest all contain something red – a symbol of good fortune – in the shape of Hoval heating technology.

Wuhan: The largest city in Central China is also the capital of the Hubei province where the Three Gorges Dam is located. Wuhan is also in the process of building a new landmark: the Wuhan Center Centre will soon tower overhead with 82 floors and a total height of 438 m.

The building uses three Hoval THSD-I 6000 E-C steam boilers and a Hoval THSD-I 4000 E-C steam boiler.

14 _ Insights 2014/15

Im Fokus Beijing: China’s capital city just keeps on growing – upwards as well as outwards.

The Beijing Yintai Centre has towered over the heart of the city’s business district since 2008. The central of the three towers has 63 floors amounting to 250 m in height while each of the two outer towers stand at 186 m.

Chongqing: If measuring according to administrative area, Chongqing is the world’s largest city. The city’s administrative area is roughly the size of Austria.

Here, where the Yangtze and Jialing rivers meet, the 72-floor and 339 m-tall Chongqing World Financial Centre stretches into the sky.

Three Hoval THW-I 28/20 NTE-C boilers operate in the main building.

Four Hoval Max-3 (1250) boilers heat the building.

Tianjin: The largest harbour city in northern China is also one of the country’s most heavily populated after Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou. The Tianjin World Financial Centre has dominated the city skyline since 2001: measuring 337 m tall, it occupies 75 floors and has four underground floors, where four Hoval THW-I 28/20 NTE-C boilers are installed.

Chengdu: In addition to Chongqing, the capital city of the Sichuan province in Southwest China is fast becoming the economic centre of West China. Recently, Chengdu has acquired a new landmark: the Chengdu International Financial Centre, which climbs 248 m up into the clouds.

Hoval supplied it with six CompactGas (2800) boilers.

Insights 2014/15 _ 15

Im operation In Fokus Turkey.

Maximum heat output with Max-3.

Superlatives are the only way to describe it: where parts of Turkey’s oldest

beer brewery still stand today, Istanbul’s newest and largest hotel now towers over the city skyline.

The hotel and the whole district are named after the Swiss Bomonti brothers, who founded the brewery in 1890.

And the five-star Hilton Bomonti hotel – with its 32 floors, 900 rooms and 11,000 square feet of conference space – has yet more impressive statistics to offer: four gas-powered Hoval Max-3 (2700) boilers each generating an output of 3,000 kW. They provide heating for the rooms and the domestic hot water. Daikin, Hoval’s sales partner in Turkey, takes pride in the total output of 12,000 kW generated by the three-pass boiler connected in a cascade system.

Ten high-performance service water tanks, each holding 2,000 l, heat 150,000 l to 45°C every hour – meaning that hot water is always available, even if hotel guests in their hundreds want to take a morning shower or bath at the same time. In just ten minutes, 40,000 l can be heated to 45°C.

There are four gas-powered boilers Hoval Max-3 (2700) in the basement of the Hilton Bomonti ...

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... and ten high-performance service water tanks.

Im Fokus United Kingdom.

Wood pellets take the highclass hotel industry by storm.

When a luxury hotel located off the west coast of Scotland gets a mention in the mainstream media, you know it’s got to be something extraordinary. In fact, the five-star Isle of Eriska hotel has reduced its heating costs by almost 30% – thanks to two Hoval BioLyt (75) wood pellet boilers.

Chop down your fuel bill by switching to a biomass system – which burns wood pellets, chips or logs to power central heating and boilers.” British tabloid The Sun recently made this claim using the example of the Isle of Eriska hotel, which had reportedly reduced its heating bill from GBP 70,000 to 50,000 by switching to a biomass system.

200 tonnes less CO2 Hoval supplied the hotel with two BioLyt (75) wood pellet boilers and is instrumental in achieving significant savings: by switching from fossil to biomass fuels, the hotel has reduced its CO2 emissions by around 200 tonnes a year.

The two BioLyt boilers each generate an output of 75 kW and burn 150 tonnes of wood pellets each year.

A hotel surrounded by nature

Reducing dependency

The sense of responsibility for energy and the environment for which Hoval prides itself is perfectly in keeping with the philosophy of this award-winning, high-end hotel. Reigning over an island of 120 hectares, it is connected to the mainland by its own private bridge. The Isle of Eriska is a perfect place for guests to relax, treat themselves in the restaurant and spa, and play golf to their heart’s content.

The family of Beppo Buchanan-Smith have owned and run the Isle of Eriska hotel since 1973. And he adds yet another argument for making the switch from oil to wood: “It not only offers significant financial benefits, but it has also let us reduce our dependency on fossil fuels.”

Companies in the United Kingdom that choose to switch to renewable energy sources for their heating needs can apply to the government for funding as part of the Renewable Heat Incentive.

Hoval boasts a long-standing tradition in the production of solid fuels and currently manufactures pellet boilers up to 1 MW.

Insights 2014/15 _ 17

Im operation In Fokus Austria.

A pleasant atmosphere for the doctor’s surgery.

A pleasant atmosphere and comfortable temperatures are a must for doctor’s surgeries. Dr Sassan Lachini in the Styrian mountain village of Öblarn is leading by good example: he chose the Hoval HomeVent ® comfort FR (600) comfort ventilation system and the Hoval Belaria ® SRM (16) heat pump. The duo has system.

Hoval HomeVent ® comfort FR (600)

He thought of everything when planning his new surgery: “We ensured that the arrangement of the rooms portrayed our procedures”, explains Sassan Lachini, who is a consultant anaesthetist and intensive care doctor, as well as a general practitioner. Working with the consulting architects Wolfgang Berger, he developed a clear, functional concept that also worked with light and colours: green for the reception and waiting area, yellow for the treatment rooms, the laboratory and the physiotherapy room and red for the separate emergency access.

The ventilation system that takes care of everything The practice has its own chemist and lots of visitors. Especially in the reception and waiting area where there

are often many patients at the same time. That’s why it’s important that a good atmosphere is maintained in the ® area. The Hoval HomeVent comfort (600) domestic ventilation system, which recovers both heat and moisture and also keeps the room air comfortably humid in winter, ensures that the atmosphere stays pleasant.

The good ventilation gets rid of bad smells from medical procedures, cigarette smoke and perfume, for example. People with allergies are delighted to hear that the air in the surgery contains minimum pollen.

And the air even has low pollen levels

® The Hoval Belaria SRM (16) modulating heat pump is the perfect partner for the comfort ventilation system. The splitdesign air heating pump uses renewable energy sources and, when coupled with the comfort ventilation heat recovery system, saves money as well as protecting the environment.

The thorough planning of the 260 m surgery also benefits the comfort ventilation system: the supply air is primarily fed into the waiting room and the extract air is predominantly vented where treatments are taking place and where the air could become unpleasant.

The unit itself is situated in such a way that it does not create an obstruction.

2

Two things that complement each other perfectly

The perfect installation by the Hoval partner Maxonus in Admondt, Austria ® has a role to play here: the HomeVent comfort FR (600) domestic ventilation ® system and the Hoval Belaria SRM (16) air/water heat pump work together to create a complete system that protects the environment and helps save on operating costs. This is just as important to Sassan Lachini as seeing the satisfied, relaxed faces of his patients and team.

Hoval comfort ventilation provides for a pleasant room climate in the reception area.

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Im Fokus Switzerland.

TopTronic supervisor control system at the core. ®

Hoval is making good impressions in

Melchnau, Switzerland, thanks to its sophisticated control system. In the Gjuch Energie AG heating group, a customised system solution generates and distributes heat energy.

Three proactive investors – one heating group with an increasing number of customers. Three heat generators – one control system that reliably regulates how the generators work with each other and the heat distribution system.

The Gjuch Energie AG heating group, based in Bernese town of Melchnau, uses a woodchip-fuelled heating system as the main heat generator, a two-stage oil boiler with an output of 150 kW as a back-up boiler and a solar power 2 system – measuring 90 m – which covers the roof of the energy plant.

The group aims to have 95% of the heat energy required supplied by woodchip-fuelled heating and solar power systems.

® The Hoval TopTronic supervisor control system collects the data from the energy plant and the controllers in the transfer stations. A browser displays the Internetcompatible control system that can also be operated via a remote access terminal.

However, the system, which is custommade to fit the Gjuch heating group’s exact specifications, is not just the hydraulic system of the energy plant and the transfer stations, but also supports the individual evaluation of data. This means that the efficiency of the entire heating group as well as the efficiency of the individual transfer station can be further optimised by continuous adjustment. The hot water loading times in the transfer stations can be coordinated with

the output of the pipelines and this coordination can be used to break peaks in heat generation.

Monitoring options for the woodchip silo, such as a webcam, or a software interface for calculating consumption ® really make the Hoval TopTronic supervisor control system a technology for the future. This system guarantees that the heating group operates as efficiently as possible and that each user gets the heat they want.

Everything in sight with the control system Hoval TopTronic ® supervisor.

Insights 2014/15 _ 19

Im operation In Fokus France.

In the outdoor pool in winter – and still saving money.

Right next-door to the

cylindrical European Parliament building in Strasburg, the Wacken swimming pool has just had a face lift: it has a large outdoor swimming pool that has recently been built and is heated, which means that people can swim even in the winter. It has a new building for changing rooms and showers. There’s also now a play pool where the old building used to be.

If the baths are closed, the large, heated pool is covered with a PVC tarpaulin so that the heat is not lost and the energy consumption is kept within the limits. The engineering company Serue paid particular attention to energy efficiency and constructed the new building in accordance with the Minergie standard. The walls are cladded with natural stone and the roof is greened.

Hoval is all about energy efficiency: three Hoval UltraGas® boilers ensure needs-based heat generation.

20 _ Insights 2014/15

Im Fokus Romania.

Achieving excellence with Hoval ® UltraGas and solar thermal energy.

“Excellent” say the experts from BREEAM. Using methods that it claims to be pioneering, the agency evaluates the ecological sustainability of buildings across the globe. The office building measuring 2 54,000 m that was opened this year in Cluj Napoca was given an “excellent” rating – which delighted investors, as well as the Hoval partner Agasi and the team from Hoval Romania. The Hoval ® UltraGas (2000D) condensing gas boiler, with its outstanding energy efficiency and uniquely low NOx emissions, as well as the solar thermal collectors for the hot water supply certainly played a part in receiving this rating.

Bulgaria.

Solar collectors for supermarkets.

One unique design for seven projects – protecting the environment without breaking the bank. The Austrian supermarket chain Billa, member of the German Rewe Group, has had Hoval solar collectors installed on the roofs of seven stores in Bulgaria: three in Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital, and one each in Stara Zagora, Burgas, Sliven and Plovdiv. Each consists of ten Hoval UltraSol eco thermal solar collectors arranged in two rows of five. The project was planned by Hoval Bulgaria, and the simple assembly system and plug-andplay hydraulic kits boosted the speed of the installation process.

Each system includes two CombiVal (500) water heaters with a heat exchanger, and a Hoval UVR 61-3 solar controller presiding over the whole thing. The solar systems cover the

hot water needs of each of the seven supermarkets, and monitor solar heat production via their building management system that features an integrated heat meter.

Markus Sarg, who heads up the energy efficiency team for heating, ventilation and air conditioning in the Rewe Group, personally thanked the staff members from Hoval Bulgaria and paid his Billa Bulgaria colleagues a compliment too: “Thanks for your professionalism!” And when the customer is satisfied at the end of the day, this is what makes Hoval really happy.

Ten Hoval UltraSol eco on the roof of Billa Bulgaria.

Insights 2014/15 _ 21

Im operation In Fokus Germany.

Old farm turned into plus energy complex.

A big, old farmyard in Schäftersheim, Baden-Wuerttemberg, has

been turned into a building complex that produces more heat and electricity than it uses.

Hoval contributed to the model renovation with a ground water heating pump, buffer storage tanks and a ventilation system.

The former farmhouse is now an office building and the neighbouring farm buildings now serve as a midwife’s surgery and as a residence with two rented flats. Building owner Martina Klärle was delighted when the renovated and modernised building complex was inaugurated: “We’ve achieved our goal, we produce more than 100% heating and electricity and can even supply a couple of neighbours.”

Perfectly coordinated products create an ultra-efficient system in the new Klärle building complex.

22 _ Insights 2014/15

High-tech and historical living in harmony

Enthalpy heat recovery as an advantage

Even old wells are suitable for high-tech energy technology – the proof is in Schäftersheim: an 80 kW photovoltaic system on the roofs of the three buildings generate the electrical energy. An old ® well supplies the water for the Thermalia twin (20) water/water heating pump.

Powered by solar energy, the pump heats the well water from 10–12° to 40–45°, which is then used to heat the rooms. According to Joachim Mönikheim, Managing Director of the EnergieZentrum Mönikheim, the future lies in connecting photovoltaic systems with heat pump technology.

Joachim Mönikheim and his team planned the entire system, chose the right suppliers and products and installed the components. He’s more than happy to talk about the Hoval ® HomeVent comfort FR (600) ventilation system that supplies the office building with fresh air and transfers the heat of the exhaust air to them: “At a heat recovery rate of more than 90%, less than 10% of the energy is supplied for heating fresh air.” He says that the enthalpy heat recovery system is a big advantage: the fresh air, which is primarily dry in winter, is supplied with the moisture from the exhaust air. “This Hoval unit”, says Joachim Mönikheim, “is practically second to none on the market. There’s nothing like it.”

The heated water is stored in two Hoval EnerVal (800) energy buffer storage tanks that supply the space heating for the office building. A system of pipelines supply heat energy to the midwife’s surgery and the rented flats.

Building owner Martine Klärle finally discusses the financial aspects of renewable energies: “According to our calculations, the additional investment will have paid for itself after seven years as a result of using funds and favourable loans.” Perfectly coordinated products create an ultra-efficient system in the new Klärle building complex.

Im Fokus Bulgaria.

Outstanding energy efficiency in the new ABB hall.

A year ago, the new ABB production hall in

Rakovski, Bulgaria, was given the accolade of the country’s ‘Building of the Year’. Its exceptionally high levels of energy efficiency are thanks in part to its Hoval system, which features roof ventilation and air recirculation units, an UltraGas ® condensing boiler and a Modul-plus water heater.

2013 shaped up to be an award-filled year for ABB: in Bulgaria, not only was it honoured for the design of one of its industrial buildings, but it was also named ‘Investor of the Year’. At the newly erected factory located in the industrial area of Rakovski, close to Plovdiv, Bulgaria’s second-largest city, more than 800 employees produce components for low and medium-voltage products.

prevent energy loss when doors for lorries are open. An UltraGas® gas condensing boiler (1440D) provides auxiliary space heating, while hot water is supplied by a Hoval Modul-plus F41 high-performance water heater. The basic control system is connected to an external computer so that air conditioning and heating systems can be monitored and, if necessary, adjusted remotely.

A system for heating and cooling

® A Hoval UltraGas (350) gas condensing boiler and an additional Hoval Modulplus F41 high-performance water heater, which can help meet demand during peaks, provide heating and hot water for the office building.

Three decentralised Hoval RoofVent LKW-9 roof ventilation units and 39 ® TopVent DVK-9 air recirculation units were installed to supply the ABB factory with fresh air. The DVK air recirculation units have been specifically developed for tall halls and can be used as both heating and cooling systems, just like ® the RoofVent roof ventilation units. 20 ® TopVent curtain-5 air curtains for doors ®

is perfectly ventilated and heated – and what’s more, it uses comparatively less energy at low operating costs.

For the people responsible for these projects at ABB Bulgaria, Hoval is now their port of call: amongst other things, they plan to install a Hoval Max-3 (1250) 3-pass boiler in another hall – this one used for manufacturing high-voltage products.

Low operating costs The results are undoubtedly worthy of the recognition they have received: a 2 total space of approximately 11,000 m

Czech Republic.

From coal to gas – the change is worth it.

When it comes to welding technology, nobody does it quite like internationallyactive Swedish company ESAB. And when it comes to heating, the ESAB factory in the Czech town of Vamberk is now really ahead of the game. Oscar Kjellberg, who founded ESAB in 1904, would be proud: coal has had its time as Vamberk’s energy source of choice and has evolved into a more environmentally friendly gas alternative. The heating plant has been replaced by decentralised heating systems. The old steam boilers used to yield an efficiency of 73%, which ultimately fell to around 60% by the time

the steam had reached its destination through more than 2,5 km of pipes – leading to a heat loss of almost 13 TJ. In the Czech Republic, gas is almost 2,5 times more expensive than coal. The additional cost, however, is offset by the potential savings created by the higher efficiency of the decentralised heating systems. What’s more, the ESAB Vamberk management decided on the ® Hoval UltraGas gas condensing boiler, whose energy efficiency is hard to beat.

The seven local boilers achieve an output of up to 5 MW.

The result of all this is a significant efficiency increase from 60 to 98% – which in turn has pushed annual energy costs down by EUR 390,000. And now, the CO2 emissions are even less than the minimum limits. While the switch from coal to gas did of course require new installations, the lower operating costs mean that the total investment of EUR 2,1 million is expected to pay for itself in less than six years.

Seven Hoval UltraGas® condensing boilers with a total output of up to 5 MW.

Insights 2014/15 _ 23

Im operation In Fokus

Germany.

Precision demands a cool head.

While most companies want to create a working environment that is healthy, comfortable and productive, Kratzer GmbH has actually achieved this: at its Offenburg site in Germany, the company uses eleven AdiaVent® air recirculation cooling systems in one of its production halls to ensure cool heads and steady hands – exactly what its precision parts require.

In Germany, the summer months can get hot. Very hot, in fact: summer 2003 saw the country’s temperatures soar to record levels – and then 2004 broke them.

Florian Kratzer, Managing Director of the family-run business, remembers that there were more machines than ever in the production hall at that time, all of which were giving off heat whilst they were running. And this was on top of the already warm and humid climate of the Rhine plain area where the company is located. “The thermometer climbed to over 40°C, the air quality in the production hall was poor, our employees were complaining, some machines broke down because of the heat and our quality suffered.”

Constant temperatures Kratzer GmbH has dedicated itself whole-heartedly to precision: this means keeping deviations to an absolute minimum, which in turn depends on keeping temperatures constant. The company employs more than 300 people in Germany and the Czech Republic, who turn, mill and grind precision tools out of different materials – including stainless steel and titanium – to within a thousandth of a millimetre. The medical technology and mechanical engineering sectors as well as industries like electronics and aviation are all equally reliant on the accuracy that this equipment delivers.

24 _ Insights 2014/15

Ecologically sustainable

The hotter it is, the higher the output

Ten years have passed since that memorable summer in 2004. And since then, Technical Facilities Manager Ulrich Irslinger has worked with Florian Kratzer to consider various solutions.

Standard solutions, such as mechanical air conditioning or mixed ventilation systems, never even entered the equation because of their conflict with Kratzer’s company philosophy, which includes a commitment to ecological sustainability.

This technology becoming widely available ® is what led to eleven Hoval AdiaVent ADV-6 air recirculation cooling systems being installed on the approximately 2 3,000 m production hall roof. In the 3 summer, the units cool a total of 66,000 m of recirculation air an hour, generating a cooling capacity of 200 kW and each consuming 30 l of water per hour. The recirculation air is clean as the machines are encapsulated, which means that they barely emit any contaminants. Adiabatic cooling capacity is dependent on the outside temperature: the hotter the air outside, the higher the output. Process air is pre-cooled – an innovative process patented by Hoval – which makes operation highly efficient.

The energy efficiency ratio (EER) is 11,2.

But today, an environmentally friendly alternative to mechanical cooling is available and has a name: adiabatic air conditioning. This method of air conditioning produces cool air by evaporating water, which means that it doesn’t require cooling agents - and its profile is growing as a result.

The adiabatic Hoval solution The indirect adiabatic cooling process humidifies extract air. The evaporationbased cooling that is produced during this cools the outside air before it flows ® into the room. The AdiaVent adiabatic air recirculation cooling system from Hoval uses a different method: it cools the recirculation air using outside air as process air. The system is installed on the external facade or on the roof.

Comparison of the measured values with the design ® data from an AdiaVent -construction in Vienna. From this Diagram we can see that not only do the calculated individual values coincide very well with the measured data but that the trend curves are also nearly identical.

In the application area, the design data is therefore to be seen as assured.

Im Fokus

Strength in decentralisation ® The Hoval AdiaVent air recirculation cooling systems offer yet another advantage: a decentralised design.

This means that there is no need to install ventilation ducts in the hall interior – something that would be no mean feat in this production facility with its underslung cranes. The air is distributed via vertically suspended textile tubes measuring around 4 m in height, and in layers to prevent draughts.

Financial rewards to boot The investment and installation costs ® for an AdiaVent system add up to around 65% of the costs generated by a mechanical cooling system. The operating costs are also as much as a third lower by comparison.

A system that saves money and the environment The opportunity to combine hall climate control, heating and cooling into one efficient and effective system – both saving money and helping the environment – proved an exciting one for Peter Roithner in Neukirchen bei Lambach, Upper Austria. Roithner’s company Pero specialises in mechanical engineering and tool manufacturing, as well as in creating special cylinders, bespoke products and prototypes.

In 2008 he purchased a new building for the company, with a hall 2 measuring 6 m in height and covering 800 m .

Adhering to the required production tolerances – which are often very low – requires a constant hall temperature all year round.

To satisfy this need, Hoval created a system that combines both heating and air conditioning technology: this consists of a Hoval ® Thermalia (70 H) brine/water heat pump that uses a probe field as ® a heat source, and two decentralised Hoval RoofVent LKW-6 3 ventilation units, each with a nominal airflow rate of 5500 m /h.

These are fitted with a highly efficient heat recovery system so that the enormous amount of heat given off by the machines can be used indirectly to heat the hall in winter. The water from the probe field that is used for heating during the winter supports the cooling system in the summer.

The new Pero GmbH production building is exceptionally leak-tight 2 and covers a total area of 1440 m . Thanks to its sophisticated technology and cleverly designed system, it is able to operate entirely without fossil fuels – and what’s more, the operating costs 2 per m only amount to EUR 2736 a year. The heat and cold recovery systems coupled with the heat pumps result in an energy and cost saving of 84%.

Insights 2014/15 _ 25

Im operation In Fokus United Kingdom.

New technology in the National Gallery.

High efficiency boilers from Hoval are helping the National Gallery

in London reduce its energy consumption and carbon footprint, while maintaining a stable internal environment for the exhibits.

The National Gallery opened in 1838, occupying a dominant position in Trafalgar Square at the very centre of London. The original building has been extended several times since then and now houses the national collection of paintings in the Western European tradition from the 13th to the 19th centuries.

The National Gallery has a strong commitment to sustainability, with ongoing initiatives to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.

In support of this policy, a decision was made to replace the existing boiler plant and consulting engineers hurleypalmerflatt were commissioned to design a more efficient solution.

Nigel Back of hurleypalmerflatt explained: “The base heat loads at the National Gallery are met by a combined heat and power (CHP) unit but the existing back-up boilers were oversized for

26 _ Insights 2014/15

meeting the additional heat loads, resulting in inefficiencies. We therefore designed a system that would be more efficient and responsive, while also providing the resilience required to maintain the critical internal environment.

“Having reviewed a number of manufacturers, we specified Hoval as providing the optimum combination of efficiency, reliability and best value,” he continued.

In addition, three dual-fuel SR-plus boilers have been installed to ensure that heating can be maintained to protect exhibits in the event of interruption to the gas supply.

In parallel, the heating system has been reconfigured, replacing the existing single circuit system with a primary circuit and several secondary circuits to provide better control.

The new system, installed by contractors Capri Mechanical, uses two UltraGas condensing boilers as lead boilers, supplementing the CHP plant at times of peak demand. Using a pre-mix modulating burner with up to 12:1 turndown, the UltraGas boilers are able to respond efficiently to variable heat demand while taking advantage of condensing opportunities for even higher efficiency when return water temperatures permit.

© National Gallery, London

© National Gallery, London

In detail

Renewable energy: The case for biogas.

Consumers who use gas don’t need to give up on the idea of switching

to renewables. Today, there are numerous gas suppliers offering biogas obtained from biological waste – and it’s a virtually 100% carbon-neutral solution.

As intriguing an opportunity as this may be, it actually stems from a very simple principle: burning biogas from plantbased waste is carbon-neutral, because the process only releases as much CO2 as the plants captured from the air during their life time.

The most important element of biogas is methane, which releases energy during the burning process. From a single tonne of biological waste, it is possible to obtain 3 100 m of biogas with a methane content of 61%. And to take another example of raw materials for biogas, a tonne of manure from chickens, pigs or cows will 3 produce 45 to 80 m of biogas containing 60% methane.

Bringing down emissions It’s increasingly clear that the key to giving a helping hand to the environment lies in calculating the figures. The first step in this might involve replacing an older, noncondensing oil-fired boiler with a new ® Hoval UltraGas condensing version, which condenses exhaust gas and obtains heat from it. This alone will cut CO2 emissions by approximately one third.

Looking at the gas mix is important too: a mixture consisting of 80% natural gas

and 20% biogas, for instance, will cut pollutant emissions by another 20%.

But perhaps the best way to see the benefit of doing the maths is to look at some concrete figures. To take the example of a non-condensing oil-fired boiler with an annual consumption of 3,000 l, this generates around 7500 kg of CO2 emissions as compared with a condensing boiler that produces only 5100 kg. And if 20% is subtracted from that, the emissions amount to less than 4100 kg.

Solar thermal energy plays its part These calculations are nothing to be sneezed at. But it’s possible to improve the balance even more by harnessing solar thermal energy to provide heat for hot water – in this case, bringing CO2 emissions down another 15% to 3,500 kg.

What’s more, using solar collectors for heating rooms would, in total, result in a 25% drop to 3,000 kg. Equating to around 60%, the overall result of these reductions is that half as much CO2 released into the atmosphere.

to pay off: here, requirements state that every heating renovation project carried out from 2020 onwards must include a renewable energy element.

Power and heat from biogas Another point is that biogas is most effective in cases where it is being used to generate power and heat simultaneously, giving this form of energy real pulling power in CHP units like the Hoval PowerBloc.

It’s therefore clear that the case for biogas is already a strong one – but there’s one more argument for switching to it. Methane, which is produced when biological waste is fermenting, has 25 to 30 times more impact on heating the climate than CO2 does – so it is undoubtedly better put to use in biogas plants than left unchecked on compost heaps, free to rise into the atmosphere.

Germany already produces five times as much biogas as it imports from Russia. In the European Union, the figure is around 6%.

Switzerland is just one example of where making calculations like these is bound

Insights 2014/15 _ 27

Im detail In Fokus

Energy efficiency gets a new label in the EU. From 26 September 2015, the energy efficiency of boilers, heat

pumps, CHP plants and water heaters will need to be proven in EU countries. Now more than ever, this calls for complete solutions from a single supplier. These include renewable energies and are therefore particularly energy-efficient. Hoval, one of the few companies supplying such systems, provides its customers with ready-to-use system labels for its complete solutions.

A guesstion to start with: how much energy do the people of Europe require to satisfy their heating and hot water needs? The answer: in relative figures, around 35% of total energy consumption can be attributed to space and water heating. What’s more, the number of outdated systems is high, making them less efficient to run. As a result, the EU aims to increase energy efficiency by 20% before 2020. One measure intended to help achieve this objective is the introduction of a directive on products that require energy during manufacture and use: the “ErP Directive” (energyrelated products). EU countries are obliged to translate the ErP Directive into its laws. The ErP Directive itself is divided into around 40 lots. Lot 1 and lot 2 will come into effect on 26 September 2015. Lot 1 affects boilers, heat pumps and heating systems that generate electricity via combined heat and power systems, Lot 2 relates to water heaters.

Transparency through Hoval knowledge When it comes to a new refrigerator, for example, consumers know that the higher the energy efficiency class, the lower the energy consumption and operating costs.

In short: it can save money. But it’s not that easy where boilers and heating systems are concerned: “Different fuels also cost different amounts,” says Günther Köb, Head of Product Management for Oil and Gas at Hoval. He also represents the company in the Association of the European Heating Industry (EHI), which has been concerning itself with the ErP Directive’s lot 1 and lot 2 since 2005.

“In cross-comparison, a higher energy efficiency class”, says Günther Köb,

28 _ Insights 2014/15

“does not necessarily mean that the heating costs fall.”

On the provisional energy efficiency scale from G to A++, a fossil fuel-burning boiler of the highest efficiency comes in at an A. An A+ is only given if renewable energies are involved; for example, if hot water and/or space heating is partially supplied by solar energy. Günther Köb concludes: “It’s not measured against costs, but rather CO2 emissions.”

Heat pumps that are considered to be regenerative, (hydroelectric power) can achieve an A+ energy efficiency class even without a solar power plant, but solar thermal energy would make it A++.

The label for the system So how do planners and plumbers deal with this complexity? If they purchase the boiler from one manufacturer, the storage tank from a second and the solar collectors from a third, they will be confronted with different energy efficiency labels for the boiler and storage tank.

However, what’s important is the energy efficiency class for the entire system. This can be determined using a calculation; however, this produces a calculation handicap error of 5% compared to the measured efficiency class determined on the test bench under practical conditions. Hoval will determine the efficiency class using practical measurements and, as a result, achieve the maximum possible efficiency class for the Hoval systems.

“It’s not measured against costs, but rather CO2 emissions.”

Günther Köb, Head of product management for oil and gas

Im Detail Fokus Space heating: that’s how the energy efficiency label works In lot 1, the ErP Directive concerns space heaters and combi-heaters, which also supply hot water, up to a capacity of 400 kW. But for now only products up to 70 kW require a label. Condensing units, however, only need to be purchased for heating systems up to 400 kW. This is stipulated in the EU Ecodesign Directive that also underlies the ErP Directive.

The previous efficiency figures, which are based on lower heating values, are being completely replaced by upper heating values. The value of the seasonal space heating efficiency hson – which also goes back to the EU Ecodesign Directive – is broken down into space heating annual efficiency hs. It determines where a boiler or a heat pump is classified on the label scale from G to A+. This scale will apply for four years until 25 September 2019, then it will be extended to A+++ and limited to D. In other words, products that are inefficient in terms of their energy consumption will no longer have a place on the market.

The heating capacity of a heat pump varies according to climate zone. These values are displayed in kW on the energy efficiency label. This also indicates the sound power level in dB – and not just for heat pumps.

Water heaters: label up to 500 l Lot 2 of the ErP Directive regulates water heaters up to a storage tank capacity of 2,000 l. However, only storage tanks with a capacity of up to 500 l require a label.

After 26 September 2015, the energy efficiency label spectrum will range from G to A for two years, and then from F to A+.

Water heater energy efficiency can be calculated in two ways: the first method is by means of a calculation that exclusively considers the storage tank volume and the standby loss. However, using this method, water heaters come out relatively poorly. If, however, the water heating efficiency is determined by means of technical tests with the heat generator, all possible influencing factors are taken into consideration and the water heating efficiency is significantly higher when coupled with an ultra-efficient Hoval heat generator.

Once more, this speaks volumes for a complete system, whose components work perfectly together and that is operated via a central control system. Even the control system itself improves energy efficiency and can be displayed on the system label as proof of a higher energy efficiency class.

Insights 2014/15 _ 29

Im detail In Fokus

Rotary heat exchangers: Test rig puts developments and advances through their paces.

Hoval is constantly improving and

developing its rotary heat exchangers. At its headquarters in Liechtenstein, a test rig that was

designed in-house at Hoval now tests technical modifications under real-life conditions. This means that customers can benefit from reduced lead times.

Having an advantage means making the most of it. Currently, the rotary heat exchangers from Hoval are probably the most leak-tight on the market. Springs that adjust to the movement of the rotor press the peripheral seal against the casing: compared with rigid rotor seals, this patented Hoval innovation reduces energy-guzzling leakage by up to 70%.

Ensuring low manufacturing costs The seal concept is a sophisticated piece of technology. For these developments and enhancements to rotary heat exchangers, tests are absolutely vital – and ultimately enable production costs to be kept as low as possible. In fact, the customer benefits from Hoval’s inhouse test rig in terms of both costs and time, as it is now possible to test advancements, developments and modifications more quickly and easily.

30 _ Insights 2014/15

Mechanical tests

Expandable test rig

The largest rotors that Hoval puts to the test at its factory premises in Vaduz, Liechtenstein, have a diameter of 2.62 m.

In mechanical tests they are subjected to the same air pressure conditions that prevail in an air conditioning unit. These conditions are created by running massive fans, producing a noise that is reminiscent of an aeroplane engine. Differential pressure levels of up to 2,000 pascals can be generated between the two air chambers in the test rig. The mechanical tests determine how and to what extent the rotors yield under the air pressure.

Looking to the future, the test rig could be expanded to accommodate thermal tests too, in which case it may be possible to simulate individual weather and climate conditions exactly as they would occur in real life. What’s more, it could even be possible to test large and extra-large plate heat exchangers – measuring up to 200 x 200 cm – on the very same test rig.

To run a single test, it takes at least six weeks. This means that, at a diameter of 2.62 m, the rotor can cover approximately 12,000 km under extreme test conditions. In total, however, the rotor is designed for a service life of around 300,000 km.

Whatever the future holds, however, this test rig means that Hoval never has to carry out field tests again. The rotors undergo thorough mechanical testing in exactly the same place as they are developed and enhanced – creating the reliability that every customer values.

Im retrospect In Fokus

“Family party” at Hoval.

Gustav Ospelt celebrates Christmas. Some of his family and a few employees get together in his office on Herrengasse.

“It was Christmas 1947 or 1948. The technical team, management and some of my family got together in my office on Herrengasse. There were Christmas presents on the desk underneath the portraits of my mother and father, including a stove that our apprentices had made. My daughter posed for the photographer with us.

Sitting next to me on the left is Alfred Vetter. Back row from left to right: Albert Sprenger, Ing. Richard Hnila, Alfred Vogt, Mr Kron, Head of Construction. On the right behind Maly: Doris Jehle, who joined the company in the business administration department in 1946, and Albert Caminada.”

An extract from the book “Gustav Ospelt - 80 erfüllte Jahre” (Gustav Ospelt – 80 fulfilled years).

IMPRINT „Insights” - the Hoval Group magazine Appears biannually at varying times.

Responsible: Marketing Services, Alina Ivanescu PUBLISHER: Hoval Aktiengesellschaft Austrasse 70 9490 Vaduz, Liechtenstein EDITING: Peter Gerner, Alina Ivanescu, Ursula Trunz (text), Ernst Carli (design), Veronika Dialler (coordination)

The whole Hoval-world at one click:

PRINTING: EBERL PRINT GmbH, Immenstadt i. Allgäu, Germany Printed on environmentally friendly paper.

Online version available at hoval.com

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