National Learning Network College East Case Study

CASE STUDY NLN College Ballyfermot, Dublin 10, Ireland

CASE STUDY: NLN COLLEGE, DUBLIN 10

ABOUT THE CLIENT The National Learning Network (NLN) is Ireland’s largest nongovernmental education and training organisation, supporting over 5,000 students annually across more than 50 training centres. The centres provide flexible education and vocational training opportunities for people with disabilities, health conditions, or other support needs. NLN’s campus, located in the repurposed former Caritas College site, required a modern, efficient heating system to support its training activities while lowering lifecycle costs and environmental impact.

Project Drivers / Objectives The site was previously served by gas-fired cast iron sectional boilers that were inefficient, expensive to maintain, and approaching end of life.

NLN’s objectives were clear: Improve system efficiency and reliability Ensure comfort for all users across training facilities Reduce running and maintenance costs Ensure sufficient domestic hot water (DHW) availability Modernise controls for energy management Progress decarbonisation and reduce reliance on fossil fuels

Project Requirements The new system was needed to provide efficient space heating and robust hot water generation across classrooms, offices, and support facilities. Control integration was a critical requirement, ensuring safe operation, optimal sequencing, and compliance with hygiene standards (Legionella prevention).

Additional challenges included adapting the heating system to suit the existing building layout and ensuring minimal disruption during installation.

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CASE STUDY: NLN COLLEGE, DUBLIN 10

SOLUTION OVERVIEW Following a detailed assessment, Galileo Energy Services, acting as consulting engineer, recommended replacement of the oil boilers with a high-efficiency gas boiler cascade system. The proposed solution provided modularity, redundancy, and a compact footprint, ensuring reliable heating and hot water production while allowing flexible capacity control. A new building management system (BMS) was integrated to optimise efficiency, scheduling, and safety.

System Design & Controls Strategy The heating system is based on a cascade of five condensing gas boilers, delivering up to 750 kW combined capacity.

The BMS ensures: Sequential control of boilers for load matching Weather compensation of flow temperatures Control of DHW heating and sterilisation cycles Legionella prevention through monitored DHW temperature control 0–10V analogue modulation of boiler output Time scheduling for heating zones and hot water production This control logic maximises seasonal efficiency, improves reliability, and reduces manual intervention.

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CASE STUDY: NLN COLLEGE, DUBLIN 10

Equipment Supplied Immergas Victrix PRO 150 NG The Victrix PRO 150 NG is a highefficiency condensing gas boiler designed for commercial buildings with significant heating and hot water demands. At NLN, it replaces outdated gas boilers, providing reliable, efficient heat generation with reduced emissions and operating costs.

Purpose & Performance Each unit provides 150 kW capacity, with up to five units linked in cascade to deliver a total of 750kW. The boilers achieve high seasonal efficiency and maintain output across variable load conditions.

Notable Features Cascade configuration (up to 5 units, 750kW total) Compact floor-standing support kit with integrated hydraulic manifolds Certified for both indoor and outdoor installation Stainless steel 316L heat exchanger for durability Wide modulation range for part-load efficiency Compliant with EU Ecodesign and ErP standards Inbuilt frost protection and weather compensation functionality

Relevance to Project The modular cascade arrangement maximises flexibility, reliability, and space efficiency, while reducing running costs and maintenance. This ensures NLN can provide consistent heating for its training centre with significantly lower energy consumption compared to the old gas system.

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CASE STUDY: NLN COLLEGE, DUBLIN 10

INSTALLATION Mechanical installation was completed by CTS Group, who coordinated delivery and commissioning with minimal disruption to NLN’s operations. The compact footprint of the Victrix PRO units simplified plant room layout and avoided major structural modifications. The prefabricated support and hydraulic manifold kits accelerated installation, reducing downtime and associated costs.

Outcome & Benefits The new system delivers: Significant efficiency gains over the previous gas boilers Lower running and maintenance costs Reduced CO₂ emissions through fuel switch from oil to natural gas Consistent comfort levels for building users Improved safety and compliance with Legionella control Modular redundancy, ensuring reliable operation even during maintenance By integrating advanced controls with efficient equipment, NLN benefits from a sustainable, future-proof heating system aligned with operational and ESG objectives.

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CASE STUDY: NLN COLLEGE, DUBLIN 10

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PROJECT PARTNERS Client: National Learning Network (NLN) Consulting Engineer: Galileo Energy Services Mechanical Installer: CTS Group

For further information on high-efficiency heating solutions for education and training facilities, contact:

RVR Energy Technology Ltd Kenmare, Co. Kerry V93 F386 064 6641344 | www.rvr.ie | info@rvr.ie