Siemens - Experts & Thought Leaders

Green Point UK, BITZER UK’s compressor services arm, is remanufacturing air conditioning compressors used in train HVAC systems to original factory specification, enabling customer Siemens Mobility to keep train fleets operating in tip-top condition and achieve its environmental and sustainability goals. To date, Green Point UK has remanufactured more than two hundred high-efficiency BITZER model 2FC-3.2Y-40S and ECOLINE 2FES-3Y-40S semi-hermetic compressors, key components of train HVAC systems that ensure comfort whatever the weather. The units are used on Class 185 and Desiro series trains, that operate all over the UK. Environmental benefits Siemens uses remanufactured compressors due to the environmental benefits Siemens Mobility switched to using high-quality remanufactured compressors due to the environmental benefits of reduced waste and embodied carbon, in line with the company’s resource efficiency goals, while reducing costs and ensuring rapid turnaround. Paul Hawkin, Siemens Mobility UK Service Delivery Manager, said: "Our sustainability strategy does not end at our factory walls. We are aware of our responsibility to ensure that our suppliers match our sustainability goals.” High-quality remanufactured compressors Hawkin added: "The embodied carbon and materials in equipment used on trains represents a big percentage of their environmental impact." "Using high-quality remanufactured compressors does not add to the carbon and material budget, while maintaining efficiency and quality. It's a win-win for the environment, our customers and society as a whole as we work to transform rail travel." Pros of preventive maintenance Some 98% of units returned are fit for remanufacturing, resulting in almost negligible wastage Compressors are delivered in batches to Green Point UK’s facility in Milton Keynes, where they are assessed and then processed according to the company’s global remanufacturing protocol, which returns them to the original BITZER factory specification. To date, some 98% of units returned are suitable for remanufacturing, resulting in almost negligible wastage. In line with planned preventive maintenance principles, compressors are remanufactured at a point in their working life that gives a comfortable safety margin before wear begins to take a toll, minimizing the risk of a breakdown in service and ensuring continuity of train air conditioning. Benefits of an enlightened approach Will Pribyl, Green Point UK general manager, says: “If a train air conditioning system fails, it becomes an immediate problem. Siemens Mobility UK takes a proactive approach that minimizes this risk, and ensures HVAC systems are maintained in excellent working order at all times. "This enlightened approach has benefits for all, and is a model for intelligent stewardship of cooling systems, given their importance to comfort and productivity.” Reinstalled into HVAC modules After remanufacturing, compressors are returned to Siemens Mobility UK’s Rail Village at Goole, its new state-of-the-art train manufacturing plant and supply chain facility, which is a net zero site.  The units are reinstalled into HVAC modules as part of a comprehensive planned maintenance overhaul. This includes reconditioning air conditioning fans, which are equipped with new bearings and restored to original factory spec’. New Green Point UK serial Green Point UK holds stocks of replacement OEM components at all times, ensuring rapid turnaround The QR-coded remanufactured compressors retain the original BITZER compressor serial number alongside the new Green Point UK serial, giving Siemens Mobility UK full asset traceability throughout the equipment life-cycle. As part of the agreement, Green Point UK holds stocks of replacement OEM components at all times, ensuring rapid turnaround. Paul Hawkin said: “We were impressed by Green Point UK’s approach, and the fact that they are part of BITZER as the manufacturer, with access to all original parts and engineering data. It provides assurance that work will be done to the highest standards.” Benefits of reciprocating compressors BITZER’s ECOLINE range of semi-hermetic reciprocating compressors is a proven workhorse, combining high efficiency, a wide range of applications, flexible refrigerant selection, quiet running, and excellent reliability. They can be used with a wide range of refrigerants, including very low Global Warming Potential HFC and HFO-blend fluids. Siemens Mobility UK & Ireland provides rail traffic technology, bringing together rolling stock, rail infrastructure, rail services, and software.

Siemens and Genea recently announced a second collaborative effort to provide security professionals and facility managers with improved security using the cloud. The security solution allows teams to leverage their existing technology, like security cameras, door readers, controllers and more, and manage it all from a modern dashboard, anytime, anywhere. Siemens’ security customers Through Genea’s customizable, cloud-based, open API platform, Siemens’ security customers can now integrate various current building systems or applications, such as visitor management, Apple Wallet, video management, or identity management. Genea makes it possible to assign and distribute NFC and Bluetooth mobile credentials directly to users’ smartphones. As an added convenience, credentials can also be stored in Apple and Google Wallet, for easier accessibility. Integrated systems   Customers can transition to the cloud without paying to replace their entire hardware system Since Genea runs on non-proprietary door readers and Mercury controllers, customers can transition to the cloud without paying to replace their entire hardware system. This commitment to open standards helps guarantee that the integrated systems will provide exceptional performance, while safeguarding customers' investments in security infrastructure. Genea's advanced platform "Teaming up with Genea underscores our dedication to expanding the Siemens Connect Ecosystem program by delivering top-tier security solutions using non-proprietary Mercury hardware," said Rich Reidy, US Security Segment Head of the Buildings business at Siemens Smart Infrastructure USA.  Rich Reidy adds, "As a trusted and proven pioneer in the industry, Genea's advanced platform and flexible technology align perfectly with our goal of offering cutting-edge, adaptable solutions for the future." Flexible security solution Genea and Siemens first collaborated five years ago with the goal of enhancing commercial real estate operations. With Genea On-Demand HVAC and Genea Submeter Billing, property teams were able to drive significant energy savings and operational efficiencies.  This latest joint effort gives Siemens’ customers a flexible security solution that remains adaptable to the evolving needs of enterprises, universities, schools, healthcare facilities, commercial real estate properties, and other markets. Transition to cloud-based security "We are excited to once again collaborate with Siemens, a company that shares our dedication to innovation and excellence," said Eric Moe, Senior Vice President of Sales, Security at Genea. Eric Moe adds, "This latest endeavor that targets the physical security market allows us to pair with an industry pioneer and help more organizations transition to cloud-based security."

Siemens Smart Infrastructure has announced its first-time participation at Chillventa, an international trade fair for refrigeration, air conditioning, ventilation, and heat pump technology, from October 8 to 10 in Nuremberg, Germany. Siemens will present cutting-edge technology for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) designed to transform the Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration (HVAC-R) industry toward a more digital and sustainable future. Climatix Hub As OEMs tackle the challenge of decarbonization and make their offering greener, Siemens will introduce one of the highlights of its portfolio: the new Climatix Hub.  The HVAC-R plant management software ensures the easy optimization and monitoring of equipment, and its energy consumption in the system. Digital transformation The software significantly enhances energy profiles, extends equipment lifetime, and reduces service costs Powered by the Siemens company J2 Innovation’s FIN Framework, the software significantly enhances energy profiles, extends equipment lifetime, and reduces service costs. The Climatix Hub is part of the open digital business platform Siemens Xcelerator, enabling customers to accelerate their digital transformation easier, faster, and at scale. Energy savings “Buildings consume around 40 percent of all energy worldwide, and 75 percent of buildings are managed inefficiently. Therefore, digital applications that reduce energy consumption in buildings play a crucial role in meeting Europe’s target to become climate neutral by 2050,” said Emma Falck, Executive Vice President of products, at Smart Infrastructure Buildings. “We are proud to present our innovative Climatix Hub technology at this year’s Chillventa, and help our customers and partners succeed in lowering emissions and energy costs.” Climatix S400 controller, MVL702 magnetic expansion valve MVL702 magnetic expansion valve can help OEMs gain up to 21 percent more heating  Other key exhibits at the booth will include the Climatix S400 controller that allows OEMs to design, control, install, and maintain their offering efficiently and sustainably while enabling the introduction of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions. In addition, the fast, precise, and robust MVL702 magnetic expansion valve is another energy-efficient Siemens solution that can help OEMs gain up to 21 percent more heating capacity from their chillers or heat pumps. Specialist forums The Siemens booth 4-461 is located in hall 4. During the event, Siemens and J2 Innovations experts will share their insights on specialist forums, and discuss topics such as advanced expansion valve technology and how to bring automation technology to buildings of any kind and size.

AHR Expo 2024 was abuzz with activity, befitting a dynamic industry in the throes of change.  Industry developments such as electrification and the refrigerant transition render business opportunities on the AHR Expo show floor, where exhibitors display a determination to meet the challenges and thrive in the process. Walking from booth to booth during the three-day show in Chicago, I saw the best the HVAC industry has to offer, up close and personal. Innovation and adaptability are the watchwords as the industry journeys into 2024 and beyond. Refrigerant Transition Top of Mind  Patented R-454B refrigerant enables a simpler transition without redesigning equipment The technology transition is well underway for OEMs seeking to meet a pending AIM Act deadline at the end of the year. OEMs are choosing to embrace either R-32 or R454-B refrigerant to replace legacy R-410A, which is being phased out. Patented R-454B refrigerant enables a simpler transition without redesigning equipment, while R-32 offers advantages such as higher capacity, higher efficiency, and easier cradle-to-cradle management. Arkema Arkema is the only producer of R-32 refrigerant in the United States. The newer refrigerant is being embraced as HVAC OEMs seek to meet the deadline of Jan. 1, 2025, to use lower-GWP (global warming potential) refrigerants in their products. The technology transition is just part of the AIM Act implementation that will also limit allocation and require refrigerant management. Chemours Chemours is a manufacturer of R-454A, R-454B, and R-454C refrigerants. At AHR, they presented hourly education sessions on a variety of subjects. The refrigerant transition will impact everyone in the industry, including refrigerant producers, equipment manufacturers, contractors, and end users. R-454B refrigerant provides identical performance in HVAC systems compared to the previous refrigerant (R-410A). There is less need to redesign equipment; just adding sensors for leak mitigation can address the mild flammability of A2L refrigerants. Because of the 2025 deadline, 2024 will be the “year of new products” in the HVAC market. OEMs pioneering Innovation  Carrier and others are offering smaller footprints, seeking to meet environmental targets Innovation in the HVAC market is led by companies such as Carrier, which has introduced 100 new products each year for the past eight years. Carrier and others are offering smaller footprints, seeking to meet environmental targets, and providing flexibility for customers. New products include the AquaSnap 30RC air-cooled chiller and the AquaEdge 19MV chiller with low GWP refrigerant to meet pending regulatory requirements.  Copeland Copeland, recently divested from Emerson, also emphasizes innovation, including 12 research and development (R&D) facilities, 1,700 engineers, and more than 3,000 patents. At a press conference at AHR Expo, the 100-year-old company announced it is a “new” company owned by Blackstone Private Equity.  Products featured Among the featured products at AHR are Copeland’s oil-free centrifugal compressor with Aero-lift bearing technology; and Copeland’s CC200 case controller, specifically designed to handle the unique challenges of the current retail grocery refrigeration environments. Copeland also pledges to play a role in educating the market about new trends and the transition to new refrigerants.  Emphasizing a Smaller Footprint  Trailblazer AGZ-F is an R-32 air-cooled scroll chiller that delivers 10% greater capacity and efficiency Daikin Daikin highlights the Atmosphera, a single-zone ductless split system (using R-32) that can reduce carbon emissions by 80% (compared to R-410A). Also, Trailblazer AGZ-F is an R-32 air-cooled scroll chiller that delivers 10% greater capacity and efficiency. Products emphasize a smaller footprint and less weight than their predecessors. Rebel Applied is a packaged rooftop unit that continually adjusts operation to address the building load, consuming less energy. Trailblazer HP is an air-to-water heat pump chiller with a reversing function that allows the product to switch between cooling and heating based on temperature requirements.  Friedrich Air Conditioning Friedrich Air Conditioning features the Breeze universally flexible inverter heat pump, a ducted mini-split for upgrading traditional equipment. It works with any furnace or air handler, has side discharge, is 40% smaller, and is cold weather capable to minus 13. Friedrich's new Vert-I-Pak is a line of M1-compliant single package Vertical Heat Pumps (available in 9K, 12K, 18K, and 24K Btu), supporting decarbonization efforts with heat pump operation down to 10°F. High Efficiency for Commercial and Residential Johnson Controls Johnson Controls exhibits their highly efficient residential and commercial HVAC solutions designed for Department of Energy (DOE) 2023 compliance and helping customers achieve Net Zero goals through decarbonization. On display was the York High-Efficiency 18 SEER2 Side-Discharge Heat Pump with up to 30% smaller footprint than vertical-discharge equipment. Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning's Aircore 700 single split system is aimed at light commercial and residential. Midea Their 3-ton model achieved 118% of rated capacity heating output at minus 15 degrees Fahrenheit Midea, known for selling consumer products, has kept a low profile in the professional sector, selling products that are either OEMed for Carrier or private-labeled by a contractor company. Seeking to promote the Midea brand, the Chinese company is staking its claim on the trade market with an emphasis on performance: The company exceeded performance in the Department of Energy’s “ColdClimate Heat Pump Challenge:” Their 3-ton model achieved 118% of rated capacity heating output at minus 15 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat pump awareness Results of a survey conducted by Midea show that more than half of homeowners are not fully aware of heat pumps and their function. Awareness lags among contractors, too: 70% of contractors indicate they do not know that the current’s advanced heat pumps can generate 100% heat output to a minimum temperature of minus 4 F. Wide Selection of New Products Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US emphasizes all-electric heat pump solutions. The Deluxe Wall-mounted H2i sumo System connects with an outdoor unit, and the intelli-HEAT dual fuel system can determine the best source of heat – electric or gas – on cold days. Among commercial products, Heat2OHeat Pump Water Heaters are designed to produce high-volume domestic hot water for commercial facilities in any climate. LG Electronics LG Electronics’ booth includes a wide product range, including advanced heating, ventilating, air conditioning LG Electronics’ booth includes a wide product range, including advanced heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and building management solutions for residential and commercial applications. Home electrification products include the LG R32 Air-to-Water Heat Pump Monobloc system; the LG Inverter Heat Pump Water Heater the LG Electronics Home 8 Energy Storage System, and ThinQ, LG’s mobile app. LG Art Cool Gallery multi-zone wall-mount indoor unit The LG Art Cool Gallery multi-zone wall-mount indoor unit features a customizable picture frame that doubles as a cooling and heating vent. Also, LG’s Medium and High-Temperature Hydro Kit Systems use a refrigerant-to-water heat exchanger to produce chilled or heated water. LG’s Split Compact M3 DOAS with Multi V S is suited to light commercial use where single-phase power is available and as an HVAC solution for outdoor air treatment. Easier Access for Technicians  Rheem Manufacturing New equipment at the Rheem Manufacturing booth at AHR Expo includes true multi-zone operation, smaller footprints, lighter weights, and components that are positioned for easy access by technicians. An LED in the control cabinet displays a fault code that identifies the problem to service technicians. The Resolute and Renaissance lines are commercially packaged heat pump units. The company is emphasizing the transition from R-410A to R-454B refrigerant by the end of 2024. Aeroseal Whether a new install or a retrofit, the product saves energy, saves money, and keeps customers compliant Aeroseal seals ducts by spraying a vinyl acetate polymer substance to increase HVAC efficiency. Whether a new install or a retrofit, the product saves energy, saves money, and keeps customers compliant, and a 30% tax deduction is available through the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).  Airzone Airzone is a Spanish company that controls inverters and VRFs (variable refrigerant flow units). Their communication gateway controller incorporates protocols from various manufacturers, and the Easyzone is an easy-to-install zoning system.  Infinitum Infinitum manufactures a motor system that leverages a printed circuit board as a stator, making the motor system lighter weight and also smaller, quieter, and more efficient. The Aircore EC uses a standard printed circuit board manufacturing process to eliminate bearings. The component is used in blowers by OEMs Lau, Acme, Canarm, and Peerless, whose products are displayed at the booth.  Bell & Gossett Bell & Gossett debuts its line of smart, connected products designed to improve sustainability Bell & Gossett, a Xylem brand, debuts its line of smart, connected products designed to improve the sustainability of commercial buildings and reduce complexity in the design process. Combining pumps and smart motors are the e-1510 end-suction pump, e-80 vertical in-line pump, and TECHNOFORCE e-HV packaged booster system.  NIBCO Simplifying the job of an HVAC installer is the PressACR copper press connection system from NIBCO, which connects copper pipes without brazing, which involves soldering and high temperatures, thus a fire hazard. The patent-pending groove design and crimp pattern support the higher-pressure requirement of an HVACR system. Pipes are pressed together using PressACR jaws and adapter jaws in a variety of sizes. NIBCO also displayed its Webstone brand of residential and commercial valves.  Control Products Provide Data  Resideo Resideo displayed home system products, including the Honeywell Home T10+ thermostat with RedLINK 3.0; sensors enable temperature balancing for hot and cold spots. Pro-IQ Services provides software tools designed for the connected home, including insights on heating, cooling, water, and indoor air quality devices to help contractors track customers. Professional-grade water damage prevention, the First Alert L2 WiFi Water Sensor and Switch provide alarms if there is a water leak.  Schneider Electric The EcoStruxure Building Operation system is open system software for building and facility management Schneider Electric seeks to be “digital partners for our customers,” working with Fortune 500 companies seeking to achieve ESG (environment, social and corporate governance) goals. They help customers establish where they are currently vis-à-vis their goals and then deploy science-based key performance indicators (KPIs) to direct them to where they want to be. The EcoStruxure Building Operation system is open system software for building and facility management, including two products for the small and medium building (SMB) market. Energy measurement Schneider measures energy usage through power meters, indoor air quality, and energy spent to achieve efficiency, compiling data according to what the customer wants to achieve. They sell through a national sales team, direct branch business (20 branches), and 200 system integrators (EcoXperts). Their customers include QSR (quick-service restaurant chains) that control climate centrally with data compiled in the cloud.  Siemens Siemens displays solutions for smart, adaptable buildings for a sustainable tomorrow, including the Building X system and the Sustainability Manager application, providing an understanding of a building’s performance and tracking it against sustainability and compliance targets. The Building X Lifecycle Twin tracks operational building performance via a “digital twin,” providing an augmented reality (AR) headset through which one can view equipment with information superimposed on the screen. Uponor  Uponor seeks to leverage the capital cost of heating systems to deliver heating and hot water. They make pipes and connectors and other technologies, including the AuqaPort, which improves water quality and energy savings in domestic hot water (DHW) applications. They seek to future-proof buildings by combining energy efficiency and comfort. Water recirculates and provides hot water on demand using 40% less piping. A “radiant roll-out mat” is preconfigured piping that can be rolled out to simplify installation. 

The importance of caring for the environment has become a top priority both around the world and increasingly in the United States. As regulations and social expectations become more stringent, future-proofing our infrastructure - beginning with energy consumption in buildings - is a natural first step. There are four key strategies a building owner or facility manager can focus on to improve energy efficiency and reduce a building’s carbon footprint, all while improving building performance: Retrofit control solutions Upgrade HVAC controls – No matter the size of the building, there are opportunities to optimize HVAC equipment through better control. With millions of aging, inefficient rooftop units (RTUs) in the United States, a simple retrofit control solution is budget-friendly for a building owner, while proving easy for contractors to install and manage. Retrofit control solutions are an easy way for small or low complexity buildings to improve performance. Retrofit control solutions are an easy way for small or low complexity buildings to improve performance For larger building systems, controllers newly available to the market have more processing power and flexibility to adapt to new and unique system configurations. Motion sensors enable room level automation and improve efficiency when spaces are vacant, turning off lighting and altering room temperature settings to reduce unnecessary energy use. Connected lighting and shade control also delivers efficiency gains by effectively harnessing the building’s natural environment. Bull Valley Country Club and Bangor Savings Bank are just two examples that are ‘seeing green,’ with new approaches to RTU equipment and room optimization.     Better project specifications Adopt standardized HVAC control sequences – As every building developed is unique, it is more difficult to carry efficiency knowledge from project to project. Uniform sequences of operation help maximize energy efficiency and performance in a building's HVAC system. ASHRAE published Guideline 36 that helps engineers deliver better project specifications for building systems. Guideline 36 provides a good balance of energy optimization through a combination of different ASHRAE specs that a manufacturer should meet including ASHRAE 90.1 for energy optimization, ASHRAE 55 for comfort standards, and ASHRAE 62.1 on indoor air quality (IAQ). Guideline 36 enables manufacturers to develop and test applications to deliver proven solutions for optimized HVAC efficiency. ASHRAE published Guideline 36 that helps engineers deliver better project specifications Balance energy consumption Improve building performance visibility with BAS – Monitoring electrical power, combined with a building automation system (BAS), helps to balance energy consumption while ensuring occupant comfort. Fully integrated building management systems provide easy visualization of energy consumption trends and mitigate costly problems. HVAC scheduling through a BAS can also reduce energy consumption by coordinating the use of heating, ventilation and air conditioning to synchronize with tenant occupancy schedules. By integrating schedules and calendars, the BAS can automatically adjust HVAC, lighting, and shades to accommodate areas when they are used, but turn off energy use when they are not.  Beyond dashboards and graphics lies a wealth of actionable insight For those buildings that have a BAS in place, how that data is used after it is collected is an equally important step to optimizing performance and energy efficiency. Beyond dashboards and graphics lies a wealth of actionable insight. For instance, building data can be exported into a cloud-based fault detection and diagnostic (FDD) program to add an additional layer of usefulness. Predictive fault detection Predictive fault detection and reactive visualization provide alerts to end-users through rule-based parameters that help to counter-balance potential threats before a problem occurs. As smart buildings continue to move down a path to becoming autonomous, the more building data points there are, the more that data can be applied to improve the comfort, productivity, and energy efficiency of that building through Artificial Intelligence (AI). Although we are just beginning to scratch the surface on how we may apply AI to buildings fully, using building data will empower real-time insights to make actionable adjustments to its system components. Improving how building data is managed does not have to be a daunting project. For example, having the right insights allowed the Renasant Convention Center to reduce chilled water usage while adding square footage and thermal load. HVAC energy consumption Hydronic flow optimization is a prime way to reduce HVAC energy consumption by up to 30% Use the right valves for precise control in hydronic systems – Hydronic flow optimization is a prime way to reduce HVAC energy consumption by up to 30%, while increasing building efficiency, operational performance and overall comfort. Pressure independent control valves have greater control accuracy and simplify regulating flow, which prevents over-and under-supply of heating or cooling energy. With no shortage of strategies at hand, improving building performance and efficiency is a step not to be overlooked on the path to decarbonization. As a building owner, it is important to partner with a solutions provider that can help you unlock the true potential of your property. Controlling energy usage Look for a provider that is highly knowledgeable about building efficiency and has access to the full breadth of hardware and software to create a complete solution. This way, they can deliver the complete mix of devices and technology you need to monitor and control energy usage, optimize HVAC equipment, and reduce energy costs to transform your building into an asset rather than a liability. With approaches adapted to a building’s unique lifecycle, supported by reliable HVAC devices, automation controls, and software solutions, you can turn your building into a green machine that is energy efficient and high performing, without compromising on comfort or occupant satisfaction.

Multiple components work together to make an HVAC system run smoothly and efficiently. One of the newer components in today’s systems is data, whether it is information about historic performance trends or the weather outside. A variety of sensors work together to provide data that can be crunched by various algorithms to provide useful information to system installers and end-users, and to help systems run better and longer. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: How can data analytics be used to enhance HVAC solutions?