Hello! We have project which would be applicable for the 'no cooling tower' alternative compliance credit. However, the client is now considering connection to the district cooling system. Do I understand correctly that this would make the project automaticaly uneligible for the credit? Can someone explain me the intent behind this requirement? Ashwini mentioned in the 'No cooling tower' comment thread : "You should be able to pursue this credit even with the District Cooling System. As long as the District Energy Provider is able to demonstrate compliance." -> What does this mean in practice? Has anybody tried this option? That district energy provider is not using water tower nor evaporative condensers. What if part of the building still uses chillers for cooling and the other the district cooling. Then we might apply for the credit? Thanks for the help!
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Melissa Kelly
Sustainability SpecialistGensler
85 thumbs up
August 29, 2017 - 12:14 pm
Hi Martina,
What's the source of your district cooling? My understanding is that the reason that district cooling systems would make a pilot credit ineligible is to prevent a scenario where a project receives this credit but their actual cooling source isn't following the requirements. If the provider meets all the same requirements, I wonder if you might have a case.
That said, I also think that the requirement for your ASHRAE baseline system to be type 7 or 8 with a cooling tower might cause you to be ineligible for the pilot credit. If you have purchased chilled water in the proposed design, you must also have it in the baseline instead of a chiller/cooling tower per G3.1.1.3.3 of the standard.
Martina Salonen
ConsultantRamboll Finland
5 thumbs up
October 31, 2017 - 4:56 am
Hi Melissa!
Thank you for clarification, I also think it would be worth the case when the district cooling is meeting the requirements.
The district cooling for our project is provided as a side product of district heating. The cool water leaving the heat pumps' evaporator as condensate which would otherwise be let out to the see, are instead reused in heat exchanger for cooling the water for district cooling. Thus this system supports the intent of the credit because there is no potable water used for cooling. The size and usage type of the project indicates the use of ASHRAE baseline system type 7 or 8.