• Trane analysis,
consultation and
recommendations to
help customer
achieve desired
business outcome
• Trane Select Service
Agreement helps
assure reliable,
efficient
performance
• Tracer Summit®
building automation
system for better
control, energy
efficiency
• New Trane Model
RTAD Series R™
air-cooled chillers
and fan-coil units
with ZN controls
With a clear focus on energy efficiency,
environmental stewardship and the bottom line,
Transitions Optical is working with Trane to
enhance eyeglass lens production while saving
energy and production costs. Thanks to advice
from Trane and a Select Service Agreement,
Transitions Optical has cut lens production costs
by 50 percent while generating 144,000
($192,000 USD) in annual energy savings. In
recognition of Transitions Optical’s commitment
to energy efficiency and environmental
responsibility, the Transitions Optical plant in
Tuam, Ireland, has been awarded the Trane
"Energy Efficiency Leader Award"--the first
business in Ireland to receive this honor.
In late 2006 Transitions Optical engineers
initiated a plan to address rising energy costs
and aging infrastructure. A building audit was
used to identify energy conservation measures
and then develop a three-year plan to upgrade
chilled water systems and controls with more
efficient systems. Very importantly, Transitions
Optical must avoid production stoppages. Key
factors in reaching their goals included
confidence in the stable production of chilled
water for manufacturing operations, and the
expertise of their supplier.
Based on a solid, multi-year relationship and
their knowledge of Trane’s experience in
creating high performance buildings, Transitions
Optical solicited Trane’s advice and assistance
for their upgrade project. After reviewing the
business case and specific building needs, Trane
made recommendations that delivered an
immediate 25 percent cost reduction. These
included replacing existing chillers with three
chillers instead of four as first planned. Trane
also recommended integrating all components
into a single, energy-efficient system using a
Tracer Summit building automation system. To
help assure continued high performance,
Transitions Optical has a Trane Select Service
Agreement that provides a full equipment
warranty plus full HVAC equipment and controls
maintenance. Trane will repair/replace any
faulty equipment, free of charge. The customer
benefits through consistent, planned
maintenance with no surprises.
The upgrades are generating 144,000
($192,000 USD) in annual energy savings and
have reduced energy needed to produce each
lens by 40 percent--from 1200 Watts per lens
to 800 Watts per lens. In 2007, cooling costs at
the plant represented fifteen percent of overall
annual electrical costs. In 2010, cooling costs
are only about eight percent of overall electrical
costs. Average monthly energy savings are
about 60,000 kWh--equivalent to shutting
down the entire plant for three days a month
and saving 12,000 ($16,050 USD) per month.
These savings have a direct, positive impact on
the bottom line--and with the environment in
mind.
Tim Farrelly, Transitions Optical, said, "This
system allows us to use the minimum cooling as
required at any given time, 24 hours a day, 365
days a year. Using Trane chiller plant
management software, Transitions has had the
ability to systematically and safely increase core
cooling temperatures over the past two years.
Prior to this project, we were running
temperatures of three to five degrees Celsius.
Now we are running at ten degrees C. The
software automatically controls chiller capacity.
Prior to this system we were running two or
even three chillers most of the year. With Trane
controls, we are running one chiller for nine
months of the year and a maximum of two
chillers during summer months. This has led to a
significant cost savings."
Transitions Optical, with headquarters in Florida, owns the Tuam,
Ireland, plant. The plant produces the optical industry’s top
photochromic lenses -- lenses that darken on exposure to ultraviolet
radiation -- for optical manufacturers worldwide. Transitions lenses
improve visual comfort and quality by reducing glare and enhancing
contrast. They also block 100 percent of harmful UVA and UVB rays to
help protect eye health.