SCDESIGN1 LLC
SCDESIGN1 – Eco Sustainability and Building Technologies/Solutions Specialising in HVAC Concept Design, Sustainability and Building Technologies
Energy Management and Sustainability – SCDESIGN1 has been involved in Sustainability, Energy Building Technologies and Energy Management since 1985 internationally. Experience in HVAC design/installation/commissioning and LEED design, BMS design/installation/commissioning/optimization demonstrating thorough experience in the building sector. SCDESIGN1 has saved property owners hundreds of thousands of dollars of energy due to advanced solutions. If the solutions developed for SCDESIGN1’s clients were implemented in all buildings nationally, then there would be no need for new Power Plants for at least 10 years. And at this time even better solutions can be developed for new power generation.
SCDESIGN1 LLC was formed in April 1997 to provide unique and innovative engineering consulting services to the building and industrial markets. Part of the distinctiveness of SCDESIGN1 is bridging the gap between design consultants and contractors – consultants with practical as well as design experience.
SCDESIGN1 is experienced Energy Managers. We assist managers and building owners reduce their energy wastage. We have been involved in Energy Management since 1985 whilst in the USA, New Zealand and Australia. Our international experience and Master Degree in Mechanical Engineering specialising in Energy Management (Texas A&M University) offer our client’s real and tangible results.
SCDESIGN1 has been involved in Building Automation Systems (BAS), Building Management Systems (BMS) and controls for over 30 years internationally. We have been involved in hundreds small to major projects worldwide. Our proficiency in BAS is complemented by our Consultancy and practical experience in this area. We understand the various protocols, types of systems and can advise our clients the right solution suiting their requirements. We also offer customers controls that are optimized to provide efficient and effective operation of their plant and equipment thus reducing their energy costs. We are currently reviewing new technology that reduces the owners/managers dependence on one controls company to service, maintain and operate their BAS.
Our skilled and experienced project management skills present projects that are completed to ensure the client obtains their requirements. Using the latest in Project Management software keeps the client up-to-date whilst assisting in managing the outcomes. We have been involved in managing building services projects, BAS installations and mechanical services upgrades/retrofits.
In our endeavours to provide our clients the most cost effective solutions we have been involved in treating waste to sewage to reduce operating and maintenance costs. We use simple but effective technology combined with experience to minimize building sewage waste. The equipment used in this service is “green” technology.
COMPANY BACKGROUND
David Sattler is the sole owner of SCDESIGN1 LLC with international experience in Building Automation Systems and controls, Mechanical Services design, Building Maintenance, Contractor Management, Project Management, Specifications and Tendering, Electricity and Gas Contract tendering, Energy Management, Energy Audits, international exposure in the USA, Philippines, New Zealand and Australia. Educational experience includes a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering specializing in Heat Transfer; Thermodynamics with practical application in air-conditioning design, building heat load determination, Mechanical Services, Building Energy Modelling, and a Master Degree in Mechanical Engineering specializing in Energy Management.
After working for two different types of Consulting Firms – one in the USA and one in Melbourne Australia, SCDESIGN1 was formed to provide a combination of services that are not readily available in either parts of the world. In the USA, Energy Management has been around since the mid seventies when the cost of fuel rose dramatically and David Sattler has been involved in this field since the 1980’s.
David Sattler also has worked for an international Building Automation Systems company implementing systems worldwide.
SCDESIGN1 understands building services from a contractor and a consultant perspective thus providing the Customer the right solution (not just a design or recommendations).
SCDESIGN1 recognizes the importance of reducing energy wastage through improved management of the energy within the building. This is a concern from a monetary perspective as well as a worldwide environmental viewpoint. There are many aspects to Energy Management, which require attention to truly know where the most effective reductions can be made. Clients that have used our unique services have benefited by savings thousands of dollars and hence by acting locally have acted globally.
We assist clients through good practice energy management, commencing with analysis of energy used, breakdown of energy use components, review of profiles (and tariffs where applicable), identify areas of high use and where simple changes are attainable, and finally develop a plan to achieve excellent results.
Reducing energy in most buildings by 20% is attainable through mechanical services controls modification, better practice maintenance procedures and lighting modifications. To identify potential mechanical services savings, we can generate simulations showing the existing mechanical services operation versus a proposed methods in various loads. This assists the manager in making decisions for project viability and shows the extent of savings possible through simple control strategy changes.
Integrating services’ systems together – sharing data and communications – provides enhanced control of buildings. Better control adds to the energy savings possibilities.
Optimized Controls
Optimization of the controls that operate the mechanical services is accomplished in two parts by our experienced controls experts. Firstly the mechanical services and controls are thoroughly reviewed. The controls information, then is extracted from the system. Next we develop new controls strategies that operate the equipment efficiently and effectively. The existing controls strategies and the new proposed strategies are developed into a simulation to determine the savings potential based on a variety of conditions. Once our clients accept this as a viable methodology to reduce their energy savings, the existing control system (usually by the current contractors or by us if they are not available) is modified to accommodate the new strategies. Once the strategies are working, we then fine-tune the loops, which takes into account the entire process (including valve hysteresis, sensor reading, signal losses through the wire, worn equipment, the fluid being treated, etc.). We use specialized equipment for both the simulation and the tuning of the loops. The results are fantastic, in that temperatures do not swing, equipment operates only as required and more efficiently, energy is reduced, cycling is reduced, mechanical services problems are more apparent and once the strategies are implemented there is no more software maintenance required (except backups).
UnitedKFPW – Melbourne Office
Facilities Department – Energy Database Model Development
UnitedKFPW’s Facilities department was required to develop a model for capturing and presenting energy data. The model was to be used to provide service to NAB initially and then to become the company model for future clients. SCDESIGN1 was engaged to develop the model. It was our project to develop the model and work with the IT department to produce it.
We initially reviewed the available systems at UnitedKFPW: STARK and JDE to choose a system that would be suit the needs of the model, be easy to maintain, flexible to provide various future requirements and simple to implement. After careful review, we selected JDE (we had previous experience with STARK and therefore were quite familiar with the system). Discoverer was preferred as the reporting module.
The next stage was to determine the model that would offer the best implementation to provide accurate and complete (with all variables allowing analysis) energy information about each building (network and non-network). The reporting module needed to be flexible to allow for a range of diverse analysis for triple bottom line reporting at the NAB.
Once the model was constructed the information for each property including the energy data, types of tariffs, energy data calculations and other various energy bill records. We therefore looked through every NAB energy bill for each property and developed the tariff database structure, Nemis components and organized all information to be input and managed by JDE.
After development of the database structure it was sent to the IT department to build it. We then structured and produced the reports. We presented the reports to NAB after configuration and testing (on a sample database), and with minor revisions, they were accepted.
Additionally, the following database was developed. It was proposed by SCDESIGN1 to check each bill, calculations involved including rate check, network losses, meter costs and other associated costs. This is termed a bill check and can usually save 1-2% of the energy costs. Due to the large amount of properties that are managed UnitedKFPW, these savings could amount close to $1,000,000. The information also allows an improved tender process that provides better pricing and control of the costs (including meter costs). This project was accepted by UnitedKFPW and SCDESIGN1 implemented it, developing the database structure and sourcing all necessary data and information Australia wide.
Facilities Department – Other Smaller Projects
We assisted in the development of the maintenance package for all NAB properties.
We were involved in the collation and manipulation of the Energy Data from the older database system for presentation to NAB for their Energy tendering.
Energy Procurement
Due to our vast experience with Energy and Energy Procurment, we were asked to procure energy for government buildings as their contracts expired. We researched all properties to determine their contract renewal dates and built a database containing the information. The main objective was to organise all properties into one tender. Mr Siow Lee was hired to be the procurement manager for the government contract and the project was handed over to him.
Call Centre Manager
The Call Centre manager was moving on to another company and we were asked to be the temporary manager until the position was filled. We managed the Call Centre for about 2 months. Our involvement was, among other things, to make sure that the NAB KPI’s were met. In our investigations into that reporting module, we found that it to be incorrectly determining the KPI’s. We ahd this fixed and unfortunately this showed the true level of incident response. We therefore undertook to reduce the outstanding responses by employing additional full time and several temporary personnel. Also streamlining and improving efficiencies were a part of the solution. This was successful and the NAB KPI’s were then achievable.
University of Ballarat – Enterprise Centre
Green Hill Enterprise Centre is a multi-functional business centre integrating research and business. The building has two levels offering office suites and conference rooms.
The centre is served by two air handlers; one serving the North zone and the other serving the South zone. Each has its own chiller, which provides direct expansion cooling to the air handler coil. Each zone has its own boiler providing heating hot water to the VAV reheats. There are 30+ VAVs providing air to the spaces.
Green Hill Enterprise Centre uses about $32,000 of energy annually. We were initially involved in this project to resolve temperature problems, equipment constantly faulting and energy reduction. We were able to resolve all three. First we determined that the capacity of the mechanical services was sufficient in size to provide the air-conditioning services required in the building and energy savings were possible with the mechanical design/installation. Secondly we reviewed the controls operation of the system. Thirdly we developed new control strategies to operate the air-conditioning equipment as efficiently and effectively as possible. After implementation of the new control strategies, we optimised the PID loops to operate with forward feed control – anticipating the reaction of the system to changes. Finally minor mechanical adjustments were recommended to their contractor. After implementation, the plant/equipment was functioning to it optimal level. Energy savings reduction was in the order of 22%.
The costs were as follows. The contract costs to modify the control strategies was $4,417.00 The consultancy costs we $6,120.00 for the complete new detailed strategy development, managing the contractor’s works (controls and mechanical), optimising the PID loops after implementation of the changes. With Energy Savings of 7,040 annualised, the payback was 1.5 years (the figures do not take into account savings from reduced mechanical services callouts, personnel time in resetting the boilers and reduced wear/tear of equipment due to cycling of equipment).
Victorian Arts Centre
Recently we conducted a simulation to compare the existing controls operation of the air handling plant for the State Theatre to Optimised Control Strategies. The simulation outlined potential savings of 20% to 80% depending on the loading and outside air temperature conditions. Currently VACT is seeking funding to implement the strategies.
BUILDING AUTOMATION SYSTEMS AND CONTROLS
In recent years BAS and controls has changed significantly due to the advancements in the computer industry. The basic principles of controls have not changed, however the systems have. To keep abreast of the technologies, how it works and understanding their intricacies requires specialist involvement and comprehension. SCDESIGN1 has extensive expertise in BAS working with and on a variety of systems. We not only have experience in the BAS but also in design of the mechanical services equipment that they control.
We have advised clients in various areas relating to BAS as follows.
We are very proficient in BAS and can provide any expertise that our clients require. We have even installed BAS for your clients as a solution to their needs.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
We offer project management services for all projects and believe that if we coordinate and manage the project the outcome will be ensured. We provide this for our clients as part of our other services guaranteeing the results. Typically we have not been involved in project management on its own but incorporate it into our endeavours.
CLIENT DETAILS
Southgate Centre Consultancy Services
The following is a summary of the consultancy services provided to Southgate Centre over the last 5 years.
Electricity and Gas supply tendering, mechanical services problem solving, analysis and upgrade reporting and specifications. BAS system upgrade/changeout specifications and project management. Energy Management – electricity data gathering and analysis, target high usage for reduction, optimisation of BAS controls to reduce energy, generator usage analysis to reduce demand costs, After hours chilled water production to reduce peak and demand electricity costs. BAS installation and programming, sewage costs reduction, Asset Preservation of plant and equipment, existing BAS reviews for efficiency and effectiveness of air conditioning provision, review services costs and target where savings can be made by resolving on-going problems/maintenance, programming the Satchwell BAS during the upgrade to a new system that is built for the specific needs of Southgate Centre. Installed a system to replace the Satchwell BAS for direct access to the Satchwell Vavs (Satchwell used ASI Controls vavs controllers from California). Assistance in budget preparations for presentation the owner.
University of Ballarat Consultancy Services
BAS Future Directions Study, controls optimisation, resolution of air-conditioning problems, BAS maintenance advice and contractor scrutiny and management. Reduction of energy usage by 18% in the new Enterprise Centre building through Optimisation of the BAS controls.
Coles Myer Ltd Consultancy Services
Y2K testing for Non-IT systems, Multiple BAS configuration and tie-in to head office for remote store dialup and reporting, Repair of Carousel Layby system including proposals for upgrading. BAS controls review and simulation to ascertain efficiency and effectiveness. Upgrade of People Counter system for Y2K compliance (we were requested to complete this project rather than the contractor) due to our efficiency and timely manner.
Marklews Constructions
Mechanical services and ventilation design, advice and application assistance. Design of in-floor electric heating, pool ventilation systems, determination of heat load calculations.
Hatlar Environmental
Design of a waste treatment system to treat and cool liquid waste prior to entering sewage (as required by law). Design goal was to provide the treatment in the most energy efficient manner as possible. System was then designed to collect waste during the day (with a safety margin backup capacity of 2 days) then cool and treat the effluent at night (during off peak times and when it is cooler with spare capacity available). This was achieved with simple off the shelf components that are easily serviceable and replaceable. Therefore capital and operating costs were 80% lower. During the day it would have been necessary to use an air-cooled chiller to cool the effluent – hence high capital and operating costs. Instead the effluent was captured and then cooled at night with an air-to-liquid heat exchanger using the cooler night air and the off peak rates (11pm-7am Mon-Fri).
Air Sushi Restaurant
David Sattler is the sole engineer at Sattler Consulting, but however links up with other specialists to assist in providing customers the absolute best in solutions.
David’s background is as follows.
University of Texas A&M – Texas USA
Experience includes: Evaluating energy audits for the state of Texas, conducting Energy Audits for the State of Texas as part of their energy reduction program in government buildings. Worked with local councils to provide a method of analysing Residential energy use dynamically and recording this to entice house owners to reduce their energy usage. Analysed thermographic pictures taken where energy is being lost and hence the owner knows exactly where to make updates.
Thermal Tech – Cincinnati, Ohio USA
Experience includes: Piping design and analysis, Cooling Tower Systems design, Mechanical Services design, Building Heat Load analysis, Energy Audits, Energy Management programs, controls analysis and design, mechanical services troubleshooting – providing solutions to improve operations, measurement of air flows, water flows, boiler and chiller systems analysis. Experience in hospitals, typical office buildings, century old buildings, new buildings, churches, restaurants, large/small facilities, etc in the above works offers clients extensive capabilities.
Staefa Control Systems – USA, New Zealand, Australia, Switzerland
Experience includes: Installation, Project Management, Implementation, Software design, Controls Engineering, software programming, troubleshooting controls and mechanical systems, Systems design, Network configuration, PCB board testing, QA, utilisation of BAS for energy management, worked on over 150 buildings and systems internationally.
Lincolne Scott Consultants – Melbourne Australia
Experience includes: Mechanical Services design, tendering, mechanical services specification development, contractor coordinating/management, controls design, controls specification development/tendering, interface of various BAS systems into one system (multiple BAS interconnection), setup of energy management and energy wastage reporting using BAS, reviewing controls strategies for optimisation, involved in energy management projects.
SCDESIGN1 LLC
Experience includes: Gas and Electricity specifications development and tendering, Controls Optimisation, BAS installation and programming, Boiler Optimisation audits, mechanical services troubleshooting and problem resolution, assisted in managing maintenance contracts and modifying services requirements, Building Automation Systems and Energy Management due diligence reports, BAS Future directions studies, BAS Industry reviews. Major clients are Southgate Centre, Chisholm Institute, University of Ballarat, KFPW, Myer Grace Bros, Coles Supermarkets
The focus of all work to a client is to improve the value of the property by reducing the operating and maintenance costs to the building services. By reducing the operating and maintenance budget of Southgate Centre from $6 million to $1 million annually, the property was re-valued by an additional $55million.
Other Work Experience and Education
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