Design/Build Water Chiller for Building 1958, NAS Pensacola

MS2 completed the design/build for a new 278-ton water chiller and associated electrical work in Building 1958, which serves Building 628 at Naval Air Station Pensacola. Building 628 is the headquarters for the Vice Admiral of Naval Education Technical Training Center and remained occupied during project execution. The project included structural slab repairs, demolition, electrical, direct digital controls (DDC), and general painting activities. The project objectives were acceptable noise levels, energy upgrades/efficiency, and ease of maintenance.

The project scope of work included structural slab repairs, demolition, electrical, direct digital controls (DDC), and general painting activities. Specific construction activities included:

  • Removed and repaired the damaged portion (10 ft x 4 ft) of the existing chiller maintenance pad
  • Installed a new 400 amp breaker panel for the new chiller to replace the existing undersized breaker
  • Replaced chill and condenser water pump motors with the variable frequency drives
  • Replaced wiring from the breaker panel to each of the chill and condenser water motors
  • Upgraded the existing DDC panel and controls to enhance monitoring capabilities

For enhanced energy savings and sustainability, MS2 proposed and the US Navy accepted variable flow considerations with an estimated annual energy savings of 302,200 kWh (approximately $26,400/year). MS2 proposed the addition of variable frequency drives (VFDs) on the primary pumps and condenser water pumps. We implemented intelligent control strategies to reduce the total pumping energy while optimizing the delivery of condenser water to the system for improved chiller efficiency. MS2 optimized the chilled water loop to provide adequate flow to the air handlers, eliminating over pumping and reducing bypass flow. We added the necessary monitoring equipment to trend chiller plant performance in terms of kW/Ton.