Griffith University to Improve Energy Efficiency with YORK Chiller Plant

Established nearly 50 years ago, Griffith University has always focused on environmentally sustainable and responsible practice. The university plans to be net-zero carbon by 2050, and has been actively implementing various green initiatives to meet the sustainability goal. One of the strategies includes switching to more energy-efficient chillers, with Nathan campus, the university’s largest physical set-up.

As Griffith’s foundation campus, Nathan is situated in a lush bushland about 10 kilometers from downtown Brisbane. The campus has close to 80 buildings with facilities such as lecture theaters, research centers, recreational areas, sports facilities and on-site accommodation connected by integrated networks of walking paths.

Johnson Controls was awarded the project following a competitive multi-party tender in August 2020. Having already worked with Griffith University, Johnson Controls has a good grasp of the university’s requirements on efficiency, sustainability and cost-effectiveness. The winning proposal met the university’s Global Warming Potential (GWP) target of less than 1, in addition to their long-term ownership cost expectations.

The YORK® YZ magnetic bearing chillers were selected for having zero drive line maintenance. The YORK chillers are renowned for energy efficiency and use a low-GWP refrigerant to deliver the lowest total emissions. The magnetic bearing technology allows for contact-free and lubrication-free design which in turn lowers maintenance costs. Built with smart connected chiller technology, the YORK YZ chillers use remote monitoring and predictive analytics to proactively diagnose issues and reduce equipment downtime.

Based on the cooling requirements, four units of YORK YZ chillers — two units of 3500kW capacity and two units of 1750kW capacity — will be installed at the Nathan campus. When fully operational in September, the combined cooling capacity will provide unparalleled operational and performance excellence for their Nathan campus.