Energy efficiency

• Industrial energy – process heat, energy management, cool storage
• Thermal systems and heat transfer
• Energy efficiency
• Materials engineering for energy technologies and electrical systems
  • Energy efficient manufacturing
  • HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning)
  • Māori and Pacific Housing
  • Lighting

Cirrus Materials - an advanced materials engineering spin-out company that designs next-generation surface technologies to meet the sustainability and performance challenges of Fortune 1000 customers in major global industries. Cirrus Paint-free colour technology helps eliminate up to 60% of the energy consumption and 95% of the volatile organic compound emissions from typical automotive manufacture.

Revolutionising industrial refrigeration: Dynamic modelling of vapour-compression systems

The University of Auckland’s Industrial Information and Control Centre (I2C2) is committed to promoting eco-efficiency and lower energy usage. By leveraging our expertise in process modelling and optimisation, we assist companies in moving towards zero-emission targets and adopting more sustainable operations — such as through optimising the energy efficiency of vapour-compression technologies in industrial refrigeration and process heating.

Industrial refrigeration plays a crucial role in many sectors. Vapour-compression cycle (VCC) is mature and proven technology for refrigeration. Given their environmentally friendly properties, utilisation of VCC as heat pumps has increased. However, the integration of vapour-compression cycles into industrial processes presents challenges, such as partial load operation and repetitive on/off loads, which can affect energy efficiency and equipment longevity.

The I2C2’s research has developed a dynamic model that can help overcome these challenges and optimise the use of VCC in industrial settings. Our research presents a high-fidelity dynamic model of a complex industrial vapour compression cycle system. The model is designed to facilitate the implementation of advanced control systems and optimisation schemes tailored to specific industrial processes. It also takes into account the dynamic behaviour of VCC, the inherent oscillating behaviour of the VCC and the influence of external conditions.