Renovation of the facilities at an office complex in Milan

Client Name: An Italian company that manages and provides integrated services related to real estate, the local area, and healthcare support.

Project Name: Study of the improvement plan for a large office complex

Project Period: May –July 2021

Buildings involved: The project involved an office complex in a central area of Milan

Description of activities:

Based on an analysis of the documentation provided by the Client and the data collected during in-depth site inspections of the building complex, it was possible to assess the current condition of the existing systems and establish energy baselines. A study was then launched to develop a strategy for achieving energy, maintenance, and operational benefits for the systems.

A review of the facility’s plant infrastructure had already become necessary following the installation of a new heating and cooling plant serving part of the complex and the relocation of numerous pieces of equipment from the data center area to another building, resulting in a drastic reduction in the electrical load and air-conditioning requirements. Furthermore, the new heating and cooling plant experienced frequent malfunctions, partly due to the presence of impurities in the distribution circuits. Some fan-coil units were left unused after recirculation mode was disabled as a result of the SARS-CoV-2-19 health emergency.

Consequently, it was determined that it is necessary to conduct a due diligence review of the operating conditions of the heating and cooling plant, install a sludge separator, launch a dedicated study to improve the air conditioning system in the areas served by the fan coil units, and enhance the maintenance plan with increased frequency. Given the decommissioning of the data center (CED) area, the need to determine the correct cooling requirements was highlighted; furthermore, in anticipation of the scheduled replacement of the cooling coils for certain UPS units, an updated survey of electrical loads was recommended to evaluate a potential reduction in installed capacity. Finally, additional opportunities for system upgrades were outlined, such as a study to consolidate the two existing technical centers, the optimization of the system’s operating temperature and the regulation of room terminals, the retrofitting of the air-handling unit (AHU) and the pump units, and the initiation of a lighting study for a future lamp replacement project.

A cost-benefit analysis was conducted for each of the identified areas, and the results of the entire study were compiled and presented to the client in a final report.