Grundfos Supports Team Ontarios Solar Decathlon Entry with Pump Donations
October 29, 2013
By
Canadian Consulting Engineer
TORONTO —Grundfos, the world’s largest pump manufacturer, donated three energy-efficient circulators to Team Ontario’s eco-home entry for the U.S. Department of Energy’s biennial Solar Decathlon competition Oct. 3 to 13 in Irvine, Calif.
Team Ontario, which comprised students from Carleton University, Algonquin College and Queen’s University, spent the past 18 months designing and building ECHO, an ultracompact, net-zero energy, solar-powered home, for the competition. The entry won first place in the engineering portion of the contest, which takes into account each home’s functionality, efficiency, innovation, reliability and documentation.
“We are proud to support Team Ontario’s efforts in sustainable building,” said Simon Fedemma, president of Grundfos Canada. “ECHO will help raise awareness for the money-saving opportunities and environmental benefits of clean-energy solutions.”
ECHO used a Grundfos MAGNA 32-60, as well as two constant speed circulator pumps, to ensure that the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system runs as efficiently as possible. The students chose Grundfos pumps for the project because their variable speed capabilities optimize system control over a broad range of heating and cooling demands. Their extremely high efficiency helps the team’s overall objective of reducing energy consumption in the building, and the pump data provided by the MAGNA helps ensure that the system is continuously operating as intended.
“The MAGNA pumps are a fantastic application for our integrated mechanical system as they enable us to change the flow rate for our heat pump loops at will,” said Portia Murray, a member of Team Ontario. “We are able to improve the coefficient of performance on our heat pump system by using the variable speed drives to change the flow rates to the heat pump along with the changing conditions of our system. This allows us to continually reduce the power of our system.”
The Solar Decathlon competition consisted of 10 contests designed to gauge how well the homes blend affordability, consumer appeal and design excellence with optimal energy production and efficiency. The contests included architecture, market appeal, engineering, communications, affordability, comfort zone, hot water, appliances, home entertainment and energy balance.
For more information and photo of Team Ontario’s submission, visit our online media room.
ABOUT GRUNDFOS:
With an annual production of more than 16 million pumps, Grundfos is the global leader in advanced pump solutions and a trendsetter in water technology, specializing in circulator pumps for heating and air conditioning as well as centrifugal pumps for industrial applications, fire protection, water supply, wastewater and water treatment. In addition to pumps, Grundfos produces standard and submersible motors as well as state-of-the-art electronics for monitoring and controlling pumps. Since its inception in 1945, the company has flourished from one small factory in Bjerringbro, Denmark to a global corporation comprising more than 80 companies and over 18,000 employees. In 2012, Grundfos reported net revenues totaling $4 billion.
This year, the company celebrates its 40th anniversary in the United States. In North America, Grundfos employs more than 1,600 people – 1,300 in the U.S. alone – and is continually expanding its regional expertise. Grundfos North America maintains operations, sales and service facilities in Olathe, Kan.; Allentown, Pa.; Fresno, Calif.; Brookshire, Texas; Aurora, Ill.; and Indianapolis. In Canada, Grundfos has a sales facility in Oakville, Ontario, and in Mexico, the company operates a manufacturing facility in San Luis Potosí and sales offices in Monterrey and Mexico City.
High on the company’s corporate agenda is an active commitment to improving the environment. Grundfos contributes to global sustainability by pioneering technologies that improve quality of life for people and care for the planet. For more information, visit www.grundfos.us, or follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google+.
