TIP No. 19 HISTORIC SITE RETROFIT DESIGN “VALUE-ADDING” BY >3+ BUFFER TANKS PER ZONE ……

For every Commercial Building Retrofit Design that is ‘Green’ & Holistic, the greatest opportunity for Value Investment is the selection & location of concealed multiple Buffer Tanks (Thermal Energy Storage).  This TES allows the Design for a “decarbonised” stable IAQ Dry Climate Control at 1-2xACH-Ventilation (24/365) with highest efficiency at lowest operating & maintenance costs. Only, as a second priority, is due diligence for engineering MEP plus innovative interior design (concealed air ducts & latent radiant panels) as important.

In particular, for large Historic Buildings (and high celebrity prestige residences), these TES Tanks require closed loop, recirculating warm (45C) fluid needing multiple, large volume, vertical Tanks (>1,000-5,000litres each or volume reduction by using PCM). At >3+ as the minimum number of TES per Zone, it is often impossible for any hidden indoor location. The only solution is an outdoor, buried sub-soil location, discretely distanced away from any structural risk to the building (and in compliance to all local Environmental & Historical codes). For ancient Heritage buildings within Korea this requires double walled, highest grade stainless steel, certified & pressure tested, bunded Tanks with all sockets & piping by welded stainless steel. Similar TES Tanks in Japan show continuous operational duty & high performance, with zero deterioration beyond 80+years durability.

Additionally, the combined multi TES total volumetric capacity is necessary to be oversized beyond the combined hybrid output of the Solar plus multi Heat Pump cascade generated daily to set-point output. Our expertise for this >3+ TES Design RULE has proven the correct methodology. This TES stored energy capacity provides Resilience for a full 48-hour “reserve” operating performance during Power outage &/or any other malfunction requiring a Service Technician’s site visit. It is also, by every analysis, a worthwhile zero-risk, High Benefit Strategy, for long-term Durability & Redundancy. Even at periodic 20+ year intervals, when the ancillary indoor HVAC equipment needs a technology upgrade, no changes are needed for the original “passive” TES Design.

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