New study finds optimizing cooling tower fans can save 15% energy.
The researchers developed a method to optimize energy use in chilled water systems by adjusting cooling tower fan and condenser water pump speeds. They used models to predict cooling load and system performance, then optimized the system to save energy. Testing on a museum's chiller system showed a 12-15% energy saving potential by optimizing the cooling tower fan system. Adjusting the condenser water pump had little impact on energy savings. A cooling tower control strategy based on wet-bulb temperature was found to be highly effective in optimizing fan speed.