Diagram of the Heat-source System
Center Plant is a facility with six stories above ground and one below, located near Sakuragicho Station. It began operation at the same time as DHC, in April 1989.
The heat-source equipment for Center Plant is a large-scale latent-heat-storage system.
The plant provides customers with stable heat supplies using highly reliable systems such as electric centrifugal chillers, absorption chillers, water tube boilers and flue and smoke tube boilers.
Also, in January 2019 the plant installed a gas-engine cogeneration system. This system reduces peak power consumption and recovers waste heat for further gains in energy efficiency.
Large-scale Latent-heat-storage System
This large-scale latent-heat-storage system uses an ice storage system.
In this system, ice storage tanks are filled with plastic balls called nodules, which measure 77 mm in diameter and are filled with water. The nodules are frozen to provide a store of cooling that is tapped during the day, effectively cutting peak power consumption. During events, the ice storage tanks are illuminated, enhancing the visual appeal of Minato Mirai.
- Heat-storage capacity is 30,000 tons of refrigeration (RT) (3,000 RT × 10 hours).
- The system is designed to generate 5,000 RT times six hours during heat dissipation, effectively cutting peak power consumption.
- Daytime power load is thus shifted to nighttime, evening out power usage and reducing heating costs by using cheaper, nighttime-generated electricity.
One of the World’s Largest Variable Speed Drive Chillers
To respond to refrigeration demand year-round and improve plant efficiency, the plant installed one of the world’s largest closed variable speed drive chillers (5,400 RT). This system uses an inverter to control the rotation speed of compressors and pumps, dramatically reducing power consumption during the low-demand, non-summer months.
