BELGIUM: Daikin’s new European Development Centre (EDC) in Ghent is equipped with its own VRV systems and custom-made air handling units.
The 30,600 m² centre, which will be operational from autumn 2024, brings together all of the company’s research and development activities in the field of low-carbon heating and cooling using heat pumps in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
The 56m-high building, dominating the Zwijnaarde skyline along the E40, Europe’s longest motorway, includes 13,000m² of office space spread over 14 floors, 12,000m² of laboratory space including 23 test halls, and space for 500 employees.
The facility’s five custom-built air handling units provide 85,000 m³/h of airflow and 297 kW of cooling capacity, ensuring a constant supply of fresh air for the 13,000 m² of office space. Highly efficient heat wheel technology ensures energy consumption is optimised.
Another innovation is the use of R32 refrigerant in the direct cooling evaporator of Daikin air handling units.
The VRV solution includes a wide range of Daikin products, including air-cooled and water-cooled systems. Indoor units have been carefully selected based on specific space requirements, including satellite models, cassettes and ceiling units.
The entire system is supported by 14.5 km of pipelines connecting the outdoor and indoor units.
The building has been designed to achieve the highest energy efficiency levels and is aiming for nZEB (Nearly Zero Energy Building) and BREEAM Excellent certification.
https://www.coolingpost.com/features/daikin-combines-expertise-in-new-development-centre/