Project Background:

Dublin City University (DCU) is one of the most famous universities here in Ireland. With their Glasnevin campus as a base, they have incorporated four other educational institutions in recent years. As an ever-growing educational body, they need the facilities to support increasing student numbers, foster innovative teaching methods and accommodate evolving technological and research demands.   

The 10,000 square metre campus is a hub of activity with buildings and blocks creating a mini world for students to study, research, develop and socialise and within this campus lies the latest addition: the Polaris Building. DCU’s newest state of the art building is a bold statement of their commitment to sustainability.   

What was once an overflow car park, has been transformed into a fully decarbonised, multistorey building for the Faulty of Engineering & Computing and the Faulty of Science & Health. This case study highlights DCU’s dedication to building and safeguarding a sustainable future and how Mitsubishi Electric’s HVRF equipment together with JV Tierney & Co. Consulting Engineers design and Tech Refrigeration’s installation expertise created something as extraordinary as the Polaris Building.   

DCU Exterior Building Shot

The Challenge:

DCU is an institution that prides itself on putting sustainability at the core of all its thinking. The team at DCU understood that the climate crisis we are facing today is a real-world problem that requires fundamental change if we wish to see a sustainable and healthy future. "Sustainability is embedded in DCU's culture, calendar and courses" remarks Alan Mangan, Senior Project Manager in DCU & Lead Project Manager on the Polaris Building, and so, when the plans for the Polaris Building were made, they knew that they wanted a Net Zero building.   

With the plans in motion, it was time to decide on a best-in-class heating and cooling solution that fit the ethos of the university and which would help DCU achieve its Net Zero targets.   

DCU Internal shot

The Solution:

The team at DCU contacted JV Tierney & Co. Consulting Engineers, who offered them environmental and sustainable design solutions for the air conditioning and temperature control in the Polaris Building. JV Tierney operate as consulting engineers in the field of mechanical, electrical and sustainable engineering for the built environment. Founded in 1948, their wealth of experience and dedication to sustainable design are the reason why they are market leaders in consulting engineering design.   

Tech Refrigeration & Air Conditioning, with 30 years of experience, were able to come on board the Polaris project as the lead installation contractors. With qualified Refrigeration and Air Conditioning technicians ensuring every job is carried out to the highest of standards, they have reliability and service built into the core principals of their business.   

With JV Tierney & Co. Consulting Engineers selected to design and specify the project and Tech Refrigeration & Air Conditioning leading the installation, the final step was to choose the most sustainable solution to heat and cool the Polaris Building.   

DCU Outdoor Wide

That solution came in the form of Mitsubishi Electric’s Hybrid Variable Refrigerant Flow System (HVRF).    

To meet the project's goals for sustainability and long-term efficiency, our HVRF system was selected as the optimal solution. This innovative 2-pipe Heat Recovery VRF system delivers simultaneous heating and cooling, while significantly reducing environmental impact by using a lower volume of R32 refrigerant. On how this was applied to the Polaris Building, Paul Byrne, Sales Director at Tech Refrigeration & Air Conditioning explains “Within this installation, we use R32 refrigerant which has a low GWP (Global Warming Potential), combine that with the efficient hybrid technology, we're able to enhance the low carbon option that we provide”.   

JV Tierney have worked with Mitsubishi Electric products on countless projects and knew that what sets HVRF apart is its hybrid design. Water is used as the heat exchange medium between the Hybrid Branch Controller (HBC) and the indoor units, eliminating the presence of refrigerant in occupied spaces. “The benefit of that system would be that water-based units would provide better control without fluctuation of temperature” comments Zuzanna Sandorova, who worked as the lead mechanical services engineer from JV Tierney. This not only enhances occupant safety, but also removes the need for leak detection, helping to future-proof the building against evolving environmental regulations and maintains a consistent level of comfort for the building.   

DCU Ceiling Unit

The HVRF system offers the design and installation simplicity of a traditional VRF setup while delivering the stable comfort and operational advantages of a chiller system. With intelligent, centralised control, it provides total flexibility and precise environmental management across all zones of the Polaris Building.  

It is more than just a comfort solution, HVRF technology represents a sustainable, forward-thinking approach to climate control. It ensures high efficiency, reduces carbon impact and aligns with both current and future building standards. As DCU underpins all their actions with sustainability in mind, HVRF was their number one choice for low-carbon operations and occupant well-being.  

DCU Pipe run

Working with Mitsubishi Electric Ireland:

At Mitsubishi Electric Ireland, “we pride ourselves on working with our business solution partners and our consultants” confirms Margaret.  

Tech Refrigeration are one of our Diamond Quality Partners (DQP); our highest-level partnership. This prestigious tier of partnership is honoured to those committed to raising industry standards. Tech Refrigeration’s status as a DQP is a testament to the standard of installations and servicing they provide. They are well versed in HVRF installations and were confident that this was the way forward, given DCU’s environmental aspirations for this building. Paul mentions that at “Tech Refrigeration, we are a Diamond Quality Partner with Mitsubishi Electric, it's a full partnership from start to finish”. He goes on to say that when working with us on a project “It's two companies going in one direction trying to achieve best in class installations that we can for the clients”. "Our partnership with Mitsubishi Electric Ireland gives us the confidence to deliver the highest standard of HVAC solutions. Their support, training, and innovative product range—like the HVRF system—help us stay ahead and offer real value to our clients."

DCU Team Outside Shot

Zuzanna reveals that JV Tierney knew "that Mitsubishi Electric would be the perfect fit, as we've worked with them for years and we've always had a very good experience with them.” When asked why Mitsubishi Electric was the right manufacturer for the Polaris project, she goes on to say that “The technical support was excellent, this paired with the good quality product - that's what consultants want.” 

Finally, Alan declares that DCU were “Very impressed with the Mitsubishi Electric products”, adding that we “kept all the problems away from them as clients, [Mitsubishi Electric] came to us with a finished result, saying everything works and it did”! 

DCU Team Roof Shot

The Results:

The result? A fully electrified, A2 rated building that will provide modern teaching and research facilities for generations of DCU students!   

Our HVRF range, not only fits the sustainable design that DCU required but also enhances the building’s performance and will stand the test of time. “This is one of our most recent buildings that we've finished, and it's one of the buildings we're very proud of. But it's not only the way the building looks, it's the way it performs” confirms Alan. He continues to add that “with Mitsubishi Electric on board giving us nature-based solutions for problems, that’s highly valuable to us”. With DCU’s commitment to sustainability, the Polaris Building is completely carbon decarbonised with zero reliance on oil or gas. “It's one of the largest fully electrified educational facilities in Ireland” states Zuzanna.   

DCU Gym

Along with the efficiency of the building, you also have the comfort aspect. Arguably the most important point for the occupants   

In addition to the building’s efficiency, comfort is a key consideration and one that is arguably the most important the occupants. The perfect air temperature and quality aids not only concentration and learning, but also productivity, retention, health and wellbeing. Alan remarks that DCU has “students here who are studying but also here to socialise with each other. Comfort is a huge factor in that. We don’t want to be walking around here being too hot or too cold but when you walk in it’s a steady state, comfortable building”.   

DCU Internal stairs shot

"The biggest benefit I think is the reduced refrigeration volume and that's what really helps towards your Net Zero targets and reducing your carbon footprint in the building"

 - Margaret Rafter - Consultant Sales Engineer at Mitsubishi Electric Ireland

DCU Margaret Rafter

"We knew that Mitsubishi Electric would be the perfect fit, we've worked with them for years and we've always had a very good experience with them. The technical support was excellent, this paired with the good quality product  - that's what consultants want"

- Zuzana Sandorova - Senior Project Engineer at JV Tierney & Co Consulting Engineers

DCU Zuzana Sandorova

"We love working with Mitsubishi Electric. At Tech Refrigeration, we are a Diamond Quality Partner with Mitsubishi Electric, it's a full partnership from start to finish"

- Paul Byrne - Sales Director at Tech Refrigeration and Air Conditioning

DCU Paul Bryne

"We have students here who are studying but also here to socialise with each other. Comfort is a huge factor in that. We don’t want to walk around here being too hot or too cold but when you walk in it’s a steady state, comfortable building. What’s really important to DCU is sustainability, with Mitsubishi Electric on board giving us nature-based solutions for problems, that’s highly valuable to us"

- Alan Mangan - Senior Project Manager in DCU & Lead Project Manager on the Polaris Building:

DCU Alan Mangan

Product List:

Unique PURY heat recovery unit for outdoor installation

R2 Series Standard Heat Recovery (YNW)

City Multi HVRF

Throughout the year, many buildings require cooling in some areas and heating in others - even in adjacent rooms. The outstanding City Multi R2 system meets these requirements by distributing surplus heat from cooling operations (and vice versa) to rooms where it is needed. This efficiency can result in energy savings up to 30% over conventional systems.

R2 Series Standard Heat Recovery (YNW)

HBC Controllers for Hybrid VRF products

HBC Controllers

Air Conditioning

Set to rival traditional heating and cooling, the HVRF System delivers optimum comfort and efficiency, using an innovative combination of unique 2-pipe technology and water to provide simultaneous heating and cooling with heat recovery.

HBC Controllers

Low height, static pressure settings PEFY air conditioning unit

PEFY-WP-VMA-E

City Multi HVRF

Ceiling Concealed Ducted Systems are concealed within the ceiling space to allow unobstructive air conditioning. Flexibility of duct layout allows air flow patterns to be arranged to suit any application.

PEFY-WP-VMA-E

Popular and advanced remote with a simple user interface

PAR-41MAA Remote Controller

Products

The PAR-41MAA is a popular, advanced remote controller with a clear backlit display and a very simple user interface.

PAR-41MAA Remote Controller

AE C400E Centralised Controller

AE-C400E Centralised Controller

Products

The next generation central controller with expanded capacity, new user interface and improved touch screen.

AE-C400E Centralised Controller

EW C50

EW-C50E Centralised Controller

Products

The EW-C50E is the AE-C400E's Expansion Controller and IoT Gateway. It's expanded capacity allows up to 400 units to be connected.  


EW-C50E Centralised Controller

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