Modernization Success Story:
Bulova Corporate Center (Honeywell PLC 740/Teletrol)

Problem:

      The Bulova Corporate Center in Astoria, NY, an upscale office building converted from an old corporate headquarters property, had an obsolete Honeywell PLC 740 system installed that was beginning to fail after many years of service. This is a fairly large facility that incorporates control of gas engine driven chillers and heat recovery equipment as well as air handlers, package AC units and VAV boxes. The sophisticated tenant services provided include electric sub metering for tenant power and lighting and tenant initiated after-hours overrides for 24 hour access if needed. Complete replacement of the entire obsolete control system at one time would have been very costly and also would have inconvenienced existing tenants due to the scope of work involved.

Solution:

        EBC first upgraded the Graphical User Interface to the latest version of the “ENERGY EXECUTIVE III/TENANT EXECUTIVE”® software. With this front end in place providing the capability to drive several open system networks at the same time from one location, EBC began a series of staged system upgrades in isolated areas of the building as tenants changed or parts of the old system failed.

         Using DDC equipment from Teletrol, Inc. for the upgrades, both networks were integrated through one common database and user interface. Even as the new sections of the comprehensive control system were brought on line, control algorithms for central and shared equipment continued to operate as they had all along, integrating the data and control components from both the old and new networks. The two systems are seamlessly integrated as far as the operator is concerned.

        With approximately 70% of the system modernized, EBC is continuing at this point to work with the customer on more upgrades to the system so that eventually, over a period of time, all of the obsolete equipment will be replaced with new DDC controllers at a pace that matches the customer’s budget and the tenants’ needs.