Sun Life Financial Centre
Project Type: Mechanical Upgrades
Client: Bentall Kennedy
About This Project
Sun Life Financial Centre (a Bentall Kennedy property) features over 1M SF of leasable area in two Class A office towers connected by a main atrium. Sun Life Financial Center is located in downtown Ottawa and occupies an entire city block: 99 Bank Street (built in 1976) and 50 O’Connor Street (built in 1984).
Both buildings have their original cooling systems in place. Over the years, mechanical upgrades have been done such as two new chillers, a refrigerant conversion from R11, and a chilled water interconnection between the two buildings.
Challenges
The plant requires year-round chiller and cooling tower operations, yet Alliance had to implement a work schedule that would not disrupt building operations. When the need for end-of-life equipment replacement was identified in one building’s cooling plant, the client decided to evaluate the equipment in both towers seeking to improve efficiency throughout the complex and align with the firm’s commitment to sustainability.
- Update the equipment, considering “outside of the box” and system replacement options.
- Lower operating expenses while maximizing utility incentives.
- Implement the project with minimal building disruption.
Solutions
To simplify the complexity, Alliance and Bentall Kennedy conducted an in-depth design and costing study using a calibrated building simulation model to evaluate several upgrade scenarios. Comparison metrics included energy performance, investment, return and greenhouse gas (GHG) impact. At the same time, Alliance put together real construction costs for each option.
The study revealed that upgrading Sun Life Financial Centre with a replacement heat recovery chiller, along with a second upsized chiller to replace the two existing units, would provide a positive net present value, operational redundancy and fuel switching capabilities. Half of the study’s cost was supported by government incentives.
Results
Alliance successfully implemented its schedule without causing any downtime or major interruptions to the plant. Since the 99 Bank Street plant operated during the winter, special planning was acquired to phase the removal and installation of wintertime chillers and cooling towers.
Throughout the winter and spring, Alliance successfully implemented all facets of the project. Like all complex projects, some small obstacles arose but these were easily overcome and the project was delivered on time and on budget.
For an incremental cost of $26,025 above the base case, the chosen solution generated an additional $90,000 in annual savings with a total energy reduction of 1,340 MWh. The project was awarded the single largest incentive ever by Hydro Ottawa totalling $536,839 and achieved more than the targeted overall greenhouse gas emission reductions of 2.5% CO2e.
We’ve Been Building For Over 15 Years!
We have a wealth of experience across the commercial, institutional and high-rise residential sectors and have completed projects that range from $10K to $10M. We go beyond successful project delivery because we understand it's about delivering a vision and creating a legacy.
Design & Build
Integrated design and construction services in-house
Pricing
Guaranteed budgets based on conceptual projects
Incentives
Applicable energy reduction incentive programs
Project Management
Fast-track project schedules that overlap design and construction activities
Design Choices
Multiple concept options and project feasibility, offering the best solution for your project
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Building design and construction sustainability by accredited professionals
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