Raiders Centre of Excellence

Authorized Dealer IES Automation installed a Reliable Controls building automation system during construction of the Raiders Centre of Excellence to provide HVAC equipment control and energy monitoring. The new system includes 26 MACH-Pro controllers integrated with the facility’s chillers and variable speed drives via BACnet. The project specification required the site to use 100 percent renewable and electric energy; IES Automation's track record of delivering similar projects in Canberra earned it selection as the preferred contractor.

The build spanned the period of mid 2019 to early 2020, a difficult time due to residual smoke from the catastrophic wildfires in the region and the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic. IES Automation was able to deliver the project before the first lockdown, and once it was safe to open, the new facility allowed the team to train while adhering to strict guidelines. After a short postponement, the National Rugby League was one of the first professional sports to resume action in Australia, and the new Raiders Centre of Excellence played a key role in making that possible.

With two reverse-cycle heat-pump chillers, IES Automation was able to provide and control a mechanical system that ensures player and staff comfort year-round using only electricity in one of the coldest regions of Australia. The new fully electric building mechanical systems align with the Australian Capital Territory's targets for net-zero emissions. As the team represents a city powered entirely by renewable energy, it was crucial for the Raiders' facility to reflect this commitment, showcasing its dedication to both the environment and the community.

IES Automation implemented MACH-ProCom and MACH-ProSys BACnet Building Controllers with extensive networking capabilities and scalable inputs and output to control large mechanical equipment. A MACH-ProWebSys controller, a unique combination BACnet Building Controller, BACnet Operator Workstation, and powerful web server, allows building operators to conveniently access and control mechanical equipment over the internet.

For variable air volume control, IES Automation installed six MACH-ProAir controllers, each with an airflow sensor and onboard damper motor, eliminating the need for separate sensors and actuators. Seventeen fully programmable MACH-ProZone controllers, ideal for controlling midsize rooftop and heat-pump applications and small mechanical room equipment, provide highly scalable inputs and outputs in a compact package.

RC-Archive software empowers building owners with a robust record of building performance by delivering continuous downloads of data logs to a SQL database. RC-Reporter software extracts intelligence from that data with analytics that help facility managers improve operational efficiency. IES Automation programmed an energy-saving chilled-water-temperature reset sequence as part of the system commissioning.

Since project completion, IES Automation has delivered several improvements to the facility. With guidance from the Raiders' sports science coach, it made incremental adjustments to the pool temperature that improved energy efficiency while maintaining comfort. In a sport where percentages make all the difference, small chances like this can have a monumental impact, and the IES Automation team worked closely with centre staff to find sustainable solutions that enhance player performance.