Summary
This webinar, sponsored by Trane, will provide experiential insight from an owner's perspective on the design, operation and management of district cooling plants for exemplary customer satisfaction in a high humidity region.
Robert Garcia owns and operates multiple district cooling plants in Tampa, Florida. He will explain how he came to own the plants, and his experience in achieving optimally efficient district cooling plant design and operation, including evaluation of primary secondary vs. variable primary and asymmetrical vs. symmetrical plants, advantages of an ice-enhanced plant design, how lower supply temperatures improve plant efficiency, pipe selection for the distribution system.
Mr. Garcia will explain effective metering and billing methods for district cooling and discuss key provisions in the customer service agreement. Eugene Smithart will focus on the airside aspects of district cooling and focus on how lower supply temperature benefits customers with lower first costs, reduced operating costs and a smaller HVAC footprint while improving indoor air quality (IAQ), comfort and acoustics. He will also explain how to address "dumping" and "condensation" problems in lower temperature variable air volume (VAV) systems and whether these systems can be applied in high humidity locations.
Presenters
Robert Garcia With over 43 years of HVAC experience, Robert is currently a managing partner of Ybor City District Cooling in Tampa, and a retired senior vice president of Tampa Bay Trane. He has become a well-known expert on district cooling plant design and operation. Robert serves on several boards at his alma mater, the University of South Florida, from which he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. Robert is a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Florida. He is an avid aircraft restorer and collector of antique World War II airplanes.
Eugene "Smitty" Smithart With over 40 years of industry experience, "Smitty" is currently the Director of Systems and Solutions for Trane. He is well known in the HVAC industry, having published numerous industry articles and having key involvement in a number of industry changing initiatives. Smitty is a recipient of the U.S. EPA Climate Protection award. At the time of receipt, he was one of only five individuals in the world to receive this prestigious award. He is a former Marine and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Iowa. He is a LEED AP and a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Wisconsin.