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Rain has delayed many matches over the years at Wimbledon, home to the world’s oldest Grand Slam tournament. But not anymore thanks to Aermec’s bespoke air conditioning solution that comes in to play when the retractable roof over No.1 Court is closed.
Challenge
Aermec’s relationship with The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) was first established when supplying chillers for the Centre Court’s retractable roof. The uniqueness of this project required considerable planning and innovative designs and a customised approach to address unusual criteria.
One of the key challenges was ensuring that the required levels of temperature and humidity could be met, and the grass could also be insulated from moisture, preventing players from slipping during play. Sensors embedded in the edge of the grass court and sensors in the roof trusses monitor moisture and temperature levels.
The temperature under the roof depends on ambient air conditions. When the roof is closed, the specified temperature levels are 24⁰C ± 2⁰C with 50% ± RH (Relative Humidity) and this is based on ambient conditions of 27⁰C with 72% RH.
Other challenges focused on addressing sound criteria and maintaining sight lines for neighbours in the area where possible as well as the height of any roof top plant and aesthetics.
Solution
Prototype chillers were designed and built at Aermec’s manufacturing and purpose-built test facilities near Verona in Italy. Because of the AELTC’s residential location, tests were also carried out through the night to ensure no background noise would be emitted.
Following testing, 26 super quiet chillers and 12 extremely low noise air handling units (AHUs) were specified. Noise levels were a major consideration as twenty of chillers and the AHUs required positioning at a high level within the stadium. They had to be extremely quiet as spectators in the higher tiers sit close to the plant rooms which are located above their seats.
Slim line chillers with a capacity of 300kW and fans capable of 320Pa ESP (External Static Pressure) were delivered in phases.
Six were located in the basement with access underneath Courts 14 and 15 when the underground facilities for the Ball Boys and Girls and media were constructed. The other 20 chillers were designed to fit within the court’s physical constraints and enclosed in acoustic pods, each containing four chillers in a 2×2 double-deck arrangement, with air intake on one side only.
EC direct drive fans and inverter pumps were used with varying pressure control to ensure a constant flow rate as the quantity of chillers in operation increases and decreases.
The AHUs were arranged within custom-designed steel framework. Four were situated on the east side of the court, four on the west side and four on the south side and installed in sections.
Result
The retractable roof takes 8-10 minutes to close. The AHUs start up as soon as the roof is shut. The air conditioning takes a further 45 minutes to acclimatise when matches can commence.
The temperature under the roof depends on ambient air conditions. When closed, the specified temperature levels are 24⁰C ± 2⁰C with 50% ± RH (Relative Humidity) and this is based on ambient conditions of 27⁰C with 72% RH.
Aermec worked collaboratively with the AELTC and ME Engineers. The project was completed on time, addressed exacting criteria, and ensures that play on No.1 Court will continue no matter the weather.
26 slim line 300kW chillersSuper quiet to meet required low noise levelsChillers arranged in decks12 extremely low noise air handling unitsEC fans and inverter pumps
Being a significant player in the European air conditioning market for over 60 years, we are dedicated to the development and testing of our products and the value they bring to our customers. Not just at install, but the lifetime value of an Aermec installation. We believe in the importance of continual research and development, with particular emphasis on rigorous testing of every chiller and heat pump after its assembly, before it is dispatched.
Registered in England Company No. 3112873
