MINNEAPOLIS - Daikin and McQuay announced that the Applied Development Center (ADC) located at McQuay world headquarters in Plymouth, Minn., has earned Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

The 49,000-square-foot (4,600-square-meter) research center is one of the most advanced facilities for HVAC research and development. The ADC includes six test cells, with space for two additional cells in the future, to facilitate the development of air- and water-cooled chillers, compressors and heat pumps as well as new air conditioning systems. Included are a worldwide range of electrical voltages/frequencies and a range of procedures for testing ambient conditions (temperature and humidity). The companies said the ADC can simulate building, electrical, and climate conditions of any location throughout the world, allowing the basic design development of new products to be centrally located in the facility. These ‘global models’ are then arranged into a suitable design to match market requirements at existing regional development centers throughout the world.

“It’s a great honor to have earned LEED Gold certification for a facility that we are extremely proud of and that is unmatched in the industry,” said Hiromune Matsuoka, head of the Daikin McQuay ADC. “Our deep commitment to sustainability can be seen in this facility and in the development of applied products that support the environment, energy savings, innovation, leadership and the best in customer comfort.”

The Daikin McQuay Applied Development Center was designed and built by Mortenson Construction, Hammel, Green and Abrahamson architects and engineers, Hunt Electric and Eaton mechanical contractors. With more than 90 percent of the ADC’s energy generated by process loads (e.g., hot and cold water for chiller and compressor tests), energy savings are realized primarily by recovering 75 percent of that energy and diverting it back into the system. Other environmental features include water-efficient landscaping, recycled construction waste, use of recycled content for interior surfaces, low-emitting sealants, and locally purchased materials.

“Helping our customers achieve their energy efficiency needs and providing them with technologies that allow for design flexibility is just as important to us as reducing our own environmental impact,” said Ron Hanlon, chief operating officer of McQuay Americas. “While we plan to continue providing customers with industry leading energy efficient technologies like the Daikin McQuay Magnitude Chiller, we will also continue our journey to a reduced carbon footprint. Achieving LEED Gold certification for the ADC is our most recent accomplishment in doing just that.”

For more information, visit www.mcquay.com.

Publication date:12/20/2010