Constant breakdowns and the high energy consumption of 66 water fountain pumps in Chiang Mai City’s historical moats led the Municipality to seek ways of increasing pump efficiency and reducing energy consumption in September 2016.

On 31 October – 1 November 2016, pump experts from KSB Co., Ltd and the Nexus team conducted a site survey and undertook a pump efficiency analysis for samples. It was found that these sample pumps tended to overheat and breakdown. The main cause of the breakdown was “dry running” due to the pumps’ inlets being blocked by dirt, leaves, and other forms of solid wastes. Moreover, the installation of the pumps was not up to standard. All 66 pumps are installed in concrete boxes with metal lids without any ventilation and protection from condensation and humidity. The incorrect alignment between the inlet and outlet of the pump causes unnecessary vibrations and decreases pump efficiency.

The solutions include:
1.Repair all 66 pumps to optimal operating condition (prevent blockages, improve ventilation, reduce humidity, re-alignment, and replace necessary parts).
2.Replace the existing pumps with submersible pumps (which could reduce overheating and vibration problems, as the pumps are underwater).
3.Replace existing pumps with the combined pump and fountain type, in which the fountain and the pump are integrated into one and float on water.
Investment costs for all three solutions will be provided and compared with the current electricity consumption and operation and maintenance cost to identify the possible return on the investment period.

Back in 2015, the project successfully assisted Nakhon Ratchasima Municipality in reducing electricity consumption at one of the water supply pumping stations by 1 million Baht (25,000 EUR) per month.

Chiang Mai Municipality has also designed a three-floor Health Centre Building, which will be open to the public for physical therapy services, day care for the elderly, and Thai traditional medicine. In this regard, the project was approached to study the existing design and propose measures to increase the energy efficiency of the building. The proposal for the building design adjustment will mostly cover such issues as daylight, shading, room partitioning, air-tight materials and concrete cooling as well as some of the operational aspects including safety issues, open recreational areas, green (garden) areas, car parking space, handicapped accessibility etc.

The final report will provide detailed information on the energy consumption as well as the investment, life cycle costs for the energy efficiency measures and the respective returns on investment period.