Author: Melink Solar

Holistic HVAC Design – A New Level Of Efficiency

Posted on by Melink Solar

Commercial buildings are commonly heated and cooled with mechanical equipment, powered by electrical service, and connected to plumbing systems such as natural gas and condensate lines depending on the type of HVAC system. Hence, building drawings are separated by the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing scopes of work, ie., M, E, and P sheets.

Often the mechanical engineer works independently of the electrical and plumbing engineers, and vice-versa. And often the mechanical contractor installing the heating/cooling system works independently of the electrical and plumbing contractors, and vice-versa. While this makes sense from a specialization standpoint, it can prevent holistic thinking and creative optimization strategies.

For example, the most energy-efficient HVAC system for a particular type of building in a given geographic area would naturally combine the best of all three specialties. In other words, the electrical and plumbing service should not just serve the mechanical equipment as an input or output. All three should be designed as a complementary system to provide heating and cooling capabilities depending on the resource that is most available, lowest cost, and cleanest/greenest at any period of time.

When there is a summer hot spell, it may be best to meet the incremental peak load with a small geothermal loop or thermal energy storage system. When there is high water usage for showers, toilets, and food prep, it may be best to meet the heating/cooling loads with a domestic water heat exchanger. When it is raining, it may be best to meet the heating/cooling loads with a rainwater heat exchanger.

And during the nights and weekends, when temperatures are lower and/or electrical rates are lower, an air-to-water condensing unit may be the best way to precondition the building water loop for daytime and occupied cooling needs. Moreover, it is a way to reduce peak demand charges by level-loading the HVAC system over a 24/7 period rather than a 8/5 period.

Melink is pioneering a super-hybrid geothermal HVAC system that will do all of this and more for its new HQ2 building. And it will be designed and constructed in a way that will make zero-energy buildings cost-effective and a model for future new construction and remodels.

We hope you will visit us next year after construction is completed to see the potential of holistic HVAC design. This means not only tapping Mother Nature’s resources, but the various ingoing and outgoing building waste streams. Conventional design practices rely on very dedicated and limited mechanical equipment – and this is typically less than efficient, not to mention optimal.

Steve Melink, PE

Melink Corporation

CEO

Melink Develops 1.26MW Solar Arrays At University Of Dayton

Posted on by Melink Solar

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CINCINNATI, OHIO – Melink Corporation has announced a partnership with the University of Dayton to install 4,026 solar panels with a capacity of 1.26 megawatts of power at two of the University’s campus locations; Curran Place and Fitz Hall. Melink Corporation will engineer and construct the arrays, as well as own them and sell the electricity to the University as part of a long-term power purchase agreement.  The University has an option to purchase the arrays after eight years.

The solar arrays will provide nearly 10 percent of the power consumption of both buildings as well as power electric car stations at the two locations. Overall, the panels will provide approximately 2 percent of the campuswide power consumption and offset carbon emissions by about 1 percent annually. Offsetting campus carbon emissions by 1 percent in a year is equal to the annual greenhouse gas emissions of 278 cars or the annual carbon dioxide emissions from 1.4 million pounds of burned coal, 140 homes, or conserving 3,010 barrels of oil.

 “We are super-excited to partner with the University of Dayton, said Melink CEO Steve Melink.  “This is an opportunity to educate and inspire not only the students and faculty but the public
throughout Ohio and the Midwest.  Sustainability and clean energy are the way of the future, and U.D. has just put a big stake in the ground as a leader.”  

 

Melink Corporation and the University of Dayton will work together to provide opportunities for students, faculty, and researchers to participate in the installation of
the modules, and document the process for future use. Post installation, the Hanley Sustainability Institute and the University of Dayton Engineers in Technical Humanitarian Opportunities of Service learning (ETHOS), among other faculty, staff and students,  plan to use the modules for sustainability research and/or incorporate them into the curriculum or other programming.

“One attractive feature of working with Melink is that Melink involves our students in this project from the very beginning and on an ongoing basis,” said Bob Brecha, director of research in the University of Dayton Hanley Sustainability Institute. “Our campus has quite intentionally become a giant sustainability lab where students from all majors can have a hand in many of our efforts to become a greener campus.”

Learn about how solar could benefit your school or business at www.melinksolar.com.

About Melink Corporation: We are a global provider of energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions for the commercial building industry. With four business units and a singular energy mission, we help companies save energy, increase profits and make the world a more sustainable place.

Geothermal Heat Pump Tax Credits Reinstated Through 2021

Posted on by Melink Solar

On February 9th, 2018 the U.S. geothermal heat pump industry had its federal tax credits restored for both residential and qualifying commercial installations. The federal tax credits, which correspond to a 30% credit for residential installations and a 10% credit for qualifying commercial installations, were passed as part of the Continuing Resolution spending bill that was recently approved by congress.

The reinstated tax credits for the geothermal heat pump industry are retroactive to January 1st, 2017 and have been successfully extended to January 1st, 2022. For commercial geothermal heat pump projects, the language of the tax credits has also been adjusted to reflect a favorable change regarding project eligibility. Commercial geothermal heat pump projects are now eligible for the federal tax credit if they are commenced by January 1st, 2022. Under previous language, commercial geothermal heat pump projects would have needed to be placed in service by January 1st, 2022 in order to qualify for the federal tax credit.

As a proud member of the geothermal heat pump industry, Melink is thrilled to see a renewed commitment from our congressional leaders towards the future of this energy-efficient and sustainable technology. Through it’s more efficient operation in both heating and cooling modes, geothermal heat pump technology has incredible potential to reduce both the peak electrical demand and overall utility usage of the built environment here in the United States.

These federal tax credits will ultimately make geothermal heat pump technology more accessible to the public and will help drive adoption of one of the most energy-efficient and sustainable heating and cooling systems available. Furthermore, these tax credits will only stand to improve the financial return of geothermal heat pump systems for Melink’s clients around the country, further enhancing what has already been proven as a sound financial investment.

Here’s to a bright future for geothermal heat pump technology, in 2018 and beyond!

Major Company Invests in Geothermal HVAC, Legitimizes Revolutionary Heating & Cooling Approach

Posted on by Melink Solar

Alphabet’s Moonshot Factory X, formerly known as Google [X], revealed one of its newest projects in July: a geothermal HVAC startup known as “Dandelion” that will focus on using innovative drilling techniques to deliver residential geothermal systems. We couldn’t be happier to see one of the world’s largest and most technologically influential companies showing substantial interest and
shedding light on an industry we’ve been working in for years. Geothermal HVAC systems provide a more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly solution than conventional heating and cooling systems, and the world is taking note.  While Dandelion focuses  on residential applications, the same benefits can be seen on an even larger scale in a commercial setting. Have you recently been tasked with replacing an existing HVAC system or deciding what system to install in a new building? If so, you owe it to yourself to get ahead of the industry curve and consider installing a geothermal heating and cooling system. Beyond the system being a better solution for the environment, you will save 25-50% on HVAC energy costs, reduce system maintenance and water usage and extend your equipment life.

 

At this point you’re probably wondering how this type of technology works. Most Geothermal HVAC systems are installed underground as a large heat exchanger via a closed-loop water circuit. In other words, there is a large network of pipes buried underground which circulate a working fluid that exchanges heat with the ground. For cooling, the system transfers heat from the building to the ground; and for heating, the system transfers the heat from the ground to the building. Since the ground maintains a constant temperature of 55-70 degrees depending on your location, a geothermal HVAC system can cut traditional heating and cooling costs in half by being more efficient.

At Melink, we offer innovative and customized solutions that range from individual services to our full turnkey project deliveries which take your system from concept to completion and include financing, design, installation and commissioning services. Interested in learning more? Click here for our FAQs or contact Geo Project Engineer Connor Donovan at cdonovan@www.melinksolar.com.

Melink launches geothermal HVAC division to meet growing demand

Posted on by Melink Solar

For Immediate Release

CINCINNATI
– April 6, 2017 – Data indicates a growing demand for geothermal heating and cooling technology, and Melink Corporation responded by starting a new Melink Geo business unit.

Geothermal heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) offers building owners a more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly solution than conventional systems. Structures using geothermal HVAC typically save between 25 and 50 percent on HVAC costs, reduce their maintenance costs and water usage, and extend the life of the building’s equipment.

Additionally, as part of Melink Geo, its team of innovators have developed a patented pre-engineered geothermal pump station. The Manifest™ eliminates the need to engineer a custom pump station for each individual geothermal HVAC project, thus making geothermal more affordable and efficient.

“With 30 years of experience in the HVAC industry, providing geothermal solutions for building owners is a logical next step for Melink,” said Steve Melink, founder and CEO. “We provide turnkey management of geothermal projects for architects, engineers, ESCOs and building owners. In this capacity, we also serve as a consulting engineer for architects and engineering firms across the nation.”

A report by Transparency Market Research stated, “the global geothermal heat pumps market is forecast to reach $130.5 billion by the end of 2020, exhibiting a 13.1 percent compound annual growth rate from 2014 to 2020.”

And a survey conducted by Consulting-Specifying Engineer showed that geothermal ranks in the top five of technology demands for office building projects. According to the survey, 42 percent of engineers expect to see increasing use of geothermal HVAC for office building projects.

What is geothermal HVAC?

Geothermal is a proven, reliable and efficient technology. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency states that a geothermal HVAC system is the most energy efficient way to heat and cool a building.

Geothermal heat pumps use the ground as a heat exchanger via a closed­-loop water circuit. During the cold winter months, the geothermal HVAC system takes heat out of the ground and transfers it into the building. And during the hot months of summer, the system removes heat from the building and transfers it back into the ground.

Since the ground maintains a constant temperature of 55­­-70°F depending on location, a geothermal HVAC system can result in considerable HVAC savings for a building owner, compared to conventional systems using air­ source condensing units for cooling and fossil fuels for heating.

To learn more or to schedule an interview with Steve Melink, please contact Marketing Manager Allison Sternad at 513.965.7300 or melinkmarketing@www.melinksolar.com.

Melink develops vast solar farm for NC country club

Posted on by Melink Solar

For Immediate Release

CINCINNATI – Dec. 1, 2016 – Melink Corporation has completed development of a 5.25 megawatt solar farm in the Charlotte, North Carolina, metro region.

Located on land owned by Rock Barn Country Club & Spa in Conover, the photovoltaic array began operating Nov. 18. The vast array comprises 16,948 solar panels on 28 acres.

All of the electricity produced by the solar farm will be sold to Duke Energy. The system is expected to generate more than 7.3 million kilowatt hours of clean energy – enough electricity to serve 500 homes annually – in its first year of operation. The system has an expected life of up to 35 years.

“We are very grateful for the opportunity to have partnered with Rock Barn’s owner, Don Beaver, on this project,” said Steve Melink, founder and CEO of the Cincinnati-based company that provides energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions for the commercial building industry. “At 5 megawatts, it is our largest solar PV project to date. And being located in North Carolina, it allows us to show our national capabilities. Solar power is the way of the future and we are proud to be helping lead the way.”

Bill Parrish, vice president of Rock Barn Properties, added, “We explored development opportunities on some of our land that was otherwise unbuildable for commercial or residential, and identified this project as a good economic return and an environmentally friendly investment. Through our subsequent due diligence process, we identified Melink Corporation as an outstanding partner for our solar project.”

Rock Barn Properties is the owner/operator of Rock Barn Country Club & Spa, which includes two signature championship golf courses, 485 residences and an equestrian center.

Construction of the solar farm began in November 2015 and concluded in June, despite record precipitation in the Blue Ridge Mountain region of North Carolina in November and December. The solar farm has just received final regulatory approval to begin operations.

To learn more about the solar project and see the array from an aerial viewpoint, click here. You may learn more about the country club at Rock Barn Properties.

To schedule an interview with Steve Melink, please contact Marketing Manager Luci Feie at 513.965.7300 or lfeie@www.melinksolar.com.

ABOUT MELINK

Melink Corporation is a global provider of energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions for the commercial building industry, with four business offerings: HVAC Testing & Balancing, Intelli-Hood® Kitchen Ventilation Controls, Solar PV Development and Geothermal HVAC. For 30 years, the Cincinnati-based company has been helping organizations save energy, increase profits and make the world a more sustainable place. Melink’s corporate headquarters is LEED Platinum and Net-Zero Energy, and its vehicle fleet consists of all hybrid and electric cars. To learn more about Melink Corporation, visit Melinkcorp.com or call 513.965.7300.

Melink Partners with Equity Industrial Partners Corp. to Utilize Extra Space for Solar Facility

Posted on by Melink Solar

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – September 15, 2014 – Melink Corporation recently developed and installed the largest rooftop solar PV system in the Midwest on property owned by Equity Industrial Partners Corp. (EIP). The system is estimated to produce more than 4.1 million kWh annually. This system, composed of 12,264 modules on approximately 600,000 square feet of rooftop space, was installed on a new mechanically fastened roof on Rockville road. Power began flowing on August 19, 2014.

The system supports EIP’s initiatives to be a good environmental steward. The solar facility will be connected to Indianapolis Power & Light Company’s (IPL) distribution system, making it part of the largest solar photovoltaic (PV) program for an investor-owned utility in the Midwest. The energy produced equates to providing electricity to power 360 average American homes per year and removing over 2,722 metric tons of CO2 from the atmosphere each year.

“This solar array is the perfect application for almost 14 acres of rooftop area that would otherwise provide no additional use”, said Donald Levine, Principal at EIP. “Equity
Industrial Partners is extremely pleased to be a participant in IPL’s Rate REP and by the exemplary fashion in which our EPC partner, Melink, executed the installation of this PV project.”

Cincinnati-based Melink was the developer of the project and performed the engineering, procurement, and construction services. Melink’s financing partners include U.S. Bancorp and Union Bank & Trust.

“Melink is very excited and proud to be the project developer and EPC of the largest rooftop solar PV array in the Midwest, and to be partnering with Equity Industrial Partners and Indianapolis Power & Light Company to expand solar generation in the Midwest,” said Steve Melink, President of Melink Corporation.

About Equity Industrial Partners

Equity Industrial Partners (EIP) is a privately held developer and operator of industrial warehouse and distribution facilities throughout the United States. Since the firm’s inception in 1995, EIP has acquired and developed over 50 million square feet of industrial property and is responsible for in excess of $1.5 billion in property investments. Please visit www.equityindustrial.com.

About Melink Corporation

Melink provides energy savings for their customers through HVAC commissioning services, demand ventilation controls for commercial kitchens, and solar power projects. In effort to mainstream the value of environmental sustainability, Melink operates in a LEED Platinum and Net Zero Energy office building, making it the greenest building in Ohio. Please visit www.www.melinksolar.com.

Aerial view of Equity rooftop with solar panels

Contact:

Marketing Department

Melink Corporation

513-965-7300