Grundfos Powers Saudi Arabia's Major Security Campus Upgrade with Energy-Efficient Booster Pumps
In a country where efficiency, reliability, and security are paramount, Saudi Arabia’s ambitious King Abdullah Bin Abdelaziz Project (KAP2) is raising the bar for infrastructure development. The project, launched in 2013 by the Ministry of Interior, focuses on upgrading 44 military and security facilities across five zones in the Kingdom. With over 3.5 million square meters of construction space, the project includes medical centres, training facilities, forensic labs, sports buildings, villas, auditoriums, mosques, and more.
One of the core challenges in the KAP2 project was ensuring a reliable and energy-efficient water boosting system for the multiple buildings under construction. With the help of Grundfos, a leader in water and energy-efficient solutions, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is now benefitting from an advanced, variable-speed boosting solution that optimizes power usage, reduces energy costs, and minimizes maintenance needs.
The Challenge: Meeting Shifting Water Demands in Sensitive Areas
The KAP2 project’s extensive construction involved multiple phases, with each building having specific demands in water supply and boosting. The challenge was to implement a water boosting solution that could adjust to shifting demands while minimizing energy consumption, given the ever-changing construction schedules and varying needs across the different zones.
Initially, the Ministry had used constant speed boosters in the first phase, but the desire for a more energy-efficient solution was clear. Not only did the Ministry want to cut energy consumption, but they also sought a solution that could reduce maintenance efforts, given the sensitive nature of the sites and restricted access to high-security areas.
The Solution: Grundfos MPC-E Booster Sets
Grundfos proposed its innovative MPC-E variable-speed booster systems, designed to meet the challenges of this major upgrade. These booster sets are ideal for adapting to shifting demands across multiple zones, offering the flexibility required for the phased construction of the campus buildings.
Irfan Ahmed Ashrafi, Senior Business Development Manager at Grundfos Saudi Arabia, explains how these systems work: “The MPC-E booster sets, combined with the CU352 controller, are able to optimize power usage based on the specific demand of each building or zone, ensuring energy efficiency without compromising water pressure.” The CU352 controller features proportional pressure functionality, which helps reduce frictional losses and water leakage by adjusting the water pressure according to real-time needs.
Another key feature of the Grundfos solution is the soft pressure buildup function, which prevents water hammer during start-up. This reduces the risk of system damage and ensures smooth operation—an advantage not found in the fixed-speed pumps previously used in phase one.
Energy Savings and Environmental Impact
To demonstrate the impact of the MPC-E booster sets, Grundfos conducted an Energy Check in one of the buildings constructed in the first phase. This building was previously using 14 fixed-speed pumps for water boosting. When the MPC-E booster sets were installed, the Energy Check revealed impressive results:
- Energy savings of more than 123,000 kWh per year.
- Reduction of 87 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually.
- EUR 9,000 in annual energy cost savings for just one building.
These results provided the Ministry with compelling evidence of the benefits of switching to variable-speed boosters. The MPC-E booster sets not only meet the demand for reliable water supply but also reduce energy usage, making them the ideal choice for the Kingdom’s ambitious infrastructure project.
The Outcome: Reliable, Energy-Efficient Water Boosting
By the end of 2021, Grundfos will have installed and commissioned 121 MPC-E booster sets across the KAP2 project. The solution has proven to be a perfect fit for the Ministry’s needs, with NKY, the project’s main consultant, praising the unique features of the Hydro MPC-E booster sets.
Tariq Mousa, NKY’s Senior Mechanical Engineer, highlights, “The Grundfos Hydro MPC-E sets were the right fit for our project with their unique feature of proportional pressure and friction loss compensation. This is an iconic project that required a reliable solution in terms of quality. The high technology of these boosters has accounted for significant energy savings.”
Conclusion: A Sustainable, Efficient Future for Saudi Arabia’s Security Campuses
As Saudi Arabia continues its drive to modernize and upgrade its military and security infrastructure, Grundfos has provided a solution that addresses both energy efficiency and reliability. The MPC-E booster sets ensure optimal water pressure and energy use, reducing operational costs while meeting the high standards of the Kingdom’s security campuses.
For a project of such scale and importance, Grundfos has delivered a solution that not only improves the efficiency of water boosting systems but also supports Saudi Arabia’s vision for a sustainable future. The KAP2 project is an excellent example of how Grundfos’ cutting-edge technology can drive operational efficiency and cost savings in large-scale infrastructure projects—setting a new standard for energy-efficient water management in high-security environments.
