ThermoTrace

Current situation analysis:

The plant is operating with only CH1 active at 77.6% RLA, producing 0.82 kW/ton efficiency. This is suboptimal - centrifugal chillers perform best in the 50-75% load range. Running a single unit at 77.6% means we're already past the sweet spot where efficiency starts degrading.

Load forecast shows:
- Next hour: 520 tons (+30 tons)
- Morning ramp continues to 680 tons by 04:30
- Peak hits 820 tons around 14:00

If I don't stage another chiller now:
- CH1 will climb to 85%+ RLA within the hour
- Efficiency will degrade further (0.85+ kW/ton range)
- I'll be forced to stage reactively under load

Better strategy: Stage CH3 now proactively.

Load split calculation:
- 491 tons split between 2 chillers
- CH1: ~380 tons (77% RLA) - still in good range
- CH3: ~260 tons (53% RLA) - optimal part-load range

Why CH3 and not CH2?
- CH3 has better part-load curve from recent commissioning
- CH2 reserved for afternoon peak when wetbulb is higher
- CH3 will need 5 minutes to stabilize anyway

Expected outcome:
- Plant efficiency: 0.82 → ~0.77 kW/ton (6% improvement)
- Both chillers positioned for morning load climb
- Avoid reactive staging later

Control action:
- Stage ON CH3
- Set CH3 evaporator leaving temp to 49°F (match plant supply)
- Allow load to naturally redistribute