'Rail duct systems ensure optimal power coverage in NDC Jumbo'

Jumbo's new national distribution center (NDC) in Nieuwegein stands out for its very high quality and sustainability. Also when it comes to the electrical installations. Commissioned by Bouwbedrijf van de Ven and in accordance with the Program of Requirements of BREEAM experts W4Y and Da Vinci Vastgoed, Kromwijk Elektro is responsible for the engineering and implementation of all E-disciplines. From the transformers to the main and sub-distributions, lighting and sound installation and connections for Witron's mechanism system, the Woerden-based installer was faced with various challenges.

"In this project, we were not only dealing with a high BREEAM-NL ambition, but also with large capacities and considerable distances that had to be bridged," says Adriaan van der Neut, co-owner of Kromwijk Elektro. "To ensure optimal power coverage throughout the building, we realized three separate power connections. Indoors, we opted for busbar trunking systems that allow large powers to be easily moved over long distances, without the risk of voltage losses."

Three transformers were installed in the project. By means of busbar trunking, the main distribution boxes are extended, so to speak, to the users. "More than sixty branch boxes have been placed on the busbar trunking routes to feed the Witron system, among other things. To gain insight into energy performance, each circuit breaker is monitored through a Power Monitoring Expert (PME) system from Schneider Electric. This allows for more targeted maintenance, preventing breakdowns." 

On the roof of the distribution center, 13,500 solar panels were installed, producing 4,000,000 kWh of solar power annually. Kromwijk Elektro provided distribution to the distributors through busbar trunking (waterproof/IP68). "In addition, LED lighting was installed throughout the building," said Van der Neut. "Most of the project was carried out with LED light lines. For example, in the warehouse areas, where we had to deal with considerable ceiling heights and large rack numbers. We also chose LED inset fixtures in the offices, LED downlights in the corridors and appropriate LED fixtures in the entrance and restaurant." Intelligence is built into all the fixtures, allowing Jumbo to easily control and read the lighting via DALI. "In addition to the active status of the fixtures, the temperatures in the driver and the dimming modes, for example, the number of burning hours is made transparent, based on which the lighting plan can be further optimized, the expected life of the fixtures can be determined and 100% predictable maintenance becomes possible."

Thanks to the LiveLink Premium light management system from light supplier TRILUX Benelux, the lighting can be controlled individually and/or per zone. "Motion detectors and daylight controls ensure that no unnecessary lighting is lit anywhere," says Van der Neut. "In the future, lighting fixtures can also easily be added or removed when needs in the rooms change."