Daikin and McQuay announced that the companies have earned LEED® Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) for its Applied Development Center (ADC), located at McQuay world headquarters, Plymouth, MN.

The 49,000 sq.ft. research center is described by sources as the world’s most advanced facility for HVAC research and development. The Daikin McQuay ADC is used to develop innovative, high-quality HVAC technologies.

The ADC can simulate building, electrical, and climate conditions of any location throughout the world.

“It’s a great honor to have earned LEED Gold certification for a facility that we are extremely proud of and that is unmatched in the industry,” says Hiromune Matsuoka, head of the Daikin McQuay ADC. “Our deep commitment to sustainability can be seen in this facility and in the development of applied products that support the environment, energy savings, innovation, leadership and the best in customer comfort.”

The Daikin McQuay Applied Development Center was designed and built by Mortenson Construction, Hammel, Green and Abrahamson architects and engineers, Hunt Electric, and Egan mechanical contractors. With more than 90% of the ADC’s energy generated by process loads (e.g., hot and cold water for chiller and compressor tests), energy savings are realized primarily by recovering 75% of that energy and diverting it back into the system. Other environmental features include water-efficient landscaping, recycled construction waste, use of recycled content for interior surfaces, low-emitting sealants and locally purchased materials.

The ADC can simulate building, electrical and climate conditions of any location throughout the world.

“Helping our customers achieve their energy efficiency needs and providing them with technologies that allow for design flexibility is just as important to us as reducing our own environmental impact,” says Ron Hanlon, chief operating officer of McQuay Americas. “While we plan to continue providing customers with industry leading energy efficient technologies like the Daikin McQuay Magnitude Chiller, we will also continue our journey to a reduced carbon footprint. Achieving LEED Gold certification for the ADC is our most recent accomplishment in doing just that,” Hanlon says.

The Daikin McQuay ADC includes six test cells, with space for two additional cells in the future, that will facilitate the development of air- and water- cooled chillers, compressors and heat pumps as well as new air-conditioning systems. Included are a worldwide range of electrical voltages/frequencies and a range of procedures for testing ambient conditions (temperature and humidity).

USGBC representatives presented Daikin and McQuay executives with the LEED Gold certification plaque for the USGBC for the Daikin McQuay Applied Development Center. From left are: Yoshibumi Katayama, advisor of applied solutions business; Hiroo Yoshioka, senior executive officer, Daikin; Ron Hanlon, chief operating officer, McQuay Americas; Richard Graves, vice president, community, for National USGBC; Hiromune Matsuoka, senior vice president,McQuay International and general manager of the Applied Development Center; Shigeki Hagiwara, senior executive officer of Daikin's applied solutions business; Sheri Brezinka, executive director, USGBC; Junji Umamoto, executive vice president, sales and marketing, McQuay Americas.

The ADC can simulate building, electrical and climate conditions of any location throughout the world, allowing the basic design development of new products to be centrally located in the facility. These ‘global models’ are then arranged into a suitable design to match market requirements at existing regional development centers throughout the world.