A combination of air handling units and VRVs for Daikin's 30,600m² state-of-the-art facility

Daikin’s centralized knowledge center brings together all R&D activities for low-carbon heat pump heating and cooling across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. To support this mission, Daikin Belgium partnered with Alfa Technical Installations to equip the new European Development Center (EDC) in Ghent with advanced VRV systems and air handling units. This state-of-the-art facility, operational since autumn 2024, represents a major step forward in innovation and sustainability.

Daikin's new European Development Center (EDC) in Ghent is an impressive architectural feat, standing 56 meters tall and dominating the skyline of Zwijnaarde along the E40. The facility covers a total surface area of 30,600m², featuring:

• 13,000m² of office space, spread over 14 floors

• 12,000m² of laboratory space, including 23 test rooms

• Capacity for 500 employees, further expanding Daikin’s R&D operations

The facility's five custom-built air handling units (AHUs) provide an airflow of 85,000 m³/h and a cooling capacity of 297 kW, ensuring a constant supply of fresh air for the 13,000m² office space. Thanks to high-efficiency heat wheel technology for heat and moisture recovery, energy consumption is optimized while maintaining maximum comfort for occupants.

The VRV solution includes a diverse range of Daikin products, incorporating both air-cooled and water-cooled systems. Indoor units were carefully selected based on specific space requirements, including:

• Satellite models

• Cassettes

• Ceiling-mounted units

Together, the system is supported by 14.5 km of piping, efficiently connecting outdoor and indoor units.

“An additional innovation is the implementation of R32 refrigerant in the direct expansion coil of the Daikin air handling units. This is a first and offers significant advantages, such as lower GWP, higher energy efficiency, and reduced refrigerant charge.”
– Wouter Belaen, Alfa Technical Installations

Installing highly advanced HVAC systems in a high-rise building posed unique challenges, requiring close collaboration between Daikin Belgium and Alfa Technical Installations. Despite a tight schedule and evolving project requirements, the partnership ensured a smooth execution.

“The collaboration went very well. The human aspect was respected throughout the process, which was extremely important for the success of this complex project.”
– Wouter Belaen, Alfa Technical Installations

Beyond its technological advancements, EDC Ghent sets new standards in sustainability. The building is designed to meet the highest energy efficiency benchmarks, aiming for:

• nZEB (nearly Zero-Energy Building) certification

• BREEAM Excellent certification

The integration of Daikin’s energy-efficient HVAC solutions plays a key role in achieving these sustainability goals.

“This project embodies our commitment to innovation and sustainability. The EDC Ghent will play a crucial role in the development of future climate technologies. We are proud to have achieved this with Daikin."
– Thomas Cottem, Product Manager Airside