Innovation roundup: Energy efficient infrastructure upgrades
Innovation roundup: Energy efficient infrastructure upgrades
Submitted by Chris Lewis on 2nd December 2014
In Western Australia, the local authorities of Cottesloe, Peppermint Grove and Mosman Park jointly own and manage the Grove Library and Community Learning Centre (opened in 2010). The building generates its own power, collects its own rainwater, and recycles all wastewater, and was the result of the three Councils collaboratively seeking community comment and support. The building incorporated an impressive list of environmentally sustainable design (ESD) innovations, and won the 2011 Australian Institute of Architects (WA Chapter) Walter Greenham Sustainable Architecture Award. While the total cost of the building was $17 million, the ESD components were costed at $2.7 million and contributed to significant whole of life savings in the operation of the building compared to conventional construction. This joint project also won the 'Energy Smart' category of the 2012 National Awards for Local Government. Read more »
The Energising the Flinders Project was funded through the Regional Development Australia Fund, and involved a consortium of councils including the Flinders Ranges Council and the District Councils of Mount Remarkable, Orroroo Carrieton and Peterborough. The project, costing over $1.16 million, involved the installation of solar power (photovoltaic) generating systems at 15 sites throughout the region, including council administration centres and depots, public toilets/picnic areas, and swimming pools. A further 104 solar lights were installed at previously unlit or inadequately lit council-owned community recreation and sporting facilities, street locations, tourist facilities/attractions and other public precincts in Carrieton, Hawker, Orroroo and Quorn. Read more »
The City of Victor Harbour (SA) demonstrated leadership in renewable energy by installing hybrid solar/wind street lamps at the Victor Harbour Recreation Centre car park (costing $18,000). The project's results will inform other hybrid sustainable energy projects. Read more »
The City of Melbourne's '1,200 Buildings' program planned to upgrade 1,200 existing buildings across the City to become more energy and carbon efficient. The program was praised in a global report by independent greenhouse gas reduction champion the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP). The project was described as a potential catalyst for the retrofit of private commercial buildings with the hope of inspiring investment opportunities through efficiency savings. The CDP's Cities 2012 Global Report, which featured carbon reporting from over 70 of the world's most iconic cities, included Melbourne, along with Sydney, in the C40 Climate Leadership group. The latter is widely acknowledged for being at the forefront of carbon reduction practices. Read more »
Greater Shepparton City Council has also been active in infrastructure upgrades to increase energy efficiency. A proposed upgrade for swimming and gym facilities includes a gas turbine to generate electricity, which was estimated to be capable of saving 800 tonnes of CO2 emissions per annum and reducing the recreation centre's yearly power bill by $70,000. With an overall outlay of $555,000 ($355,000 in the first year), the upgrade was expected to pay for itself in six years. In addition, a landfill gas recovery project at the Cosgrove Landfill site was expected to run an engine that will put enough enough electricity power back into the power grid to supply around 800 households. Organic material was also redirected away from landfill to be processed in a purpose built low emission composting plant that provides 6,000 tonnes of quality compost per year. Read more »
Chris Lewis is Visiting Fellow at ANZSOG Institute for Governance.
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Submitted by Chris Lewis on 2nd December 2014
In Western Australia, the local authorities of Cottesloe, Peppermint Grove and Mosman Park jointly own and manage the Grove Library and Community Learning Centre (opened in 2010). The building generates its own power, collects its own rainwater, and recycles all wastewater, and was the result of the three Councils collaboratively seeking community comment and support. The building incorporated an impressive list of environmentally sustainable design (ESD) innovations, and won the 2011 Australian Institute of Architects (WA Chapter) Walter Greenham Sustainable Architecture Award. While the total cost of the building was $17 million, the ESD components were costed at $2.7 million and contributed to significant whole of life savings in the operation of the building compared to conventional construction. This joint project also won the 'Energy Smart' category of the 2012 National Awards for Local Government. Read more »
The Energising the Flinders Project was funded through the Regional Development Australia Fund, and involved a consortium of councils including the Flinders Ranges Council and the District Councils of Mount Remarkable, Orroroo Carrieton and Peterborough. The project, costing over $1.16 million, involved the installation of solar power (photovoltaic) generating systems at 15 sites throughout the region, including council administration centres and depots, public toilets/picnic areas, and swimming pools. A further 104 solar lights were installed at previously unlit or inadequately lit council-owned community recreation and sporting facilities, street locations, tourist facilities/attractions and other public precincts in Carrieton, Hawker, Orroroo and Quorn. Read more »
The City of Victor Harbour (SA) demonstrated leadership in renewable energy by installing hybrid solar/wind street lamps at the Victor Harbour Recreation Centre car park (costing $18,000). The project's results will inform other hybrid sustainable energy projects. Read more »
The City of Melbourne's '1,200 Buildings' program planned to upgrade 1,200 existing buildings across the City to become more energy and carbon efficient. The program was praised in a global report by independent greenhouse gas reduction champion the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP). The project was described as a potential catalyst for the retrofit of private commercial buildings with the hope of inspiring investment opportunities through efficiency savings. The CDP's Cities 2012 Global Report, which featured carbon reporting from over 70 of the world's most iconic cities, included Melbourne, along with Sydney, in the C40 Climate Leadership group. The latter is widely acknowledged for being at the forefront of carbon reduction practices. Read more »
Greater Shepparton City Council has also been active in infrastructure upgrades to increase energy efficiency. A proposed upgrade for swimming and gym facilities includes a gas turbine to generate electricity, which was estimated to be capable of saving 800 tonnes of CO2 emissions per annum and reducing the recreation centre's yearly power bill by $70,000. With an overall outlay of $555,000 ($355,000 in the first year), the upgrade was expected to pay for itself in six years. In addition, a landfill gas recovery project at the Cosgrove Landfill site was expected to run an engine that will put enough enough electricity power back into the power grid to supply around 800 households. Organic material was also redirected away from landfill to be processed in a purpose built low emission composting plant that provides 6,000 tonnes of quality compost per year. Read more »
| Chris Lewis is Visiting Fellow at ANZSOG Institute for Governance. |
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