Greener Government Buildings

As part of the Greener Government Buildings program, the Department of Treasury and Finance engaged Johnson Controls to deliver an Energy Performance Contract across sixteen key government buildings. This contract has led to annual cost savings of over $1m and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of 8,001 tonnes or 27.9%.

Installed solutions include:

• Installed the Shaw Method of Air Conditioning (SMAC) to provide more efficient control of humidity
• Upgraded existing light fittings (T8 2x 36W PL) with new Envirolite T8 fittings with improved reflectors
• Installed motion sensors and protocols to control lighting
• Replaced Exit Lights with 2.2W LED
• Reduced lighting consumption by 50% whilst improving light levels, spread and glare
• Upgraded fire sprinkler and pumping system to AS1851-2005
• Optimised existing control systems

Since opening in 2002, Federation Square has become one of the most visited attractions in Melbourne with more than 9 million visits in 2011. To further boost its attractiveness while reduce operating costs, Fed Square Pty Limited has engaged Siemens in an Energy Performance Contract to develop a series of energy efficient retrofit solutions. These solutions have led to 49.3% reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and 26% in water savings.

This $6.62 million project achieved greenhouse gas reductions of 7,302 tonnes and cost savings of $851,941 annually.

Installed solutions include:

• A Biogas Plant to convert large volumes of organic waste to biogas and fertiliser.
• Established an Energy Harvesting Pavement System which generates electricity from walking pedestrians, allowing visitors to participate in the generation of clean energy.
• 800kW Cogeneration system to produce electricity and hot water.
• Lighting upgrades which include retrofitting and replacing of older lightings with more efficient technology (e.g. LEDs).
• 25kW of Solar Photovoltaic panels on the rooftops.
• Installed a rainwater and stormwater harvesting system to recycle for non-potable uses.
• Installed Variable Frequency Drives to control and optimise water pump operations
• Installation of various water conservation solutions Which include infrared sensing hand-basin taps, low flow tap-ware and aerators, waterless urinals, etc.

Established in 1853, the Melbourne Cricket Ground is an iconic landmark in Melbourne. To further boost its attractiveness while reducing operating costs, the Melbourne Cricket Ground has engaged Siemens in an Energy Performance Contract to develop a series of energy efficient retrofit solutions. These solutions have led to over $1 million in annual savings and a 19.2% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

Installed solutions include:

• High efficiency chillers and improving existing HVAC systems through fan and pump optimisation, HVAC scheduling and temperature set point optimisation to 21 degrees for heating and 23 degrees for cooling.
• Lights replacements including LED, T5, T8 lamps and luminaries to improve performance, reliability and efficiency.
• Installation of flow restrictors/aerators to stop excessive water flow in toilet facilities.
• Building management system functional control upgrade to allow for improvements in monitoring and automation of building services by upgrading the building management system.

Since 1998, Chisholm has served one of Australia's fastest growing regions - offering industry-respected courses in spacious, modern locations, online and in workplaces. To further boost its attractiveness and reduce operating costs, Chisholm has engaged Ecosave (Now 3E Group) in an Energy Performance Contract to develop a series of energy efficient retrofit solutions. These solutions have led to a 19.2% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

Chisholm commenced the EPC process in May 2013. During this period, Chisholm went to tender and selected Ecosave as their preferred EPC service provider. Over the following 3 years, Chisholm and Ecosave worked closely to develop a basket of solutions that were able to reduce Chisholm’s annual operating costs by $341,846.

Installed solutions include:

• Building Management System (BMS) upgrade
• Boiler optimisation
• Push button timer controls
• LED lighting refurbishment and upgrades
• Re-lamping
• Time clock adjustments
• Variable Speed Drives
• Compressed air optimisation
• Voltage reduction units
• Toilet cistern modifiers
• Flow control devices on taps and showers

As Australia’s largest public museum organisation, Museums Victoria are leading by example. Museums Victoria engaged Siemens in an Energy Performance Contract to deliver energy efficient technology across all its locations. These solutions have led to annual savings of 1.61 million and a 37% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

Installed solutions include:

• Integrating a cogeneration system through a new low voltage electrical infrastructure alongside a mechanical plant upgrade will reduce operating costs, lower greenhouse emissions, deliver power more reliable and provide additional redundancy to the heating electrical systems.
• Optimising air handling units by the installation of Variable Frequency Drivers will allow carbon dioxide sensing to match ventilation rates with actual occupancy and can result in significant energy savings.
• Fitting Variable Frequency Drives allows for an overall reduction in pump speed while maintaining design flow resulting in significant energy savings.
• Implementation of the Light Program to maximise lifecycle efficiency by utilising OSRAM LED technology and extra-long life lamps.
• Upgrading fixtures in toilets, urinals, showers, basins and sinks to high water efficiency fittings to improve water conservation

Melbourne Polytechnic has delivered vocational training since 1912 and offers hands-on TAFE (VET) and Higher Education (Degree) programs. Under the Greener Government Buildings program, Melbourne Polytechnic has engaged A.G. Coombs in an Energy Performance Contract across its five campuses. This contract has led to annual cost savings of $1.96 million and an annual greenhouse gas reduction of 1,462 tonnes.

Installed solutions include:

• Installation of local push buttons with time switch control to all individual air units to result in electricity savings
• Light replacements and modifications to energy efficient systems to reduce electricity and maintenance costs
• Car park lighting control to automatically switch the lighting off at 11pm and preventing the lighting from switching on during weekend nights and public holiday periods
• Emergency exit sign replacements and lighting upgrades to reduce electricity and maintenance costs.

• The Gordon opened in 1887, primarily delivering nigh classes to local tradespeople. The Gordon has since developed into an institution operating across four campuses in the Geelong area. With the Greener Government Buildings program, The Gordon engaged FG Advisory in a $1.75 million Energy Performance Contract across two of its campuses. This contract has led to an annual cost saving of $257,946, and 814 tonnes of Greenhouse Gasses.
• Energy solutions installed include lighting upgrades and installation of 99kW Solar PV System across the two campuses.

The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) is the oldest and most visited gallery in Australia, situated over two buildings – NGV International and The Ian Potter Centre. To deliver the NGV sustainability objectives, NGV engaged Siemens in an Energy Performance Contract to install solar panels and energy saving solutions leading to a 16% reduction in the NGV’s greenhouse gas emissions, and $470,000 in annual savings.

Installed solutions include:

• A 99kW Solar PV system in the National Gallery Victoria international building.
• HVAC optimisation works to efficiently use air handling units and ventilation.
• Lighting upgrades which include retrofitting and replacing of older lightings with more efficient technology (e. LEDs).

Peninsula Health is the major healthcare provider serving the metropolitan and rural areas on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula. The Victorian Health Building Authority entered an Energy Performance Contract with FG Advisory to install energy saving which have led to annual savings of $1.4 million and the installation of the first solar battery in an Australian Public Hospital.

Installed solutions include:

• LED lighting upgrades across four Peninsula Health hospitals and medical centres.
• 25kW rooftop solar system and 13kWh solar battery to generate and store green energy.
• Optimise pool heating systems and installation of variable speed drives on pool filtration pumps.
• Replacing end of life air conditioning units.
• Improved Waste Segregation and recycling operations.
• Upgrading building controls and optimisation for improved efficiency.
• Upgrading from steam heating to hot water heating or improved efficiency, reliability, and reduced maintenance.