Print This Page
Leading international professional services firm GHD has
unveiled a building concept that achieves zero net annual external
power consumption.
The concept was unveiled at GHD's one-day forum on
sustainability, titled "Our Planet - Leaving a Legacy" on 21
September. The energy and resource-efficient building concept,
appropriately called Zero, is "located" at Melbourne's busy
Richmond Station on the corner of Swan Street and Punt Road.
The overarching goal of the project was to develop a concept
that achieves zero net annual external power consumption, which
equates to zero operating C02 emissions. The design team first
benchmarked current best-practice building design worldwide, then
set stringent targets that exceed these in terms of energy and
resource efficiency.
"Buildings contribute substantially to the world’s emissions, so
we set out to design a building that generates zero net operating
CO2 emissions,” said GHD’s Martin Tuktens. “This required
employment of every possible means of on-site renewable energy
generation. However, initial cost studies, including energy
generation data and costs, project payback periods without carbon
taxes of around 25-30 years."
Energy efficiency
Zero runs on energy generated on-site using only renewable
sources. It does not utilise carbon offsetting, because offsetting
does not fundamentally improve the global CO2 load. The design team
approached the challenge by first finding technical solutions to
reach the stringent goals, and then estimating the economic
implications. They conclude that some additional costs would be
required in order to reach the stringent project targets.
Zero minimises greenhouse gas emissions through utilization of
solar and wind technologies, coupled with provision of
energy-efficient systems such as Combined Heat and Power Solar
(CHAPS), labyrinth, chilled beams, solar absorption chillers, phase
change materials, hydronic heating, a double façade, and heat
recovery. It also incorporates emerging technologies such as
algae-based C02 systems to remove C02 from the building interior by
passing gases through an algae-filled photobioreactor.
The design reaches a predicted 5-star Australian Building
Greenhouse Rating (ABGR), without the purchase of additional green
power. The design was evaluated according to the Green Star
environmental rating system, a framework developed by the Green
Council of Australia as a comprehensive, national, voluntary
environmental rating scheme that evaluates the environmental design
and achievements of buildings.
Materials
Building materials are also in keeping with Zero’s energy- and
resource-efficiency goal. The project utilizes reused materials
like bricks, windows, cladding, pre-cast concrete panels, flooring
and doors totalling at least 2% of the project’s contract value.
The design incorporates 20% recycled aggregate, along with
industrial waste product, for 60% in-situ concrete, 40% pre-case
concrete and 30% stressed concrete to minimise embodied energy and
resource depletion. At least 90% of the Net Lettable Area (NLA)
consists of shell and core, with no ceilings, floor coverings,
tenancy lighting systems or partition walls.
Water
Water efficiency is paramount in Zero’s design, and all water
fixtures and fittings are 5-star Water Efficiency Labelling and
Standards (WELS). The design incorporates black water, grey water
and rainwater systems together with stormwater and sewer mining to
reduce the consumption of potable water and minimise discharge to
the municipal sewage system.
Irrigation water for landscaping is sourced from on-site
rainwater retention and water mining systems. Provision of
automatic timers and moisture sensor controls optimises landscaping
water usage, and reclaimed water is used in fire sprinkler
tests.
Tenants contribute to efficiency efforts
The Zero concept also engages building occupants in
energy-efficiency efforts, whilst aiming for maximum occupant
comfort. At least 80% of Zero’s NLA has direct views to either
outdoor or atrium green spaces, providing a visual connection to
the environment. Though the design does not incorporate carparking,
it provides good public transport connections as well as showers
and change rooms for occupants who walk or cycle to work. Displays
throughout the building enable occupants to see energy and water
consumption, raising awareness of efficient usage. Major water
users are provided with water meters linked to the Building
Management System to facilitate detection of leaks and monitoring
of water consumption.
According to GHD, designing a building with zero net operating
C02 emissions can be achieved with appropriate investment in
additional services.
"Our vision is that Project Zero can contribute to global
efforts focused on development of sustainable buildings, such as
the World Business Council for Sustainable Development’s net-zero
buildings initiative," said Tuktens. "Creativity is what we need
for the biggest challenge facing the planet today."
Zero was unveiled at GHD’s OUR PLANET – LEAVING A LEGACY
sustainability forum in Melbourne on 21 September. The event
attracted some 1,100 delegates from Federal, State and Local
Government, private enterprise, infrastructure owners and
operators, the professions, financiers, academia and research
institutes. Speakers included The Honourable Al Gore, The
Honourable Peter Garrett and Professor Tim Flannery, providing a
unique opportunity for leaders to collaborate on finding solutions
for a changing world.
To strengthen the sustainability profile of your
organisation, contact:
Bill Grace, Sustainability Consulting
Leader [tel 61 8 6222 8222]