As one of the world’s first climate positive precincts of its size in the world, the $6 billion Barangaroo project is an excellent example of Aussie innovation.
Not only is it a showcase of sustainability generating more renewable energy than it will use, cooling at the site will be delivered via a chilled water system using Sydney Harbour sea water.
CCN readers will get a first hand account of the long list of innovations at the site as Barangaroo is the featured project at this year’s CCN Live event being held on August 14, 2015.
The 22 hectare development is an ideal fit for this year’s CCN Live theme which is “Innovation”. The first part of the Barangaroo development officially opens later this year.
Details of the cooling plant will be outlined by Veolia energy solutions director, Ross Seabrook. Other sustainability features at the site include a solar farm generating over 1000MWh of energy each year. During construction, 97 per cent of waste will be diverted from landfill.
Moreover, tenants will be required to save energy by adjusting air conditioning to just two degrees warmer in summer and two degrees cooler in winter.
There is always room for innovation even during tight economic times and uncertainty, according to Jillian Broadbent, chairman of the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC).
Speaking at GreenCities 2015, Broadbent said one way to innovate is through the creative use of technology. “We’re witnessing an exponential growth in technology and with it, creative new ways to drive the transformation of our cities,” she said.
“There are businesses that recognise that periods of change and uncertainty provide the perfect opportunity to make bold decisions, catalyse change and position themselves ahead of those who use uncertainty as an excuse not to act.”
Expert Group managing director Peter Brodribb said innovation should be practical. “It’s not innovative if it doesn’t work,” he said. “There are early examples of CO2 systems that failed but some tough lessons were learnt and everyone has moved on and is doing it differently.”
Brodribb said most innovation in the HVACR industry is micro innovation, in a text book sense, as the technology is pretty mature.
He said examples of recent innovations include Seeley International’s indirect evaporative cooling and the Odyssey controlled air cooling system from CSR Edmonds.
More speakers for CCN Live’s showcase of innovation will be announced shortly. Another highlight of CCN Live 2015 is the formal presentation for winners of the HVACR Leadership Awards, our new awards program sponsored by Bitzer.
To nominate for an award, go to www.climatecontrolnews.com.au/awards.