Charlestown Square Energy Reduction - Article Example

Name Course Tutor Date Charlestown Square Energy Reduction 1. Reduction of Energy Usage and Carbon Dioxide Emission for Large Shopping Centres Energy usage and carbon dioxide emission in large shopping centres is becoming increasingly high due to the advancement of technology. It is the mandate of the architectures, designers and electricians of both residential and industrial buildings to device sustainable solutions for reduction of energy usage and carbon dioxide emission. According to Australian Government Productivity Commission (2011) the Australian government is keen at coming up with legislations that shall aid in mitigating these emissions by supporting initiatives such as renewable energy targets and carbon taxes that aim at reducing the usage of fossil fuel generated electricity from the grid. This review shall look into energy reduction and carbon dioxide emission reduction for large shopping centres within Australia with the main focus on timeline of activities that brought about the urge to effect these changes (Australian Government Productivity Commission). Large shopping centres are likened to small cities that house several shops and regional centres. The rate of power consumption has often been overlooked as the possible cause of global warming ahead of local summits to resolve the issue of carbon upsurge. The shopping centres have also been found to consume high volumes of natural gas in heating and cooling activities beyond acceptable levels. The sustainable power management systems demand a reduction to both consumption of electricity from the national grid which is partly generated by fossil fuel and natural gas as part of reduction of greenhouse gases. Initiatives towards green buildings started in 1970s when the first world oil crisis took place raising concerns with respect to the depletion of fossil fuels. The consequences of this crisis are among the drivers of sustainable buildings in Australia. Nowadays, buildings are required as a convention to meet the minimum energy performance before they are approved by the local councils. The buildings are also required to minimize activities that may have any propensity of heating and cooling in case of summer and winter seasons (Mumovic and Santamouris). High efficiency energy utilization aims at stringent legislations that are meant for environmental conservation at the slightest opportunity. The utilization of renewable energy sources is therefore encouraged with minimal usage of the fossil fuels through efficient means of energy conversion technologies in order to avoid polluting the environment through carbon dioxide gas emissions. The integration between systems must be done by engineers during the design stage so as to come up with reliable designs. This is not only meant to achieve energy saving measures but also sustainable site development, materials and resources conservation and reduced transport energy usage from one floor of the building to another (Mumovic and Santamouris). The green building council of Australia introduced a green building rating system in 2008 which aimed at large shopping centres. This project put down measures to ensure the achievability of green building of retail centres with the first three certified projects as the yard sticks. Orion Springfield, Doncaster and Chadstone shopping centres have set trends by becoming the first fully certified six green star buildings through the genius environmental friendly features that were incorporated during their construction. Most of the developers who come up with these projects are driven by the corporate social responsibility and ethical nature of their businesses. There is need for corporate to engage in activities that are environmental friendly by committing to national and global sustainability. The global sustainability programs require climate index of each country to be disclosed thus it is necessary for the parties involved in major environmentally impacting activities to check themselves with regard to these outlines. While the green initiatives might be an expensive resort in the short-term, the payback period shall not exceed six years for a standard building. Operational costs incurred by these large shopping centres are ideally reduced thereby making the building attractive when it comes to the tenant following (Yudelson). The technologies applicable to sustainable building designs includes rain water harvesting programs, thermal solar heating, photovoltaic energy usage and management systems that are meant to monitor and regulate energy flaws (Yudelson). In other areas better developed technology has been implemented in order to minimize the environmental impacts that are posed by shopping centres. In a case study conducted to ascertain the Australian shopping centres energy efficiency, it has been established that apart from the physical renewable energy integration within the building sites, automation methods have been setting in place. One such automation worth discussion is the integrated low voltage system (IELVS) which is incorporated within the building to reduce energy costs hence consumption of less energy for the grid. Smart buildings are part of the green building schemes which can only be achieved through the availability of the substantial data on energy consumption. This system addresses the issue of energy efficiency through the National Greenhouse Gas & Energy Reporting Scheme (NGERS) and other interstate programs that aim at cutting down power usage emanating from the grid. Some of these systems are web based in order to share information on which utilities in the building are consuming excess energy on order for control measures to be put in place. IELVS can be used in centralized power system management so as to synchronize the renewable energy equipment with the grid source in order to ensure that energy that is being sourced from the grid is minimal. The application of this system has seen improvement in power factors for incoming electric energy, optimization of photovoltaic energy for high performance appliances and thermal energy for water and climate control purposes. Other systems that are integrated in this system include; access controls, automation systems, lighting monitors, power generators, electrical switches and utility meters (westfield). It is evident that with such energy saving systems, energy can be saved by up to 25% off the grid for heating and cooling. Focusing on energy efficiency and better conversion systems can become handy in the reduction of energy consumption and control of global warming. 2. Significant Green Projects Undertaken in Australia The march towards a sustainable environment has been made a reality with the conception of various green building as a matter of prove. For the purpose of this discussion focus shall be directed towards Orion Springfield, Chadstone and Charlestown Square shopping centres. Orion Springfield is considered as a six green star project having been launched for full operations in 2007. This shopping centre is a home to 120 shops on its expansive 35,000m2 of space. The innovation behind this centre aimed at coming up with a green building for purposes of environmental sustainability. It is a fact that this building achieved its dream goal of eco-efficiency by trouncing similar projects and emerging with a 40% carbon reduction index. In achieving this goal the building design incorporates use of natural lighting in order to maintain both visibility levels and the internal climate without the need to use further enhancements like air conditioning system. This is made possible by the central corridors which have massive skylights and clearstory windows in case of the upper levels stories. 95% of the light is supplied to this building through natural means to say the least. The artificial lighting used on this building are 10% extra efficient than the normal lights as. To add to this, monitoring system used on light is responsive to the environment and therefore adjusts light levels to fit the needs of the building (Department of Environment nad Heritage Protection). The large windows and veranda provided in the design of Mirvac Orion Springfield offer a cutting edge technology in curbing the need to have a climate control systems. Orion Springfield saves a total of three months' air-conditioning costs per year. The building also boasts a delta T chilled water air conditioning system which cools water to temperatures below 5°C making it the most efficient technology in the market. These halves the energy needed to supply water in the air conditioning system as the amount of water needed for cooling the system is reduced considerably. The air volume diffusers that are fitted in the building contribute towards improved air conditioning functionality, better air circulation and significant reduction in energy consumed. The building's car park also has an automatic ventilation system that monitors the levels of carbon monoxide at self-adjustable speeds to save on energy. The building has managed to save an average of 12% due to its eco-friendly initiative, 89% savings on water and 17% on energy. Towards a sustainable environment, the gas emissions have been reduced by 2,783 tonnes (Department of Environment nad Heritage Protection). Chadstone shopping centre is a green building project that was undertaken in 2008with a major aim of saving on energy thereby reducing the greenhouse gases emitted to the atmosphere. With over 500 retail centres and 9500 parking spaces, this building occupies over 20,000m2. The sub-metering systems used on this building makes it easy to monitor energy usage as part of the initiative to achieve a five green star rating. This enhances understanding on where the energy is being spent most so as to put corrective measures in place. Curbing unnecessary power usage ensures that the systems are tuned to acceptable levels of demand in order to reduce the levels of emissions being produced to the environment. Chadstone shopping centre makes best use of energy management systems to assume high end incorporation of Energy Management and Control System. The electric generators that are availed for backup purposes have the highest conversion efficiencies which ensure low usage of fossil fuels. Apart from this the photovoltaic cells that are installed as roofing materials for these buildings just to mention a few (CFSPM & Probuild Victoria). Asset m2 State  2012 MJ %GPT  2005 MJ/m2  2012 MJ/m2 Baseline Change % 2012 kg CO2e/m2 Charlestown 90,869 NSW 66,553,038 8.52 398 732 84% 60 Table 1: Savings achieved by Charlestown Square through meter monitoring systems Charlestown Square is considered as the sixth most productive shopping centre in Australia. This proves that this centre is expansive and the client turnover is extremely high calling for high energy usage to maintain the internal climate. Completed in 2010, Charlestown Square shopping centre houses more than 110 retail stores on its 89,000m2 space. The green technology is well embraced with the main aim of environmental conservation. The energy sustainability of this project was achieved by the passive solar inclusion to the main spaces in the mall. The variable air volume technology integrated in the air conditioning system is also a major boost due to the efficiency possessed. Skylights and windows are designed to minimize the heat that is the main cause for air-conditioning. Energy saving lights designed from metal halides coupled by the fluorescent technology have aided in saving energy on artificial lighting. Roof mounted solar photovoltaic energy is installed as an onsite generation initiative that provides for up to a whopping 2.8MW off the grid. The shopping centre's car park is electronically controlled to maintain a 35% level for toxic emissions which is well below the acceptable limit (The GPT Group). The Charlestown green building design has reduced carbon emissions by 108,348 tonnes in 2012 due to increased onsite renewable energy cogeneration through advanced solar photovoltaic and thermal usage. The Charlestown shopping centre operates at a 31% reduced energy intensity, 40% reduced emissions and US $ 16 million reductions on raw and electric energy (The GPT Group). Thus Charlestown green building project is the most efficient project among the three discussed herein considering the data provided on energy savings and emission levels. 3. Maximizing Energy Reduction for a Shopping Centre Complex to Efficiently Serve a Population of 200,000 The above case studies provide perfect ideas on how to come up with efficient green buildings for the purpose of retail shopping in Australia. Owing to the economic needs to serve a population of over 200,000 individuals, the same initiatives shall be applied with utmost importance given to the renewable energy as a way of supplying the tenants with power off the grid. To begin with, passive energy initiatives shall be included in the design so as to offer natural ventilation where accessibility is not limited. The passive energy strategy offers optimal leverage to building managements by adjusting the shades in order to provide warmth and lighting which is badly needed for visibility. Appliances to be utilized in the building must conform to energy saving conventions in order to achieve high efficiency. Artificial lighting should be provided with separate switches in order to minimize the number of lights that are kept on at a given time. The escalators that shall be installed should possess varying speeds so as to operating at fluctuating power levels. The air conditioning systems to be applied for climate control purposes have to be automatically controlled as in the case of Orion Springfield which uses the delta T chilled type. When it comes to chillers and other mechanical equipment, they should be easy for the management to monitor so as to give a proper analysis of energy spending by the building. The sub metering systems may also provide a nice leeway to energy spending checks on individual equipment. The center should have a central monitoring system that offers a continuous data breakdown in a real time approach. In accordance to the green building demands this system shall offer site teams with a chance to monitor targets so as to achieve a respectable green star rating. This shall also make micromanagement easier when it comes to power being sourced from the grid. Frequent generation of reports by the system shall also be set as a requirement for asset and portfolio levels to be realized. Monitoring of incentives should be made a reality in order to manage the development as part of the design. Onsite energy production shall be part of the design through methods such as gas cogeneration through biogas synthesis. The base load shall be supported by backup generators whose fuel consumption index in terms of efficiency should be high. This is an initiative to cut on the usage of electricity from the grid to offer sustainability to the tenants of the Centre that is in mind. The onsite power generation shall be backed up by installation of renewable energy systems that are certified such as photovoltaic energy and thermal facilities that shall draw their energy from the sun. Wind energy shall also be included in this expansive project to ensure that all the loopholes that may pose as threats to the environment are sealed. The physical outlook of this project shall keep in mind the use of veranda and sunroofs for the purpose of utilizing natural light during the day. To add on this, the windows shall be massive in order to control the internal climate effectively. This shall eliminate the use of air conditioning systems for a considerable period during the year. The car parks shall be furnished with automatic toxicity levels so as to control the speed of the fans that shall be installed for the purpose of aeration. Summing up all these initiatives shall offer a platform towards the reduction of energy consumption by the tenants. Works Cited Australian Government Productivity Commission. Emission Reduction Policies and Carbon Prices in Key Economies. 31 May 2011. 30 May 2013. CFSPM & Probuild Victoria. Chadstone Shopping Centre. Victoria: CFSPM & Probuild, 2011. Department of Environment nad Heritage Protection. Mirvac Orion Springfield case study. 30 November 2011. 1 June 2013 . Mumovic, Dejan and Matheos Santamouris. A Handbook of Sustainable Building Design and Engineering: An Integrated Approach to Energy, Health and Operational performance. Virginia: Earthscan, 2009. The GPT Group. Case Study: Charlestown Square Redevelopment. Case Study. NSW: The GPT Group, 2009. —. Climate Change and Energy. 2012. 1 June 2013 . westfield. Case Study: Australian Energy Efficiency. 2012. 31 May 2013 . Yudelson, Jerry. Sustainable Retail Development. Heidelberg: Springer, 2009. Read More

The technologies applicable to sustainable building designs includes rain water harvesting programs, thermal solar heating, photovoltaic energy usage and management systems that are meant to monitor and regulate energy flaws (Yudelson). In other areas better developed technology has been implemented in order to minimize the environmental impacts that are posed by shopping centres. In a case study conducted to ascertain the Australian shopping centres energy efficiency, it has been established that apart from the physical renewable energy integration within the building sites, automation methods have been setting in place.

One such automation worth discussion is the integrated low voltage system (IELVS) which is incorporated within the building to reduce energy costs hence consumption of less energy for the grid. Smart buildings are part of the green building schemes which can only be achieved through the availability of the substantial data on energy consumption. This system addresses the issue of energy efficiency through the National Greenhouse Gas & Energy Reporting Scheme (NGERS) and other interstate programs that aim at cutting down power usage emanating from the grid.

Some of these systems are web based in order to share information on which utilities in the building are consuming excess energy on order for control measures to be put in place. IELVS can be used in centralized power system management so as to synchronize the renewable energy equipment with the grid source in order to ensure that energy that is being sourced from the grid is minimal. The application of this system has seen improvement in power factors for incoming electric energy, optimization of photovoltaic energy for high performance appliances and thermal energy for water and climate control purposes.

Other systems that are integrated in this system include; access controls, automation systems, lighting monitors, power generators, electrical switches and utility meters (westfield). It is evident that with such energy saving systems, energy can be saved by up to 25% off the grid for heating and cooling. Focusing on energy efficiency and better conversion systems can become handy in the reduction of energy consumption and control of global warming. 2. Significant Green Projects Undertaken in Australia The march towards a sustainable environment has been made a reality with the conception of various green building as a matter of prove.

For the purpose of this discussion focus shall be directed towards Orion Springfield, Chadstone and Charlestown Square shopping centres. Orion Springfield is considered as a six green star project having been launched for full operations in 2007. This shopping centre is a home to 120 shops on its expansive 35,000m2 of space. The innovation behind this centre aimed at coming up with a green building for purposes of environmental sustainability. It is a fact that this building achieved its dream goal of eco-efficiency by trouncing similar projects and emerging with a 40% carbon reduction index.

In achieving this goal the building design incorporates use of natural lighting in order to maintain both visibility levels and the internal climate without the need to use further enhancements like air conditioning system. This is made possible by the central corridors which have massive skylights and clearstory windows in case of the upper levels stories. 95% of the light is supplied to this building through natural means to say the least. The artificial lighting used on this building are 10% extra efficient than the normal lights as.

To add to this, monitoring system used on light is responsive to the environment and therefore adjusts light levels to fit the needs of the building (Department of Environment nad Heritage Protection). The large windows and veranda provided in the design of Mirvac Orion Springfield offer a cutting edge technology in curbing the need to have a climate control systems. Orion Springfield saves a total of three months' air-conditioning costs per year.

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