CHESSER HOUSE SUSTAINABILITY PROJECT

Introduction

The Chesser House Sustainability Re-port is a feasibility report written to identify and compare a number of commercial office building energy saving techniques applicable to Chesser House, a twelve story com-mercial office building located in Adelaide’s CBD. The report investi-gated a wide range of concepts, from well established approaches to the more innovative and cutting edge technologies. On completion of the investigations, conclusions were made as to which topics were best suited to Chesser House, such that a basis for upgrading the building could be formed. The report also consid-ered the potential application of each concept to other typical com-mercial office buildings, with com-ments and recommendations pro-vided on the feasibility and effective-ness of doing so. Innovation and demonstration were key factors throughout the report, with concepts satisfying these criteria given extra consideration when com-parisons and recommendations were made. This was due to the fact that implementing concepts with high levels of innovation or demonstration can assist in both encouraging other building’s to follow suit and providing a good level of marketability for the building. To assist in clarifying how each con-cept should be viewed, the report is split into three main categories; Busi-ness as usual approaches, sustainable practice approaches and stretch objectives. Each concept was then allocated into the category which best suits its description, as can be seen in the left column.

Overview of Chesser House

Chesser House is identifiable by its vast expanses of highly tinted, glazed facade, which covers floors 2 through to 11. The glazed floors sit upon a base (ground and first floor), which is a different structure composed of red brick and having a larger floor plan. Essentially, the ground and first floor have a much larger area associated with them, with floors 2 through to 11 being considered as ‘typical floors’ and the 12th floor being a rooftop plant room. The building was con-structed in the late 1980s. An informal NABERS energy rating was com-pleted, resulting in a current rating of 3.5 stars for Chesser House, represent-ing above average market perform-ance.

Funding

Funding support was received through the Government of South Australia's Building Innovation Fund. The Fund aims to establish South Aus-tralia as the nation’s leader in dem-onstrating innovative and leading edge approaches to reducing the carbon footprint of existing commer-cial office buildings, and is delivered under the climate change sector agreement between the South Aus-tralian Government and the Property Council of Australia (South Australian

CHESSER HOUSE

SUSTAINABILITY PROJECT

Concepts Investigated:

BUSINESS AS USUAL

• Re-Commissioning and Re-Tuning

• Heat Recovery Ventilation

• High Efficiency Lighting

• Outdoor Air Economy Cycle Systems

• Part Load Performance

• Metering

• Gas Fired Technologies

• Pressure Independent Characterised Control Valves

SUSTAINABLE PRACTICE

• High Efficiency Thermal Insulation

• Lighting Control

• Chilled Beams

• Glass Coatings

• Cogeneration

• Regenerative Lift Braking Systems

• Occupant Comfort Control

• Shaw Method of Air Conditioning

• Fuel Cells

• Absorption Chillers

• Indirect Evaporative Cooling

• Natural Ventilation

• Induction VAV Technology

STRETCH OBJECTIVES

• Geothermal Systems

• Innovative Shading

• Air Engines

• Green Walls/Roofs

• Phase Change Materials

• Building Integrated Photo Voltaic

• Solar Air Conditioning

• Energy Enhanced Gas

• Fibre Optic Solar Lighting

Energy Analysis of Chesser House

Energy consumption at Chesser House is typical to that of most com-mercial office buildings, with a major-ity of consumption being attributed to air conditioning the building. The be-low pie chart shows an indication of the base building’s energy consump-tion distribution. The pie chart assisted in providing the basis for recommen-dations to Chesser House. Generally areas deemed to have a higher po-tential for energy savings were given primary consideration throughout the report. Worth noting is that there are also several other energy efficiency upgrades currently occurring at Chesser House, which are un-related to this project.

Methodology of Study

Initially, research was completed to identify possible energy saving con-cepts which could be included in the study. Decisions were then made regarding the level of consideration each topic deserved, based upon such factors as the energy analysis of Chesser House, the availability of technical information and the ex-pected costs vs. energy savings achievable.

Energy modeling was then com-pleted to compare the estimated savings achievable through imple-menting each concept. Cost analy-ses were also completed to deter-mine expected payback periods.

Each concept’s demonstrative po-tential was then considered. Demon-strative potential refers to the con-cept’s ability to promote sustainability and generate awareness throughout the public and the industry.

Focus on Innovation

There was significant focus on innova-tion throughout the project, due to the high levels of demonstration asso-ciated with the more innovative con-cepts. This was considered necessary as such concepts assisted in market-ing the building by promoting interest, whilst also providing an opportunity to return impressive greenhouse gas and energy savings.

Comparisons

After completion of the research, a detailed comparative analysis was undertaken. A set of key metrics were selected and weighted, such that each concept could be given an individual score. Metrics included such factors as: energy savings, greenhouse gas savings, aesthetics, functionality, capital costs, embodied energy, demonstrative potential, other pollutants, return on investment and associated risks.

Each concept received a score which then returned a ranking. This assisted with the recommendations provided for both Chesser House and other commercial buildings

CHESSER HOUSE

SUSTAINABILITY PROJECT

ABOVE IMAGES

Green Roof—earthfirst.com

Green Wall—Private Collection

Solar Air Conditioning Collec-tors—nep-solar.com

Energy Enhanced Gas Collec-tor— csiro.au

Solar Lighting— parans.com

Recommendations and Conclusions

For Chesser House it was determind that the best course of action in-c l u d e d u n d e r t a k i n g a r e -commissioning and re-tuning plan, improving electricity metering by ensuring all loads are correctly ac-counted for, upgrading base building lighting to include a LED and high efficiency fluoro system, implementa-tion of a daylight sensing lighting con-trol strategy, installing fuel cells to account for 24 hour electrical loads and installing a building integrated photovoltaic system (BIPV). Undertak-ing the above works provides signifi-cant energy and greenhouse gas savings (shown in the left column) and a good level of demonstration. It is estimated that the base building NABERS energy rating will increase from 3.5 to 4 stars, representing strong current market performance.

Of the above proposed concepts, fuel cells and BIPV systems were de-termined to be innovative in their nature. Fuel cells act like batteries, as they are able to provide a constant source of electricity through a chemi-cal reaction. However unlike batteries they don’t run flat, rather they require a constant fuel input (in this case, natural gas and water). BIPV systems are simply solar panels integrated into the building’s construction. For Chesser House, BIPV panels are pro-posed to replace an area of glazing (giving similar results to the tram sta-tion shelter shown below, which is composed of BIPVs). BIPVs provide the benefits of conventional solar panels whilst also acting as a highly efficient heat resistant glass, leading to reductions in cooling costs within buildings.

For other commercial office buildings, concepts which scored highly in the comparisons included: Glass coat-ings, the Shaw Method of Air Condi-tioning (currently being installed at Chesser House), occupant comfort control systems and economy cycle systems. These systems are widely applicable and effective at reducing building energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

In terms of providing a result with a high level of energy savings and asso-ciated innovation, air engines were also found to be a potentially appli-cable option. The manufacturer’s energy saving claims were significant; however the prototype nature of the technology resulted in there being large risks. Allowing some time to pass for further development of the tech-nology would be worthwhile, giving way to the potential future applica-tion.

IMAGES

Fuel Cell Unit—cfcl.com.au

BIPV—adshelinfrastructure.com.au

RESULTS

Base Building:

-NABERS energy rating:

Increase from 3.5 to 4 stars

-Greenhouse gas emissions saved:

84.01 tonnes

8.6% Reduction

(Equivalent to taking 17 av-

erage Australian cars off the

road)

-Total Kilowatt hours saved:

122,410kWhr

12.5% Reduction

Approximately $18,000 per year saved (at 15c/KWhr)

Entire Building:

(Includes tenant usage)

-Greenhouse gas emissions saved:

125.66 tonnes

(Equivalent to taking 32 av-

erage Australian cars off the

road)

-Total Kilowatt hours saved:

168,110kWhr

CHESSER HOUSE

SUSTAINABILITY PROJECT