June 24, 2024 in Advisory Notes
Mould in Buildings and HVAC Systems
Mould plays an important role in the natural environment as a break-down mechanism for dead organic matter. In the built environment, it is an unwante...
HSBC Centre (Advisory)
580 George Street was in need of an energy efficiency improvement upgrade to help meet its target NABERS Energy rating of 4+ Stars.
Having been designed in the 80s and completed in 1988, common plant served both the office tower and retail area, inhibiting the building’s overall energy performance.
As part of a collaboration with major tenant HSBC, and as part of an Energy Performance Contract (EPC), GPT Group undertook a building plant upgrade to improve energy efficiency and achieve a minimum 4.5 Star NABERS Base Building Energy rating.
A.G. Coombs Advisory assisted A.G. Coombs Projects in delivering the EPC. The EPC involved a number of Energy Conservation Measures (ECMs) specifically designed to improve the building’s NABERS Base Building Energy rating to 4+ Stars.
Several energy improvement initiatives were identified, designed and implemented, including:
- A chilled water plant upgrade.
- A Building Management and Control System (BMS) upgrade.
- Condenser water system engineering.
- Lighting upgrade works.
- Extensive building tuning.
- Additional energy metering.
The initiatives drove immediate improvements to energy performance, with the building soon operating above the target 4+ Star NABERS Base Building Energy rating. The findings also helped to future-proof the facility for further improvements across the building’s lifecycle.
