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Newcastle City Council Smart Buildings Smart Workforce Final Report Newcastle Smart Buildings Smart Workforce – Final Report Delivery Program 2013-2017 1 This activity received funding from the Australian Government. CONTENTS Executive Summary .............................................................................................................. 1 Project Objectives ................................................................................................................. 3 Project Energy Efficiency Activities ....................................................................................... 4 Lighting Upgrades ............................................................................................................. 4 HVAC Plant and Control Upgrades .................................................................................... 7 Voltage Optimisation / Power Factor Correction ................................................................ 9 Project Energy Efficiency Activities - Variations ................................................................... 10 Window Double Glazing .................................................................................................. 10 Hvac Plant and Control Upgrades ................................................................................... 10 Voltage Optimisation / Power Factor Correction .............................................................. 10 Project Demonstration and Communications Activities ........................................................ 11 Stakeholder Groups......................................................................................................... 12 Communication Mechanisms and Tools .......................................................................... 13 Outcomes and Benefits ....................................................................................................... 18 Budget ................................................................................................................................ 21 Project Operation, Mechanisms and Processes .................................................................. 23 Conclusion .......................................................................................................................... 24 Declaration .......................................................................................................................... 25 Appendices ......................................................................................................................... 26 Appendix A: Energy Efficiency Improvement Report ........................................................ 27 Newcastle Smart Buildings Smart Workforce – Final Report EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Newcastle Smart Buildings Smart Workforce project proposed the delivery of the next step in energy efficiency for Newcastle City Council and assisted in maintaining its reputation as a leader in climate action and best practice energy efficiency. The project focused on upgrading high-use social, cultural and recreational facilities and key Council operational buildings and facilities. The Smart Workforce component of the project was delivered using Council’s ClimateCam 14-step assessment framework encouraged a whole-organisational approach as well as consideration of energy management and reduction. ClimateCam is a 14-step sustainability framework that provides a strategic approach to developing energy efficiency practices, and researching and implementing projects. It also engages staff in considering energy management and reduction. The framework has high demonstration value and ability to be replicated by local councils, businesses, educational institutes and community organisations nationally. Energy efficiency upgrades and retrofits targeted improvements to HVAC plant and controls, power factor, automated fault detection, double glazing and LED lighting technology Buildings and facilities involved in the project included the War Memorial Cultural Centre, City Library, the City Administration Centre, City Hall, Council Works Depot, Summerhill Waste Management Centre, Civic Theatre and Lambton Pool. The Newcastle Smart Buildings Smart Workforce project had five interlinking objectives: 1. To improve the energy efficiency of Council facilities and buildings. 2. To encourage improved energy management practices across Council through the empowerment of staff and dedicated teams. 3. To encourage improved energy management practices across other local governments, businesses, community organisations, the education sector and the broader public based on the lessons learnt. 4. To achieve value for money. 5. Engage and encourage local industry to participate in energy efficiency projects. The outcomes achieved by Newcastle Smart Building Smart Workforce were the reduction in energy consumption, energy and maintenance costs, and carbon emissions. In addition to these benefits, upgrades of these sites have resulted in improved internal environments for staff to work in and better performing community facilities for the public to enjoy. The Smart Buildings component of the project resulted in an energy efficiency improvement of 19% which is 763,179 kWh per annum and a carbon emission reduction of 808 tonnes CO2,(see figure 1. Baseline vs. Reporting Year Comparison) and savings of $124,069 per annum. These reductions are complimented by the significantly reduced maintenance of light fittings and chillers upgraded throughout the project. Newcastle Smart Buildings Smart Workforce – Final Report 1 The Smart Workforce component of the project aimed to shift the organisation’s energy management culture by providing practical workplace examples of efficient energy use, and engaging Council staff through the ClimateCam framework to change energy use. This encouraged improved energy management practices across the whole of the organisation. The additional energy efficiency improvement realised was 381,152 kWh, carbon emission reductions of 404 tonnes CO2 and savings of $57,081 per annum. The total combined energy efficiency improvement and cost saving realised by the implementation of each component of the project was 1,144,331 kWh, carbon emission reductions of 1,212 tonnes CO2 and savings of $181,150 per annum. The promotion and demonstration of energy efficiency activities achieved during the life of the grant generated internal support from Council for the provision of energy and resource efficiency mechanisms to be incorporated into future construction projects. In particular, the project has been instrumental in creating a roll-on effect which resulted in the implementation of six large-scale solar photovoltaic systems being installed on Council- owned and operated buildings, including battery storage at one facility. The Newcastle Smart Buildings Smart Workforce project is a shining example as to the value of organisations committing themselves to undertaking large scale energy efficiency improvement activities and also complimenting these technology-based energy efficiency upgrades with staff engagement activities. With this style of delivery, organisations can drive sustainable practices across the entire workplace and achieve greater energy efficiency improvements and a more sustainable business. NOTE: The views expressed herein are not necessarily the views of the Commonwealth of Australia, and the Commonwealth does not accept responsibility for any information or advice contained herein. Newcastle Smart Buildings Smart Workforce – Final Report 2 PROJECT OBJECTIVES Newcastle City Council (NCC) has a long history of undertaking energy efficiency projects dating back to 1996. The primary motivation for NCC to apply for funding under the federally funded Community Energy Efficiency Program (CEEP) was to build upon this history of energy efficiency and accelerate the integration of advanced energy management practices and next generation energy efficiency upgrades across high-use social, cultural, recreational and key Council operational sites. The jointly funded Newcastle Smart Buildings Smart Workforce project had five interlinking objectives which were: 1. To improve the energy efficiency of Council facilities and buildings. 2. To encourage improved energy management practices across Council through the empowerment of staff and dedicated teams. 3. To encourage improved energy management practices across other local governments, businesses, community organisations, the education sector and the broader public based on the lessons learnt. 4. To achieve value for money. 5. Engage and encourage local industry to participate in energy efficiency projects. These objectives closely aligned with the Federal Government objectives for CEEP which were to: - support a range of local councils and community organisations increase the energy efficiency of different types of non-residential council and community-use buildings, facilities and lighting - demonstrate and encourage the adoption of improved energy management practices within councils, organisations and the broader community. Energy efficiency upgrades and retrofits targeted upgrades to HVAC Plant and controls, power factor, automated fault detection, double glazing and LED lighting technology. Buildings and facilities involved in the project included the War Memorial Cultural Centre, City Library, the City Administration Centre, City Hall, Council Works Depot, Summerhill Waste Management Centre, Civic Theatre and Lambton Pool. Newcastle Smart

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