milestone 9 final report frankston arts precinct …...ceep1115 milestone 9 final report frankston...

CEEP1115

Milestone9FinalReportFrankstonArtsPrecinctTrigeneration

This activity received funding from the Australian Government.

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.

CEEP1115 Frankston City Council Final Report (Milestone 9) Page | 2

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ContentsDefinitions 4

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 5

SITE OVERVIEW 7

PROJECT ENERGY EFFICIENCY ACTIVITIES 9

PROJECT OVERVIEW 10

PROJECT OBJECTIVES 16

Project Energy Efficiency Activities 17

Trigeneration 23

Ener‐G Co‐generation (CHP) system 23

Absorption Chiller 27

Switchboard – Central Control System 28

Microgeneration 29

BlueGen 31

Yanmar 34

Qnergy 38

PROJECT DEMONSTRATION AND COMMUNICATIONS ACTIVITIES 39

Thermal Comfort Guidelines 40

Viewing Display area 41

Real time energy display system 42

Signage 45

Community Energy Saving Workshops 47

Flytower Projector Screen 49

Community and Industry tours 50

Fact Sheet / Tour notes 50

Media 50

OUTCOMES AND BENEFITS OF THE PROJECT 50

Project Energy Efficiency Improvement Template 51

Energy Efficiency savings to date 52

Issues and challenges 53

BUDGET 54

PROJECT OPERATION, MECHANISMS AND PROCESSES 55

CONCLUSION 56


Frankston Arts Centre view from Cube 37


DEFINITIONS

BMS Building Management System (HVAC, lighting controls)

CEEP Community Energy Efficiency Program (the Grant)

CHP Combined heat and power unit, also known as a cogeneration unit

CO Carbon Monoxide

Cogen Cogeneration system – gas powered generator that produces electricity and heat on site

COP The coefficient of performance or COP (sometimes CP) of a heat pump is a ratio of heating or cooling provided to electrical energy consumed. Higher COPs equate to lower operating costs.

CTs Current transformers

FAC Frankston Arts Centre

FCC Frankston City Council

Fuel Cell A fuel cell is a device that converts the chemical energy from a fuel into electricity through a chemical reaction with oxygen or another oxidizing agent

Genset The cogeneration unit

GHG Greenhouse gases

HVAC Heating Ventilation and Cooling System

ISOQAR ISOQAR is an accredited certification body. This means that ISOQAR is accredited to audit organisations against a variety of ISO management standards. On a day‐to‐day basis, this work is regulated by the ANSI‐ASQ National Accreditation Board (ANAB).

ISOQAR is an independent, third‐party certification body without affiliation to any other company or organization. It assesses a wide range of manufacturing and service organizations, both throughout the US and across many parts of the world.

Microgen Micro generators in the form of BlueGen, Yanmar and Qnergy systems

MSB Mechanical Switch Board

NOx Nitrous oxide

Precinct Frankston Arts Precinct including FAC, Library, Youth Resource Centre, Carpark and Cube 37 Gallery. Cube 37 was logistically unable to benefit from the trigen output at this stage.

Redundancy Can work independently of complimentary system (e.g. HVAC can run independently of Trigeneration system if required)

SOFC (Solid Oxide Fuel Cell)

A solid oxide fuel cell (or SOFC) is an electrochemical conversion device that produces electricity directly from oxidizing a fuel. Fuel cells are characterized by their electrolyte material; the SOFC has a solid oxide or ceramic, electrolyte. Advantages of this class of fuel cells include high efficiency, long‐term stability, fuel flexibility, low emissions, and relatively low cost. The largest disadvantage is the high operating temperature which results in longer start‐up times and mechanical and chemical compatibility issues

Trigen Trigeneration system – includes a cogeneration system and an absorption chiller

Turnkey A complete system, ready to go (turn the key)

VSD Variable Speed Drives


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Frankston Arts Precinct trigeneration and microgeneration project showcases alternative energy and reduce

carbon emissions for the Frankston Arts Precinct (the Precinct), which includes the Frankston Arts Centre (FAC); Cube

37 Gallery, Library and Youth Resource Centre. During the project, it was ascertained that Cube 37 was deemed

unviable to be connected to the trigeneration output at this stage.

The main purpose of the project was to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As Council’s highest energy user, the

Frankston Arts Precinct’s energy use is also a significant contributor to Council’s overall greenhouse gas emissions. The

Community Energy Efficiency Project aimed to help local government reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Additional

benefits of the project will be ongoing operational savings and capacity building of the community by showcasing

innovative alternative technologies in a local situation.

As Frankston City Council’s highest energy user, the FAC contributes significantly to Council’s greenhouse gas

emissions, energy usage and costs. The Precinct was identified in Council’s Alternative and Renewable Energy Study

(Enhar, 2011) as a suitable candidate for trigeneration. Further studies included CarbonetiX 2009 Energy Efficiency

audit and Recommendations, and Mito Energy Feasibility Study (2012).

The project aims to reduce pressure on the electricity grid, particularly during peak times such as heatwaves, and

reduce Council’s dependence on brown coal generated electricity which has a high carbon coefficient; and contribute

towards Council’s Carbon Neutral 2025 target, alternative energy target and annual emissions targets of 12,254 to

11,794 tonnes CO2‐e over the next few years.

With the CEEP grant, Council was able to install a 120kW‐e trigeneration engine, thermal and absorption chiller, and

three microgeneration units – BlueGen Fuel Cell, Yanmar internal combustion engine and a Qnergy sterling engine.

Installations occurred in the latter part of 2014 and early 2015.

Cogeneration is more efficient than sourcing electricity from brown coal due to the amount of grid losses with

traditional electricity and the ability to capture waste heat from a cogeneration system and utilise it for both heating

and cooling (trigeneration). Coupling Trigeneration (Cogeneration + chiller) with the microgeneration system (hot

water) essentially creates “quad generation” in that there are four key outputs from the overall integrated systems:

Electricity, Heating, Cooling and Hot water.

A comprehensive communications strategy was implemented to advise and engage users on the works being done, to

encourage behaviour change to support energy conservation initiatives, and embrace alternative electricity

generation as an acceptable energy efficiency option.

Overall objectives were to:

Reduce energy consumption and GHG emissions of the building by 704 tonnes of CO2‐e per annum, 42%

reduction in GHG emissions from grid energy demand and grid electricity savings of $41,270

Contribute towards Council's Carbon Neutral 2025 target, alternative energy target and annual targets of

11,794 tonnes CO2‐e by 2016/17.

Future proof the precinct against climate change and blackouts/brownouts during heatwaves

Showcase alternative energy sources in small and large scale with a world first comparison display of

microgen systems


A range of technologies were used to achieve the project objectives including:

Trigeneration

Absorption chiller

BlueGen Fuel Cell

Yanmar microgeneration system

Qnergy sterling engine

A range of communication and education activities supported the project and its promotion including:

Development and implementation of the Heating and Cooling Policy, known as the Thermal Comfort

Guidelines

Installation of a real time energy display system

Educational Projector show about the project

Meetings, emails and briefings

Councillor bulletins; Media Release about the project; Energy efficiency articles in local media/newsletters

Sustainable Homes “Energy Busters” Workshops for the Frankston City community.

Energy performance outcome monitoring will commence once the system is completely operational in April.

A range of social benefits are already apparent with improved energy efficiency awareness and positive feedback from

community workshops. Staff awareness of energy usage of the precinct has also improved, and staff knowledge of the

emerging technologies and energy efficiency options for Council facilities has also resulted from their involvement

with the project.

Council encountered issues with timing and budget due to the technical complexities of the project, and the

outsourcing of project management for part of the project. This caused several delays and required Council to

contribute additional funding. A Deed of Variation and several milestone extensions were granted to assist with this.

The project was over‐budget due to costs coming in higher than estimated at the time of applying for the CEEP grant

(many tenderers up to double). CPI increases from the grant being written to being awarded and delivered also

impacted the budget.

The initial project budget was $1,011,241 with $486,035 being contributed by the Australian Government. The total

project cost was $1,079,221 with Council making up the additional $67,980. Once grant funds have been received, the

budget breakdown will be:

Total project (preliminary figures): $1,079,221 = Australian Government $486,035 + Council contribution $593,186.


SITE OVERVIEW

The Frankston Arts Centre is a landmark theatre and art gallery located on Davey Street Frankston, Victoria.

The Centre provides community access with workshops, exhibitions, shows, conferences and expos, and youth art

projects running throughout the year. It plays host to a number of major performances, including regular shows by the

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Victorian Opera, and is a tour venue for the Melbourne International Film

Festival, Opera Australia and a number of national theatre companies.

The Centre houses an 800 seat theatre boasting the second largest proscenium arch stage in Victoria, a 60 line fly

tower and state of the art technical and staking equipment.


Above: Frankston Arts Precinct. Below: Frankston Arts Centre floorplan


Below: the 800 seat theatre

PROJECT ENERGY EFFICIENCY ACTIVITIES

Frankston City Council prepared this project to install a trigeneration system, based on recommendations from the

Entura Alternative and Renewable Energy Study for Frankston City Council.

After an intensive engineering review process, the final plant consisted of:

ENER‐G E‐125 gas generator (Trigen unit) with Rated electrical output 124 kW and Rated heat output 200

kW. Maximum fuel consumption at rated capacity 36 Nm3/hr

Shuangliang Eco‐Energy Co. Ltd absorption chiller RXZ(92/84)‐14(12/8)(29.5/35)H2 with Rated thermal

output 135 kW cooling capacity and coefficient of performance of 0.75

BlueGen micro‐generator Rated electrical output 1.5 kWe, rated heat output 0.61 kW, maximum fuel

consumption at rated capacity 9.5 MJ/hr

Yanmar Micro CHP 3.9kW lean‐burn Miller Cycle engine

Qnergy external combustion 7.5kW Stirling engine

Customised Real time energy display system

This was coupled with the communications program referred to in this document.


Below: ENER‐G Cogeneration system – standard enclosure and internals.

Below: Shuangliang Absorption Chiller Illustration

PROJECT OVERVIEW

This innovative, high profile project will set the 'jewel in the crown' for investing in best practice and cutting edge

alternative technology for Melbourne. It will provide a showcase demonstration site for best practice on‐site

decentralised efficient energy supply, in line with smart grid onsite generation opportunities. Trigeneration and micro

generation fuel cell technology fits in with the 'big picture' smart grid vision currently being explored by Jemena and

United Energy. The microgeneration component has been designed to be replicated in residential urban

developments and other facilities.

The project creates functional and feasible electricity demand reduction for the Arts Precinct, and is intended to be

displayed in a way that does not interfere with the access to the Arts Centre when in use when tours are run, such as

the display board will be located in the public access foyer area and the microgeneration is intended to be placed

behind a glass wall for easy tour access but not obstructive. The vision is intended to not only inspire other

organisations to explore cutting edge high tech solutions to reducing emissions, but engage with the entire

community such that school students may be inspired to pursue a future in science and engineering from gaining an

understanding of high tech sustainability solutions.


The Precinct was selected as it is Council's highest energy user. The site has previously undergone extensive energy

efficient retrofits to reduce energy usage (4.5% reduction in the last quarter compared with the same time in the

previous year).

The Precinct also has a high public profile and is the perfect opportunity to 'showcase' a trigeneration system to the

public, other councils and large organisations who could benefit from replicating the project.

The Frankston Arts Centre is a significant consumer of energy, consuming approximately 1.2GWh of coal fired grid

electricity and 3,374 GJ of natural gas annually (2011/12).

These two energy sources are subject to a range of external economic, environmental and reliability pressures and

risks, including:

Increased pressure on the aging grid infrastructure leading to brown outs and blackouts, impacting our

community’s most vulnerable citizens

Revenue loss from electricity interruptions

Significant increases in power supply costs

Low efficiency conversion and use of grid power sources

Overall social responsibility to reduce Council’s carbon footprint and contribution to climate change, which is

already impacting the Frankston municipality through coastal erosion and storm surge, increased heatwaves

and average temperatures, impacts on wildlife and native vegetation, and increased droughts and flooding

events.

On average, the FAC operates between 9am and 5pm on weekdays and weekends, as well as afterhours shows and

events. Based on this energy use profile, it was recommended by consulting engineers on the project to operate the

trigeneration system 15 hours a day, five to seven days a week.

The proposed trigeneration plant was designed to provide Council with greater control over the site’s energy supply,

reduce pressure on the grid during peak times and heatwaves, and improve reliability of operations through

guarantees of supplies and redundancy. It will also assist the stabilisation of energy costs and a higher conversion

efficiency of energy used. It will make significant reductions to both Frankston City Council’s carbon emissions, but

Australia’s as well.

Project Stages

Feasibility (pre‐grant):

Precinct was identified in Council’s Alternative and Renewable Energy Study (Enhar, 2011)

CarbonetiX 2009 ‐ Energy efficiency audit and recommendations

Mito Energy Feasibility Study (2012) including preliminary concept design and preliminary cost benefit

Grant application

Design:

Detailed system design and sizing both cogeneration unity and absorption chiller to fit the Precinct’s electrical

and thermal requirements

Detailed design for hydraulic circuits for integration with existing heating water systems

Complete detailed design of the system’s electrical circuits for integration into the main switchboard inclusive

of electrical schematics for energy authority approvals


Complete electrical and gas regulatory submissions and approvals

Civil Works:

Construct a plant room structure with large roller doors on either side for housing the trigeneration system.

Plant room 4m wide, 7.5m long, 2.5m high and bolted to concrete roof

Complete penetrations through the roof for cogeneration unit exhaust system, ventilation system and

cooling tower

Obtain development approvals for all related civil works

Design and install roof reinforcement (unplanned variation)

Install chiller and cogeneration unit (trigen)

Mechanical:

Complete all gas and water pipework, installation of pumps, valves and heat exchangers, ducting and

ventilation and assembly of the cogeneration system as described in drawings

Disconnect plumbing services from old chiller plant on roof plant room and assist in removal by crane

operator

Crane plant to roof area and position all trigeneration plant

Supply and install vertical pipe support posts to clip relevant plumbing services to within plant area

Plumb in new natural gas supply line from existing. Connect new gas fitting line to tri‐generator with isolator

OPSO regulator and tested to current gas regulations

Supply and install all plumbing between the cogeneration unit, absorption chiller and cooling tower including

all heat exchanges and pumps

Supply and installation of 20mm cold water supply to new cooling tower from existing 25mm supply in plant

area

Assemble and erect flue with silencer, supply and install a flue support bracket

Plumb in 65mm chilled waste lines from absorption chiller and connect to existing building chiller system on

the roof plant area

Supply and install new 50mm copper heating hot water flow and return lines from PXH1 heat exchanger and

cut into the building heating hot water return line. Full insulation of all lines.

Pressure test all new services to current regulations

Supply and install 15mm auto air bleeds at high points of the system and drain valves where required.

Pipe Extension:

Plumb in new 50mm 10Kpa copper natural gas supply line from existing gas meter room to serve new plant

room only

Extend through the building and connect to tri generator with required valving and marking

Electrical:


Design and install all associated electrical engineering

Supply and install main power feeder XLPE cables and earth (95mm) from genset to MSB

Supply and install communications cables from genset to MSB

Install and connect power modulation cable

Supply and install current transformers to MSB

Supply and install all wiring to cogeneration unit control panel

Supply and install all wiring to trigeneration control board

Supply and install all wiring to trigeneration switch board

Supply and install 16mm 4 core and supply to trigeneration switch board

All labelling as required

Commissioning of installation

Installation of Microgen units:

Relocate hot water services

Supply and install power feed for sub switchboard in ground floor carpark

Supply and install power circuit outlets

Connect microgen units to supply with separate isolators

Supply and install communications cable area for internet connection

Integrate microgens mechanically with site’s existing systems

Installation of the real time energy performance monitoring system

Below: View of the Frankston Arts Precinct from Playne Street, showing the Library on the left, Arts Centre and

Flytower in the centre, and Youth Resource Centre and Conference rooms to the right.


Data Analysis:

In order to optimise the trigeneration system, sizing was critical to the success of the project. Appropriate selection of

the equipment allows integrating with the building’s electrical and thermal profile. This process helps to improve the

efficiency, longevity and maximises potential financial savings of the cogeneration plant. If the unit is undersized then

the maximum benefit is not being achieved. If oversized, the unit will frequently modulate, significantly increasing

maintenance costs or rejecting too much thermal energy, reducing efficiency of the unit.

Note: Data is based primarily on the Frankston Arts Centre as the highest energy user of the Frankston Arts Precinct.

Data analysis and ground proofing of infrastructure deemed that Cube37 should not be connected to the trigeneration

system. In the future, excess heat from the system may be used at Cube37 if infrastructure allows.

Below: Daily analysis of maximum, minimum and average load profile

The FAC’s peak electrical load is 440kW and the average electrical consumption is 213kW.


The graphs are based on interval data of half hour electrical demand, over 15 hours a day, 5 days a week. The graph

represents instantaneous electricity as a curve (blue line) with electricity consumption on the vertical axis and reading

number on the horizontal axis with these readings reordered from highest to lowest in order to illustrate:

Total electrical consumption (total area under the curve)

Peak consumption (left hand side of the curve)

Base load of the site and the amount of power supplied by the cogeneration system.

The green line represents the cogeneration electrical production. The amount of demand that can be satisfied by the

cogeneration system is represented by the area under the green curve. The red line indicates the new load profile of

the FAC after installing the complete trigeneration system due to chiller offset. The cogeneration line drops off at low

electricity demand as the unit will not be operated at less than 50% of its rated capacity.

3D schematic of location (Illustrated below)

The trigeneration system is located on the roof level

plant room of the FAC. The layout is demonstrated

below. The entire trigeneration system is located

between the Powerpax adiabatic chiller (bottom left

box) and the building ventilation outlet (top right box).

The positioning was extremely tight as the plant room

is limited for space. The diagram below shows the

cogeneration unit (long white unit – top right),

absorption chiller (blue unit – bottom right), Cooling

tower (white cube with wide exhaust on left hand

side), pumps, piping and heat exchangers. All of these

items had to fit where the existing York chiller was

located prior to removal for the project.

Number of readings (sorted)


PROJECT OBJECTIVES

Frankston City Council’s project aimed to improve the energy efficiency of the Frankston Arts Precinct. The anticipated

outcomes from this project included a reduction in energy expenditure, pressure on the grid, air pollution and

greenhouse gas emissions. Additional project outcomes included the trial of innovative technology in a world first trial

to demonstrate the infrastructure side by side to encourage the adoption of improved energy management practices

within councils, organisations and the broader community.

Additional benefits were to provide better services for the community facility by reducing pressure on the grid leading

to brown outs and black outs, minimising energy consumption and costs to manage the impacts of the carbon price

and rising energy costs compared with business as usual, build knowledge and capacity of the energy services and

construction industry around the microgeneration demonstration trial site, support competitive Australian energy

efficiency technology and equipment manufacturers, in particular BlueGEN, and of course to contribute to the

national effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The primary objectives of the project were to:

Reduce energy consumption and GHG emissions of the building by 704 tonnes of CO2‐e per annum, 42%

reduction in GHG emissions from grid energy demand and grid electricity savings of $41,270

Contribute towards Council's Carbon Neutral 2025 target, alternative energy target and annual greenhouse

target of 11,794 tonnes CO2‐e by 2016/17

Future proof the Precinct against climate change and blackouts/brownouts during heatwaves

Showcase alternative energy sources in small and large scale with a world first comparison display of

microgen systems

The broader project objectives were to showcase alternative energy and reduce carbon emissions for the Frankston

Arts Precinct, which includes the Frankston Arts Centre, Cube 37 Gallery, Library and Youth Resource Centre. As

Council’s highest energy user, the FAC contributes significantly to Council’s greenhouse gas emissions, and contribute

towards our Carbon Neutral 2025 target, alternative energy target and annual greenhouse gas emissions targets of

12,254 to 11,794 tonnes CO2‐e in the next few years.

The Precinct was identified in Council’s Alternative and Renewable Energy Study (Enhar, 2011) as a suitable candidate

for trigeneration. Further studies included CarbonetiX 2009 ‐ Energy efficiency audit and recommendations, and Mito

Energy Feasibility study (2012).

The project aimed also to reduce pressure on the electricity grid, particularly during peak times such as heatwaves,

and reduce Council’s dependence on brown coal generated electricity which has a high carbon coefficient.

With the CEEP grant, Council was able to install a trigeneration system including absorption chiller, and showcase

three micro generation units in a world first comparison trial, consisting if a BlueGen fuel cell, a Yanmar engine and a

Qnergy Stirling unit.

A comprehensive communications strategy was implemented to advise and engage users on the works being done, to

encourage behaviour change to support energy conservation initiatives, and embrace alternative electricity

generation as an acceptable energy efficiency option.

Project overview:

Utilise the gas‐fired trigeneration plant to power the facility, as well as provide heating and cooling. This will

significantly reduce the amount of electricity required to run the facility.

In order to showcase the trigeneration and high efficiency fuel cell system to the community, they will be

incorporated into the regular tours of the Arts Centre that are currently run.


Installation of the trigeneration and microgeneration plant aims to reduce electricity use and greenhouse gas

emissions in the Precinct by the following:

Tri‐generation system potential savings evaluation:

Estimated Net annual cost savings $34,772 ex GST

Estimated Simple payback (excluding annualised maintenance costs) 14.4 years

Estimated GHG Savings 622 CO2–e tonnes per annum

Estimated GHG percentage saving 34% (against 2011/12 emissions generated by the Precinct)

Micro‐generator potential savings evaluation:


Estimated GHG Savings 82 CO2–e tonnes per annum

Estimated GHG percentage saving 4% (against 2011/12 emissions generated by the Precinct)

This equates to total savings of:


Estimated GHG Savings 704 CO2–e tonnes per annum (electricity only – excludes gas emissions)

Estimated GHG percentage saving 38% (against 2011/12 total Precinct emissions) – electricity only

Anticipated outcomes:

a) Deliver strong investment returns through future cost savings, reduced impact of uncontrolled external

electricity price increases, greater efficiency and increased monitoring and scrutiny of energy production and

consumption.

b) Encourage more generalised improved energy management within the Precinct by creating awareness of

energy efficiency initiatives by recording and reporting energy demand reductions and efficiency

improvements.

c) Expand the community’s understanding of the potential for energy efficiency and CO2 abatement

improvement opportunities. Create awareness of the cost savings that could be derived along with the

reduced CO2 emissions through implementation of energy efficient technology and alternative energy.

Project Energy Efficiency Activities

The technologies used were selected as they were the leading products on the market at the time of undertaking the project, offering great ‘bang for buck’ and long term energy savings without compromising on quality. The technologies selected were also to showcase emerging technology in microgeneration, which can be demonstrated and replicated on small and large scales, offering excellent community and industry engagement opportunities and a world‐first trial to run the three different units side by side for comparison. Cogeneration is more efficient that sourcing electricity from brown coal due to the amount of grid losses with traditional electricity and the ability to capture waste heat from a cogeneration system and utilise it for both heating and cooling (trigeneration). Coupling Trigeneration (Cogeneration + chiller) with the microgeneration system (hot water) essentially creates “quad generation” in that there are 4 key outputs from the overall integrated systems: Electricity, Heating, Cooling and Hot water.


How combined Trigen and Microgen works

Estimated System Outputs


Assuming the tri‐generation system runs for 15 hours per day, 5 days a week:

Annual kWh produced – Cogeneration 476,160 kW of electricity

Annual kWh produced Microgen 5760 kW of electricity

Annual CHW produced 576,000 kW of cooling

Annual HHW produced 768,000 kW of hot water

Estimated system carbon offset KgCO2‐e/annum 524 tonnes (704 tonnes excluding gas emissions)

Annual carbon offset micro Gen KgCO2‐e 66 tonnes

Annual electricity consumed (kWh) 15,936kW

Annual oil consumed (Litres) Negligible

Annual gas consumed (GJ) 5294.59 GJ

The System

The equipment that makes the trigeneration system operate is a CHP (cogeneration) unit, an absorption chiller, two

heat exchangers (a heating heat exchanger and a heat rejection plate heat exchanger) as well as associated pumps

and control valves. In addition 3 microgeneration units were installed to supply further electricity and hot water to the

site, without the large carbon emissions.

Below: Single line diagram of the trigeneration system


Below: Trigeneration system schematics

Daily operations

The cogeneration unit is primarily operated on a time clock for 15 hours a day (7am to 10pm daily) which reflects the

high peak and shoulder electrical tariffs on weekdays.

The unit can be operational from 50‐100% of its capacity. When the system fires up, it synchronises with the grid and

takes over the electrical feed of the centre through a parallel grid connection. If the load on the centre is above the

amount supplied by the cogeneration and microgeneration units, the additional electricity required is imported from

the grid. If the load on the centre drops below 50% of the capacity of the cogeneration unit, the unit unloads power to

the grid and the grid takes up the excess load of the building.

The cogeneration system can also be remotely started or stopped by the Building Management System (BMS) and a

manual on/off control within the cogeneration unit. These systems gradually unload the electricity off the generator

to a final system stop. This is known as a soft stop. The system also has a hard stop, or emergency stop, for when the

emergency stop button is pushed, or if a serious error or fault signal from the engine is detected. If this occurs, the


generator circuit breaker (GCB) is instantly opened allowing the generator to slow to a stop. In this instance the

building is powered from the grid.

All other components of the trigeneration system rely on the cogeneration unit being operational.

The trigeneration component consists of the cogeneration unit, chiller, pump and switchboard. Other components

include:

Component Description

CHP unit ENER‐G 125 indoor with standard enclosure rated at 70dBA at 1m (free field) and included ventilation fan integrated to top of unit

Air‐fuel ratio controller Controls the air‐fuel mix that enters the engine to ensure clean and efficient combustion

Catalyst Reduces NOx levels below 250mg/m3 according to NSW Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) regulations. Treats exhaust gas to reduce CO and NOx emissions in conjunction with air‐fuel ratio controller

Exhaust silencers Residential grade low noise primary and secondary stainless steel exhaust silencers

Ventilation air outlet attenuator 1D

Reduces noise produced by ventilation fans on top of the unit

Gas meter and temperature compensated

Measures the volume of gas consumed by the CHP unit – pressure and temperature compensated

Heat meter Measures total thermal energy rejected – allows performance auditing

Electrical meter Measures gross electrical output

Secondary water pump Standard fixed speed, single head secondary water pump


Trigeneration

Ener‐G Co‐generation (CHP) system

Ener‐G is Europe’s leading supplier of cogeneration systems from 4kWe up to 10MW. ENER‐G have manufactured over 2500 Cogeneration units to date which are operating in 11 countries across the globe in a wide range of sectors such as: Hospitals, Leisure Centres, Food and Beverages, Aquatic Centres, Museums, Hotels, Schools, Universities, Manufactures, Commercial Buildings and Agricultural sectors. This system is manufactured in the United Kingdom. The unit can be run on:

Natural Gas

Biogas

Vegetable gas

Landfill Gas

Mining Gas

Propane

Biodiesel

Pure plant oil (PPO)

Specifications of the Frankston Arts Precinct genset are:

Unit designation ENER‐G 125

Electrical output 125kW (e)

Heat output 200kW (th)

Fuel type Natural gas

Voltage 400V 3 Phase 50 Hz

Electrical efficiency at 100% 34.3%

Thermal efficiency at 100% 55.4%

Total efficiency 89.7%


Expected lifespan 20 years

ENER‐G cogeneration systems reached the marketplace in 1984 and are built using high end technology. The unit has

a sophisticated externally monitored control system, managing the engine, air charge, hot water, oil level and fuel

supply, with the ability to diagnose faults and malfunctions as they occur.

The quality management system of ENER‐G Combined Power has been approved by ISOQAR, to the standard of

ISO9001:2008 including the design, manufacture and service of Combined Heat and Power units for hotels, hospitals,

leisure centres and industrial applications.

How it works


Below: 3D views of the trigeneration plant showing positioning and shelter structure

Monitoring and Reporting

An integral part of every Cogeneration system is the patented on‐board control system. The system monitors and


manages the CHP unit and is programmed to optimise its operation to suit the demands of the site. From a client’s

perspective, the Cogeneration unit is simply ‘fit and forget’.

Logistics ‐ Challenges

Site access was difficult, in location, size and structure.

Unplanned structural reinforcements were necessary at a cost of $36,714 to support the weight of the unit.

The footprint of the plant room is also very tight, resulting in other modifications being required, and very careful

planning of plant layout.

Equipment had to be craned up onto the plant room which required a large crane, access from a neighbouring

property, and ideal weather conditions to conduct the lift safely. In all, several lifts were completed, including

removing the old chiller, lifting the new chiller, lifting the tri‐gen unit, all wiring, pipes and connections, and finally a

shelter had to be constructed and lifted to protect the unit from the coastal conditions (salt spray).

Below: Aerial view of positioning of trigeneration system.


Below: Thermal System Logic – detailed mechanical schematic for Frankston Arts Precinct.

Heat generated and captured as a result of electrical production is a product of the engine jacket water heat, the

exhaust’s heat and the oil’s heat. These three heat sources are captured, isolated with heat exchangers and passed

onto the trigeneration system’s secondary circuit.

Absorption Chiller

An absorption chiller is a refrigerator that uses a heat source (e.g.,

Cogeneration System, Solar, Natural Gas, Biogas) to provide the

energy needed to drive the cooling system.

The waste hot water from the cogeneration system is transferred to

an absorption chiller – thus creating tri (three) generated outputs

from co (two) generated outputs.

The absorption chiller uses waste heat to create cooling thereby

reducing the requirement of using a standard chiller to create the

same amount of cooling with additional grid electricity.

Shuangliang chillers have 40% of the market share in China and

around 15% worldwide. More than 20,000 Shuangliang chillers are in operation around the globe, resulting in

significant energy savings equivalent to saving 22.5 million tonnes of coal, 57.6 million tonnes of CO2 and 85,000

tonnes of SO2 – the equivalent of planting 160,000ha of forest every year.

Features of Shuangliang absorption chillers:

Over 20,000 in operation worldwide

15% of world market share

Waste, steam or hot water fired

Highest COP

Lower energy consumption


Double sealed mechanical vacuum

Auto purging system

Auto de‐crystallisation system

Insulated

Switchboard – Central Control System

A dedicated central control system was installed with the unit. Below is the design for the central control system. The

board controls when all the units start and stop, and provides a central point of operational control and monitoring.

Below: trigeneration control board schematics

“Smart” controllers

The trigeneration electrical board is programmed to sense that the cogeneration unit is operational. After a 30 minute

time delay to stabilise system temperatures and to allow a current flow of water in the chilled water system, a signal is

sent to the chiller to allow it to become operational.

The electrical signal from the chiller for the condenser water pump also initiates the cooling tower to operate. Once

the chiller has received the pump interlock signals, the chiller begins to open the hot water 3 way valve and adjusts it

according to the inlet temperature of the chilled water. The chiller also controls a number of pumps including a

refrigerant pump, an automatic vacuum pump and one VSD solution pump according to the pressure in the

generator/compressor system.

Unless stopped, the chiller will continue running and modulating the hot water input until it loses any of the original

signals, which will cause the shutdown sequence to begin.


Below: trigeneration control board

Heat system

The heating circuit set adds heat to the building’s heating circuit prior to the heated water returning to the building’s

boilers, thereby reducing the gas requirement of the boilers.

A low head loss plate heat exchanger was added to the boiler return water line through the use of 2 x 3 way diversions

and a high flow balancing valve.

A temperature probe in the water line from the heat exchanger was installed to allow an automatic set point of 70

degrees, which is not impacted by variations in the flow rate or intake temperature into the heat exchanger. At this

temperature, the boiler should not need to fire at all.

Heat rejection system

The heat rejection system operates with its own pre‐set control system which maintains the maximum temperature of

80 degrees back into the cogeneration system.

Secondary water pump

The secondary water pump is controlled and operated by the cogeneration unit. The pump is a temperature

controlled VSD pump with a target cogeneration outlet temperature of 90 degrees. The system allows both the

absorption chiller and the heating system equal priority, while still providing the absorption chiller with the hottest

available water, further increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of the system.

Microgeneration

Advice from consulting engineers altered the original scope of the project. Initially, a bank of five BlueGens was to be

used to showcase Australian alternative technology suitable for domestic and commercial applications.


However with BlueGen closing its Australian manufacturing (research and development remains in Australia) and the

emergence of successful applications of alternative microgeneration plant of Qnergy and Yanmar, a proposal to

showcase these three different microgeneration systems in a world first side‐by‐side comparison was proposed.

The table below compares the various parameters and efficiencies of the three different units:

BLUEGEN QNERGY YANMAR

Country of Origin Australia/UK Israel/USA Japan

Technology Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (chemical conversion of predominately CH4 derived from natural gas)

Stirling Engine (external combustion engine using a variety of fuels)

Internal combustion (predominately natural gas)

Electrical Power Output – Maximum

1.5kW 3.5kW or 7.5kW 3.9kW / 10kW

Thermal Power Output – Maximum

0.61kW 14kW or 30kW 8.38 kW / 17.3 kW

Electrical Efficiency (max) 60% LHV 20% LHV 26.7% / 30.7%

Thermal Efficiency (max) 25% 83% LHV 57.8% / 53.3

System Efficiency (max) 85% LHV 103% LHV (95% HHV) 84.5% / 84%

Specific Gas Consumption/kWe

6.33 MJ/kWe/Hr 18.30 MJ/kWe/Hr 13.33 MJ/kWh/Hr

Specific Gas Consumption/kW total

4.50 MJ/kW/Hr 3.65 MJ/kW/Hr 4.22 MJ/kWh/Hr

Outlet water temp deg C 65 80 65 / 70

Sounds level @ 1 meter 47 dB(A) 50 dB(A) 51 dB(A) / 54 dB(A)

Start‐up time (to operating temp)

25 hours 15 mins 5 mins

Shut‐down time 72 hours 3 mins 3 mins

Lifetime 10‐15 years >60,000 hours Unknown

Scheduled maintenance and service

Regular maintenance ‐ filters and gas de‐sulphuriser (6‐12 months). Major maintenance ‐ fuel cell stack

None required Every 10,000 hours

Weight 195kg 200kg (7.5kW) 410kg / 790kg

Approx. Cost Per Unit (excluding installation)

$30,000 (for purchase of 5 units)

$19,000 / $25,000 $30,000 / $40,000

$/kWe $20,000 $5,400 / $3,333 $7,600 / $4,000

$/kW total $14,200 $1,085 / $666 $1,730 / $1,465

Advantages Highest electrical efficiency

Very quiet

Lowest electrical specific gas consumption

Lowest price per kW; Highest overall efficiency; Very quiet

Lowest maintenance

Lowest overall specific gas consumption

Highest (most useful)

Moderate price per kW

Shortest start‐up/ramp time


BLUEGEN QNERGY YANMAR

output water temp

Disadvantages Longest start‐up/ramp time

Highest price per kW

Lowest electrical efficiency

Unknown

These units will be compared over the coming year to build a case study on the different features and suitability for

different applications.

Below: Location of microgen, hot water and viewing area (prior to construction)

BlueGen

The BlueGEN unit converts natural gas to electricity and heats

hot water, via a chemical reaction, not combustion.

BlueGen® is the world's most efficient, small‐scale electricity

generator, delivering up to 60 per cent electrical efficiency.

At peak efficiency, BlueGen delivers approximately 13,000

kilowatt‐hours of low‐emission electricity per year. That's

more than enough for the average home.

Optional waste heat from BlueGen can be recovered to

provide 200 litres of domestic hot water per day. This

increases total efficiency to approximately 85 per cent.

Installable inside or outside, BlueGen is virtually silent. It has a

wide operating range and can be used to balance electricity

from intermittent renewable sources such as solar and wind.

BlueGen uses fuel cell technology in the form of solid oxide

fuel cell (or SOFC). SOFC is an electrochemical conversion

device that produces electricity directly from oxidizing a fuel.

Fuel cells are characterized by their electrolyte material; the SOFC has a solid oxide or ceramic, electrolyte.

Advantages of this class of fuel cells include high efficiency, long‐term stability, fuel flexibility, low emissions, and

relatively low cost. The largest disadvantage is the high operating temperature which results in longer start‐up times

and mechanical and chemical compatibility issues.


Below: How an SOFC works inside a BlueGen unit

CH4

CO2 N


Below: Schematic of how the overall BlueGen system works

Simons Green Energy proposed BlueGen units supplied by Ceramic Fuel Cells, an Australian based company (at the

time) and a world leader in commercialising Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) technology to generate efficient, low

emission electricity from widely available gas and natural fuels.


BlueGen features

Yanmar

YANMAR Energy System Co., Ltd. is the world’s largest manufacturer of Micro Cogeneration, also called Micro

Combined Heat and Power. Yanmar’s long experience and technical mastery of engine manufacturing has provided

the base for the precise manufacture of a range of small, economic and efficient energy systems.

YANMAR Micro CHP or cogeneration units generate electricity and heat from natural gas or biogas utilising a lean‐

burn Miller cycle engine with waste heat recovery. The unit is housed in an acoustically attenuated enclosure suitable

for all‐weather conditions. The system includes remote monitoring and diagnostics for optimal performance. The

YANMAR Micro CHP range includes 5kW, 10kW and 25kW units that can be “daisy‐chained” for increased output and

will load follow to suit any sites instantaneous electricity demand.

What is Yanmar

The YANMAR engine is a gas powered generator producing electricity with half the emissions of electricity from coal.

Yanmar Micro Cogeneration Packages (CP) are small footprint cogeneration units that generate electricity and hot

water using gas.

This high efficiency typically leads to lower energy costs and reduced CO2 emissions compared to remotely generated

electricity from the power grid. Yanmar has a low operating noise and a range of output classes, individual CP units

can be used in a huge range of smaller applications, and for higher power applications multiple units can be controlled


together as a higher output system using the Yanmar System Controller.

Yanmar has a blackout start option that can provide a higher level of power security.

Below: A YANMAR unit


Below: our Yanmar unit in situ

Below: Yanmar serial plate


How Yanmar works

Energy from gas drives a gas‐engine, the engine then drives electricity generator. During operation heat from the gas

engine is reclaimed and used to supply hot water from the unit.

Yanmar uses asynchronous power generation so that the unit can be operated at the best point for efficiency,

reliability and long‐life independently of the external power supply frequency. Connection to external power supply

networks is made using inverters which gives great flexibility and simplifies connection of the unit.

Key benefits

Reduces overall energy and production costs

Turns naturally occurring methane from effluent into usable energy

Produces alternative electricity for site consumption

Produces alternative heat ideal for other thermal requirements

Remote monitoring and diagnostics

10,000 running hours between scheduled maintenance with up to 15 year project life


History of Yanmar

Yanmar Energy System is part of the YANMAR group of companies, first founded in 1912 in Japan to produce gas

engines. Over the century, YANMAR expanded its engine manufacturing from small to large scale gas and diesel

power engines for various applications including seagoing vessels, construction equipment, industrial and agricultural

equipment, air conditioning and generator sets.

Since early 1900s, YANMAR has enjoyed constant product development and global expansion, including new

production facilities in Asia, Europe and America in the 1990s. With an annual turnover of $470 million and over

16,600 staff in offices around the world, YANMAR has become the leading manufacturer of small Cogeneration energy

systems.

Fuel sources

Natural Gas

Propane

Biogas

Qnergy

The 7.5 kWe Qnergy's Free Piston Stirling Engine (FPSE) concept, offers high performance, almost zero maintenance

and unsurpassed reliability.

The external combustion engine produces electricity while transforming all of the remaining thermal power into

useable heat.

As an external combustion engine, they may utilise multiple fuel sources.

Below left: Qnergy unit in casing; right: Stirling engine


PROJECT DEMONSTRATION AND COMMUNICATIONS ACTIVITIES

The project’s activities were intended to demonstrate and communicate alternative energy and energy efficiency

activities and their effectiveness.

Key stakeholders were internal staff in regards to the installations and day to day contact with the technologies. The

broader community was seen as a stakeholder in demonstrating responsible spend of public funding, and the

educational opportunities to inspire the community to think about their own energy efficiency opportunities.

This was done in a number of ways.

Internal Stakeholders (Staff)

The following tools were used for staff engagement and education:

Development and implementation of the Heating and Cooling Policy, known as the Thermal Comfort

Guidelines

Installation of a real time energy display system

Meetings, emails and briefings

Councillor bulletins

External Stakeholders (Community)

The following tools were used for community engagement and education about energy efficiency in general, and

about the project:

Energy efficiency articles in EnviroNews newsletter (Council’s monthly environment newsletter to 3000+

residents)

Media Release about the project

Energy efficiency articles in Frankston City News (Council’s quarterly newspaper that is delivered to every

household in the municipality)

Sustainable Homes “Energy Busters” Workshops and handouts (general)

Further detail about the activities is below.


Thermal Comfort Guidelines

Thermal comfort guidelines were adapted for the Arts Precinct from existing guidelines written for office

accommodation.

The purpose of the guidelines is:

To reduce energy consumption by agreeing on summer and winter set points for heating and cooling

To increase efficiency through set guidelines

To clarify processes in managing HVAC temperatures.

Frankston City Council has successfully secured two energy efficiency grants under the

Federal Government's Community Energy Efficiency Program (CEEP).

Frankston City Council Arts Precinct Tri‐Generation and Microgeneration Project ‐

Installation of a tri‐generation system to replace the heating and air conditioning and hot

water systems. Total project cost $1,011,241; CEEP Funding granted $486,035.

The project aims to achieve savings of:

• Net annual cost savings $41,270

• GHG Savings 704 CO2‐e tonnes per annum

• GHG percentage saving 42% (against current total Precinct emissions)

This innovative, high profile project will showcase trigeneration and micro generation fuel

cell technology. The trigeneration system will use a gas‐powered generator to generate

electricity and recover heat for the facility’s heating and cooling without relying on coal

generated electricity.

The Frankston Arts Precinct has been selected for this project as it is Council's highest

energy user. The site has previously undergone extensive energy efficient retrofits to

reduce energy usage (4.5% reduction in the last quarter compared with the same time in

the previous year).

~ Councillor Bulletin


Thermal Comfort Guidelines highlights:

Frankston Arts Precinct Thermal and Ventilation Comfort Parameters 1. warm water temperature ranges. Optimum: 23 ‐ 25 0C. Acceptable: 20 ‐ 26 0C.

2. cool weather temperature ranges. Optimum: 19 ‐22 0C. Acceptable 18 ‐ 24 0C

3. room temperature is to be measured & controlled between 1.2 – 1.6 metres from floor level in accordance with industry guidelines

4. optimum humidity range 40 ‐ 60%

5. minimum recommended fresh air rate 10 litres per second (l/s) per person or 10 l/s per 10 m2 for mechanical ventilation systems

6. optimum air movement 0.1 ‐ 0.5 m/s (naturally ventilated), 0.1 ‐ 0.2 m/s (air‐conditioned)

NOTE: Council has adopted an optimum warm weather temperature range of 23 ‐ 25 0C and optimum cool weather

temperature range of 19 – 22 0C as a balance of comfort and economy.

Warm and cool weather can change on a day to day basis which is why the terms ‘warm season’ and ‘cool season’

have been avoided.

Attached: Thermal comfort guidelines document.

Viewing Display area

A viewing display area was constructed to serve as a community education/communications point for the systems.

This allows high visibility of the microgeneration units, signage and real time energy display monitor for the general

public at any time, and is the focal point of the technical tour.

Below: Construction of the Viewing Display area


Below: The completed Viewing Display area prior to signage installation

Real time energy display system

A Real Time Energy Display System was developed by Simon’s Green Energy. It is linked to the monitoring systems of

the generators, and shows how much electricity has been generated, kg of CO2 avoided and financial savings from the

system. It is set up as a series of web pages and scrolls through the various screens, allowing the flexibility to modify

the information being displayed to incorporate videos and static images.

Screenshots of the system under development are below.


Signage

Signage was developed to show the community the information about the systems in the viewing Display area.

Below: Microgeneration signs *NB: DRAFT only – still being refined


Community Energy Saving Workshops

Sustainable Homes “Energy Busters” Workshops to educate and empower the community to understand energy use

in their own homes, and give them low cost projects to tackle to improve thermal efficiency (general). The following

workshops were held:

Date Location Presenter Number of participants

August 2012 Langwarrin Community Centre

Ella Boyen, Climate change officer

8

October 2012 Karingal PLACE Ella Boyen, Climate change officer

31

March 2013 Frankston Library Ella Boyen, Climate change officer

7

22 May 2013 Lyrebird Community Centre Carrum Downs


10

27 July 2013 Frankston South Ella Boyen, Climate change officer

30

12 Mar 2014 Frankston Library Ella Boyen, Climate change officer

21

17 May 2014 Mahogany Neighbourhood Centre


12

August 2014 43 Davey Street Ella Boyen, Climate change officer

86

September 2014 Seniors Week Ella Boyen, Climate change officer

30

17 Oct 2014 Frankston Library Ella Boyen, Climate change officer

18

November 2014 Belvedere Community Centre


14


Below and Attached: Promotion in EnviroNews


Below: Screenshots of the some of the slides from the community energy education sessions

Flytower Projector Screen

The flytower of the FAC has had an outdoor projector installed, in order to educate and engage with the community.

This screen will be used for promotion of tours and education around the Trigeneration project.

Below is an example of how items look when projected onto the flytower, followed by the slides developed to


promote the trigeneration project to the community.

See attached ‘Media’ supporting documentation for slideshow of Trigeneration for the display.

Community and Industry tours

Community tours will be conducted in the coming 12 months to showcase the technology to generate community

interest in alternative energy, and will be coupled with future energy efficiency workshops.

Industry tours will be conducted in the coming 12 months to showcase the technology as a case study for other large

facilities such as hospitals and universities.

A fact sheet / technical tour notes have been developed as supporting documentation.

Fact Sheet / Tour notes

Tour notes in the form of a fact sheet were developed to supplement the industry and community tours.

Attachment: Fact Sheet and tour notes *NB: DRAFT only – still being refined

Media

Key media utilised was Frankston City News (delivered to every house in the municipality) and EnviroNews, emailed to

over 3000 subscribed residents.

Below are examples of media communications that have been released to the general public on the project and also

promoting workshops.

Attachment: Media clippings ‐ Frankston City News (FCN) clippings

OUTCOMES AND BENEFITS OF THE PROJECT

Post implementation evaluation of the project is important to gauge whether the project’s objectives have been

achieved. Energy consumption, emissions, demand and cost data will be compared pre and post installation of the

system.


This data is independently verifiable as the system is internal to the site and comparisons can be assessed through the

reduction in grid sourced electricity and an increase in natural gas consumption for the site.

An important benefit of the project is the reduction of pressure on the aging infrastructure of the electricity grid, leading to a higher frequency of black outs and brown outs, impacting the most vulnerable people in our community. Data from the Bureau of Meteorology and CSIRO show that Melbourne’s weather patterns are changing, with increased frequency and duration of days over 35 degrees. This particularly affects infants, the elderly, and the sick. In reducing pressure from the grid, the Frankston Arts Precinct not only will no longer contribute the brown outs during heatwaves, but potentially provide a refuge for these vulnerable citizens during these times.

Energy metering will be monitored in detail for an initial four week performance analysis period, and then quarterly

thereafter. Ongoing energy consumption comparisons will be undertaken through the energy monitoring software

installed as a part of the project, as well and billing and interval data.

Benefits of the system will be reported internal and to industry and the community to create awareness and

community support. Reporting of benefits will include statements of cost saving and financial returns where

applicable, reduction in grid supplied electricity, CO2 abated based on comparative efficiency of grid versus on site

electricity production and consumption.

As final commissioning is still underway, Council is yet to receive post implementation data. Comprehensive

monitoring will be undertaken over the coming 12 months and into the future to assess the successes of the project

and quantify savings.

Project Energy Efficiency Improvement Template

PROJECT TITLE Arts Precinct Tri‐Generation and Microgeneration PROJECT ID CEEP1115

FUNDING RECIPIENT Frankston City Council DATE 20 Jan 2015

Name of Building, Facility or Site 1

Frankston Arts Precinct

Location (address) 35 Davey Street, Frankston, VIC 3199

Type of building, facility or site

Public Building – Theatre, Exhibition, Dining and Library

Activity Type and Measure Install Trigeneration and Microgeneration

Energy Efficiency Estimate Method

The method used to provide the estimates is based on the 2012 Arts Precinct Cogeneration Feasibility Study with third party verification from an energy consultant.

Energy efficiency outcomes will be assessed based on the energy savings, greenhouse savings, and electricty cost savings achieved. These will be measured with reference to the IPMVP (International Performance Monitoring and Verification Protocol).

Date 7 November 2012 20 Jan 2015

Baseline Energy Usage

1,333,033 kWh per annum (Arts Precinct

electricity only)

Greenhouse gas emissions = 1,843,115 kg CO2e (electricity only), 1,972,771 kg CO2e

TBA


(electricity + gas)

Baseline Energy Efficiency

Arts Precinct 1,333,033 kWh x 3.6 factor /

18,743m2 = 256 MJ per m2 pa (electricity

only)

Arts Precinct 1,333,033 kWh x 3.6 factor / 18,743m2, = 436 MJ per m2 pa (electricity + gas)

TBA

Energy Efficiency Improvement

Electricity only

Reduction of 546,114 kWh x 3.6 / 18,743m2

= 105 per m2 pa therefore new Energy

Efficiency = 151.1 MJ per m2 pa

Reduction of 703 tonnes CO2 equivalent

per annum

Electricity + Gas

Factoring in estimated increase in gas

usage, reduction of (546,114 kWh x 3.6) +

increase of 3,499GJ / 18,743m2 = increase

of 187 per m2 pa therefore new Energy

Efficiency = 622.8 MJ per m2 pa

This however still equates to a reduction of 380 tonnes CO2 equivalent per annum

Electricity only

TBA

Electricity + Gas

TBA

Reporting Data (Measuring Energy Efficiency and Additional Data)

A total area of 18,743 m2 and 60 staff and

up to 800 occupants

50 per cent average operational occupancy

level

Daily hours of operation: 8am to 11pm

Building construction date 1994‐5

A total area of 18,743 m2 and 60 staff and

up to 800 occupants

50 per cent average operational occupancy

level

Daily hours of operation: 8am to 11pm

Building construction date 1994‐5

Cost of Activity ex GST $1,011,240 $1,079,221 Preliminary Final spend

Estimated Cost Savings $41,270 per annum *See annual estimation below:

*Estimated annual savings by year

2015‐16 2016‐17 2017‐18 2018‐19 2019‐20 2020‐21 2021‐22 2022‐23 2023‐24

$20,263 $23,449 $26,961 $31,541 $36,656 $42,363 $51,642 $62,039 $67,162

Energy Efficiency savings to date

Energy efficiency savings to date cannot yet be quantified as the system is still in its final stages of commissioning. This

report will be updated with available data once the system is commissioned, and intensively monitored for the first 12

months and then on a quarterly basis. This data can be made available to the Department of Industry.

Engineers have suggested that the system may have greater economics if run for greater than 15 hours a day. The


operation hours will be set as 15 hours a day in the initial period and then reviewed to determine if greater savings

can be achieved through longer operating hours.

Issues and challenges

Council encountered issues with timing and budget due to the technical complexities of the project, and the

outsourcing of project management for part of the project. This caused several delays and required Council to

contribute additional funding. A Deed of Variation and several milestone extensions were granted to assist with this.

United Energy has also experienced delays due to staffing issues beyond their control, which has slowed down the

approvals process. Delays were also caused by the technical nature of the project, structural issues with the plant

room, and time taken by the contractor to obtain building permits.

The project was over‐budget due to costs coming in higher than estimated at the time of applying for the CEEP grant

(many tenders up to double), and with CPI increases from the grant being written to being awarded and delivered, this

also impacted the budget. With Frankston City Council contributing extra funds, Council was still able to meet all the

CEEP deliverables.

The initial project budget was $1,011,241 with $486,035 being contributed by the Department of Industry. The total

project cost was $1,079,221. Council has made up the overspend with an additional $67,980.

The project lacked continuity and momentum until the time of tender award, when project management was brought

in‐house and began running smoothly, to the credit of the project manager in charge.

Finally, future gas supply charges have been flagged as a challenge. Predictions are that gas costs will rise significantly,

and Council may need to explore biogas and other sources to mitigate this cost.

Targets

It is too early to determine if targets will be met, as the system is not yet fully commissioned at the time of the

preparation of this report, however preliminary modelling suggests that the infrastructure will meet the targets, and

operations hours will be reviewed for the greatest efficiencies and saving.

Other Benefits

Capacity building of Council staff and contractors has occurred due to the technical nature of the project. Staff have a

much greater awareness of the complexities of managing a project of this nature, the structural implications and the

United Energy approvals requirements.

Further benefits will be seen once the showcase microgeneration trial is in full operation, as the trial will identify

technologies that can assist industry to explore bespoke alternative energy models for their facilities.


Cost benefits (predicted)

Community impact

Community awareness of energy efficiency continues to rise as a result of regular workshops and communication.

The Energy Busters workshops offered the best evaluation opportunity as they are conducted face to face and

evaluation forms are handed out at every session. Feedback from the community on the workshops and Council’s

activities has been extremely positive to date.

BUDGET

The initial project budget was:

Department Funding Frankston City Council Funding

Total Project

CEEP Budget $486,035 $525,206 $1,011,241

Frankston City Council has contributed an additional $67,980 to bring total Council contribution to $593,186 to

compensate for the recent increases in cost.

Due to being over budget, the actual spend (preliminary figures) was:

Department Funding Frankston City Council Funding

Total Project

Actual $486,035 $593,186 $1,079,221

The project was over budget due to costs coming in higher than estimated at the time of applying for the CEEP grant,


CPI increases from the grant being submitted to award of tender and project delivery.

The nature of the technology itself created many budget issues, in such a rapidly evolving industry. Council was

originally going to issue separate tenders for design (D) and construct (C), but due to a range of timing factors and

advice from industry engineers, bundled D&C together. This had benefits in both improving time frames, and reduced

financial and corporate risk of one contractor being accountable for the entire project. It also ensured that equipment

specified was readily available or able to be constructed within the timeframe.

The project management and administration funds were used to outsource project management, and were expended

well before project completion as they were grossly underestimated in using a project management firm rather than

assigning a staff member for the project. The allocation of reporting and administration time was also greatly under‐

estimated, as negotiations, deeds of variation, financial administration and reporting requirements were often

detailed and time consuming.

Another challenge with the budget was the delay relating to payment of invoices, as acceptance of Milestone reports

was sometimes a lengthy process.

PROJECT OPERATION, MECHANISMS AND PROCESSES

The project management was initiated internally, then outsourced, and again brought back internally, which proved to

be the best model for the project in the long term. The benefits of internal project management were clear, as it gave

Council greater control over the project at a lower cost. The benefits of outsourcing project management were in the

expertise and risk management, however with highly capable staff and technical consultants advising on the project

proved that Council was able to manage risk to the same degree from within.

The complex and multidisciplinary project also provided excellent professional development for the Project Manager

and Project working group, who now have a much greater understanding of the technical aspects of trigeneration

from mechanical, civil, structural, electrical and hydraulic requirements.

External organisations were involved in the construction phase in order to ensure qualified builders; electricians;

plumbers etc. were used throughout the project.

Ideally the project should be reported on by Project Manager, as the one individual would then manage all the

budgetary requirements, grant requirements, contract and project requirements and internal reporting requirements

well as Milestone reporting.

Resources were grossly underestimated at the time of submitting the grant application for such a complex project.

Learnings from this project include:

Increasing the lead time for approvals – both internal and external.

Reporting time – allocate sufficient time for the background work that goes into compiling and interpreting

data, budgets and deliverables for milestone reporting, and not just the time taken to write up the report.

Increasing the overall project time frame – the tendering process is lengthy, and due to the technical nature

of the project, additional time was required to source information and equipment.

Increase time allocated to gain electricity distributor approvals and building permits.

Despite the benefits of outsourcing project management, internal project management proved to be the

most cost effective and efficient.

All stakeholders and contractors need to be closely managed in order to keep the project on track and

prevent timelines slipping. Delays can have a snowball effect as a minor delay in an approval or equipment

has a flow on effect of delaying further approvals, as well as commissioning, delaying data comparison.


United Energy (the distributor) had significant delays in grid approval, due to staff shortages beyond their

control.

External project management costs were not factored in during the scoping stage and had an impact on the

overall budget. This needs to be decided at budgeting stage of the project in the future. Learnings from this

project demonstrated that managing projects internally are more efficient and cost effective.

CONCLUSION

Frankston City Council is grateful for the assistance from the Department of Industry in providing the Community

Energy Efficiency Project.

Whilst the full savings cannot yet be quantified, the project is proving to be a jewel demonstration site for trial and

comparison of alternative energy, particularly in a non‐aquatic centre.

The project had a number of challenges, including lengthy approvals processes in Canberra, changes to requirements

around milestones and invoicing, difficulties with external project management and underestimation of time and

budget. It is positive to see the project now near completion, and Council is enjoying the positive feedback from staff

and the community.

Some highlights from the communications program are the development of signs, tour notes and the projector screen

presentation which will heighten awareness of energy efficiency in the town centre.


DECLARATION

milestone 9 final report frankston arts precinct …...ceep1115 milestone 9 final report frankston...

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