Island School

Redevelopment

Umow Lai engineering sustainable

environments

Redevelopment

Environmental Sustainability

Environmental Sustainability ConsiderationsEnvironmental Sustainability Considerations:

• Reduce Energy Use and Carbon Emissions

– Minimise energy demand

• Sustainable Use of Materials

– Recycled/recyclable, minimise use

• Impact on the Surrounding Environment

– Site ecology– Site ecology

– Emissions

• Building Placement

• Improve indoor environment quality

• Waste Management

– Solid waste, stormwater, sewer

The Green School Business CaseThe Green School Business Case

• Healthier place to learn and work

– Improved Learning Outcomes

– Retain and Attract Staff/Students

• Demonstration of Environmental and Social Responsibility

• Lower operating costs

• Future proofed assets• Future proofed assets

• Reduced liability and risk

• Enhanced School Image

• Resource Efficiency

• Combat Climate Change

Green Building Rating ToolsGreen Building Rating Tools

• HK BEAM Plus used to rate ‘Design’ performance of buildings

• LEED (USA) Provides Default International Rating Performance

• BREEAM (UK) is the third main international rating system available

• Many other rating systems are available

• All rating systems consider similar things but with variations

ClimateClimate

Site Location Site Location BorrettBorrett RoadRoad

Site Location Site Location Mount Parker Road Mount Parker Road

Approaches to Green Building DesignApproaches to Green Building Design:

1. Commercial Business as Usual + Green Initiatives

– Only minor changes to building facade design

– Enhanced building services design & efficiency

– Sustainable construction principles - eg materials,

management, water, metering etc

– Key sustainability initiatives added to increase – Key sustainability initiatives added to increase

performance – eg cogeneration, renewable energy,

blackwater treatment plant

Greening of mainstream project design that relies on

sustainable principles plus major key initiatives

Government Offices, Dandenong AustraliaGovernment Offices, Dandenong Australia

6 Star Green Star Office Design v3, Targeting As Built & Interiors 1.1

Architect: Hassell

Approaches to Green Building Design cont:Approaches to Green Building Design cont:

2. Integrated Alternative Green Design

– Facades changed to reduce loads and/or provide

natural ventilation

– Alternative low energy building services designs

– Deeper integration of sustainable construction principles -

eg materials, management, water, metering etceg materials, management, water, metering etc

– Less reliance on key sustainability initiatives to increase

performance

A more passive approach to design that relies on an

alternative approach to conventional commercial

construction

IngkarniIngkarni WardliWardli –– University of AdelaideUniversity of Adelaide

Umow Lai engineering sustainable

environments

PIXEL’S

SIGNIFICANCE

Legion HouseLegion House� Part of Larger 161

Castlereagh St

development in Sydney

� Heritage Building built in

1902

� Refurbishment of existing

with two new floors

� Designed to be high 6 Star

Green Star

� Off-Grid Carbon Neutral

� Biomass Gasification and

Cogeneration Plant

Approaches to Green Building Design cont:Approaches to Green Building Design cont:

3. Radical Green Design

– Changes to total construction methodology to yield

extreme low energy performance

– Dramatic change in building services design to reflect

construction requirements

– Significant emphasis on construction materials, thermal – Significant emphasis on construction materials, thermal

performance, air tightness and materials embodied

carbon

– Minimal reliance on key sustainability initiatives to

increase performance

Passivhaus and similar approaches produce major changes

to conventional commercial construction

Temperate U-value R-value

Wall 0.40 2.50

Roof 0.30 3.33

PASSIVHAUS (PASSIVE DESIGN)Space Heating/Cooling Demand <15 kWh/m2

or Heating/Cooling Load < 10 W/m2a Pressure

Test max 0.6 h-1 Primary

Energy Demand < 120 kWh/m2a

Basement

ceiling0.60 1.67

CSOG 0.40 2.50

Windows 1.40

PIXEL’S

SIGNIFICANCE

Delta ApartmentsDelta Apartments� 10 Stories above heritage

bluestone facade

� Apartment building constructed

completely of timber

- Cross laminated timber (CLT)

� Carbon neutral with on site

base load renewable power

generationgeneration

� Designed to Passivhaus

Standards

CARBON & ENERGYCARBON & ENERGY

Conventional AC – Variable Air Volume

• Conventional Large Capacity Air Conditioning

• VAV boxes provide local zone control

• Many different configuration – Fan assisted, Low Temp,

Induction etc

• Good to Moderate energy efficiency and IEQ possible

Displacement Ventilation Systems

Underfloor Air Distribution

• Air delivered at 18-20oC

• Provides high IEQ

• Adjustable twist outlets

• Uses less ductwork

• Floor plenum used for reticulation of cabling

• Highly Flexible solution

• Limitations on plenum air flow distances and sealing

Termodeck Hollowcore Slabs

• Hollowcore slab construction

• Air flows through hollow cores cooling

structure overnight

• Radiant cooling and ventilation air

delivered through the day

Gabion Walls, Labyrinths and Earth Tubes

� Temper supply air for heating and cooling

� Requires low ground temp (earth tubes) or

high day/night diurnal

� Less effective with high ambient temperatures

� 5-10oC max cooling possible

� Pressure drop and air path sizing is critical

Chilled Beams and Ceilings

• Passive, Active, Multi-service or Chilled

Ceiling element

• Low profile suits tight ceiling spaces

• Suits building refurbishments

• Primary air can be 100% OA

• Provides good IEQ

Low Energy Chillers

• Eg. Turbocor high speed magnetic bearing compressors

• IPLV COP up to 10 water and 7.5 air cooled

• Also consider natural refrigerant chillers and heat pumps

Air to Air Heat Exchange

• Outdoor air processing heat exchange units provide over 30l/s/person

• Installed as part of base building air conditioning

• Minimal energy penalty, no change to base building A/C specifications

Thermal Energy Storage

• Used for peak energy

reduction

• Chilled water thermal storage

– stratified or baffled tank

• Phase change – Eutectic Salt

balls or flat packs

• Hot water storage

Lighting ControlsLighting Controls

• Daylight, presence, scene and time controls

• DALI – Digital Addressable Lighting Interface

Lighting Technology ComparisonLighting Technology Comparison

Energy Metering SystemsEnergy Metering Systems

kWHr Usage for Level 5 Lighting

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

4

4.5

5

0

0.5

Power Usage Last Week

344.5

630.5

582.5

357.5

389.7

400.6

Lighting kWHr Level 4

Pow er kWHr Level 4

HVAC kWHr Level 4

Lighting kWHr Level 5

Pow er kWHr Level 5

HVAC kWHr Level 5

• Automatic energy monitoring and reporting to Building Automation System

• Sub-meters for different uses

MATERIALS USEMATERIALS USE

Embodied Energy

Life Cycle Carbon CalculationsLife Cycle Carbon Calculations

• Provision of a Sustainable Materials List:

– Construction materials; and

– Building fit-out materials

– Sustainably procured materials

MaterialsMaterials

• Re-use materials where possible

• Maximise recycled content – concrete, steel

• Timber to be reclaimed or FSC certified;

• Implement low off-gassing materials – avoid VOC & formaldehyde

Sustainable MaterialsSustainable Materials

• 100% natural and biodegradable materials, FSC timber, water based PVA glue, no metal components including screws, natural rope handles, natural sanded timber finish and no chemical sprays or lacquers

Sustainable Sustainable PurchasingPurchasing

• Low Energy/Standby Mode Equipment

• Furniture with low VOC and environmental impact

• Paints, Carpets and Adhesives with low VOC

• Low Formaldehyde Composite Wood

• Low Environmental impact joinery and workstations

• Zero ODP Refrigerants and Insulation

• Develop ongoing purchasing to align with Green requirements

LOW CARBON & LOW CARBON &

RENEWABLE ENERGYRENEWABLE ENERGY

Solar

Photovoltaic

Electricity

• Solar Photovoltaic panels offer clean power

• The technology is being widely used to supplement grid power

• Traditional arrays or building integrated solutions are possible

• Solar Domestic Hot Water - Simplest

• Concentrated solar collectors can

generate steam.

• Heat produced from solar panels drives

a generator to provide power

• Waste heat can be used to heat or cool

buildings.

Solar Thermal Heat or PowerSolar Thermal Heat or Power

buildings.

High efficiency collectorsHigh efficiency collectors Absorption CoolingAbsorption Cooling AirAir--conditioningconditioning

Solar Thermal CoolingSolar Thermal Cooling

Building

Integrated

Wind

Turbines

• Several Turbines able to demonstrate commercial viability

• Favourable wind conditions? Needs detailed assessment

• Numerous building projects currently documenting wind generation systems (new and existing)

BiomassBiomassSuperSuper--environmentally friendly Trigeneration fuelenvironmentally friendly Trigeneration fuel

•Traditionally gas is a lower emissions fossil fuel is used to power Cogen

•Unlocking carbon from any fossil fuel is unsustainable

•Alternative sources of fuel required to operate the plant

Anaerobic Digestion Anaerobic Digestion

• Anaerobic digestion - break down biodegradable material in the absence of oxygen.

• A sustainable biological process for waste management.

• Resulting in useful end products including fertilizer and methane-based bio-gas.

Technology Cost Operating

Range

Electrical

Efficiency

Fault

Current

Load Steps

• On site electrical energy production from a single fuel source (usually natural gas)

• Waste heat used for heating and/or cooling

• Gas Engines, Turbines and Possibly Fuel Cells

Cogeneration Engine TechnologyCogeneration Engine Technology

Gas Engine Cheapest 40%-100% 45% Problem Poor

Gas Turbine Expensive 10%-100% 30% No Problem Good

Fuel Cell Very High 20% - 100% 60% No Problem Good

Gasification CogenerationGasification Cogeneration

Organic Organic RankineRankine CycleCycle

Geothermal Thermal Storage/Rejection

• Ground used as a thermal store or heat sink

• Closed, open or pond loops

• Central or decentralised heat pumps

PiezoPiezo--Electric Floor Tiles/Speed HumpsElectric Floor Tiles/Speed Humps

Images showing the concept of piezoelectric floors and structures.

• Tiles produce electricity when stepped on

• Can be linked in the displays and lighting plus light on tile

• 4 to 8 Watts of power produced per step

• Also available as vehicle speed humps

ECOLOGY AND SITE ISSUESECOLOGY AND SITE ISSUES

• Retain/restore existing vegetation where possible

• Creation of a new Wetland Areas

• For new vegetation:– Locally native and endemic species

– Drought tolerant species

– Native grassland conservation

Land Use and EcologyLand Use and Ecology

• Increase existing vegetation and ecology

• Reduce heat transfer to buildings

• Improve appearance from the air

• Reduce quantity & improve quality of storm water run-off

Green RoofsGreen Roofs

Rooftop Agriculture/ Edible GardensRooftop Agriculture/ Edible Gardens

Living Living Walls andWalls and BiowallsBiowalls

Building Massing ModelingBuilding Massing Modeling

• Provision of a Sustainable Transport Plan:

– Access to MTR and public transport networks

– Safe and amenable pedestrian access and effective ‘way-finding’ throughout the site

– Shuttle buses

• Electric vehicles use on site

• Bicycle use on site

TransportTransport

• Bicycle use on site

• Alternative fuel for Buses (eg NG, Ethanol, Electric)

INDOOR ENVIRONMENT INDOOR ENVIRONMENT

QUALITYQUALITY

Indoor Environment Quality Benefits

UnderfloorUnderfloor Air & Displacement SystemsAir & Displacement SystemsUnderfloor Air Distribution Displacement

Active Active Mass SystemsMass Systems

� Pipework embedded within slab

� Water passed thro pipes to cool slab

� Slab provides cooling through RADIATION and CONVECTION

Increased Outside Air RatesIncreased Outside Air Rates

� Increase outside air for better Indoor Air Quality

� Increased alertness, concentration and building health

� Recover heat from HVAC exhaust air to retain energy

High Performance Facades

Ventilation Performance ModelingVentilation Performance Modeling

• Allow deep daylight penetration into active spaces

• Better light quality with less heat load on HVAC systems

• Improves health & occupant satisfaction

• Use light colours to improve daylight performance

Natural DaylightNatural Daylight

Indoor Environment Quality

Natural Ventilation

• Thermal Comfort Assessment (PMV/PPD)

• Individual Temperature and Lighting Control

• Reduce Glare from Sunlight

• Low Off-Gassing Materials

• Photocopy area exhaust

Other Indoor Environment Quality IssuesOther Indoor Environment Quality Issues

• Photocopy area exhaust

• Exhaust discharges

WATERWATER

Set a benchmark for world class water efficiency:

– 6* WELS rated fittings and fixtures

– Waterless urinals

– Vacuum toilets

• Rainwater harvesting - supplement potable towns mains supply

• Grey water/black water treatment plants

Water ConservationWater Conservation

• Grey water/black water treatment plants

• Smart water meters - water usage patterns and leakage

• Temporary storage for fire test water

Rainwater RecyclingRainwater Recycling

• Level of treatment depends on collection source and use

• Typical treatment is filters/membrane and UV light

• Storage volume optimised to roof collection area

Grey/Grey/BlackwaterBlackwater RecyclingRecycling

• Grey water recycling does not include toilets

• Similar treatment but more stages for blackwater (eg sludge removal)

• Membrane filtration typically used as the primary treatment

• Considerable monitoring and approvals required

Stormwater

Runoff

Bioremediation

Filtration

Aquifer

Water Conservation

Storage

StormwaterStormwater RecyclingRecycling

Biodiversity

Class A WaterPond

Treatment

System

Emerging Technologies Emerging Technologies –– WaterWater

Vacuum ToiletsVacuum Toilets

� Small diameter pipes (less material)

� Can flow up or down (design flex.)

� 0.8 to 1.2 litres per flush

� Can avoid necessity for blackwater treatment

Aquifer Storage and RecoveryAquifer Storage and Recovery

• Rain and stormwater injected into aquifers

• Pretreatment of injection water to EPA requirements

• Extraction of water on net neutral basis

• High water quality can be provided

• Final treatment for potable consumption

WASTE EMISSIONSWASTE EMISSIONS

• Collecting and detention of stormwater

• Promote detention and absorption of stormwater:

– permeable paving, pebble paths, infiltration trenches,

soakwells, lawn, garden areas and swales

• Use of gross pollutant traps

Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD)Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD)

• Choose Low Ozone Depletion and Global Warming

Potential Refrigerants

• Refrigerant Pump-down and collection

• Natural Refrigerants (CO2, NH3, Propane)

• Trade Waste Water Agreements

Other EmissionsOther Emissions

• Trade Waste Water Agreements

• Construction Waste Recycling (Target > 80% by mass)

• Prefabricated Building Elements

• Avoidance of materials usage in construction

• Recycling rooms and sorting areas

Waste Recycling & MinimisationWaste Recycling & Minimisation

Performance Modeling

Comparison of Available Solar Heat between Two Systems

0

50

100

150

200

250

1 731 1461 2191 2921 3651 4381 5111 5841 6571 7301 8031 8761

kW

Huayuan AccumulatedSolar Heat by 20% loss

Himin Accumulated SolarHeat by 20% loss

BIM BIM –– Engineering IntegrationEngineering IntegrationBIM BIM -- Building Integration ModellingBuilding Integration Modelling

“Umow believes that BIM will enhance building design efficiency

and accountability. It represents one of the biggest leaps forward in

building design since the move from drawing boards. It will further

enhance our engineering services product delivery to our clients”

Questions and Discussion?