Leading light

Right at the heart of the North Tower's high Green Star rating is the high-tech co-generation plant. The system being new to the Australian market, the company that installed it also had to configure its interaction with adjacent aspects of the energy-efficient system.

Q Electrical Services installed the electrical power and lighting services at the Green Square precinct, including the North Tower's co-generation system.

Co-generation replaces traditional electric power with a purpose-built energy module located in the building. The module uses natural gas to drive an electricity generator, with the generator's excess heat then used to power the building's air conditioning system.

The amount of energy converted into useful power in a co-generation system is in excess of 80%, compared to the less effective 35% energy efficiency seen in coal-fired power generation.

At Green Square, Q Electrical Services used a natural gas generator set supplied by MTU Detroit Diesel Australia. The system installed uses a high-speed fibre optic communications link to transfer data levels, so that correct switching takes place between all controlling devices. This included communications to the absorption chillers and overall building management system.

At a start signal from the building air conditioning control, the MTU generator set commences supply of 770kW of electric power. The generator set synchronises with the mains power supply so any excess load can be managed by the grid. The controls ensure that no power is exported from the building.

The generator set will also supply emergency power in the event of a mains failure to the building.

For more information, contact Q Electrical Services, phone (07) 3391 0688. Email: ghutley@qelectrical.com.au, or visit the website: www.qelectrical.com.au.

Story by: Trendsideas