CSIRO Energy Centre

Off-grid, distributed generation
Location: Newcastle, NSW

The Building

The CSIRO Energy Centre in Newcastle demonstrates energy efficiency in a variety of working environments combined with integrated base load energy generation. The building design theme is energy efficiency, and maximises the use of natural light and ventilation.

There is low-E glass on many windows, light shelves to bounce light onto the ceilings, and an under-floor ventilation system.

The building's Energy Management System monitors all energy generated on site and interacts with the Building Management System to minimise the energy used to maintain building and research activities.The architects, Cox Richardson, used a number of consultants in creating the energy-efficient design.

Power Generation

Most of the base load electricity required will be generated on site using small-scale solar, wind and gas technologies. With the current installed technologies, more than 1000 MWh will be generated annually. CSIRO selected a variety of different technologies in order to provide an interactive environment for energy optimisation, technology development and demonstration of new products and techniques.

Mono-crystalline photovoltaic (PV) cells that form part of the building roof and façade were sourced from BP Solar. Mono-crystalline cells are also laminated between panels of glass that form the library roof. Poly-crystalline panel, installed as part of a Plug&Power PV system, was supplied by Pacific Solar and mounted to the roof of the auditorium. STI dye-sensitised solar technology PV façade panels form a sloping atrium wall over the auditorium and plant room. Three wind turbines (20 kW each) were developed by Gridlink and installed by John Holland. A further 100 kW wind turbine has yet to be procured. Two 60 kW natural gas-powered microturbines generate power and waste heat, which is recovered for the
building system.

Up to 500 kW (including future fuel cells and battery storage)will eventually be installed on site, mostly using renewable sources.Up to 1750 MWh will be generated annually when all systems are installed and operating in the future.

At present the building does not draw electricity from the grid, and systems are in place for export to the grid in future. The PV is supplying about 40 per cent of the energy use under good conditions. The generation capacity is registered as non-market generators.

The annual CO2 savings from on site generation is 1650 tonnes,and an additional 470 tonnes from the energy efficiency measures results in a saving of more than 2000 tonnes annually.

Funding

The NSW Government contributed $10 million towards the project. SEDA contributed a grant of $250,000 and have an arrangement with CSIRO for shared allocation of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) once the generation facilities are accredited under the Mandated Renewable Energy Target.