Sustainabilty Precinct

What is it: 

The precinct allows comparison of building and energy efficiency products and technologies.

It is comprised of five 20' shipping containers oriented on a E-W axis and outfitted with a standard treatment (window, door, standard in wall air conditioner, internal air cell insulation, plywood floor). These units are instrumented to record temperature, humidity, power use, etc., and complemented with an external weather station, with data logged and to be presented on a website. Various treatments can be imposed, with the containers reused in different exercises over time. Efficiency is realised in the use of a common control (container), and in co-location of instrumentation.

Current Product Assessments

Passive Air Cooling (two containers): These trials are sponsored by Ergon Energy, and involve passage of air through underground pipes for cooling of a building. The trial will examine the reduction in power used in air conditioning and will asses microbiological risks (moulds etc), to inform and Ergon decision on whether to promote this product widely within Queensland.

Roof top garden (one container) - A Brad Walkers Agencies Green Roof will be fitted to the roof of one container. Again, change in air conditioning power usage will be assessed.

Editable Garden -  Passive Air Cooling (PAC) garden designs for the Containers were set up in 2012. These designs are constructed besdie the eastern aspect of the containers. The gardens are watered with subsurface drip irrigation having the control feedback of soil moisture sensor for irrigation turn on and off. The garden consists of 8 species of dwarf fruit trees (lychee, lemon, lime, mandarin, banana, avocado, orange and mulberry) and 47 species of vegetable/herbs/medical plants, and a middle strip of lawn is planted. The site also has a water meter for each block for monitoring of water use by these gardens. The establishment of these plants and their growth in the early stage will be monitored in regular intervals. 

Future Projects

Solar Assisted Wind Energy System, Green Wall Semi Hydroponics, Microgrid (consisting of Renewable Energy such as Solar & wind intergrating with Storage and Load), Smart Grid Technologies Trial, Thermal Modelling and Experimental Validation of Passive Air Cooling.

Do you wish to evaluate you building and energy efficiency products & technologies?

Contact:

Supporting Partners

• ERGON Energy
• Bradnam's Windows & Doors
• CarterHoltHarvey Woodproducts Austrailia
• Kingspan
• Marathon Homes