63685

The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) has released a guide for the electrification of Australia’s existing commercial buildings, urging immediate and nationally consistent action towards decarbonisation.

Released in partnership with engineering consultancy Cundall and supported by the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) and the NSW Government, A Practical Guide to Electrification for Existing Buildings explains the most effective paths to building electrification.

Australia’s main electricity grid is predicted to surpass 50% renewables by 2025, and 69% renewables by 2030.

Advising that asset owners are already planning the capital expense and logistics of switching to all-electric in order to not be left with stranded assets, Cundall Director, David Collins declared "the business case is boosted by the opportunity to simultaneously upgrade existing building performance during works, delivering long term wins for occupants, owners and the power to align operations and management with carbon neutral ambitions."

Noting that buildings are key to curbing emissions, while also calling for gas-free new builds and electrification of existing buildings, GBCA Chief Executive, Davina Rooney explained "the stark reality is that gas is responsible for almost 30% of building energy consumption in Australia - so eliminating gas from our buildings would make a material difference in a short space of time.

“While many of our industries will take time to decarbonise, the technology for buildings already exists. We can electrify them now, power them with renewables and put Australia on the path to decarbonisation.”

Rooney said new buildings like the Atlassian tower and the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney are leading the way in committing commercial buildings to all electric, adding "it’s been exciting to see projects that have traditionally been reliant on gas make the switch to renewable energy.

“Melbourne’s Brimbank Aquatic Centre recently opened its doors, showcasing how an entire aquatic centre including an Olympic sized pool, can be powered using renewable energy.

“Hospitals have also traditionally been reliant on gas, but we now have three hospitals across Australia committing to be fully electric, including the new Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Adelaide.”

Rooney called for a nationally consistent approach in government policy towards zero carbon buildings, going on to say "to ensure an orderly, cost-effective transition to renewable electricity, the National Construction Code update in 2025 must drive the electrification of buildings.

"The ACT has made great strides with the Powering Canberra plan for the city to be almost entirely powered by renewable electricity by 2045, and in NSW recent updates to the Sustainable Building State Environmental Planning Policies show a clear pathway for the transition to renewables.”

Click here for more information on A Practical Guide to Electrification for Existing Buildings.

Main image: The Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre is seen as a model in the use of renewable energy.

Related Articles

2nd November 2022 - AGL and Tenpin Bowling Australia agree solar and naming rights partnership for Sunshine Coast National High Performance Centre

30th October 2022 - Feature introduces implications of the Passivhaus standard for Australian and New Zealand aquatic facilities

21st October 2022 - Piscine Global Europe to present solutions to reduce energy bills for pool running costs

13th October 2022 - Elite Energy partners with Goulburn Mulwaree Council to deliver running event among wind turbines

27th September 2022 - Renewable Energy Agency highlights significance of heat pumps at Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre

13th September 2022 - Webinar to explain energy-saving benefits of heat pumps in aquatic centres

1st August 2022 - Tasmanian company awarded contract to design and deliver renewable energy on Maria Island

28th June 2022 - Goulburn Mulwaree Council and Elite Energy partner to host inaugural Goulburn Duathlon

17th June 2022 - Energy uncertainty to impact aquatic centre operations?

23rd May 2022 - Red Energy takes on naming rights deal for Bendigo Stadium

10th May 2022 - Solar pool heating delivers energy savings for Hindmarsh Shire Council

8th April 2022 - Reflections Holiday Parks continue championing Energy Savings after Earth Hour

22nd February 2022 - MCG partners with EnergyAustralia to transition to run on 100% renewable power

16th February 2022 - Pressure grows on Woodside Energy’s arts sponsorships

17th December 2021 - Pimpama Sports Hub designed to be 100% energy self-sufficient

6th October 2021 - Study ranks Wavegarden Cove as most energy efficient surf park technology

30th August 2021 - Victoria’s Zoos powered by 100% renewable energy

31st January 2020 - Gas bill shock triggers revolution in energy-efficient aquatic centre design

18th November 2019 - NSW Government releases guidance documents on energy efficiency for aquatic centres

21st November 2014 - Siemens helps MCG take a lead in energy efficiency

---

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

Click here to view our subscription options.