With the completion of EZONE UWA Student Hub and the Bilya Marlee building, the campus’ central thermal energy system (which provides chilled water for air-conditioning, condition control for critical facilities and cooling for critical equipment) had reached capacity and struggled to maintain conditions on very hot and/or humid days.

A thermal energy storage facility was planned to be constructed to alleviate this shortfall in capacity and to cater for future growth of the campus.

Under current circumstances of a contracted capital program, the thermal energy storage facility has been put on hold and an intermediate solution to manage the shortfall in the medium term will be implemented.

Project Overview

The University will undertake a series of works to address the shortfall in peak thermal energy (chilled water) in the medium term (3–5 years). The works are intended to:

• Reduce peak thermal energy use – regulate building conditions via the building management system during peak periods
• Reduce thermal energy use more generally – lighting upgrade to reduce heat generated from lower-efficiency lighting; improve efficiency of mechanical equipment to use less chilled water and repairs to facade to reduce air-conditioning leakage
• Increase peak production capacity of existing plant – upgrading electrical supply to Central Plant and upgrading ancillary equipment to improve efficiency.

Apart from delivering additional chilled water capacity, this project also addresses the following objectives:

• Energy Carbon Neutral Strategy – energy efficiency
• Infrastructure Strategy – resilient and flexible services infrastructure
• Life Cycle Renewable Program –- safe and reliable building services

Location

• Central Plant (B001)
• Thermal Energy Storage (B005)
• Buildings (likely):
  • UniClub (107)
  • Electrical Engineering (266)
  • Bayliss (211)
  • Anatomy/CTEC (344)
  • Phytotron Plant Growth (430)
  • Curnow Plant Growth (345)
  • Bayliss (211)
  • Electrical Engineering (226)
  • Reid Library (139) (TBC)

Funding

• $5.175M

Timeline

• July 2020–December 2021

The project is expected to deliver sufficient chilled water to all buildings on campus for the next 3–5 years. It will also reduce energy use through improved efficiency of plant and equipment. Backlog maintenance items involving electrical services at Central Plant will be addressed as part of this project.

Apart from lighting replacements, works will occur mainly in mechanical and electrical plant rooms. Therefore there should be minimal disruption to building activities. Any disruption to services will be communicated to those affected with sufficient notice given and will be carried out at a time to be agreed with building occupants.