Net-Zero Energy Report

NET ZERO ENERGY REPORT ESD Consultant : Patrick Bullen

Winter Solstice - 12.00pm

2016

CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION...................................................1

6.0 FINAL RESULTS...........................................18

2.O CONTEXT.............................................................2

7.0 CONCLUSION..............................................19

2.1 CLIMATE........................................................3 2.2 RADIATION...................................................4

8.0 REFERENCES..............................................20 9.0 APPENDIX....................................................21

3.0 BUILDING ISSUES...............................................5 3.1 CONSTRUCTION ISSUES.............................6 3.2 LEVEL 3 OFFICE ISSUES..............................7 3.3 LEVEL 3 OFFICE COMFORT.........................8

4.0 PROPOSAL..........................................................9 4.1 BACK TO THE FUTURE................................10 5.0 FORM..................................................................11 5.1 CONSTRUCTIONS........................................12 5.2 LABYRINTH...................................................13 5.3 MACROFLOWS.............................................14 5.4 LIGHTING......................................................15 5.5 DHW - GEOTHERMAL..................................16 5.6 PV + WIND GENERATOR.............................17

2016 - NET ZERO REPORT

1.0

i ntro d u ct i on

The report aims to layout a net- zero energy strategy for the Baillieu Office building.

Increasingly a net-zero target is becoming more common and achievable through technology and a collective shift in values to address global warming/ climate change.

In Melbourne currently, there are already many good precedent case studies of commercial buildings which have been built prioritising sustainable options and

PHOTOVOLTAIC

technology. Banks in particular are leading the building efficiency movement in Melbourne, demonstrating that it is a worthwhile investment for occupant comfort and therefore productivity. A combination of active and passive systems is the best way to reach a net-zero outcome. For example buildings like NAB and Council House 2 use chilled beams, PV and occupancy sensors. Federation Square uses a Labyrinth and a cogeneration system, also achieves an excellent R value for a public building with a glass facade by having a double skin for its Atrium. Renewable systems explored in the report are

LABYRINTH

based on past case studies which have successfully addressed and utilised Melbourne’s climate.

The report uses a collection of images, diagrams and graphs to clearly communicate data and information from IES Virtual Environment software.

WIND GENERATOR 2016 - NET ZERO REPORT | 1

2.0 CONTEXT The building is located within the

PRINCESS PARK

South-West corner of the University

ROYAL PARK

of Melbourne’s historical Parkville campus.

To the north are Princess and Royal Park and towards to the south is the CBD. The site is located in an urban context that is unique compared to the surrounding city landscape. It is relative enclosed and protected from adjacent buildings also with a higher population of trees in its immediate context.

Height of adjacent buildings around the Baillieu building present significant issues such as overshadowing, reducing light access, also surrounding mass

Arts West

N

inhibits natural ventilation flows.

protection which is important in a Melbourne climate.

Kenneth Myer SITE

Royal Pa

do provide valuable prevalent wind

rade

However adjacent buildings on site

South Lawn

WIND PROTECTION ON THE NORTH, WEST AND SOUTH -DUE TO ADJACENT BUILDINGS

Howard Florey

Brownless Library Medical Building

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2 . 1 C L I M AT E

Melbourne is classified as an oceanic climate being located in Victoria, situated in the south of the continent.

Melbourne climate is well known for its temperamental qualities. It receives cold fronts of wind from the south coming off the Antarctic.

Figure one shows that some of the most common and highest prevailing wind speeds throughout the year come from the south.

Extremely warm fronts also regularly occur due to winds from north inland

areas. Figure 1 ultimately shows that Figure .1 Prevalent Winds Melbourne is a place that experiences the extremes of both hot and cold weather due to high wind speeds 40k/h + regularly coming from the north and south.

Figure 2 shows the azimuth of the sun paths in Melbourne is to the north due to being located in the southern hemisphere. The path of the sun during the winter solstice (June22) in particular is situated to the north. The lower sun path results in a decrease in light especially from non north facing directions.

Figure .2 Sun Paths

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2 . 2 R A D I AT I O N Yearly solar radiation tests

View - SE

undertaken on existing Baillieu building modelled in IES VE. A 5 by 5 metre grid has been wrapped around the exterior of the building to measure kWh gains from the sun on different parts of the facade and roof.

The kWh/m2 table shows from the

WINTER SOLSTICE

SUMMER SOLSTICE

9.00am

9.00am

12.00pm

12.00pm

3.00pm

3.00pm

corresponding colors where the most amount of radiation is hitting the building. Red being the highest measurement, shows that the south of the roof receives the most amount of heat over the course of the year.

To the north of the roof the colors change showing less radiation received due to overshadowing from Arts West. The south facade is dark blue showing the least amount of radiation is received there. However it is important to note that radiation is a measurement of direct sun light not illuminate light access.

The winter and summer shadow solstice studies show that the Baillieu building loses most of its radiation gain in the winter. The north facade doesn’t receive any radiation, in general the whole building suffers from its shape, orientation and adjacent buildings.

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3.0 BUILDING ISSUES

Energy used for heating is by far the highest energy consumption for the existing building. Figure 3 shows that the Boilers are using 57% of the total buildings energy over a whole year.

Figure 4 shows that during the winter months is when most energy is being consumed. Light and equipment energy stay relatively the same throughout the year and the

Total Yearly Energy = 1488 mWh

chillers and boilers fluctuate more to

maintain optimum inside 20 degree Figure .3 Yearly Energy Consumption temperature. We can conclude that one of the main reasons the boilers are consuming more gas during the winter is due to the building having poor insulation and thermal mass.

Artificial light energy is the second biggest energy consumer at 27% for the year. Firstly this is because the existing fluorescent lights use 8w/m2 which is inefficient to say LED which would only use around 3w/m2. Light energy barely changes throughout the year, showing there are no lux/ occupancy sensors, dimming profiles and a lack of natural daylight penetration into the building.

Figure .4 Monthly Energy Breakdown

2016 - NET ZERO REPORT | 5

3.1 CONSTRUCTION ISSUES

Figure 5 shows the curtain wall of the east facade, this is where a large portion of heat loss is occurring.

Due to about 80% of the facade being single glazed windows. The windows with frame included have a low U Value of 3.5, there are also plenty of air leakages due to older windows and hence air gaps are not sealed properly.

Figure 5. East facade - Heat loss due to lack of thermal mass/insulation

In all modern buildings the highest heat loss occurs through glazing as it has a low thermal mass and therefore resistance. The amount of glass to use within a building becomes a dilemma for any designer. On one hand it is a great material allowing for natural daylight, radiant heat gain and visual outside connection. On

Brick wall cladding

the other hand its inevitable where most heat loss occurs, even if

Single Glazed Windows

double or triple glazed it has lower thermal mass than all the other elements used within a building.

Single brick veneer construction is most common in Australia however it is not well suited for the climate. As brick does not contribute to thermal performance instead other insulation is needed to combat their conductivity, they especially get hot from radiant heat during the

Air Leakages

Fluorescent Lights

summer. Reverse brick veneer utilises thermal properties of brick.

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3.2 LEVEL 3 OFFICE ISSUES

•

Figure 7 shows that the large office space on level 3 has minimal natural daylight penetration within the floor plate.

•

The Dark blue indicates a daylight factor close to zero.

Figure 6. Main Office Level 3

•

Although the void on the east facade is letting in more light its not being maximised as it isn’t centrally located and is acting more as an indented window than a void.

•

Figure 8 illustrates monthly kW consumption stays quite consistent throughout the year.

•

Figure 7. Daylight Factor

However internal lighting consumption is at odds to how the natural lighting works on site. Currently Highest 130 kW lighting consumption is during the morning hours when it is least needed. The building with its east facade curtain wall maximises morning light more than any other orientation does throughout the day.

Figure 8. Monthly kW used for lighting 2016 - NET ZERO REPORT | 7

3.3 LEVEL 3 OFFICE COMFORT •

Figure 9 shows outside temperature during the

•

Figure 11 shows at 9.00 in the morning close to 20% of people are dissatisfied.

winter solstice peaks to 12 degrees between 13.00 and 16.00.

•

This corresponds with Figure 10 which shows the

•

Hence the HVAC when turned on at 6.00 in the

inside room temperature of the level 3 rising at the

morning is taking too long to heat office on level 3

same time through the HVAC system.

to a thermal comfort that is acceptable.

•

Due to poor insulation inside air temperature never reaches the 20 degree optimum.

18.0 17.5 17.0

Temperature (°C)

16.5 16.0 15.5 15.0 14.5 14.0 13.5 13.0 00:00

02:00

04:00

06:00

08:00

10:00

12:00

14:00

16:00

18:00

20:00

22:00

00:00

Air temperature (°C) peaks (+) on Mon 21/Jun for ROOM

Figure 10. Air Temperature . 21/jun Air temperature: ROOM (bailleu3.aps)

50

45

40

Percentage (%)

35

30

25

20

15

10 00:00

02:00

04:00

06:00

08:00

10:00

12:00

14:00

16:00

18:00

20:00

22:00

People dissatisfied (%) peaks (+) on Mon 21/Jun for ROOM

Figure 9. Dry-bulb Temperature . 21/jun

Figure 11. People Dissatisfied % . 21/jun People dissatisfied: ROOM (bailleu3.aps)

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00:00

4.0 PROPOSAL - BACK TO THE FUTURE

Objectives Increase Building

Exterior Insulation

Brick

Polyurethane

• Daylighting • Thermal Mass • Natural Ventilation • Natural Cooling • Natural Heating Install • PV • Labyrinth • Atrium • Geothermal • Wind genrator

EXTERIOR INSULATION/ NATURAL VENTILATION

LABYRINTH - BASEMENT

N

Lab

Lab

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4.1 BACK TO THE FUTURE

Design Opportunities •

Natural daylight penetration a lot higher due to smaller floor plates and their height from ground level.

•

More Natural heating through radiation especially in winter from north Sun.

•

Thermal properies of brick utilised by having as inside cladding that can heat in the winter radiating heat.

•

Views and ambient south light good for offices created through new building height

•

Roof gardens on setbacks help cool building.

•

Setbacks reduce overshadowing and allow for more light access.

•

Solar energy powers HVAC heating

•

HVAC cooling through basement labyrinth

•

No windows on East and West facade - replaced with rendered exterior insulation

•

Centrally located void allows for ventilation and daylight factor is maximised on smaller floor plates.

Original

Proposed

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5.0 FORM 1 4

J u l 1 2 : 0 4

Achieving Net - Zero Total Energy Consumption á Total GFA = Total Energy ⠄ m2 + Renewable Energy= NET ZERO

Adjustments to building form is the first phase towards achieving net zero. Figure 12 shows that most of the building now receives direct light without being overshadowed even

Figure 12. Winter Solstice 12.00pm

during the winter solstice.

94.386, 9%

Figure 13 shows that just through changing building form total yearly

476.1156, 46%

energy has now been reduced form

440.4971, 42%

1488 mWh to 1052 mWH. Most of the energy saving as occurred with the Boilers with about 300 mWh getting saved.

31.5996, 3%

Figure 14 shows that the north facade is now receiving the most

Boilers energy (MWh)

Chillers energy (MWh)

Lights electricity (MWh)

Total equip energy (MWh)

amount of radiation with exclusion of Figure 13. Total Yearly Energy = 1052 mWh the roof. Hence natural heating from sunlight helps reduce boilers energy.

The setbacks and Atrium reduce GFA which also decreases building energy use. External glazing has been reduced/remove on facades that receive less solar radiation to prevent heat loss. The east facade curtain wall has been removed and is now solid wall.

Figure 14. Yearly Radiation

2 0 1 6 - N E T Z E R O R E P O R T | 11

5.1 CONSTRUCTIONS External Wall Out to In

Polyurethane

Brick

Cavity

50mm

Figure 15. Example of exterior insulation wall Construction

Reinforced Concrete

N.B Ceiling/floor uses cast concrete 250 mm thick,

Triple Glazed Windows

however other insulation is not used here in order to allow for greater cooling and heat transfer through floor slabs conduction maximising efficiency through the new verticality of the form.

Figure 16 and 17 show that new constructions has reduced total building energy by 126 mWh over the year.

33.5143, 4% 94.386, 10% Equip electricity (MWh) 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 -10 0

357.6005, 39%

440.4971, 47%

2

4

6

8

10

Total electricity (MWh)

Total lights energy (MWh)

Chillers energy (MWh)

Boilers energy (MWh)

Figure 16. Monthly Energy Fluctuations

12

14

Equip electricity (MWh)

Lights electricity (MWh)

Boilers energy (MWh)

Chillers energy (MWh)

Figure 17. Total Yearly Energy = 936 mWh 2016 - NET ZERO REPORT | 12

5.2 LABYRINTH

Specifications of Labyrinth •

Ground floor and ceiling contact with soil.

500mm High density concrete Total R-Value: 0.4601 m2k/w

IN

OUT

Density: 2300 kg/m3 Internal/External Walls

Figure 18. Basement converted to Labyrinth

300mm Heavyweight high density concrete.

Total R-Value: 0.1840 m2k/w Density: 2300 kg/m3 Info In figure 19 Labyrinth uses a fan flow rate of 20000 and conditions back of house spaces and office spaces.

In figure 20, chillers energy is shown as 0.553, hence there has been a great decrease in energy

Figure 19. Apache HVAC system

use. However fan for labyrinth has increased electricity energy although now equipment energy has been removed it has

357.6005 440.4971

decreased as well. Final Yearly energy consumption is now 798.65 mWh. 0.553

Total lights energy (MWh)

Chillers energy (MWh)

Boilers energy (MWh)

Figure 20. Total Yearly Energy = 798.65 mWh 2016 - NET ZERO REPORT | 13

5.3 MACROFLOWS •

Macroflow profile set to let hot air out if inside temperature is greater than 26.

•

Also if the inside humidity is greater than 60% windows open.

•

Figure 21 shows heat purges from void louvers over a whole year. The red arrows represent

Figure 21. Macroflow Arrows - Void

hot air leaving building. The blue show cool air gained therefore reducing cooling required.

Louvers - Void •

Crack length of openings has been improved to reduce air leakage and hence gas heating from the boilers decreases in figure 22 as heat loss is minimised during night-time/ cooler seasons.

Sliding Doors -Entance -Balconys 292.6005 440.4971

0.152

Figure 22. Total Yearly Energy = 733.25 mWh Total lights energy (MWh)

Chillers energy (MWh)

Boilers energy (MWh)

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5.4 LIGHTING Total light energy has drastically been reduced as shown in figure 23, existing 8Wm2 fluroescent lights

165.18

replaced with 3Wm2 LEDs. Dimming Profile is more effective as new building design receives higher

292.6005

levels of lux. Figure 25 shows that even in winter solstice, office space on level 8 is receiving

0.11

substantial luminant and illuminate light due to north facing glazing and Atrium. Lux levels are generally 450 plus meaning no artificial lighting is required during the day.

Total lights energy (MWh)

Chillers energy (MWh)

Boilers energy (MWh)

Figure 23. Total Yearly Energy = 457.89 mWh

LED Bulbs -3Wm2

Figure 24. Daylight Factor- level 8 Office

Dimming Profile -Lights between 08.00 and 20.00 only switch on if lux is below 400

Figure 25. Level 8 office space lux (Winter Solstice) 2016 - NET ZERO REPORT | 15

5.5 DHW - GE0THERMAL Out of the 457.89 mWH of energy consumption for the building the boilers use 292.6 thus again being

57.15

the highest energy consumer in the building.

165.18

Therefore a geothermal system is adopted to assist traditional boiler by providing energy just for the domestic hot water.

Figure 26. Total Yearly Energy = 222.33 mWh Total lights energy (MWh)

Boilers energy (MWh)

Specifications •

Dual water loop heat pump

•

Heat source - ground

•

Heat pump electric

•

Seasonal efficiency 6.0

•

SCoP kW/kW 5.97

Figure 26 shows boiler energy decrease to 57.15 mWh as gas is not being used for DHW.

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5 . 6 P H O TO V O LTA I C PA N E L S + W I N D G E N E R ATO R •

As electricity is now highest energy consumer 9.72

alternate renewables have been employed.

•

6oom2 of PV 35 degree angle of inclination Azimuth in orientation of north

•

57.15

The solar energy gets stored in a battery which is used for lighting, powering labyrinth fan, geothermal pump and if there is excess can be fed back into main grid.

•

Total lights energy (MWh)

Boilers energy (MWh)

Figure 27. Total Yearly Energy = 66.87 mWh

The panels are located on the south roof of the building receiving the optimum amount of solar radiation.

•

Wind generator is 200kW with hub height at 10metres located to the north of site where old building mass was subtracted from.

•

Figure 27 shows that predominant yearly energy is now from boilers as electricity is covered by renewables.

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6 . 0 F I N A L R E S U LT S • • •

Overall results show an incremental decrease

•

Results surprisingly show the Labyrinth phase to

strategy in order to reach Net Zero energy.

be the least effective improvement for decreasing

From figure 28 and 29 the first phase (Design) is

energy. This is perhaps due to the fact the

the most dramatic and best step for improvement.

building required minimal cooling in comparison to

Equipment energy has been taken out of later

heating.

phases calculations.

Chart Title

1600 1400 1200 1000 800 600 400 200 0

Equipment Energy

Boilers Energy

Lights Energy

Total Energy

Chillers Energy

Figure 28. MWh consumption throughout adjustment phases

PV +Wind Geothermal

Lighting Macroflows Labyrinth Constructions

Design Original 0

Total Energy

200

400

Lights Energy

600

800

Chillers Energy

1000

1200

Boilers Energy

1400

1600

Equipment Energy

Figure 29. MWh consumption throughout adjustment phases 2016 - NET ZERO REPORT | 18

7.0 CONCLUSION Although the building did not quite reach net zero energy, arriving at 66.87 mWh instead, a clear strategy was outlined and could easily be adapted to get a net zero outcome. For instance more solar panels and wind generators could be used off site to cover additional energy demands. There is also the potential to have a larger labyrinth in another location other than the basement, example south lawn car park, in which it could be utilised for other buildings on campus as well.

The main positives of the new building design is that it will increase productivity in office spaces. Occupants comfort, health and happiness will increase due to more natural daylight penetration, visual connection to outside and increased ventilation through atrium. Back to the Future uses historical notions about construction and blends with modern technology in order to arrive at a building that delivers efficiency in a unique way without compromising aesthetics.

2016 - NET ZERO REPORT | 19