Newcastle, NSW (CSIRO Energy Centre)

The CSIRO Energy Centre sets a new benchmark in ecologically sustainable design by showcasing energy generation initiatives, building demand reduction and supply options.

• 31 May 2005

• On-site energy generation
• Energy conservation measures
• Delivering energy futures

The CSIRO Energy Centre in Newcastle, NSW, provides a focal point in Australia for energy research in the fields of:

• sustainable energy
• environmental impacts of energy
• cost-competitive and environmentally-acceptable fossil fuel research and development.

The CSIRO Energy Centre features a unique combination of energy-efficient building design and small-scale generation units capable of delivering most of its power needs.

The facility is the headquarters for both CSIRO Energy Technology and the Energy Transformed Flagship and is located at the same site as the National Solar Energy Centre.

Research conducted at the Energy Centre includes distributed energy generation, solar-fossil hybrid technology, carbon sequestration and low emissions energy generation.

On-site energy generation

The Energy Centre incorporates an energy generation suite developed for efficiency and to showcase available technologies. These technologies include:

• 90 kW photovoltaic system comprising three types of building integrated photovoltaic arrays
• 120 kW gas fired microturbine cogeneration system
• 40 kW multiple wind turbine system
• provision for a future 100 kW fuel cell fired by natural gas and water conversion to hydrogen.
   

Energy conservation measures

The Energy Centre building incorporates a number of active and passive measures to conserve energy. These include:

• building orientation and layout – maximising natural light and allowing for temperature control throughout seasons
• building insulation – reducing heating and cooling loads
• opening windows – allowing for natural ventilation
• window glass selection – minimising heat build up and maintaining natural light
• energy efficient air-conditioning system – designed for separate and specific uses in laboratories and office areas
• outside air economy cycle – making use of outside air for cooling
• automatic lighting control system – only lights areas that are in use
• building management system – minimising energy use and maximising efficiency.

Delivering energy futures

One of the CSIRO Energy Centre’s main purposes is to demonstrate how effective one facility can be in reducing greenhouse gas emissions whilst delivering clean, reliable energy when and where it is needed.

The engineering solutions employed in the facility improve efficiency of fuel utilisation, reduce energy losses and greatly expand utilisation of renewable energy sources.

The Energy Centre focuses on reducing energy demand and then meeting that demand through a combination of grid provided electricity and distributed generation utilising gas and renewables.

The office area of the facility uses less than 40 per cent of the electricity consumed in a conventional office of the same size. Preliminary performance figures indicate the Energy Centre is one of the most energy efficient research complexes of its type in the southern hemisphere.

Estimated greenhouse savings resulting from the Energy Centre’s implementation of building conservation measures and controlled demand reduction initiatives equate to 2 000 tonnes of carbon dioxide reduction per year – the equivalent of taking 700 cars off the road.

Learn about CSIRO's work in Energy.