News & Events
New Automotive Centre Goes Green
20 April 2005
Kangan Batman TAFE's new Automotive Centre of Excellence at the Docklands is set to become one of the most sustainable buildings in the State, with the implementation of technologies never seen before in Australia.
Environment Minister John Thwaites said that the new Automotive Centre of Excellence offices would use only half the energy of the average commercial building.
“The new offices will not only provide a healthier and more productive work place, but also cut greenhouse pollution by over 44 tonnes per year - the equivalent to planting 65 trees or removing 10 cars off the road per year,” said Mr Thwaites.
The Sustainable Energy Authority is contributing $28,000 to the project through its Commercial Office Building Energy Innovation Initiative – part of the Victorian Greenhouse Strategy.
“Two of the sustainable technologies that will be used in the new centre - active mass cooling and night sky cooling - have never been used in combination before in Australia,” said Mr Thwaites.
The adoption of night sky cooling will be an Australian first, having been applied in only a handful of projects in the United States.
“As the name suggests, the sky cools recycled water at night, by spraying it on the roof. The next day the water is distributed through pipes to cool the building,” Mr Thwaites said.
Night sky cooling uses rainwater captured in underground tanks. The rainwater will also be used for toilet-flushing, car washing and irrigation.
The Sustainable Energy Authority has been working closely with the TAFE to identify and implement sustainable design solutions for the Centre.
Mr Thwaites praised Kangan Batman TAFE for setting a benchmark for other organisations around the nation to follow.
“As Victoria's largest automotive training provider, this project presents an excellent opportunity to showcase innovative sustainable technologies in a high profile site.
Mr Thwaites said that the Commercial Office Building Energy Innovation Initiative was inspiring interest and investment in high quality, innovative, energy efficient commercial buildings.
“Becoming more energy efficient is one of the best ways we can help reduce the extent of climate change,” said Mr Thwaites.
Media inquiries:
Katherine Rellos
Media Liaison
Sustainable Energy Authority Victoria
Telephone: (03) 9655 3271
