Zone A Architects - Case Study

Turning an office into a mini power station

Company Profile

Zone A is a small architectural firm servicing the Alice Springs community and region. They relocated to their Larapinta Drive premises in March 2008. Originally a residential double brick home, extensive renovations were carried out with a focus on energy efficiency and design for the local environment.

Zone A approached Alice Solar City with a view to installing a photovoltaic solar power system on the building. After their energy consumption records for 12 months were received from Power and Water Corporation, a walk through energy survey was conducted by Alice Solar City.
 

Energy Survey Results

Energy management was a key design goal in the fit-out of the Zone A building. The energy survey identified that the building was already very energy (and water) efficient, and just as importantly the occupants were conscious of their energy use and actively controlled their energy consumption, resulting in very low energy use per square metre and occupant.

Annual electicity consumption was estimated to be 9000 kWh. Air-conditioning was estimated to account for around 49% of consumption. Computing equipment accounted for 32% with other office equipment contributed a further 9%. The fridge was calculated to be responsible for around 10%.

Alice Solar City Recommendations

• Install solar power system. A 3kW BP Solar system will produce an estimated 4800 kWh per annum, which will meet over 50% of the 9000 kWh per annum of electrical consumption.
• Upgrade Fridge
• Improve insulation of original building
• Reduce heat load on western wall with shading

Potential Energy Reduction

Estimated at 5526 kWh (p.a)

Potential Cost Savings

Estimated at $1741 (p.a)

Alice Solar City incentive value

$21,800
 

What Zone A has done so far:

Zone A already had a number of energy efficiency initiatives in place. As such the solar power system was judged an excellent next step in improving the building's sustainability and since having the system installed, there has been an even greater focus on energy consumption amongst staff.

• The old fridge was replaced,saving an estimated 400kWh and $75 per annum.
• Zone A are designing structures (solar control fins) to reduce direct solar access to their windows.
• They are also investigating insulation options for the western section of the building.

 "It's amazing how conscious we are of our energy consumption now that we have a solar system, and the challenge each day is to consume less than we produce!” (Stuart Chalmers, Owner Zone Architects)