News
The Challenge
Operating with a decade-old building management system (BMS), Environmental Automation was able to
significantly increase energy savings by cutting over to Reliable Controls seamlessly within the building network.
As a 16-level ISPT-owned commercial building, 345 George Street in Sydney had been operating with a decade old
building management system (BMS). Against a backdrop of Australia’s commitment to the Paris Agreement
to demonstrate a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, ISPT and building agents CBRE re-engaged engineers
from ARA Group company, Environmental Automation to cut over systems, securing the asset’s position as an A
Grade, energy-efficient office tower.
The tower had previously operated on the Yamatake BMS and was being serviced by Environmental Automation.
While it had held a five-star NABERS energy rating, CBRE was conscious of the inherent risk in maintaining an
outdated system and that blue-chip tenants and the Federal Government were looking at meeting further energy
reductions to meet the country’s emissions targets.
Environmental Automation’s National Estimating Manager, Ray Davies said the company’s longstanding
relationship with both ISPT and CBRE to a collaborative solution.
“We’ve serviced 345 George Street for almost two decades
and during that time we’ve always been proactive in helping
CBRE/ISPT efficiently manage the building’s assets. It was
critical that we pivoted to a new system that was BACnetcompatible
and minimised disruption to the tenants and
building as a whole.”
Ray Davies, EA National Estimating Manager
Building & System Integration Details
The Solution
Engaged to scope the project in late 2019 just as Covid-19 was taking hold overseas, Environmental Automation’s engineering solution would eventually focus on the cut over to Reliable Controls — a global standard in building management systems.
Importantly, keeping one eye on future operating costs and efficiencies, the system is backward compatible, meaning any future software and hardware upgrades can be done in sections as required or as the budget allows, giving the owner the ability to operate the system without the need for a complete overhaul.
Reliable Controls utilize BACnet as its main open protocol language and is one of the most open systems in Australia. This, along with Environmental Automations in depth understanding of multiple automation systems allowed Environmental Automation’s engineering team to seamlessly integrate it within the building network.
By the time the retrofit was ready to commence in June 2020, the building was operating at 70 per cent capacity due to Covid-19 restrictions, which allowed the team a degree of flexibility in minimising disruption to floors and tenants.
The Results
The project was delivered by the first week of November 2020 and thanks to the flexibility of working in then-untenanted levels and out of hours, the retrofit came in under budget.
With a 12-month Defect Liability Period (DLP now underway to October 2021, the Environmental Automation’s engineering team has handed over to its service team to manage the maintenance requirements, but it is the additional proactive strategies that Analytics Manager Muhamed Cengic says is contributing further value.
“We’ve maintained our long relationship with CBRE and this building because we put solutions on the table before risks or benefits are realised,”
Muhamed Cengic, Analytics Manager
With plans to implement EA Plus— a remote analytics and optimisation technology — following DLP, early indications have the building on track to attain a five-and-a-half star NABERS rating.
Some performance indicators are currently delivering up to 75 per cent year-on-year energy savings, meaning the new Reliable Controls system is far exceeding ISPT’s own expectations, cementing them as a premium and sustainable office tower operator.
Graphic Results
Commercial property owners who are continuing to lift the standards in NABERS IE Q are ISPT Super Property. With a commitment to creating growth for people and places through property, ISPT boasts a portfolio of over $19 billion and invests in and develops commercial, retail, logistics, warehousing and residential property across Australia.
In a combined effort with CBRE Management, NetZero and Environmental Automation Pty Ltd, and our partnership with Reliable Controls, ISPT’s 345 George St and 255 Pitt St have seen recent success in achieving 6-star rating for NABERS Indoor Environment.
Environmental Automation Pty Ltd has a 2020 mission to assist their clients in attaining a 6-star NABERS IE rating and believe by working together, we can certainly achieve this.
Environmental Automation major projects is proud to announce the recent BMS project in Newcastle. The building called the Store which is located at Stewart Street Avenue, Newcastle NSW.
It involves a new 11 storey commercial office building with 1 basement carpark. The building will be a 5-star, Green Star Design and 5 star NABERS energy.
Building Management System will be for:
- 2 x Chillers
- 2 x Boilers
- 2 Cooling Towers
- 12 x Pumps
- 6 x Air Handling Units
- 13 x Water Cooled Package Units
- 237 x VAVs
- 40 x Fans
Our EA team will lead the BMS installation in the coming months using Reliable Controls. We look forward to a continued strong relationship and contributing to their energy performance for The Store.
May 2019 saw a solid WIN for Environmental Automation.
After years of being locked in with a competitor product, EA secured the project to upgrade and replace BMS system at Quad 4 – Sydney Olympic Park.
The project will involve removing the 10-year-old Delta building automation system and replacing with Reliable Control’s Mach- System. GPT expressed they wanted to expand the portfolio and the use of Reliable Controls, felt very comfortable with the product due to the great results achieved with EA installation and engineering of the product in Quads 1, 2 and 3.
A major factor and contribution to securing the project is our Senior Engineer, member of the EA Team who has proven that providing a positive Customer Experience for Quads 1, 2 and 3 led to successfully securing the upgrade to Quad 4. Others to congratulate are Sales and BDM Team for their involvement.
As part of the same project, Quads 1 and 4 will see an increase in metering to keep GPTs vision of improving NABERS energy rating, currently sitting at 5 Stars.
We look forward to working with GPT to achieve their energy goals and more.
Comment from GPT – Thanks Ray, I look forward to a successful project. Quad 1, 2 and 3 were a success, let’s make it 4/4!
Environmental Automation is an Authorised reseller of Reliable Controls®. Since 1986, Reliable Controls® has been designing and manufacturing Internet-connected BACnet building controls. Reliable Controls® building control systems are innovative, dependable and easy-to-use and enable facilities to operate in an environmentally responsible way. Solutions include three-dimensional animated graphics and full native BACnet compliant systems – providing flexibility when integrating building control components from multiple vendors.
Environmental Automation is committed to providing customers with the most technologically advanced energy solution services and the highest levels of energy performance for their buildings. We are currently installing Reliable Controls® systems in Sydney commercial buildings.
On 26 September 2008, the Directors of the ARA Group and Environmental Automation (EA) Ed Federman and Leo Browne, signed an exclusive Distribution Agreement with Yamatake Corporation of Japan. The Agreement is for the territories of Australia and New Zealand. The signing ceremony took place at the Tokyo headquarters of Yamatake Corporation.
The partnership with Yamatake will enhance the building automation systems and energy saving solutions already on offer by EA. There is an increasing need for energy saving for existing buildings and energy management is one of the most prioritized areas of corporate social responsibility. Yamatake’s energy management system is world class and EA will have full access to the complete range of products and engineering support.
EA offers customers the most advanced energy solution services so they can attain the highest levels of energy performance whilst maintaining comfortable interior environments.
Yamatake is the leading building management solutions provider in Japan, currently holding an 80% market share. Yamatake has extensive research and development facilities and proven technologies spanning more than 100 years. Australia is seen as a having a key role in Yamatake’s expansion into the world market.
Founded in 1906, Yamatake utilizes its measurement and control technologies to realize safety and comfort, and to contribute to the global environment. The Yamatake Group has operations in 15 countries, a total of 8,000 employees, and sales of US$2.2 billion. The Group strives to realize safety, comfort and fulfillment in people’s lives and contribute to the global environment through “human-centered automation.”
EA was established in 1947 as Thomas Clark. EA designs, installs, services and maintains building management systems, energy management systems and access control systems which are suitable for a wide range of building applications, including commercial office buildings, industrial buildings, hospitals and universities.
