Smart Green Apartments Programme (Sydney - Australia)
Because the number of citizens living in apartment buildings is increasing each year, the City of Sydney piloted the Smart Green Apartments Programme with 30 buildings between 2011 and 2013, to asses how they can contribute to the Sustainable Sydney 2030 vision. The programme will continue its development during ten years with 20 multi-apartment buildings taking part per year. Each building receives
The residential buildings that participate in the programme are visited by professional auditors who conduct sustainability assessments and analyse potential improvements in energy and water consumption, renewable energy use and waste management. The owners of the buildings receives several benefits, such as energy and waste assessments and action plans, costed upgrade and retrofitting recommendations, an online data portal, training and network opportunities, knowledge and capacity building, Waterfix Programme by Sydney Water, and implementation support.
The programme has revealed very positive results, with an average of energy savings of around 30% and a reduction of carbon emissions by one third. More areas with potential for additional savings were identified: controls and sensors to adapt lighting, pool heating systems and covers efficiency upgrades, pumps and fans with variable speed drives, and a connected solar photovoltaic grid. Most of the implemented changes had a payback period of two years or less.
Sources:
https://esci-ksp.org/project/smart-green-apartments-programme/
Improved solid waste management;
Improved Bio-Waste management;
Improved Water management;
Improved Energy management.
Description of the specific objectives:
- Promote green buildings that decrease energy and water consumption and waste outputs to cut costs and improve environmental sustainability;
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the apartment sector by 40% by 2030.
City of Sydney.