Lowering heating hot water temperatures – a vital step in commercial building electrification
Hosted at RMIT University in Melbourne, by A2EP CEO Jarrod Leak, A2EP Technical Advisor, Michael Snow, and Monash University Senior Engineering Manager, Dale Gartshore.
The Australian commercial building sector annually consumes more than 40 PJ of fossil gas, primarily for space heating. Such heating can be economically electrified with heat pumps to reduce energy costs and carbon emissions. However, currently only around 20 commercial buildings are being retrofitted with heat pumps each year. At that rate, it will take several decades for the current building stock of approximately 5,000 large commercial buildings to get off gas.
A2EP has identified that lowering the temperature of hot water for heating is a vital step for the electrification of commercial buildings. It will deliver major energy efficiency improvements and can more than halve the capital costs of replacing a fossil gas boiler with a heat pump.
To build the capacity of the commercial building industry to install heat pumps and electrify building stock, A2EP has created a workshop which will outline a simplified testing methodology that helps assess the readiness of a site for heat pump integration, especially in brownfield or retrofit environments where existing infrastructure may pose challenges with guidance for stakeholders on two key activities:
1. Lowering HHW supply temperatures
The workshop will encourage initiating testing regimes to explore this possibility and ensure the system's performance at lower temperatures.
2. System capability testing
A generalised methodology for assessing whether existing HHW systems can accommodate lower supply temperatures will be presented and include baseline testing, field testing at reduced temperatures, and monitoring system responses such as flow rates and zone temperatures.
After the workshop, we will tour Building 80 at RMIT University in Melbourne. This building, also known as the Swanston Academic Building, is renowned for its sustainable design, featuring energy-efficient lighting, materials, and systems. It proudly holds a 5-star Green Star Education Design rating from the Green Building Council of Australia.
The day will conclude with networking drinks at a nearby bar, providing a perfect opportunity to connect with fellow professionals.
Morning tea and lunch will be provided.
Register now for this opportunity to learn, discuss, and network with professionals dedicated to making commercial buildings more energy-efficient and sustainable.
Not in Melbourne? Register for our Sydney workshop on Tuesday 29 April.