“For very practical reasons, it’s important to allow enough time to collate base building data to assess the performance of your existing building,” adds Permezel, who cites that NABERS Energy ratings require 12 months of continuous data as part of the strict validation and verification protocols. Importantly, beginning the assessment process helps identify opportunities to improve a building’s energy efficiencies and what building owners can do to close the gap - to improve efficiencies, save costs and also make their building more commercially competitive. “The introduction of Mandatory Disclosure will also see energy efficiency become the norm in Australia,” says Doug Binns, General Manager of AE Smith Emerald Sustainable Performance. Doug Binns (above), General Manager, AE Smith Emerald Sustainable Performance For the first 20 years of his career, Doug worked in banking and finance in Australia and the US across a range of industries. His broad commercial experience means Doug knows what makes good business sense - and it’s a key insight Doug brings to energy management and how it ties into an overall business strategy. Doug was also a founding member of the Australasian Energy Performance Contractors Association (AEPCA).
AE Smith Emerald Sustainable Performance is a dedicated energy services business that’s aimed at helping building owners and property managers improve the environmental and energy performance of existing buildings. With increasing pressure on owners and operators, Binns believes the time is right to set in place long term strategies for reducing energy use and developing better efficiencies for their building assets: “Very soon, if not already, key decision influencers typically associated with a building sale or lease will also include energy efficiency,” comments Binns. “To simply remain competitive with your building asset in the future, energy efficiency measures will need to be put into place now,” adds Binns. There is already some good quantitative evidence emerging that energy efficient buildings will attract a premium in the property market place. A recent study conducted for the Property Council of Australia shows there will be a split in the market between buildings with a higher NABERS rating. Buildings with a NABERS rating 3 stars or better were valued at a premium compared to buildings that are rated below NABERS average (2.5 Stars or below).** “Building owners will have to factor their desired NABERS Energy rating into the long term asset plan of their building,” comments Binns. For more information contact Doug Binns on 0488 698 160.
“ Building owners will have to factor their desired NABERS Energy rating into the long term asset plan of their building ”
* Australian Government 2009, Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage, and the Arts, 'Mandatory Disclosure of Commercial Office Building Energy Efficiency Regulation Document', Nov.
The Corporate Races will pit 30 teams from different companies against one another to see which four person team can pedal the fastest and generate the most power in 10 minutes. "It's an innovative way to highlight how AE Smith work collaboratively with our clients, suppliers and the industry to deliver energy efficient projects," says AE Smith Marketing Manager, Raymond Lee who will also be pedalling to ensure AE Smith's meets it minimum energy target of 5000 Watt Hours each day. In addition, AE Smith has organised a High School Pedal Power Regatta where three secondary school rowing teams will go head-to-head in a race to see which school can generate the most power over two days. Other activities planned at AE Smith’s Business Centre & Internet Café include free massages provided by 3 Minute AE Smith Angels to weary delegates as well as free internet access and barista served coffee.
** Property Council of Australia 2009, 'The Missing Link', Property Australia, 19 Feb.
Delegates will also be welcome to help add some ‘legs’ to the pedal power needed on the AE Smith Pedal Power Generator.
Generating electricity is much harder than you think. Particularly if you have to pedal to make it! It would take one person of reasonable fitness 50 hours of non-stop cycling on the AE Smith Pedal Power Generator to create the estimated 5000 Watt Hours needed to power just six laptops for only 8 hours.* Even with a full contingent of teams cycling (see Form Guide on next page) it is by no means certain that together we can generate the 10,000 Watt Hours needed to offset the power used by 6 laptops for two days at Green Cities 2010.
“It makes for a fun way to talk business,” remarks Lee. The Green Cities 2010 conference and exhibition is being held in Melbourne for the first time, 21-23 February at the new 6 Star Green Star Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre. For more information visit www.greencities.org.au. 4 Cool Breeze by AE Smith
* Source: Ideas Services, creators of the Future Spark Power Trailer. For more information visit www.futurespark.com.au.
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