Monash University Solar Project

A goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2030

Monash University in Clayton, Melbourne, is one of the largest university campuses in Australia, with about 100 buildings over a 60-hectare site. With tens of thousands of students, staff and researches passing through every day, the university consumes huge quantities of energy for heating, cooling, lighting and technical equipment. Monash University is now hard at work to achieve their goal of net-zero emissions by 2030. To become Australia’s first 100% renewable energy powered university, the Monash University Solar Thermal Solution has begun.

Aerial view of Monash University Clayton campus

Harnessing the power of the sun

The Monash University Solar Thermal Solution involves work on an innovative solar and battery storage-based renewable energy microgrid to manage its renewable energy generation, responsive to the broader network as well as on-site demands.

One of their strategies to achieve this net zero emission target is reducing their gas consumption by providing preheating to a low-load boiler serving a campus-wide high-temperature hot water system. Previously Monash University had an existing underground central high-temperature hot water system, that was maintained with two gas-fired 8MW boilers. To reduce this gas consumption, the strategy was to heat the high-temperature hot water system using oil heaters and solar arrays.

 

Monash University Solar Power Panels

Heating the Water Distribution

Alerton Australia / Leading Edge Automation have implemented a system whereby 400KW of evacuated tube generate extremely high-temperature oil to heat the water distributed across the whole of the Clayton Campus.

To measure the flow rate of this system, we have implemented non-invasive rail-mounted ultrasonic energy meters. Rather than cutting into the pipes, these meters listen to the vibrations of oil flow to accurately measure the flow rate providing many measuring and commissioning advantages.

Monash University Solar Panels Clayton

Click here to read the full article about the Monash University solar project.

Alerton Australia / Leading Edge Automation are experts in building automation, energy monitoring and building tuning. Get in touch with us if you would like to learn more about how we can help you improve the performance of your buildings and cut down on your energy consumption.

If you want to improve your building systems to reduce energy consumption, contact us today!