Sustainability first for ICC Sydney: Community-funded solar energy

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Written by Linda Hohnholz

ICC Sydney will be home to the first community-funded solar energy project of its kind in Australia, allowing members of the public to to buy shares in a social venture that will own the building’s

ICC Sydney will be home to the first community-funded solar energy project of its kind in Australia, allowing members of the public to to buy shares in a social venture that will own the building’s solar array.

One of Australia’s largest solar arrays within a Central Business District is being errected onto the roof of ICC Sydney to generate power for the venue. Sydney Renewable Power Company is the social venture that will own the array.

ICC Sydney Chief Eexecutive Officer, Geoff Donaghy said the initiative reflected the approach the management team would take once the venue was operational in late 2016.

“The smart design of ICC Sydney delivers a range of environmentally and socially sustainable solutions and we intend to amplify these strategies through our management of the venue,” Mr Donaghy said.

“International convention centres of our scale have the ability to make meaningful social connections on a variety of fronts,” said Mr Donaghy.

“These include but are not limited to enhancing the intellectual capital of the host community, food redistribution projects, in-house training schemes and connecting school and community groups with leaders of industry, innovation and professional development,” he said.

Mr Donaghy is also President of the International Association of Convention Centres (AIPC), which has a membership base covering more than 50 countries.

The solar array is expected to produce approximately 5 per cent of the energy required for the venue, which is equivalent to powering more than 100 homes every year.

Under construction and opening in December 2016, ICC Sydney is being developed through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) with the New South Wales Government and Darling Harbour Live (comprising Lend Lease, HOSTPLUS, Capella Capital, AEG Ogden and Spotless). Lend Lease, who is designing and constructing the venue and associated public realm and connections, will install a solar array supplied by Canadian Solar Inc. onto the rooves of the theatre and convention buildings.

Key sustainability facts

• Darling Harbour Live is registered with the US Green Building Council for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification, target Gold (Internationally recognised Green building standard)

• Over 15% reduction in annual greenhouse gas emissions to 2012 NCC minimum requirements

• Target 14% reduction in potable water use (reference to Australian Standard AS/NZ:500.1.2003 100%mains water)

• Solar hot water servicing the commercial kitchens

• Improved east west pedestrian connections between Darling Harbour and neighbouring precincts of Chinatown, Town Hall, Central, Ultimo and Pyrmont

• New 680m long 20m wide Boulevard connecting Darling Harbour to Quay Street

• Encourage cycling with designated bike track and end of trip facilities

• 3000sqm more public space at Tumbalong Park

• 90% construction waste recycling target

• 75% operational waste recycling target.

About the author

Avatar of Linda Hohnholz

Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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