By Celsias
Posted on Oct. 12, 2011. Listed in:
The New Zealand Clean Energy Centre (NZCEC) has been established to accelerate the adoption of clean energy solutions by industry, communities, businesses and households in New Zealand. They were highly commended by the judges in last weeks SBN' Business Awards in the Bay of Plenty
HOW SUSTAINABILITY IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE ORGANISATION
NZCEC’s raison d’etre is to inspire solutions-based thinking and action. The Clean Energy Centre building models energy efficiency and green architecture, and serves as a hub for conversations about clean energy. NZCEC is a focal point for discussions, demonstrations and decisions about Clean Energy in all its forms. It facilitates NZ technology innovation and technology transfer to and from overseas markets. It educates the public, students, commercial building owners and industry on the clean energy solutions available to them.
QUOTE
As Rob McEwen , the CEO says “Sustainability makes good sense for the NZ Clean Energy Centre because we are a living, breathing example of green building, energy efficiency, and renewable energy inputs that is a national showcase for what is possible. While our primary focus is on sustainability from an energy perspective, we have an opportunity to show visitors to our centre from around NZ and around the world, how sustainable materials can be incorporated into building design (coal boiler fly ash replacing cement in concrete floors; sawmill offcuts being glued together to form massive beams that replace the need for concrete or steel beams, etc); how electricity demand can be reduced (insulation, solar shades, opaque walls that maximise the amount of natural light entering the building, etc); how wastewater can be disposed of in an environmentally friendly way on site; and much more. Think of our Centre as a "lighthouse" for the sustainability movement.” 
ACTIONS AND RESULTS
Travel
NZCEC is establishing the NZ branch of the Association for the Promotion of Electric Vehicles. It’s currently seeking EV’s for staff and to have NZ’s first networked EV charging station installed at the centre. The business has a partnership with a local Taupo resident for collecting and dropping off prominent visitors to the centre using a converted Subaru WRX to 100% EV. NZCEC expects to have at least 1 staff EV permanently located at the centre in the next 12 months.
Waste
The building is constructed from waste materials – for example 20% of the concrete is boiler ash from the Huntly coal boiler; beams are laminated sawmill offcuts; and steel is from crushed cars etc. All recyclable materials generated at the Centre are deposited into the council run collection system. The centre has a worm farm for the disposal of organic material and food scraps. NZCEC’s target for the end of the year is less than 1 domestic rubbish bag per month for the eight businesses at the Centre.
Energy
This is the focus of the Clean Energy Centre. It has two wind turbines with a third in progress; 2 PV systems and a third in progress; three solar hot water systems; and a geothermal bore. The business uses rain water and process sewerage on site with waste water irrigated to the willow energy crop. The building faces north, has no need for air conditioning, and possesses natural cooling and heating systems. Straw bale walls and other high insulation standards ensure energy efficiency. By the end of the year, NZCEC will be 100% self-sufficient for heat and power.
Water
NZCEC collects all rain water for use in the building and has no connection to the council for sewerage or potable water. Outflow from the sewerage system is transferred to a willow and miscanthus demonstration for nutrient stripping and irrigation. There is an excess of rain water at the building that overflows to the onsite fire fighting pond which doubles as a wetland.
Building
The building designed by Antanas Procuta is a national example of sustainable building design. A large polycarbonate feature wall designed to allow light in winter and shade in summer planted with deciduous vines assists in NZCEC’s air conditioning free status. The shape and third-story louvers suck heat out in summer. Solar PV panels double as shading for downstairs offices. Straw bale walls and other insulation help keep the building warm in winter, cool in summer. The building uses wood and recycled materials wherever possible. An Indoor hydroponics system helps humidify and condition the air.
NZCEC is attempting to build an off grid house on site so that both commercial and residential accommodation is proven at the site. All systems are monitored (Splash Monitoring) so a working data set for each system can be provided for educational and consumers/investors in renewable energy can assess the technology for themselves. The building is located on a highly public intersection (SH1 and SH 5) and the conference facility attracts the general public interest into renewable energy and sustainable design.
