Toowoomba Regional Council's (TRC) new Goombungee Art Gallery and Library sustainability initiative has generated positive six-month results with data predicting a saving of more than 50 per cent in energy usage each year.
At the beginning of February, TRC worked alongside NRG to install six different types of energy efficient assets at the Goombungee Art Gallery and Library, including seven hydronic split ducted air condition units, LED lighting upgrades, a rooftop solar PV (photovoltaic) system and a new energy management software.
Since installing the energy efficiency package six months ago TRC has been monitoring its performance, and the data has forecast a 10.3 tonne reduction in annual greenhouse gas emissions. This is equivalent to powering three average sized Queensland homes or taking four petrol cars off the road each year. Over the 15-year life span of these assets, it will equate to powering 41 homes and taking 54 cars off the road.
TRC's Property Services portfolio spokesperson Councillor Trevor Manteufel said this project was a trial run to test its effectiveness before possibly rolling out similar solutions across the Region.
"In the case of the Goombungee Art Gallery and Library, we had a couple of air conditioning units and other assets needing to be replaced. We decided that instead of replacing these units with a like-for-like option, we would introduce a modern, sustainable and cost-effective solution, which the data has shown to be the right decision," Cr Manteufel said.
"The hope for the future is Council can continue to rollout these comprehensive upgrades across our Council owned and operated buildings. We want to continue to reduce our carbon footprint whilst saving unnecessary operational costs."
These new resources will save TRC almost $6,000 in energy and servicing costs each year, or $90,000 over the resources' life span.
"This initiative is the perfect example of how small changes can lead to big, long-lasting impacts for our Region."
"I want to thank NRG for helping Council delivery this project. It is an investment in our future, a more sustainable future."
The Every time You… campaign aims to raise awareness of the myriad of ways residents interact with TRC services on a daily basis, sometimes without even knowing it.
Photo caption: An aerial photograph of the 26kWp rooftop solar PV system installed in February at the Goombungee Art Gallery and Library.
