Green Building Council of Australia releases guide for electrification of existing commercial buildings

November 9, 2022

The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) has released a guide for the electrification of Australia’s existing commercial buildings, urging immediate and nationally consistent action towards decarbonisation.

Released in partnership with engineering consultancy Cundall and supported by the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) and the NSW Government, A Practical Guide to Electrification for Existing Buildings explains the most effective paths to building electrification.

Australia’s main electricity grid is predicted to surpass 50% renewables by 2025, and 69% renewables by 2030.

Advising that asset owners are already planning the capital expense and logistics of switching to all-electric in order to not be left with stranded assets, Cundall Director, David Collins declared "the business case is boosted by the opportunity to simultaneously upgrade existing building performance during works, delivering long term wins for occupants, owners and the power to align operations and management with carbon neutral ambitions."

Noting that buildings are key to curbing emissions, while also calling for gas-free new builds and electrification of existing buildings, GBCA Chief Executive, Davina Rooney explained "the stark reality is that gas is responsible for almost 30% of building energy consumption in Australia - so eliminating gas from our buildings would make a material difference in a short space of time.

“While many of our industries will take time to decarbonise, the technology for buildings already exists. We can electrify them now, power them with renewables and put Australia on the path to decarbonisation.”

Rooney said new buildings like the Atlassian tower and the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney are leading the way in committing commercial buildings to all electric, adding "it’s been exciting to see projects that have traditionally been reliant on gas make the switch to renewable energy.

“Melbourne’s Brimbank Aquatic Centre recently opened its doors, showcasing how an entire aquatic centre including an Olympic sized pool, can be powered using renewable energy.

“Hospitals have also traditionally been reliant on gas, but we now have three hospitals across Australia committing to be fully electric, including the new Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Adelaide.”

Rooney called for a nationally consistent approach in government policy towards zero carbon buildings, going on to say "to ensure an orderly, cost-effective transition to renewable electricity, the National Construction Code update in 2025 must drive the electrification of buildings.

"The ACT has made great strides with the Powering Canberra plan for the city to be almost entirely powered by renewable electricity by 2045, and in NSW recent updates to the Sustainable Building State Environmental Planning Policies show a clear pathway for the transition to renewables.”

Click here for more information on A Practical Guide to Electrification for Existing Buildings.

Main image: The Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre is seen as a model in the use of renewable energy.

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