Office tower cuts HVAC energy use by nearly 50%

A major digital performance upgrade at 91 King William Street, Adelaide, has cut almost half of the HVAC electricity use and 5% of gas consumption annually, extending HVAC asset life by at least 20% and improving thermal comfort across all 30 levels of the building.

The A-Grade office tower has undergone a structured optimisation program to enhance digital performance, efficiency and long-term resilience.

Delivered by Abacus Group, with support from Schneider Electric, the upgrade modernises building systems and strengthens data visibility, addressing the challenges associated with aging mechanical and electrical infrastructure.

The program was delivered through Schneider Electric’s EcoCare Advanced service model, combining predictive analytics, remote monitoring and condition‑based maintenance with onsite engineering support, with Knight Frank supporting implementation by coordinating stakeholders and integration across the delivery teams.

Continuous data analysis enabled the team to shift from reactive maintenance to proactive performance optimisation.

Letitia Woodforde, Capital Works and Operations Manager at Abacus Group, said the results reflect the value of a data-led and collaborative approach.

“It shows great results so far. The downward consumption trend and improved thermal comfort are very positive outcomes. The achievements are great!”

Leveraging Schneider Electric’s Digital Services platform, the initiative began with a comprehensive Building Management System energy audit, which identified targeted opportunities to reduce energy demand, improve HVAC responsiveness and enhance monitoring of critical systems.

Stage 1 of the Energy Conservation Measures delivered immediate efficiency improvements. Following its success, Stage 2 was commissioned and is now in the final system-tuning and measurement and verification phase to confirm and lock in performance gains.

Louise Monger, Vice President Digital Energy at Schneider Electric, said, “Smart, sustainable buildings are no longer a future ambition, they are a business priority. The real opportunity lies in unlocking more performance from the buildings we already have.

“At 91 King William Street, digital services and continuous optimisation have delivered measurable energy savings, improved tenant comfort and extended the life of critical infrastructure. That’s the power of combining data, expertise and long-term thinking to create buildings that are not only more efficient, but more resilient and future-ready.”

With further Energy Conservation Measures planned, 91 King William Street is positioning itself as a benchmark for smart, sustainable performance in Adelaide’s commercial property sector.

Image: Supplied