Toyota to plug in tri-generation plant

The installation of the tri-gen plant is the next stage of Toyota Australia’s plan to reduce energy use at its headquarters by 40% from 2007/08 levels.

The tri-gen plant will use a gas-powered turbine to generate electricity for the building, while also using the waste heat from the turbine in assisting to heat and cool the building, resulting in improved energy efficiency and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

The company’s Environment Policy Manager, Jon Ward, said the company began planning for a tri-gen plant in 2008 to enhance the building’s sustainability features.

“As part of our five-year environment plan, we developed a series of projects to reduce the energy consumption at corporate headquarters. This included updating the building management system, implementing a green information technology strategy, replacing energy-hungry lighting and installing a tri-gen plant,” Ward said.

“We chose to install a tri-gen plant after exploring all the options that could help us achieve a 40% reduction in energy use.

“The most obvious option was to improve the building’s heating and cooling system and installation of the tri-gen technology is expected to reduce the building’s CO₂ emissions by 210 tonnes,” Ward said.

Ward said Toyota Australia expected to spend approximately $1.5 million on the project, which has an expected pay back period of approximately five years.

During the coming weeks Toyota Australia will work with construction company AG Coombs to test the unit before officially flicking the switch in mid-October 2010.

Opened in 2004, the company’s corporate headquarters has been recognised for its eco-friendly design, which features external solar shades, stormwater recycling, a 90 m glazed atrium and an air-reticulation system designed to reduce energy usage.