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Project completed 18 May 2024
The iconic 14 Martin Place in Sydney has undergone a significant upgrade. Abacus led the upgrade and Precise Air Group (PAG) delivered it, featuring featuring a state-of-the-art GENERAL (formerly Fujitsu General) Applied solution. The redevelopment’s focus on sustainability, energy efficiency, and reducing carbon emissions aligns with Abacus’ Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) goals across its property portfolio.
Background
14 Martin Place, located in Sydney’s central business district (CBD), is a key commercial property that provides premium office spaces in a sought-after location. The building’s ageing HVAC system presented challenges over time, including high maintenance costs, declining energy efficiency, and reliability issues. The original chiller system, consisting of two 1MW units,used outdated technology and refrigerants with a high global warming potential (GWP). This made it incompatible with contemporary environmental standards and future regulatory requirements under the Australian Federal Government’s HFCPhasedown Program.
Abacus recognised the need for a HVAC system that delivered operational efficiency and long-term sustainability. This was a necessary step forward in its energy-saving initiatives and reducing its property portfolio’s carbon footprint.
The project
The primary challenge was to replace the ageing chiller system with a solution that addressed energy inefficiencies, reduced operational costs, and aligned with Abacus’s sustainability goals. The previous system’s poor Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) and Non-Standard Part Load Value (NPLV) thermal efficiencies were no longer suitable for a high-performing commercial property.
Project overview
Abacus and Precise Air chose GENERAL's Airstage Chiller range featuring Danfoss TurboCor compressors for their exceptional EER and NPLV ratings, use of HFO refrigerant R513a, a low-GWP refrigerant, and oil-free operation, futureproofing the building against regulatory changes.
Danfoss TurboCor compressors use frictionless magnetic bearing technology and variable-speed operation, reducingenergy losses compared to traditional compressors. This efficiency can lead to substantial energy savings, especially in large systems and over extended operation periods.
Outcomes
integrate into HVAC systems, especially where space is limited. This can reduce installation costs and make them suitable for retrofitting into existing systems.
advanced technology needed to achieve both goals.
Installing a GENERAL Airstage TurboCor Chiller at 14 Martin Place will deliver substantial energy savings and reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions over time.
costs, and ensuring peak compressor performance.
The building’s electricity consumption is expected to decrease, providing valuable data for Abacus’s sustainability reporting. This reinforces Abacus’s commitment to transparent ESG reporting and continuous improvement in sustainable building operations.
The new GENERAL Airstage chillers use advanced refrigerant technology that reduces global warming potential and lets the building operate efficiently. This project shows how innovative technology can align with sustainability objectives without compromising performance.
Project Summary
- Site: 14 Martin Place, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Client/Project Manager: Abacus Group / Precise Air Group
- • Application: Commercial Office Building
- • Installer/contractor: Precise Air Group
Product Overview
- Site: 14 Martin Place, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Client/Project Manager: Abacus
- Air Conditioning Installer: Precise Air Group
- Application: Commercial office building
- 1 x Fujitsu General Airstage 1050kW Capacity Water-Cooled Chiller
- TurboCor magnetic bearings
- Oil-Free, frictionless technology
- Low-GWP HFO-R513A
Download Case Study PDF
