The ACT government is building Canberra’s first zero emissions office block for its staff

Artist's impression of ACT"s zero emissions office block. (Source: One Step off the Grid)

A zero emissions office block will be built in Dickson, Canberra, by developers Doma for the ACT (Australian Capital Territory) Government’s staff. It will be the first carbon neutral office building with respect to power in Canberra. The ACT Government's plans to have Canberra carbon neutral by 2045 and this office will become the first of many. Other ACT government buildings such as some schools are already there.

Canberra has hot summers and cold winters so a lot of energy is needed in these seasons to moderate temperatures. “The solution being adopted for Dickson provides both heating and cooling for the building using a combination of water cooled and air cooled heat pump chillers which have the capability to reverse their mode of operation and provide either chilled water or heating hot water.” said Gavin Edgar, the General Manager of Dome.

In addition to this air conditioning system, power to the completed building will be 100% renewable as the ACT is expected to reach 100% renewable electricity in October this year. The building design will include electric underfloor slab heating and will be able to produce some of its own electricity through a rooftop solar system.

Read more: Canberra’s first zero emissions office block to house ACT government. One Step off the Grid, July 15, 2019.