Gas Powered
Air Conditioning
The Efficient and Economic Breakthrough
Business and industry customers across
Western Australia are discovering the advantages
of natural gas powered air conditioning (GPAC)
delivered by ATCO Gas Australia.
In addition to excellent energy-efficiency, reliability
and economics, GPAC can lower your business’s
environmental impact when compared to electric
air conditioning.
The cost savings of GPAC apply across a range
of areas: avoiding peak electricity charges, lower
running costs in comparison to electric units, and
avoiding costly electrical infrastructure upgrades.
ATCO Gas Australia is benefitting from the savings
and emissions returns of GPAC first-hand in its
two-storey Operations Centre. The Centre’s four,
85kW reverse cycle units provide both heating
and cooling for more than 3,127m2 of office
space. In addition to GPAC, the purpose-built
facility showcases several innovative natural gas
technologies, including vehicles and standby
generators, all fuelled by cleaner, safer and more
reliable natural gas.
“This state-of-the art facility demonstrates
how gas-powered innovations, such as GPAC,
can provide greener energy solutions,” said
Pat Donovan, President, ATCO Gas Australia.
“By switching to natural gas, businesses can benefit
from lower running costs, improved environmental
ratings for buildings and a diversified portfolio of
energy solutions, which provides energy security.”
See inside for further information on how your
business can save more than money with GPAC.
Connecting WA business to natural gas
Cost Savings
The GPAC system installed at the ATCO Gas Australia Jandakot
Operations Centre saves more than 40% when compared with an
electric system delivering equivalent heating and cooling capacity.
In addition to lower overall running costs as compared to electric
units, further savings are realised with the avoidance of peak
electricity charges. Costly electrical infrastructure upgrades are
also not required. This leads to impressive cumulative savings,
as shown by the chart below.
Natural Gas Powered
Yanmar 85kW 2 pipe GHP
Prices are calculated as per the tariffs
published for Synergy’s L1 electricity and
Alinta Energy’s domestic gas tariff inclusive
of all supply charges as at August 2014.
Electric Powered
Panasonic 85kW 2 pipe FSV
Capacity
Power input
(kW Nat Gas)
Capacity
Power input
(kW 415/3/50)
100%
62.96
100%
21.76
COMMERCIAL
electric cost
32c
COMMERCIAL
gas
equivalent cost
6.29c
Standard
running cost
savings
$6.96
$3.96
43%
Gas Powered Air Conditioning cumulative savings over 10 years
$300,000
$262,387
Savings
$250,000
$200,000
$150,000
$131,194
$100,000
$50,000
$50
$93,710
$26,239
$9,371
1
$46,855
2
3
4
5
6
7
Years
GPAC running 24h/7 day a week
ATCO Gas Australia Gas Powered Air Conditioning
GPAC running 12h/5 day a week
8
9
10
The additional benefits of GPAC include:
Low electrical load
Using a gas engine to drive the compressors
drastically reduces the electrical power required
to operate the unit and can account for a
significant reduction in energy costs. The units
require very low gas pressure and operate on
‘single phase’ power.
Low electrical power consumption
GPAC makes an ideal solution for sites with
limited power supply requiring approximately
one-tenth of the normal electricity load when
compared to an equivalent electric system.
Demand charge savings
The low electrical load could result in a significant
reduction in ‘Peak Demand’ for a building. This
can provide energy cost savings to customers
who pay a Demand Charge.
Reduced emissions
The use of gas, rather than coal fired grid power,
has the potential to reduce greenhouse
gas emissions by up to 50% and can,
therefore, score points under the
Green Star system and improve the
NABERS rating of your project.
Capacity control
The gas engine is able to speed
up and slow down as the load
on the systems varies, thereby
improving operational efficiency.
ow noise
L
GPAC is engineered to operate at exceptionally low
noise levels, with the rating of 62dB(A) making it
neighbour friendly. For example, at the ATCO Gas
Australia Jandakot Operations Centre the 4 x 85kW
units sit on the second floor, next to our President’s
office, which is a testament to low noise levels of
the systems.
Proven technology
GPAC is a proven, reliable technology, with over
200,000 units installed in Japan and over 400 units
already installed in Australia.
voiding power upgrade costs
A
GPAC may negate the need to pay for costly
electrical infrastructure upgrades. The energy
efficiencies and reduced electricity demand that can
be achieved through GPAC are significant when you
consider that approximately 30% of a commercial
building’s energy use comes from the heating,
venting and air conditioning system.
Local supplier and maintenance
The units have similar
maintenance requirements
compared to a standard electric
system and Western Australian
independent distributors handle
all warranty and maintenance of
the units which provides piece
of mind.
Typical Installations for GPAC include:
Apartment complexes
Education facilities such as schools,
Universities and TAFE
Aged care facilities and hospitals
Hospitality venues
Office and retail sites
ATCO Gas Australia Gas Powered Air Conditioning
Case Study 1: Dôme Café, Victoria Park
GPAC was a
viable option
for Dôme Café
franchise owner.
dining. The Dôme in Victoria Park was opened in 2010 and
underwent a custom renovation to align with Dôme corporate
standards. During this process the owner, Ashleigh Ridgeway, was
faced with extremely high infrastructure charges if she was to
proceed with the electricity upgrades required to run the electric airconditioning system for the premises. Ashleigh sought alternatives
and discovered the Yanmar Gas Powered Air Conditioning (GPAC)
unit. Her choice to install GPAC has proved a beneficial decision on
many fronts. The economic and financial benefits have been so good
that Ashleigh elected to install GPAC in her newly opened Dôme at
Port Coogee. “Utilising natural gas for air conditioning has proven a
viable energy choice for my businesses, whilst also reducing carbon
emissions for the environment,” Ashleigh said.
Total floor area at the Victoria Park Dome is 204m2 and the premises
has installed one 85kW system and six, 11.2kW units. “The store has
over 3,500 customers on a weekly basis and, as you can imagine,
our air conditioning is a very important part to the success of the
business,” Ashleigh said.
Natural gas is gaining momentum as an economic and viable energy
choice for businesses in WA. The units require minimal gas pressure,
have lower operating costs in comparison to electric systems and
help reduce the environmental footprint of a business.
Case Study 2: Dynons Plaza, Perth CBD
The architects and engineers for Dynons Plaza in Perth’s CBD
worked with a heating and design team to achieve several objectives,
including diversifying their energy commitments and obtaining a
Green Star rating for the building. Their solution incorporated the
following technical specifications:
• 7x 85kW 3 pipe Yanmar outdoor air conditioning units;
• A variety of indoor ducted air conditioning units from 4.5 – 28kW;
•
• Parallel electric units for general air conditioning in use.
Dynons Plaza is a
14 storey building,
across 13,360 square
metres of lettable
space. It was
completed in 2010.
Having experienced the ongoing operational and economic benefits
of GPAC, the Facilities Manager for Dynons Plaza says he would have
no hesitation in installing such units in future buildings.
Dynons Plaza isn’t alone in enjoying the many benefits of this
WA businesses in Perth’s CBD as well as cafes and bars in the city
and surrounding areas.
If you would like to know more about gas technologies, including gas powered
air conditioning, and how it could help your business, please contact:
Our Business Development, Commercial & Industrial team
Phone: +61 6163 5000 | Email: business@atcogas.com.au | atcogas.com.au
ATCO Gas Australia
81 Prinsep Road, Jandakot, WA, 6164
Phone: +61 8 6163 5000
www.atcogas.com.au