When it comes to flagship building projects across Australia, one company that is typically at the centre of the action is Alerton Australia.
As one of Australia’s largest building automation companies, Alerton has completed over 1000 building management systems (BMS) and more than 150 energy management systems (EMS) since it was established in the 1990s.
One major project officially opened in July last year was the $93 million police complex in Perth.
The four-storey complex houses a police station, watch house, magistrates court, 500 police officers and supporting staff.
Alerton Australia integrated the building management system at the site using Envision BMS with the BACnet open communication platform, including Optergy real-time energy management, central HVAC plant, chilled beam controls, air handling units control, variable air volume units controls and lighting controls.
The system is also being used for commercial offices, universities, hospitals, data centres and government and other specialist facilities.
The solutions include distributed control systems with powerful web-based reporting and operator interfaces, electronic security systems, smart lighting controls, energy measurement and verification systems, and very large scale integration platforms
to reduce the complexity of operating large facilities.
Alerton says it was the first organisation in the world to provide complete native BACnet systems.
Locally, Alerton has been installing BACnet systems since 1996; six years prior to its adoption as the ISO and European standard for building automation.
The technologies are used to create intelligent automated buildings that can be customised.
A well-known project that generated a lot of interest was the Pixel building in Melbourne, Australia’s first carbon neutral commercial office building.
Alerton Australia’s energy management system played a crucial role in the measurement and verification process of achieving the six star-rated, carbon-neutral building.
Other flagship projects include the Western Australian Institute of Medical Research (WAIMR) in Perth, the Lowy Institute, St John of God Hospital, La Trobe Private Hospital, RMIT University, Monash University and Charles Sturt University.
The RMIT project, which includes integrating building and energy management systems, was particularly challenging because the university is spread over a total of six geographically remote locations including three major campuses and over 115 buildings.
Another project that was awarded 6 star Green Star rating by the Green Building Council of Australia was the Ausgrid training centre in Silverwater, NSW.
The purpose-built educational facility for apprentices to the country’s largest electricity supplier incorporates an Energy Efficiency Centre open to the public.
It earned the Green Star rating for its focus on reducing water and energy use.
Alerton implemented a fully integrated building automation system using the open BACnet protocol, with reporting and routing of critical alarms and events.
The Optergy energy management system monitors and forecasts facility energy consumption, including ground source heat rejection system, trigeneration system, ducted slab thermal mass cooling, water re-use initiatives including rainwater collection and grey water, recycling initiatives, photovoltaic (solar) panels, bio-filtration for storm water management, electricity, gas and water consumption metering, and maximum demand management with comprehensive energy management strategy.
At the Oakey Army Base, which is a helicopter training base in Queensland, Alerton implemented facility-wide HVAC monitoring and controls.
For general enquiries, email info@alerton.com.au