University of Sunshine Coast Case Study

CREATING A CARBON-NEUTRAL CAMPUS

| The Challenge

At just 21 years old, the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) is Australia’s youngest university. Despite this, USC is leading the way in adopting innovation through all aspects of higher education. USC committed to achieving the ambitious target of carbon neutrality by 2025, and to make such a substantial impact requires major capital investment. Due to tertiary sector budget constraints the university looked to a strategic alliance to reach net zero. 

Veolia presented a Market-led Proposal (MLP) to partner with USC to achieve their goals. Outlined in the MLP were:

• Highly innovative, step-change style impacts for energy and water utility reliance and carbon reduction that did not rely on purchasing carbon credits; 
• A commitment to zero client capital outlay; and 
• A transparent, open-book partnership model which detailed value for money.

The project was a Design, Build, Own, Operate, Transfer (DBOOT) agreement with open-book build costs and an agreed-upon internal rate of return (IRR). This flexibility allowed Veolia to develop a truly unique design to encapsulate USC’s vision.

| Veolia’s Solution

Innovation is embedded into the cultures of both USC and Veolia. The two associates’ values aligned and the partnership progressed through an open and trusted relationship. Veolia’s proposal was based on a shared vision for the continual sustainable development of the Sippy Downs Campus by providing a highly technical and cost-efficient energy solution.

This innovative and integrated approach positions USC at the forefront of energy reduction and management, forging leadership in sustainability across the higher education sector and beyond. 

Veolia committed to building the sophisticated plant at no cost to the university, and to operate and maintain the infrastructure for 10 years. After this time, ownership of the infrastructure will transfer to USC.

Project overview: 

• Installation of 2.1MW solar photovoltaic (PV) network on roofs across the campus and car park shade structures. While this network will largely be dedicated to operating the HVAC plant, the excess energy will be distributed across the campus; 
• Construction of a 4.5ML thermal energy storage (TES) tank (chilled water), effectively acting as an 8MW-equivalent electrical battery for the campus’s HVAC system; 
• Removal of old, energy-intensive chillers and refrigerant gases and replacing them with environmentally-friendly HFO gases, which removes risk of significant carbon emissions leakage. The New Trane HFO Ceramic Bearing Chillers are a 1st in Australia; 
• Introduction of a 8.2MW cooling plant and and ultrafiltration lake water recovery plant which saves 802 megalitres of potable water annually; and 
• Advanced Trane Tracer control system.