Case Study: Education/Research
UNSW Cancer Research Center, Sydney

Cogent Energy has designed and installed a state of the art cogeneration plant at the Lowy Cancer Research Center at the University of NSW Kensington campus. This site is one of the largest cancer research centres in the southern hemisphere.

Building Owner:

University of New South Wales

Location:

Kensington, Sydney

Building Description:

Research center – Tertiary Institute

Building Size:

16,500 sqm

Plant Operational Date:

December 2009

Cogeneration Configuration

The UNSW cogeneration plant comprises of a 770kW MTU Series 4000 cogeneration engine that is connected in parallel to the grid. The engine is coupled to a 410kW heating water heat exchanger which provides heating hot water for use within the building. The Cogent facility is fully integrated into the building’s heating water, BMCS and energy monitoring systems.

The plant is set up to operate in grid parallel and generates energy that is distributed and used throughout the UNSW campus via their onsite HV ring main. The facility operates automatically during the peak and shoulder demand periods.

Plant Capacities

Peak Electrical:

770 kW at 0.8 power factor

Peak Thermal:

410 kW heating

Energy Efficiency:

70% Overall Efficiency (estimated) when compared to the use of Grid electricity

Benefits

Energy Efficiency:

5 star Green Star

Sustainability:

Estimated saving of up to 1,600 tonnes of CO2 per annum.