Toyota To Plug In Energy Saving Tri-generation Plant

Toyota to Plug in Energy Saving Tri-Generation Plant

The sky over Toyota Australia's corporate headquarters in Port Melbourne will this weekend feature a 200 tonne crane and a tri-generation plant, as works to install energy saving technology begin.

The installation of the 'tri-gen plant' is the next stage of Toyota Australia's plan to reduce energy use at its headquarters by 40 per cent from 2007/08 levels.

Toyota's tri-gen plant will use a gas powered turbine to generate electricity for the building, while also using the waste heat from the turbine in assisting to heat and cool the building, resulting in improved energy efficiency and less greenhouse gas emissions.

Toyota Australia's Environment Policy Manager Jon Ward said the company began planning for a tri-gen plant in 2008 to enhance the building's sustainability features.

"In addition to concentrating on the environmental performance of our vehicles and manufacturing activities, Toyota Australia applies environmental sustainability practices to all areas of the company, including the design of our buildings," Mr Ward said.

"As part of our 5 Year Environment Plan, we developed a series of projects to reduce the energy consumption at corporate headquarters. This included updating the Building Management System, implementing a green information technology strategy, replacing energy hungry lighting and installing a tri-gen plant.

"We chose to install a tri-gen plant after exploring all the options that could help us achieve a 40 per cent reduction in energy use.

"The most obvious option was to improve the building's heating and cooling system and installation of the tri-gen technology is expected to reduce the building's CO2 emissions by 210 tonnes," Mr Ward said.

Mr Ward said Toyota Australia expected to spend approximately $1.5 million on the project, which has an expected pay back period of approximately five years.

During the coming weeks Toyota Australia will work with construction company AG Coombs to test the unit before officially flicking the switch in mid October 2010.

Opened in 2004, Toyota Australia's corporate headquarters has been recognised for its eco-friendly design, which features external solar shades, stormwater recycling, a 90 metre glazed atrium and an air reticulation system designed to reduce energy usage.

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For media enquiries contact:
Laura Hill
Toyota Australia
(03) 9647 4250
0428 734418

Glenn Campbell
Toyota Australia
(03) 9647 4557
0417 381 692

SOURCE: Toyota Australia