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System which produces electric power from sunlight.
This 1.2MW system is being used to supplement and
reduce the electrical load from the City’s electrical
grid. It produces around 1.9GWh of electricity per year,
enough to power over 1000 average-sized houses.
This equates to between of 20-30% of total amount of
energy used in Park, and reduces the peak demand by
around 18%. It is also the first commercial project to be
allowed to feed back into the grid and be remunerated
for it.
• Energy efficient lighting has been installed
throughout common areas of building and is currently
being rolled out into tenant’s premises through a joint
financing initiative.
• Ecologically friendly gardens, including a vegetable
garden and fruit orchard, are maintained with borehole
water pumped on site. Recycling of all garden waste is
also done onsite to create mulch.
• Indoor air quality was a major focus with
temperature, humidity, CO and CO2 tests being
undertaken. This was done in conjunction with natural
and artificial lighting tests.
• Shopfronts with performance glass dominate the
buildings’ façade in order to maximize views to
outdoors for building users. This visual connection to
the external environment in combination with floor to
ceiling heights in excess of 3.5 meters, has the benefit
of reducing eyestrain for the building occupants and
contributes to a better working environment.
• Cycling and shower facilities were made available
to tenants in the park’s Crossfit Gym, to encourage
alternative modes of transport and a healthy and
active lifestyle.
• Implementation of a storm water management plan
to recognise site related practices which limit the
disruption of natural hydrology, minimise pollution
and site deterioration.
While Wilkinson commended the efforts of Black
River Park, he urged both the private sector and
government to now also look more seriously at
securing green ratings for existing buildings through
the GBCSA’s new certification tool. AD
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Further recommended viewing: Black River Park
africandesignmagazine.com
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