Australia’s Parliament House on Capital Hill is one of the main attractions in the nation’s capital, Canberra. Opened in 1988, the building is now 24 years old and has recently undergone some modernisation to ensure high standards of energy efficiency. During the city’s hot summers, KSB pump sets equipped with PumpMeters ensure temperatures stay comfortable.
Modernisation work in Parliament House sought to employ energy-efficient and environmentally friendly technology, especially when it comes to the air-conditioning system. In keeping with this aim, KSB supplied pumps from the Etanorm series equipped with PumpMeter monitoring units. These ensure that the Etanorm pumps always run at the correct operating point, guaranteeing efficient operation.
Energy Efficiency.
The system operation is demand driven and only operates at the required actual performance level to ensure the required optimum comfort level. The mode of operation is realised via the use of highly efficient and reliable Etanorm pumps, coupled with high efficiency electric motors and performance regulated via frequency controller.
Water Savings.
As the system automatically adjusts to the required demand levels, it only ever pumps just the right amount of water required to meeting the cooling requirements.
Innovation
The automatic performance regulation from Etanorm, was only one aspect of the innovative solution. The incorporation of PumpMeter took innovation to a whole new level.
About PumpMeter
PumpMeter continuously analyses the pump operating data and allows operators to see at a glance if they are operating economically. It won the prize for environmental contribution of the year at the Pump Industry Awards UK in 2011.
Parliament House facts
- The building was designed by Mitchell/Giurgola Architects and opened on 9 May 1988 by Elizabeth II.
- At the time of the construction, it was the most expensive building in the world at more than A$1.1 billion.
- The building itself is 300 m in length and width and contains 250,000 m2 of floor space and contains 4,700 rooms
- Construction required 300,000 cubic metres of concrete, enough to build 25 Sydney Opera Houses and has a design life of at least 200 years.
