The development of the Australian War Memorial has taken another step forward, with the nation’s largest geothermal heat exchange system being turned on.
As an iconic national institution commemorating those who have fought for the country, this geothermal system could save the Memorial up to $1 million per year compared to conventional energy systems.
Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, said, “This new system will also reduce emissions by 1400t of CO2 equivalent each year – the same as cutting emissions from the travel of around 87,500 students from Sydney to Canberra return for their visit to the Australian War Memorial.”
This system features 216 vertical closed-loop boreholes and some 128km of pipe, making it one of the world’s largest systems.
Federal Minister for Veterans Affairs and Defence Personnel, Matt Keogh, said, “This system will contribute to ensuring the sustainable ongoing operation of the expanded Memorial, with the overall War Memorial Development Project due for completion in 2028.
“Australia’s service personnel have worked to make our nation the secure, democratic society it is today. It’s only appropriate that in commemorating their service, we are preserving it for generations to come.”
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