Generation of green savings

GREATER Dandenong Council’s new municipal building in Lonsdale Street is now officially connected to Australia’s first urban energy precinct using cogeneration technology.
Developed by Places Victoria and CogentEnergy, the purpose-built energy plant heats the five star Green Star civic centre, which Mayor Jim Memeti said was already costing less to operate than the buildings it replaced.
“Cogeneration uses natural gas-powered engines to generate electricity and hot water for heating,” Cr Memeti said.
“The hot water is exported to other buildings in the area via pipes in the road.
“Using gas as a fuel offers a significant reduction in carbon emissions when compared to coal-fired power generation, offering efficiency gains of up to 80 per cent.
“Council is very proud to be an environmental leader in practical solutions that are better for the environment and better for ratepayers.”