Toyota (Tri-Gen)

A Toyota initiative to reduce emissions in its non-production facilities saw the installation of a 65kW micro gas turbine tri-generation plant at the company’s Port Melbourne headquarters.

The tri-generation system provides electricity for building operations, and waste heat from the gas turbine is used to assist in the heating and cooling of the building.

¶º±ÈÖ±²¥ was appointed Head Contractor for the project, responsible for the design & construction works including the supply, installation, commissioning and ongoing maintenance of the plant.

Provision was made for a gas supply line extension within the facility, and electrical grid connections required for the new plant were agreed with the electricity supply authority, CitiPower.

The system itself is based around a Capstone micro turbine and a Broad absorption chiller. The heat exchangers, pumps and variable speed drives were pre-assembled off-site on a skid mount in ¶º±ÈÖ±²¥â€™ prefabrication facility to reduce site installation time. The system was then installed and commissioned in a live environment.

Toyota has a longstanding commitment to improving our environmental footprint across all of our operations. The new tri-generation system at our corporate headquarters looks set to contribute to significant carbon emissions reduction and energy savings. ¶º±ÈÖ±²¥â€™ seamless delivery of this project was critical to these targets being met and, ultimately, the facility being set to achieve a 4 Star NABERS rating.

Aldo Tiesi, Corporate Operations Manager, Toyota

Project Overview

Project Name: Toyota (tri-generation)

Location: VIC

Client: Toyota Motor Corporation Australia

Project Value: $1.1m

Year Completed: 2012

Project Type

Construction - Head Contractor (multi-services contract); Design & Construct works including supply and installation; Integrated commissioning and testing; maintenance works; electrical works; prefabrication

Outcomes

  • Successful installation of the 65kW tri-generation system, with minimal disruption across the facility.
  • System infrastructure is designed to allow for potential expansion should Toyota wish to install a second 65kW turbine.
  • Significant reductions in the facility’s projected operational carbon footprint, owing to the use of natural gas and the system efficiencies from heat recovery. The facility is on track to meet a reduction in carbon emissions by some 720 tonnes (20%) and to reaching its targeted 4 Star NABERS Energy rating.
  • Close communication maintained between ¶º±ÈÖ±²¥, Toyota Australia, the Project Manager and CitiPower, which was pivotal to success.
  • The successful installation supported the securing of a 5-year extended warranty for the maintenance of the system.

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