The project was part of the $290 million Revitalising Dandenong initiative of the Victorian Government, in partnership with VicUrban – the largest urban-renewal project undertaken in Victoria since the Melbourne Docklands development.
The 1.2 km pipeline constructed by the CLMI team is a greener solution for heating and cooling as it takes thermal energy, a byproduct from the electricity-generation process, and carries it through the reticulation network. This thermal energy is being used to heat buildings in the central Dandenong precinct in winter and drive the heat-driven chillers for cooling throughout summer.
CLMI Project Delivery Manager Alan Lew said that the company had searched the globe for the right solution.
“The consulting engineer presented a number of options from around the world for the pipe selection. In the end, the best outcome for the client was chosen, which turned out to be the Logstor piping system from Denmark,” he said.
“Although the technology was proven, this was the first time it had been utilised in Australia. It self-diagnoses maintenance issues and also enables efficiency of up to five times that of conventional air-conditioning systems – providing a long-term cost saving to the building owners as well as reducing carbon emissions.
“The reticulation pipework also communicates maintenance issues through sophisticated telemetry systems. Built-in surveillance wiring and pipeline sensors send an electronic message to the cogent maintenance engineers enabling them to quickly rectify any issues. This also reduces the risk of interruptions to the building heating and cooling systems.
“I am proud of our team. They had never worked with this piping system before and after three days of training they were exceptionally competent and highly efficient in the wiring and coating requirements,” Mr Lew said.
“The whole team has gone above and beyond to source an innovative solution – delivering it ahead of schedule, within budget and in an efficient and professional manner.”
CLMI is a Zinfra Group company. Zinfra Group delivers engineering, construction and maintenance solutions to the utility infrastructure sectors Australia-wide.
For more information visit www.zinfra.com.au
