Abstract
Is there a limit to how energy-efficient existing buildings can become? How far have we gone towards making our buildings more sustainable? And, how much progress can we expect to see in the future? Join NABERS Program Manager Carlos Flores, M.AIRAH, as he takes a deep dive into 20 years of NABERS data to answer these age-old questions, and explore some of the biggest opportunities in building sustainability by 2020.

Biography
Carlos Flores is National Program Manager for NABERS. Flores is a Mechanical Engineer with Bachelor studies of power generation and Master studies in renewable energy. Before joining the NABERS team in 2009, he worked at the Energy Research Centre of the University of Chile, conducting studies for the International Energy Agency and the APEC Energy Working Group, and participated in the lead-up to the Copenhagen Climate Change Summit.

Flores is a technical specialist at NABERS, who led the review of the NABERS Energy and Water for shopping centres benchmarks in 2012, and oversees a range of technical updates to the program.

Abstract
Lafleur will provide a case study on the processes undertaken with the consultants, contractors, and suppliers in retrofitting the Gordon Stephenson House façade and reducing the external-heat load on the building. The added cooling load due to the external-heat load also challenged the NABERS star rating for the building. The goal of this project was to create a sustainable, more comfortable indoor environment while significantly reducing the cooling load for the building’s chiller systems. 

Biography 
Lafleur is a co-founder & managing director of Magnetite (Australia) Pty Ltd, which specialises in retrofit double glazing solutions for thermal comfort and acoustic. He has developed multiple patents as well as establishing a network of factories with teams that service residential and commercial clients across Australia & New Zealand.

Abstract
There is a common misconception that installing a new Building Management and Control System (BMCS) or other energy efficient plant and equipment into a Pre-Loved Building will simply work from day one and deliver the desired performance and efficiency. Unfortunately, this is not always the case, and applies to both new and old building stock alike.

Smith will discuss the importance of the proper design, implementation, commissioning and tuning of the BMCS. He will explore the concept of “Open Approach” versus Open Protocols, and will touch on the emergence of Building Analytics and what part it should play.

Biography 
Smith is an Automation Specialist Engineer with 30 years’ experience in commercial and industrial automation and controls. His extensive experience with outcome based Building Controls, together with his knowledge of building systems operation and maintenance, provides a strong platform for fine-tuning buildings and developing energy-saving strategies. His position is Leader - Building Technologies for A.G. Coombs Advisory Pty. Ltd.

Abstract
While there is a plethora of rating tools and certification schemes to address different types and uses of buildings, most of the analysis of the commercial sector has been based on larger-scale, and premium/A-grade buildings. Very little research has been undertaken on smaller-scale commercial and retail buildings in regional centres.

Villaca will present a customised methodology to characterise different types and uses of buildings in the commercial-building sector. This analysis allows the characterisation of the smaller-scale commercial and retail buildings, highlighting their uniqueness and importance. The study concludes that improved knowledge about this specific building sector may allow the development of suitable assessment and rating tools, to improve the uptake of retrofits on smaller-scale commercial and retail buildings.

Biography 
Villaca is an architect and urban planner with over 26 years’ practical experience. She is currently undertaking her PhD at the SBRC, where her research aims to enhance our understanding of smaller-scale commercial and retail buildings in regional cities, and to propose more suitable tools to evaluate and retrofit buildings in this sector.

Abstract
A HVAC system is normally the largest energy consumer in commercial buildings – especially buildings occupied continuously, such as hotels and hospitals. This presentation will investigate the new technologies available, and the importance of HVAC optimisation by tuning and monitoring the systems. A variety of case studies will be explored.

Biography 
Ahmed has over 40 years’ experience working on energy efficiency in the building and industrial complex. Over the last decade, he has engaged in building HVAC optimisation and working with innovative technologies to improve energy efficiency.

Abstract
When invited to investigate opportunities for refurbishment of chilled-water systems, how far do we look into yesterday? And, how many opportunities are there in the future?

Phillips will present an overview of engineering-validation tools and simple expressions of lifecycle modelling to prepare clients for their commitment to the future of the building’s chilled-water system.

Biography 
Phillips has over 40 years’ experience consulting and contracting in the HVAC industry. Currently, he works as an engineering consultant, providing investigative master-planning documents for an array of clients.

Abstract
Trickett will introduce the Passive House Standard for retrofits; EnerPHit. With the standard being reasonably new to the Australian market, a key question this presentation will investigate is whether this retrofit standard is valuable and applicable for Australia.

Biography 
Trickett has over 13 years’ local and international industry experience as an architect, sustainability advisor, and ESD consultant. She is a certified Passive House Designer and a Green Star Accredited Professional. Trickett is currently an ESD Consultant at Aurecon.

Dr Paul Bannister, F.AIRAH, Energy Action

Carlos Flores, M.AIRAH, NABERS

Jonathan Dalton, Viridis

Abstract
Heine will outline the process of upgrading nine large air-handling units at the Riverside Centre in Brisbane’s CBD. This presentation will outline the process of upgrading the existing, inefficient fans with high-efficiency EC fans in fan grid arrangements to achieve increased airflow and simple installation process. 

Measured results are presented and advice is given on the development of a successful business case for the upgrade of existing fan equipment to high-efficiency technology.

Biography 
Heine’s 13 years’ experience in the fan industry has been spread across Germany, China and Australia. He is currently the sales and marketing manager for EC Upgrades at ebm-papst, where he has a particular interest in upgrading existing building equipment with energy and cost-saving technologies.

Abstract
Robinson will discuss the legislation that protects heritage buildings in Australia, and outline some of the challenges and constraints of working in heritage buildings. He will present several case studies from around Australia, give examples of how designers and building operators have achieved high Greenstar and NABERS ratings in listed heritage buildings, and share some of the lessons learnt.

Biography 
Robinson has been a consulting engineer for over 29 years and is currently Aurecon’s Global Sustainable Buildings Leader. He has been involved in the design of a wide variety of sustainable building types including offices, residential, industrial, academic and institutional buildings.

He has worked on projects in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and America.

Abstract
Tartaglia will provide a full overview into Monash University's experience delivering the first large commercial building in Australia to apply Passive House design principles to create a net-zero ready, efficient, and productive space for people and planet.

Biography 
Tartaglia works as the Building and Property Division’s ESD Advisor at Monash University. She delivers strategic sustainability initiatives and net-zero emission strategy to re-life the university’s buildings. She also is an ESD Consultant at Aurecon.