Cityplaza 3 and Cityplaza 4 Achieve Building Environmental Excellence with 8% Operational Cost Savings

Constructed in the early 1990’s, both premises are owned and facility managed by Swire Properties Ltd (SPL). These 22 storey office tower buildings form part of the Cityplaza commercial development located next to Taikoo MTR Station.

Building Environment Excellence

In 2001 SPL, in its efforts to strive for building environmental excellence, submitted both premises for certification to HK-BEAM (the Hong Kong Building Environmental Assessment Method). In recognition of SPL’s building management expertise and environmental achievements, Cityplaza Three and Cityplaza Four were awarded with the highest ranked rating of Excellent under the HK-BEAM certification. Examples of environmental best practices adopted by the building management include :

  • utilising environmentally friendly refrigerants, detection and recovery systems and halon-free fire protection systems to avoid ozone depletion;
  • employing a managing system and designating storage facilities to maximise recycling of office materials arising from the tenants and landlords;
  • implementing a comprehensive programme of inspection, cleaning and maintenance for the building fabric and services systems; and
  • providing appropriately positioned air intakes and exhausts, adequate ventilation rates, efficient filters, and adoption of a non-smoking policy to enhance indoor air quality.


Furthermore, SPL have been continuously improving the operational energy performance of both premises through the adoption of an energy management programme which consists of :

  • implementation of an energy policy and execution of associated action plans;
  • installation of an internet monitoring system to allow easy and reliable appraisal of electricity consumption;
  • establishment of ambitious but realistic energy reduction targets (at least 5 % energy reduction compared to the previous year); and
  • allocation of annual budgets for energy improvement works ($1,000,000 was designated for energy efficiency programmes in 2001).


Operational Cost Savings Through Energy Efficience

In fact, SPL’s dedicated efforts in enhancing energy efficiency have resulted in substantial
operational cost savings and examples of these programmes include:

  • Retrofitting of Energy Saving Lightings – the average daily lighting energy consumption for the office floors of the premises was reduced from 740 to 655 kWh (11% reduction) by retrofitting electronic ballasts onto fluorescent lamps. With Hong Kong Electric’s demand site management rebate of HK$110K, the estimated payback period for this energy improvement measure is
    less than 2 years.
  • Different Lift Programming for Off peak Hours – With acceptable waiting time, an average daily saving of about $100 was recorded for Cityplaza Four without additional costs.
  • Provision of Additional BMS Timer Switching Control Points for the Loading Bay Lighting System;
  • Installation of Capacitor Banks for Power Factor Improvement in Lifts Systems; and l Installation of Variable Frequency Drives for Air Conditioning Equipments (Air Handling Units and Primarily Air Handling Units) – with an initial capital and installation cost of HK$2,200K, an annual cost saving of HK$500K (compared to the previous year) was recorded in 2001. With Hong Kong Electric’s demand site management rebate of HK$300K, the estimated simple payback period is less than 4 years.


Overall, the adoption of these various energy efficient programmes has resulted in an
annual operational electricity cost saving of 8 % (compared to the previous year) in 2002
for Cityplaza Three and Cityplaza Four.

Contact
Mr. Alex Li, Technical Manager of Cityplaza Management Office, T. (852) 2844 4988, E. alexli@swireproperties.com


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