Johnson Controls Delivers Large-Scale Engineered Solution for Major Convention, Exhibition and Entertainment Precinct in Sydney
A building management, HVAC and security solution for a landmark Sydney venue as engineered using a bespoke approach to overcome unique design challenges.
Johnson Controls was selected as the key technical partner for a newly built and fully integrated convention, exhibition and entertainment precinct in Sydney with energy efficiency a key factor for the successful tender.
The site consisted of 40,000sqm of exhibition space, spanning 2.5km in length and 1km wide. Its sheer size combined with tight completion targets made this one of the most logistically challenging projects undertaken by Johnson Controls. The project required additional engineering resources from interstate and the appointment of a second project manager to ensure the daily deliverables were met in accordance with strict timeframes set out by the contractor and stakeholders.
Integral to the project was the Johnson Controls Metasys® Building Management System and HVAC solutions, which were specifically engineered to suit a variety of environments within the precinct, including facilities for hosting live concerts, global summits and major events.
Unique design features and energy efficiency capabilities
With the Johnson Controls building and construction teams under pressure to deliver efficiently and to a high standard, a comprehensive project planning phase was implemented. Delivering a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) solution capable of meeting the needs and comfort levels of thousands of people at any one time required meticulous planning. This included the installation of a network of more than 500 discreetly placed wireless sensors that constantly measure, monitor and control temperature levels across the entire site.
The Metasys® Building Management System was chosen for its ability to provide a central interface from which to access real time data across the site including its energy management systems. Metasys® is an extremely robust and powerful building automation platform that provides the foundation for energy management efficiency in modern buildings. This smart data-enabled solution has the capability to support the large number of input and output points required for a facility of this immense size.
The Johnson Controls team tailored the entire system to suit the site’s environment, including the installation of a unique HVAC cooling approach within one of the entertainment venues to ensure the comfort levels of theatre goers regardless of where they are seated. Due to the extremely high ceilings within the venue, air conditioning outlets were placed beneath the seats to provide a more effective and energy efficient solution compared to traditional methods.
The air conditioning system was optimised using YORK YMC2 chillers which feature state of the art magnetic-bearing technology, low global warming potential (GWP), and non-flammable refrigerant. The YMC2 chiller technology has been carefully created with sustainability in mind to help reduce carbon emissions. The YORK chillers were chosen for their flexibility as they use low condenser water combined with counterflow setup for superior energy efficiency. They are also dependable and feature low sound levels as the mechanical engines are quieter than a domestic vacuum cleaner. The magnetic-bearing technology also features a single moving assembly suspended in a magnetic field which enhances its durability. This continuous performance under demanding conditions makes them particularly suited to the site’s expansive environment where minimising downtime is critical.
Johnson Controls delivered a tailored package for this project which allowed the contractor to achieve substantial cost savings. The package consisted of six chillers, a building management platform and high-level security solutions including access control.
- Building Management System
- Metasys® Operator Workstation Server
- NAE5510, NAE4510 & NAE3510 System controllers
- NCE2510 Combined System controller and Field controller
- FEC & FAC Field controllers
- VMA VAV controllers
- Network & Wireless Temperature & Humidity sensors
- Chillers x 6
- 2 x YMC2 complete with the latest technology magnetic bearings
- 4 x large tonnage chillers
- P2000 Security and Access Control
The successful outcome of this significant and complex project relied on a cohesive approach with the Johnson Controls project teams collaborating closely to ensure key milestones were achieved throughout the 18-month project.
