Program 1: Integrated Building Systems
The aim of this project is to convert the existing NCOS aligned ICM tool of Precinct Carbon Assessment (PCA) from an engineering software tool (MATLAB) to a more user-friendly and interactive cloud-based tool (the existing platform requires the researchers to program and give access to end-users).
Through the recent user engagement activities (such as discussions with Renewal SA in March, a consultation with GBCA in May and the presentation and panel discussion at the ‘Green Building Day’ Conference in June), it is found that having the installation and operation of the PCA tool constrained to a specialised and localised software platform is a major obstacle for the tool to be trialled and appreciated by end-users toward potential utilisation.
By converting the PCA tool to be cloud-based, it will help to serve the follow three objectives, which otherwise cannot be achieved with its current format:
1) Improve visibility and accessibility, which allows end-users to easily interact with the tool to experience and review its functions;
2) Enable utilisation, which can provide a flexible and effective way for the end-users to conveniently adopt the tool for their project work to the extent and level at their discretion and own pace, without overhead and lock-in commitments; and
3) Enhance capability and usability, which provides opportunities for the tool to capture user inputs and test results to enrich its databases and calibrate its modelling and assessment capability.
At the completion, the output will be cloud-based web interfaces with tailored databases and data capturing mechanism to undertake NCOS precinct assessment.
Program
Project leader
A/Prof Paul Osmond
Project status
Complete
Project period
12/2018 to 05/2019
- Publications
- Partners
CRCLCL Project Reports
RP2007u2: Report: ICM Precinct Carbon Assessment Tool Conversion for Cloud-based Interfaces towards Utilisation
The Precinct Carbon Assessment (PCA) Tool was developed at the University of South Australia as part of the Integrated Carbon Metrics Project (RP2007). The main focus of the PCA tool is to examine the whole life cycle of carbon emissions (Scope 1, 2 and 3) on the precinct scale and to calculate different low carbon scenarios, including travel modes and renewable energy systems, for precincts and precinct development projects.
The PCA tool:
i) assesses predicted and operational carbon performance;
ii) offers three levels of precinct carbon modelling, i.e. the building level, the product level and the material level;
iii) quantitatively evaluates low carbon scenarios to inform ‘Business as Usual’ types of development;
iv) supports planners, designers, ESD consultants and government agencies for more effective planning and mitigation; and
v) operate across states, urban settings, and the development project life cycle.
The PCA tool is not bound by data sources. It allows users to adjust precinct morphological settings, building types, travelling modes, renewable system options, and the carbon intensity data of precinct objects for conducting quantitative analysis and finding the optimal solutions.
A web version of the PCA tool, i.e. the PCA-‘Light’, can be accessed at: https://precinculators.info/. It supports ‘Basic’ assessment and reporting functions. The tool also has a Matlab version, i.e. the PCA-‘Full’, that is accessible via Remote Desktop Connection. This full version provides advanced modelling and scenario assessment functions and is compliant with the “NCOS Standard for Precincts” (http://www.environment.gov.au/climate-change/government/carbon-neutral/ncos). Both versions of the PCA tool have been reviewed and tested for further industry utilisation.
The PCA tool can be applied to Greenfield- or Greyfield-type development for Residential, Commercial or Mixed-use precincts. The spatial scales in modelling and assessments include Street, Neighbourhood, Subdivision and Suburb, as well as CBD. It can support assessment of the potential for realising carbon neutrality for new precinct developments and refurbishments.
Partners on this project
- University of South Australia