Electrification
Engineered Solutions for Building Sustainability is a Professional Building Services Engineering Design Consultancy operating since 2014 in Canberra
- the land of the Ngunnawal People.
Electrification
Electrification is the process of decarbonising or eliminating the consumption of fossil fuels in buildings - typically natural gas, for space heating, domestic hot water, kitchens, and laboratories. For new buildings this is relatively easy, the spatial requirements for heat pumps, noise mitigation, power supplies and the low temperature heat exchangers – which are necessary for heat pumps to operate efficiently, can be designed and integrated during design and installation.
Electrification of gas assets typically presents numerous challenges, which include:
Finding a suitable outdoor location to install heat pumps
This presents challenges with seeking planning permission (DA or Development Approval), heritage and moral rights issues, aesthetics, noise, vandalism, and provision of service access.
Upgrading electrical power supplies
Re-assessing the maximum electrical demand arising from electrification, the process of upgrading a substation, main switchboard and the power distribution infrastructure. Additional challenges arise from the need to upgrade access to switch rooms to comply with current Wiring Rules, upgrading fire and seismic ratings for switch rooms, cable containment and wiring systems that supply safety services, and the need to take precautions for the removal of hazardous materials such as Asbestos, Lead Paint and Silica dust.
Staging to minimise disruption
Typically, existing heat emitters inside buildings are not compatible with the low-grade heat produced by most Heat Pumps to operate efficiently. The demolition and upgrade of indoor equipment is very expensive and disruptive. From early planning stages, ESBS engineers collaborate with Project Managers, and assist to plan and stage the upgrade work, to minimise disruption, making use of suitable windows of opportunity including public holidays, mild weather, and transitioning from existing HVAC systems to new. Sometimes, temporary accommodation is necessary.
ACT Schools Designs: Ainslie Primary School (2025), Wanniassa Hills Primary School 2025)
ACT Schools Electrification Studies: various schools (2018 – 2025)
Canberra Institute of Technology: Electrification of Fyshwick Campus
University Campuses: University of Canberra Campus Electrification Masterplan (2022), Charles Sturt University Central Energy Plant electrification study (2025)
Community Centres: Albert Hall (2024), Village Creek Health Centre (2024), Flynn Community Centre (2023), Phillip Health Centre (2021)
Leisure Centres: Gungahlin Leisure Centre (2020), Lakeside Leisure Centre (2020), Blacktown Leisure Centre Stanhope (2019)
Galleries: Ainslie Arts Centre (2025), National Film and Sound Archive (2025)
Australian Institute of Sport: Residence of Champions (2020).
Let’s Discuss Your Project
Whether you are planning a new development, upgrade, feasibility study or building services review, ESBS can provide practical engineering advice and tailored consultancy support.