The Swan Sanctuary was looking to cut costs and be more environmentally friendly by utilising more efficient energy technologies. Powercor was tasked with designing a new and comprehensive energy infrastructure that would convert much of the current power source to solar and be robust enough to supply electricity to every region of the charity’s vast campus.
The task was unique and complex due to the nature of the site and the requirement for an install with minimal disruption to the surrounding ecosystem and the animals that call the site home.
A two-stage solution was devised using solar and lighting & control technology.

Powercor used a CGI computer generated schematic to construct a comprehensive solar system design that met the unique needs the client’s requirements for their site. The schematic gave the Sanctuary an in-depth perspective of the project and showed how it could be carried out with minimal disruption to the Sanctuary and its surroundings.

Following the G99 application approval, the system was installed complete with a lighting infrastructure that saw new state-of-the-art LED lighting across the site. Control and monitoring systems now ensure that lighting costs are minimised. The Sanctuary is also able to understand and track its energy usage, identify any usage issues and compare old and new usage data.

Wherever possible lighting was replaced on a point-for-point basis, retaining existing LED fittings where they were deemed to be of sufficiently high quality. Most of the work was carried out at night to avoid disruption to gym members and staff, which made the installs exceptionally difficult as the premises needed to be clear for the following day’s business.

Whilst the cost savings vary from one building to another, the Nuffield Health City Fitness & Wellbeing Centre installation exemplifies the magnitude of savings that are being achieved, delivering a projected project cost payback within 3.3 years. The payback period takes account of energy and maintenance savings, as well as reduced payments under the Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme.

This facility was also a good example of the flexibility of the design approach. Large amounts of exposed brickwork within the building meant more extensive use of warm white colour temperatures in front of house areas compared to other sites.