Zero emissions transcript

Narrator:

La Trobe‘s home energy management system unveiled as a part of Australia’s first zero carbon emission house was created by the University’s Centre for Technology Infusion. The system was installed in the house to help study a carbon free environment in partnership with the CSIRO, Delfen Homes and Henley Properties.

Janine Armstrong:

Henley Properties is the key partner here in terms of the house, we built the house, the land was provided by Delfen Land Lease and then obviously La Trobe has had a huge impact on the project in terms of where the house can go in the future with the energy monitoring system.

Dr Greg Foliente:

We did an evaluation of what’s available overseas and obviously here in Australia and after a number of discussions we found out the capability of La Trobe University and Professor Jack Singh was appropriate for this project and after that discussion we came to a mutual agreement that it would be a good partnership.

Prof. Jack Singh:

The way we look at it, the technology has now reached a mature stage, I think we are very confident that we can particually provide to anyone who want’s this technology, it’s like ‘plug and play’ now.

Narrator:

The state of the art monitoring device will track water and energy levels consumbed in the house. The data collected will provide insight into consumption patterns of the average household.

Hon. Richard Marles MP:

This is data we haven’t been able to gather in this way before and it’s really exciting that we will have from this project, it is ground breaking.

Narrator:

The results could mark the beginning of a carbon free future for the building industry.

Dr Greg Foliente:

Certainly the first thing is to trial the technology in a real life situation with the tenants for twelve months and see where that leads, we obviously would like that kind of technology be more widely implemented and adopted in the market.

Janine Armstrong:

The fantastic developmrnt of the energy monitoring system is that’s it’s going to allow us know exactly what does happen in the home. It provides a feedback loop for us to be able to design better homes for the future, obviously more comfortable living homes for our clients and really know how the house performs in terms of it’s energy use.

Hon. Richard Marles MP:

We see this zero emission home as an investment in the sustainable future of our country, and I hope it inspires more Australians to think about ways they can obtain a more sustainable home and guides as all towards a future where this is an every realality, not just a good idea.

Narrator:

For now La Trobe is playing a part to help reduce energy consumption in Australian households.