Australian first biosolar green roof study at Barangaroo leads the way for climate resilient cities
- 22 Aug 2021
Undertaken in Barangaroo, the study compared the conventional photovoltaic (PV) solar system on International House with a combined PV solar and integrated Junglefy green roof system (biosolar roof) on Daramu House over the course of eight-months.
The project, led by University of Technology Sydney researchers and supported by Lendlease and Junglefy, aimed to solidify the benefits of green roofs in cities by comparing the outcomes of biodiversity, renewable energy efficiency, temperature reduction and other variables between the conventional solar system roof and the integrated PV solar green roof.
Key findings include:
Quotes Attributable to Lucy Sharman, Sustainability Manager, Lendlease:
“The integration of greenery into our urban environments is vital to creating more liveable cities - that can mitigate the impacts of our changing climate.
“This research has made a valuable contribution to our understanding of the multiple, measurable benefits of green roofs. We hope this extremely positive collaboration between industry, researchers and government inspires other organisations to look at the benefits of biosolar systems.”
Quotes Attributable to Peter Irga, Chief Investigator, UTS:
“We utilised a unique experimental design, where the presence of the green roof was the sole variable, with both study sites in the same geographic location and of the same height, size, and shape. This allowed us to quantify the changes associated with the implementation of the green roof.
“Various forms of green infrastructure, such as green roofs, green walls and other space efficient green solutions are becoming increasingly valued. While it is understood that residential and roadside vegetation provides important urban functions, research looking at the way in which green roofs provide these same benefits is relatively understudied.”
Quotes Attributable to Jock Gammon, Co-founder and Managing Director, Junglefy:
“We know we need to future proof our cities against the damaging effects of climate change. This research unequivocally proves that if we are going to invest in solar, it is essential to also invest in a green roof which will boost performance and create the best financial, social and environmental outcomes.
“The time is now to turn every rooftop green and create critical connections between people, places and plants.”
Full report available at: https://opus.lib.uts.edu.au/bitstream/10453/150142/2/City%20of%20Sydney%20Final%20Report%20EPI%20R3%20201920005.pdf
For more information contact:
Lendlease
Ben Brighouse, External Affairs Manager
ben.brighouse@lendlease.com
+61 433 028 405
UTS
Jacqueline Middleton, Media and PR Advisor
Jacqueline.Middleton@uts.edu.au
+61 412 768 407
Junglefy
Oliver Boyd-Lambert, Marketing Manager
oliver@junglefy.com.au
+61 434 906 987
The project, led by University of Technology Sydney researchers and supported by Lendlease and Junglefy, aimed to solidify the benefits of green roofs in cities by comparing the outcomes of biodiversity, renewable energy efficiency, temperature reduction and other variables between the conventional solar system roof and the integrated PV solar green roof.
Key findings include:
- Confirmation that the integrated green roof and solar PV system improved solar energy output by 3.6 per cent, or 9.5 MWh of additional energy generation. This equates to $2,595 worth of energy generation over the course of the project.
- The green roof removed an additional 8.8 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent greenhouse gasses compared to the standard roof solar panels, the equivalent of planting 110 trees.
- Surface temperatures were greatly reduced on the green roof – in some cases by up to 20°C during Summer, suggesting a potential reduction in urban heat island effects. Insulation was another benefit of the integrated system, preventing heat transferring inside the building as well as retaining heat in cooler periods.
- Animals thrived on the green roof, with insect and bird life increasing seven and fourfold, respectively. Species recorded include the native Australian Blue Banded bee, Australian stingless bees, as well as Spotted Doves and Australian Ravens. The possible presence of predatory birds also suggests the roof may be supporting complex food web systems.
- Stormwater modelling on both roofs showed the biosolar roof could reduce flows into the stormwater drains by more than 600 litres per second compared to the conventional roof, which could reduce the impacts of flooding during storm events, particularly where climate instability is leading to longer, drier periods and more intense storm events.
- The integrated green roof solar PV system outperformed the conventional solar PV system, confirming that green infrastructure is perhaps one the easiest and most efficient initiatives that can provide multiple benefits and help make our cities more resilient to our changing climate.
Quotes Attributable to Lucy Sharman, Sustainability Manager, Lendlease:
“The integration of greenery into our urban environments is vital to creating more liveable cities - that can mitigate the impacts of our changing climate.
“This research has made a valuable contribution to our understanding of the multiple, measurable benefits of green roofs. We hope this extremely positive collaboration between industry, researchers and government inspires other organisations to look at the benefits of biosolar systems.”
Quotes Attributable to Peter Irga, Chief Investigator, UTS:
“We utilised a unique experimental design, where the presence of the green roof was the sole variable, with both study sites in the same geographic location and of the same height, size, and shape. This allowed us to quantify the changes associated with the implementation of the green roof.
“Various forms of green infrastructure, such as green roofs, green walls and other space efficient green solutions are becoming increasingly valued. While it is understood that residential and roadside vegetation provides important urban functions, research looking at the way in which green roofs provide these same benefits is relatively understudied.”
Quotes Attributable to Jock Gammon, Co-founder and Managing Director, Junglefy:
“We know we need to future proof our cities against the damaging effects of climate change. This research unequivocally proves that if we are going to invest in solar, it is essential to also invest in a green roof which will boost performance and create the best financial, social and environmental outcomes.
“The time is now to turn every rooftop green and create critical connections between people, places and plants.”
Full report available at: https://opus.lib.uts.edu.au/bitstream/10453/150142/2/City%20of%20Sydney%20Final%20Report%20EPI%20R3%20201920005.pdf
For more information contact:
Lendlease
Ben Brighouse, External Affairs Manager
ben.brighouse@lendlease.com
+61 433 028 405
UTS
Jacqueline Middleton, Media and PR Advisor
Jacqueline.Middleton@uts.edu.au
+61 412 768 407
Junglefy
Oliver Boyd-Lambert, Marketing Manager
oliver@junglefy.com.au
+61 434 906 987