Renewable Energy Technology

When Manly Hydraulics Laboratory upgraded its facilities the NSW Department of Public Works and Services decided to use the project as a showcase of its capability in energy efficient design. A combination of passive design elements and mechanical systems have been used to realise energy savings.

Natural Ventilation System

A natural convection ventilation system was designed to provide climate control for most of the workspace. A set of 6 solar heated chimneys draw air into a masonary labyrinth in a plenum under the floor, through vents in the floor and lower walls, through the workspace and out the ceiling.


3 of the 6 Solar Chimneys	Masonary Labyrinth (During construction).

Plenum air intake, (1 of 6)

Sun Shading

A combination of fixed and moveable shades is used to manage the solar thermal load.


East side view with vertical timber slat shades and solar chimney.	West side view with horizontal and vertical fixed shades and external blinds on some windows.

Solar Lighting

Skylights and solar powered lights contribute to energy savings.


Sky Solutions skylight with a laser cut inner shade.	Solar powered street light with tracking solar panels.

Solar Thermal Hot water

A Solar Beasley split system has a roof mounted collector and under floor stoage tank.


Roof mounted solar collector.	Under floor tank and pump.

Solar Electric Generator

A 10Kw grid intertied solar generator is used to supplement mains supply. This has 3 independent sets of 54 64w Cannon roof batten thin film solar arrays each feeding 4Kw S.E.A inverter.


Installation of the 162 Cannon roof panels.	Completed Installation.


Overall view of the building.	3 S.E.A. inverters with protection equipment. Top Left - Insert of the inverter control panel.

Uninterruptable Power Supply

A Trace SW3024E inverter with a 24V battery and 2.5Kw hydroelectric generator provides emergency power backup for the computer systems.


Trace Inverter with DC Disconnect, Surge protection and Battery Box.	Pump as Turbine backup generator with a motorised valve controlled by the Trace inverter.


Platypus Power pulse width induction motor controller, dump load (above) and valve motor controller.	Manly Dam is next to our site for the water supply.

Field Data Logging

MHL Operates an extensive network of environmental data logging sites which are nearly all solar powered and telemetered.


A typical water level recording station.