Sydney Light Rail Achieves an ‘Excellent’ Design IS Rating
Sydney Light Rail Achieves an 'Excellent' Design IS Rating
The design of the Sydney Light Rail project has been rated as 'Excellent', with an overall score of 68.5 points. The Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia (ISCA) congratulates Acciona and Alstom on this exemplar achievement.
The project also scored a maximum of 10 points in the Innovation Category, with four Australian firsts recorded.
The most outstanding aspects of the project in relation to sustainability and innovation include its HESOP regenerative braking system, which generates significant energy savings during the operation phase of the infrastructure.
This system allows more than 99% of the energy produced during braking to be recovered and reused for auxiliary equipment, lighting and ventilation. The implementation of this braking system also means a reduction in the number of substations and eliminates the need to incorporate braking resistance, which results in an overall saving of materials on the project.
Another innovation was recorded in relation to the High Cross Park substation, with an underground design and construction to minimise the potential impact on trees, as well as on cultural and heritage features in the area. It also has a geothermal air-conditioning system that will save 15 MWH of energy every year during operation, equivalent to saving 12.6 tonnes of carbon annually compared to a conventional system.
Greenhouse gas emissions have also been reduced by 10 per cent by implementing regenerative brakes, purchasing renewable energy and installing the geothermal air-conditioning system in Randwick.
To mitigate potential flooding in the CSELR (CBD and South East Light Rail) project area, a detailed assessment of hydrological impacts and mitigation measures were undertaken. Overall, the project will improve the flood impacts to properties, including 800 properties in the Randwick/Kensington area, as a result of raising the embankment at Kensington Ponds.
Acciona and Alstom are part of the ALTRAC consortium, commissioned to design, construct, finance, operate and maintain the CBD and South East Light Rail, which includes a 12 km double track route, and the subsequent operation of 25 km of infrastructure, comprised of the new CBD and South East Light Rail and 12.7 km Inner West Light Rail.
The Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia (ISCA) is a member-based not-for-profit industry council, and certified social enterprise. As a peak industry body, our purpose is to accelerate sustainability in infrastructure through collaboration. We deliver our impact by measuring what matters through third-party assurance, building industry capability, advocating for better infrastructure outcomes and supporting a growing passionate community of practice. Read more information on the IS Rating Scheme.