Sydney Harbour’s latest underwater feature will act as an airconditioner for historic buildings lining the shoreline.
The largest heat exchanger of its type in the world will be installed in the depths alongside the Overseas Passenger Terminal.
The device, measuring 40,000 square metres, will circulate cold water to run airconditioning units in buildings at the north end of George Street in The Rocks.
The warmed water will then be drawn away and returned to the heat exchanger to be re-cooled before repeating the cycle.
The system, which will provide heating as well as cooling, will remove the need for airconditioning units on the buildings which would damage their historic integrity.
The exchanger, a matrix of high-density pipes resistant to seawater, will be at a depth of 12 metres so will not be a shipping hazard.
The NSW Minister for Lands, Tony Kelly, said the system would provide water cooling and heating for the airconditioning and refrigeration services of some of the state’s most valuable heritage assets.
“The Harbour Heat Exchange project has substantial environmental, social and economic benefits that will significantly reduce a building’s energy and resource use and improve its Australian Building Greenhouse Ratings,” the minister said.
“The system would allow the water consumption of the buildings and the maintenance costs of the heat rejection equipment to be reduced by 70-90 per cent.”
He added: “In total, the heat exchange system could deliver savings of at least 23 per cent in energy consumption compared with conventional cooling towers or boilers.”
The Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority found the most feasible location for the coils is next to the Overseas Passenger Terminal, owned by Sydney Ports Corporation.
Mr Kelly said the authority has the corporation’s co-operation.
“The project is part of the NSW government’s commitment to increasing the long-term sustainability of its precincts, including reducing carbon emissions from 2000 levels in The Rocks by 80 per cent by 2020,” Mr Kelly said.
Tenders close next month with the system expected to be in place within two years.
