Sustainability, Air & Energy

One of Belleng VDM's key areas of expertise is provision of Sustainability, Air & Energy Services, in which we have a proven track record of providing sustainable solutions for development and biodiversity management. Our capabilities in this area are detailed as follows:

• Sustainability, Air & Energy Assessments;
• Sustainability, Air & Energy Indicators
• Sustainability, Air & Energy Education & Training;
• Sustainable Management Systems;
• Sustainability, Air & Energy Analysis;
• Energy Audits;
• Water Auditing;
• Lifecycle Analysis;
• Eco-footprints;
• ZERI Methodology (zero emissions);
• Master-planning;
• Construction Materials;
• Sustainability, Air & Energy Reporting;
• Ecological Engineering;
• Renewable Energies (Solar, Wind, Biogas, Tidal, Biodiesel);
• Minimisation;
• Waste Utilization;
• Recycling Strategies
• Biodiversity Conservation;
• Social/Community Consultation;
• Integrated Bio-systems;
• Sustainability, Air & Energy in the Work Place;
• Company Policy and Annual Reports;
• Future Compliance and Regulation.

Specialist air quality services are required by many clients in the construction, industrial and entertainment sectors in order to comply with workplace health and safety and environmental legislation. It is now crucial for employers to not only protect the health of their employees, but maintain their companies reputation by being good neighbours to the communities in which they operate.

Belleng VDM has the in house capability to identify air pollution issues early in the project planning process. We work with clients to quantify the magnitude of potential impacts, and have the scientific and engineering expertise to design practical and cost effective solutions, using innovative thinking and the most appropriate technology.

Air quality services offered by Belleng VDM include:

• Air pollution dispersion modelling (AUSPLUME 5.1, CALINE 4, CAL3QHCR)
• Dust deposition modelling (DUSTCON)
• Design of fugitive dust control measures
• Odour impact assessment and control
• Estimation of industrial emissions to air and development of air emission inventories
• Public surveys and consultations
• Assessment of occupational exposure to air pollutants
• Investigation of airflow in air conditioned buildings
• Assessment of exposure to passive smoking in indoor environments

Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) Assessment

Belleng VDM is a multidisciplinary consultancy specialising in environmental engineering, ecological assessment and integrated water cycle management. Belleng VDM is committed to the pursuit of sustainable development through innovative environmental design, and offers practical, focused and cost effective consulting services to clients in the development, community and government sectors.

Belleng VDM employs accredited assessors to provide assessments in accordance with governmental and industry schemes such as Greenstar administered by the Green Building Council of Australia (G.B.C.A.)

ASSESSMENTS OF NEW DEVELOPMENTS

Belleng VDM, as part of comprehensive ESD Assessments, offers the following services for new developments:

• Energy Efficiency Assessments
• Indoor Environment Quality Assessments
• Operational Waste Management Plans
• Environmental Management Plans
• Integrated Water Management Plans

AUDITING OF EXISTING BUILDINGS

Our expertise can be applied in the assessment of existing buildings. Belleng VDMhas the personnel and technical resources required to undertake energy, water, waste and indoor environment quality audits of existing buildings.

Energy Efficiency Assessments Elements:

Belleng VDM provides comprehensive energy efficiency services, employing the following techniques to maximise sustainability in building design.

Thermal Modelling
The energy simulation models provide output that is suitable for comparative studies of different design options. Designers/Builders can benefit from comparative design studies by selecting sustainable core design features.  Belleng VDM uses the Building Energy Rating Scheme (BERS) and EnergyPlus Software to provide thermal performance and energy efficiency ratings for commercial and residential buildings.

Life-cycle Assessments
Belleng VDM provides assessments of construction material life-cycle costs

Renewable Energy Resource Assessments
Belleng VDM provides detailed recommendations for integration of energy efficient technologies within the development; conducts detailed evaluations of energy demands; determines the renewable resource availability and the capacity of available alternate and renewable resources to supply the developments requirements.

Indoor Environment Quality Assessments

Belleng VDM employs experienced professionals to undertake indoor environment quality assessments in the following areas:

Acoustics
Building noise control (including noise control on the mechanical and sanitary services and partition walls design) to ensure compliance with regulatory and code standards.

Lighting
Daylight exposure calculations and conceptual design considering building layout, orientation and internal depth, external view optimisation.
Assessment of the luminance levels of electric lighting to ensure compliance with code requirements.
Daylight glare control studies to ensure the optimal location of any shading devices.

Indoor Air Quality
Material selection (type of paints, carpets and sealants/adhesives to be used in construction) compliant with regulatory and code limits

Operational Waste Management Plans

Belleng VDM provides detailed management plans for wastes, toxic and harmful substances to maximize use of natural resources, recycling and increased re-use of materials and products.

Environmental Management Plans

Belleng VDM provides detailed construction management plans minimise environmental impacts during project construction phases.

Integrated Water Management Plans

Belleng VDM capabilities in this area are detailed as follows::

Assessment, Feasibility & Design.

• ERA 15 applications to facilitate larger effluent treatment and reuse facilities.
• Effluent management and disposal reports / nutrient and water balance.
• Recycled Water Safety Plans.
• Irrigation Management Plans Effluent generation estimation.
• Treatment systems design.
• RUSTIC modelling to determine storage requirements for stormwater capture and reuse.
• Hydro-geological investigations to determine the suitability of groundwater resources for use.
• Rainwater Tank modelling to determine optimum size.
• Lake Water Quality Management Plans
• Community consultation and,
• Field assessment and supervision.
• Applications to EPA for sewerage treatment plant installation
• Water efficiency Management Plans