Reducing power consumption by nearly 70%

10-year old EastLink freeway tunnels run beneath the environmentally sensitive Mullum Mullum Valley. As such, ventilation of vehicle emissions in the area requires special attention. EastLink wanted to:

• Improve the ventilation system in the freeway tunnels to increase energy efficiency
• Reduce noise levels from the ventilation stacks
• Reduce unnecessary wear and tear on the components
• Minimize disruption to traffic during the upgrade

Apps Analytics and Services: Services expertise
Edge Control: Modicon M580 PLCs, AVEVA Plant SCADA*
Connected Products: Altivar Process drives

• Energy audit that identified areas for significant savings
  
• EcoStruxure Plant & Machine solution integrated with AVEVA industrial software that brings together automation, connectivity, and software for real-time control and visibility of EastLink’s on-demand ventilation system
  
  * The Schneider Electric industrial software business and AVEVA have merged to trade as AVEVA Group plc, a UK listed company. The Schneider Electric and Life is On trademarks are owned by Schneider Electric and are being licensed to AVEVA by Schneider Electric.

• Energy consumption has been reduced by almost 70%
• The carbon footprint has been reduced by 9,000 tons per year
• The audible noise from ventilation stacks has been halved, as confirmed by noise measurements, improving the quality of life for local residents
• The EcoStruxure Plant & Machine upgrade helped EastLink earn the highest 5-star GRESB sustainability rating 
• The solution has created the first on-demand tunnel ventilation system in Australia and one of only a few in the world