APY Lands Energy Efficiency Retrofit Pilot

The harsh desert conditions of the remote Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands present unique challenges for thermal comfort and energy efficiency in housing. Temperature extremes and associated severe thermal stresses are compounded by complex social and logistical challenges. With climate projections indicating hotter summers and more extreme weather by mid-century, the ability of Aboriginal people to remain living well on Country is a growing concern. This pilot project is exploring and testing thermal performance and energy efficiency upgrades to houses within one APY community. In evaluating the effectiveness and financial viability of various solutions, the aim is to provide a model for roll-out throughout the region and inform the development of comparable programs across Australia.

This project is part of the Enhancing Home Thermal Efficiency theme of the Reliable, Affordable Clean Energy for 2030 (RACE for 2030) Cooperative Research Centre. RACE for 2030 targets energy and carbon transition, with the aim to deliver $3.8 billion of cumulative energy productivity benefits and 20 megatonnes of cumulative carbon emission savings by 2030. The pilot is a collaboration between the University of South Australia, the South Australian Department of Energy and Mining and the South Australian Housing Authority, working with numerous industry and community partners.

My main roles:

• Leading heating and cooling appliance work package.
• Scenario design and model inputs for building energy and thermal performance simulations.
• Development of extreme weather datasets for building modelling, along with weather projections under climate change.
• Coordinated pre-trial evaluation of thermal envelope retrofit options, targetting airtightness and thermal bridging. 
• Bibliometric analysis of housing retrofit and thermal performance/energy efficiency literature.
• Project management assistance.