Energy Management in Energy Management in BuildingsBuildings

Tony Golding

IMPLEMENTATION OF ENERGY MANAGEMENT

• Appointment of an energy manager (engineer)

• Production of an energy management plan

• An energy audit undertaken on all buildings

• Implementation of no-cost / low-cost measures

• Monitoring of energy consumption undertaken continuously

• Annual performance report on energy consumption to the Department of Minerals and Energy

• Use energy efficiency contracts (Energy Service Companies)

• Train staff to save energy in the building

ENERGY EFFICIENCY STRATEGY

The Energy Efficiency Strategy of 2005

•Established energy saving targets for each sector – Industry, Commercial & Public Buildings, Transport and Residential

•The 10-year target for Public Buildings is 15%.

•An energy standard for buildings has also been developed. This will be available for public use in the near future. The intention is that it will become part of the National Building Regulations.

•The Strategy is on the DME’s website

SAVINGS POTENTIAL

•Lighting typically consumes about half of a department’s electricity bill. Installing compact fluorescent lamps or light-emitting diodes cuts consumption significantly.

•HVAC (space-heating/air-conditioning) uses about 25% of a department’s electricity but is more expensive to change.

•Equipment (PCs, photocopiers) account for the rest. Switch off machines when not in use. Always turn mains switches off. ‘Standby losses’ waste much power, when appliances are left in remote mode, especially in the home.