Energy
The NSW Government Sustainability Policy sets a statewide target for NSW Government agencies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from building energy use to 2000 levels (1.5 million tonnes) by 2019/20.
Reducing energy use by improving efficiency is key to any emission reduction program. Energy management begins with measuring existing use and undertaking an energy management review.
Energy and emission saving opportunities can be identified by applying the Energy Efficiency Hierarchy, a process based on the well known waste reduction mantra, ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’. It has three key steps – minimise, optimise, source renewables.
Minimise your need
As a first step, make sure that you are only using energy when and where it is required. Technical options to minimise your energy needs include:
- insulation.
- passive building design which includes natural lighting, ventilation and temperature control.
- education and communication programs for staff and visitors.
- monitoring systems to detect wastage and understand your consumption.
- system and operations analysis to make sure devices are only used when needed, e.g. sensor or timed air conditioning, lighting and hot water systems.
You can consider ‘non-technical’ options as well:
- engage staff and visitors with education and communication programs such as an office ‘shut-down’ campaign. Staff can be a great source of ideas and networks and can be valuable partners in action.
Optimise
Most sites will have energy using devices that operate inefficiently or can be upgraded to a more efficient model. Opportunities to improve energy efficiency can be found in each area of operation and include:
- Office equipment. Purchase equipment compliant with ENERGY STAR, an international standard for energy efficient office equipment including computers, printers and photocopiers.
- General appliances. Upgrading to energy efficient models of appliances such as refrigerators, heating and cooling systems, clothes driers, dish washers, which have at least 4-star ratings under the Minimum Energy Performance Standards Scheme (MEPS).
- Lighting systems. Upgrade to high efficiency luminaires.
- Hot water systems. Replacing electric hot water systems with gas, solar or heat pump hot water systems.
- Heating and cooling buildings. Installing variable speed drives on air conditioning fans and pumps.
- Demand management. Power factor correction reduces peak demand.
Use a renewable supply
Consider using renewable energy once you have minimised your need and improved the efficiency of your existing devices. Alternative energy supplies include:
- Purchasing GreenPower from an accredited provider.
- Generating energy from solar panels (photovoltaic cells), biogas, cogeneration, wind energy and many more.
Further information
Guidelines for preparing an Energy Savings Action Plan