2011-8-1
The Impact of Energy Saving Measures
The Energy Saving Team, formed by volunteer engineers, tried to determine the actual results and impact of energy saving measures, rather than just putting into practice a typical action list such as you may find anywhere.
I’d like to introduce some of our findings, so that anyone can refer to them, and of course to help reduce electrical power demand.
I’d like to introduce some of our findings, so that anyone can refer to them, and of course to help reduce electrical power demand.
To help raise awareness of energy saving, the first thing to do was create a poster which showed easily implementable measures. We displayed this throughout the office.
2. Assessing the working environment
Firstly we thought it important to assess the working environment. For this we used the proprietary SAP software to measure, created by the Japan Sustainable Building Consortium. By gathering responses to a questionnaire posted online, we were able to make an assessment of intellectual productivity based on factors that affect the office environment, such as lighting, acoustics, heat, air, space and IT. We plan to send out this questionnaire, several times while energy saving activities are being carried out.
3. 50% reduction in lighting levels
One of the two fluorescent tubes was removed from each lighting fixture, reducing lighting levels from around 700-800Lx to about 300-400Lx. The standard for lighting levels for offices in Japan is 500-750lx, while in the UK it is 300-500lx, so lighting levels in Japan
By making these changes, we have achieved a saving of 4kW per hour in the office.
4. Determining the A/C temperature setting
This is important however, the ambient temperature doesn’t always correspond to the temperature setting. This point was hammered home by taking temperature measurements in the working environment. So we are trying to find a temperature setting that will keep the office at about 28°C (which is still considered a little on the high side). What does it look like when we compare the temperature setting and the actual temperature measurement where people are working? It seems that the results vary in locations where the sensors or the A/C units are installed.
A textile ventilation duct on the ceiling. This was installed a few years ago to create a uniform indoor temperature.
5. A/C shutdown timer
The remote controllers for recent A/C systems have a weekly timer setting. The system in our office has this function so we set the timers to shutdown at 19:00. Shortly, it was easy to see the impact. Our staff didn’t notice that the A/C units had been switched off from 19:00, and the subsequent change in temperature was slow, even though a large number of A/C units were shutdown. If it starts to feel uncomfortable people can take it upon themselves to restart the units near them, but are required to ensure they are turned off when leaving the office.
Care is needed in deciding whether to switch off the cooling during lunch, as that is just before the peak period.
6. Raising Awareness
How easy is it to grasp just how much energy you are using? Well, it’s not easy – unless you have real time power monitoring! We are a tenant so we had to get the agreement of the owner and building management company, but we were able to install meters in the risers and on the roof where the building services equipment is installed. Energy measurement is also part of our business, but the installation of real time measurement brought new challenges, such as measuring the voltage.
We installed a display panel in the office, which is pictured below. A graph displays the real-time power monitoring data. To be easily understandable by everyone, the graph only displays demand. The expected demand based on the previous year’s monthly power demand and energy saving goals are displayed on the panel.
Additionally, fresh air temperature and humidity meters are installed, and the aim is to shutdown the A/C units and open the windows in periods when the air outside is cooler. This was actually carried out for about 2 days during July.
7. The future
Various power saving activities shall be carried out from now on. We shall also be exchanging opinions with design office colleagues, and there are also energy saving ideas which we had not previously considered.
I’ll tell you about them next time.
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