Our initiatives - Energy
Energy efficiency training project receives $28,000
Charles Sturt University (CSU) has been granted $28,000 to join with Greater Southern Area Health Service, Riverina Institute of TAFE and Wagga Wagga City Council in a new project to train 25 facilities and operations managers in energy efficiency.
$695,000 invested in improving energy and water efficiencies
This has been a major project for which CSU won funding from the state government. The Project involved the installation of energy and water saving devices to a number of buildings on the Wagga Campus by the company Ecosave. The first stage of the works were completed in Nov/Dec 2008 and the second stage in early 2010. Lighting was made more energy efficient in these buildings using a combination of movement sensors and voltage reduction units, and by refurbishing or replacing fluorescent lights with more energy efficient bulbs. Four power factor correction units were also installed on campus.
The total investment for the two stages was $695,000 ($560,000 from CSU and $135,000 from the NSW Public Facilities Fund). The benefits of this program in terms of electricity are savings of 570MWh per year, with emission saving of 675 tonnes. The emissions savings are the equivalent of taking 175 cars off the road. The projects also result in a significant reduction in Wagga Campus' peak electricity demand and so reduce the pressure on additional investment in our state's electricity networks.
The initiative has notable economic benefits in addition to environmental benefits. As also noted under 'Our initiatives - Water', the combined water savings and energy savings should be worth more than $140,000 per year!
The project also identified other potential investments in energy and water saving with similar attractive payback periods.
CSU Environmental Scorecard tracks progress on environmental targets
The Division of Facilities Management produces the 'CSU Environmental Scorecard', tracking the performance of the University in relation to its sustainability targets. The Scorecard is an important tool in measuring and managing environmental performance. The 2009 Scorecard shows that emissions from energy use have only increased 1.3% from the benchmark year of 2006, in spite of increases of 16% in the floor area of buildings at CSU. CSU Environmental Scorecard >>
New buildings
New buildings on CSU campuses have features to minimise required energy use. For example,
- the innovative design elements used in the new academic accommodation building (AA3) at Thurgoona have resulted in the building being awarded six green stars and 'world leader' status through the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) Green Star system. The building makes innovative use of phase-changing materials in the concrete floor to reduce heating and cooling used in the building. It is expected that energy consumption will be only 65 per cent of that of similar conventional office buildings. More info>
- the new residential accommodation at Wagga, Bathurst and Thurgoona campuses (totalling 600 beds) are of 'reverse veneer'; that is, the internal concrete walls are shielded from the summer heat by being clad with corrugated iron, enabling the buildings to maintain a more constant temperature with less use of air conditioning;
- all new dental buildings will have solar hot water heating and high efficiency lighting.
Energy saving in existing Bathurst residences
Incandescent light bulbs have been replaced with energy saving lights in all student residences in Bathurst. The majority of showerheads at student residences in Bathurst have had flow restrictors installed or been replaced with restricted flow heads. This saves on the energy used to heat the water as well as reducing water use itself.
NSW Sustainability Advantage
CSU joined the 'Sustainability Advantage' (a NSW Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water) program in December 2008. With the assistance of the Energy Saver program under Sustainability Advantage, CSU is auditing the energy and water performance of the Orange and Bathurst Campuses. These audits will identify investment opportunities with both good environmental outcomes and good financial returns. The investments will be funded from CSU's $3 million energy saving loan.
In June 2010 the Sustainability Advantage program awarded CSU Bronze Recognition status for its sustainability initiatives and achievements. More info>
Thurgoona Learning Commons
The $9.5 million Learning Commons includes low energy lighting with automated controls, a highly efficient air-conditioning and heating system, use of natural ventilation and solar hot water systems.
Gordon Beavan building
Adjustments have been made to the air-conditioning of the Gordon Beavan building, a major energy user on Thurgoona campus, to reduce operation by 25 hours/wk while improving the temperature control within the building.
What can you do?
Tips:
- Turn off your computer and monitor at the end of the day - this saves over 60% of the energy it would use if left on.
- After turning off at the machine, also turn off your computer and monitor at the power point. Doing so saves 40% of the power that the computer and monitor would use over a year if only turned off at the machine.
- Turn off your lights when leaving your office for more than 15 minutes.
- Draw curtains in your home or office during the warmer parts of the day to lower the temperature.
- Talk with others and share your suggestions on energy saving. Help foster a culture change toward greater environmental responsibility.
Do you have any suggestions to help manage energy use? Voice your suggestions here!