Completed Minor Projects
Energy and Water Conservation
| Project: | Energy and Water Conservation |
|---|---|
| School/Division: | Facilities Management |
| Location: | Wagga Campus |
| Time line: | Work to be Completed Nov 2008 |
| Project cost: | $370,000 |
| Building area: | NA |
| Project Status: | Completed |
| Project contact: | Edward Maher |
Project Brief
A combination of energy and water saving measures were implemented across 13 buildings on the campus:
- Building 11, Lecture Unit
- Swan Theatre
- William Merrylees Libarary
- Wal Fife Theatres
- Jack Cross Computing Centre
- Chemistry labs
- Student Amenities Centre and shops and administration office
- Visual and Performing Arts Building
- Graham Building
- Swimming pool complex
- Cellar Door Lab RPC
- National Wine and Grape Industry Centre Laboratories
- Blakemore Building - South Campus
The works focused in implementing innovative conservation measures for the current lighting systems and water used in amenities.
Lighting
Lighting has been made more energy efficient using a combination of movement sensors, power factor correction units, voltage reduction units, and by refurbishing or replacing fluorescent lights with more energy efficient bulbs.
The infrared movement sensors work by making sure the lights are turned on only when someone is using the area. Previously, lights could be on all day but by installing the movement sensors we are saving a significant amount of energy. Building on this we also installed voltage reduction units to save energy being consumed by the fluorescent lighting. These work on the principle that fluorescent lights only need full power for a short period when switched on. After a one minute warm-up period the voltage can be reduced by 25 to 30%. Added to that we’ve replaced outdated and inefficient iron core transformers with energy efficient electronic transformers. Lights in the service and toilet corridors, as well as the public toilets were replaced with more energy efficient lamps and installed new starters and high performance reflectors, along with cleaning the diffusers in fluorescent light fittings.
Installing the solutions above is saving 20% of the energy consumed by the lighting in those buildings and more than $45,000 in annual energy related costs.
Air conditioning
We installed the Abbotly Energy Saving Module 4000 (ESM4000) to save energy consumed by the scroll compressors serving nine air conditioning units within the William Merrylees Library. The ESM4000 measures the rate of rise and fall of temperature and uses this information to apply more intelligent logic to the management of compressors while maintaining building comfort.
As well as reducing energy consumption it also helps reduce the running time and the stop and start frequency of the compressors, reducing the possibility of breakdowns and extending their life.
Installing the ESM4000 is saving 20% of the energy consumed by the scroll compressors and more than $4,000 in annual energy related costs.
Water conservation
Plumbers were engaged to install a number of water saving devices and to eliminate visible leaks
The new devices included:
- 50 flow control valves to basin taps; and
- water displacement devices in high flush-volume toilets
Repairs to existing plumbing included:
- any cistern rubbers that were leaking;
- any leaking taps;
- checking that all Zip urinals are operating at 100% efficiency; and
- any extensive damage being reported to maintenance to ensure relevant repairs were undertaken.
Overall, the conservation solutions installed will achieve a 3.8% reduction in energy use and an annual 1.4% saving on water use at the Wagga Wagga campus. That’s an annual reduction of 418 tonnes of CO2 and 4,430 kilolitres of water, and just over $87,000 per year.
It is estimated that these works will have paid for themselves in less than five years.
Consultants
Managing Contractors: Ecosave