For Organisations
Set up an energy management program
NT organisations can benefit significantly from energy management practices. Improvements in the way an organisation and its facilities use energy can reduce operating costs and improve services.
An energy management program is a process of continuous improvement and comprises a set of well-planned actions aimed at reducing an organisation's energy bills to a minimal practical level.
High level commitment
Commitment from senior management is crucial. Sustainability Unit can help by presenting energy management concepts to senior management. High level commitment should be regularly emphasised through newsletters to staff and an Energy Policy.
Appoint an Energy Manager / Management Team
Appoint a motivated senior staff member as the Energy Manager responsible for the overall coordination of the program. The Energy Manager should be a member of, or report directly to, senior management and can be assisted by an Energy Coordinator. An Energy Manager doesn't require a technical background but does need to really want to achieve savings.
For large organisations it is appropriate to establish an Energy Management Committee (see recommended team structure).
Prepare an Energy Policy
A written energy policy will be a guide as to how you plan to improve energy efficiency and represents a commitment to saving energy. A policy includes general aims and specific energy cost and use reduction targets as well as the organisation of management resources.
Set up an energy monitoring and reporting system
Set up a database or spreadsheet to record historical and ongoing energy use and cost information and produce summary reports.
It is very important that, each time a bill is received, Facility Energy Managers check consumption against the energy use PER DAY for the same period in previous years prior to organising payment. Only then can billing mistakes or building operating problems be identified and addressed. Many issues have been identified and massive savings achieved through this zero cost procedure. The consumption over each billing period should be divided by the number of days in each billing period for a true comparison of consumption. Changes in seasons affect energy use too which is why the comparison should be made with the same period in the previous year or years.
If buildings have computerised Building Management Systems, energy use can be monitored in even greater detail.
Taking time analysing energy data will help Energy Managers manage trends and identify savings opportunities.
Summary reports of energy use and costs compared with targets should regularly be presented to staff and senior management to provide feedback and ensure a high level of energy awareness across the organisation. Ideally annual reports will include summaries of energy use, savings and greenhouse gas emissions.
Implement a staff awareness training program
A key ingredient of a successful energy management program is to maintain a high level of awareness among staff. This can be achieved by formal training and marketing resources (newsletters, posters, and publications) or incorporation of energy management into an existing training program. The program plans and reports should be communicated.
Conduct energy audits
An energy audit establishes where and how energy is being used and the potential for energy savings. It includes a walk-through survey, a review of systems that use energy, analysis of energy use and the preparation of an energy budget. It provides a baseline from which energy consumption can be compared over time.
An energy audit report will include recommendations for actions. It should indicate the costs and savings for each recommended action and a priority order for implementation.
Prepare a plan of action based on audit findings
Develop a plan of action based on the results of the energy audits. The plan should include an implementation timetable and funding and budgetary requirements. Savings made should be reinvested in new energy reduction activities so that benefits are compounded.
Implement projects
Implement the projects in order of priority as set out in the energy management plan. The progress of individual projects will need to be closely monitored to ensure they achieve the desired energy targets within the specified timeframe.
Report and review results
Review energy consumption regularly. Report your results and progress to management and staff on a regular basis. This will encourage ongoing commitment to the program.
Annual review
An Energy Management Program will be more effective if the results are reviewed annually and the plan of action revised. The review should at least detail actions undertaken during the year and projects and implementation plans for the next twelve months.