Reducing Energy Consumption - Case Study Example

Assessment 2: Case Study Student’s Name Course Professor Date Reducing Energy Consumption 1. Policy Statement The library management is committed to conservation of energy and reducing cost through by coming up with cost-effective and sustainable lighting options. Implementation (communication) Plan Through a continuous commitment from the council, library management and the staff, the library is determined to identify potential for reduced energy consumption, implement waste minimization, reduce and monitor energy consumption and consequential increase of recurring costs of operations (National Maritime Museum 2015). 2. Alternative initiatives to reduce energy consumption Library management consider a single solar Photovoltaic as ultimate alternative that would eliminate annual energy consumption in the library by over 50%. Solar energy will not only target to reduce the impacts of costs in the library but will be an effort to show the willingness of the university to move to renewable technology system (Bube, 2012). Instead of the total cost in the proposed changes of globes to come up with energy efficient measures, solar panel will be connected to the main switch and provide lighting throughout the day. Automatic sensor can be fitted at the main switch to sense when the solar power is gone due to weather conditions or at night. If the measure is implemented, it can be ridiculously reduce energy costs and can still operate with the current globes to avoid high-cost of sensitive lighting. The proposed strategy to change the globes can be substituted by lighting measures in the library building. The total lighting can be improved by fitting windows and doors with triple glazing throughout the library and ensure that the ceilings and wall are fitted with down lights to illuminate the reading areas are book store closets. The library should retain the minimum number of shelves and rearrange the library in a way to ensure access to outside light for areas that are more visited. If windows and doors are improved beyond the normal Building regulations, it can result to a total energy saving of over 10% for the whole building. 3. Implementation plan for the initiatives Key activities The library identifies eight key stages for implementing a system that will reduce energy consumption including: Investigating the broad environment in which the library operates/ key departments, energy capacities and the length of time when lights are on in a day Analyze each function and activities performed by the library i.e. printing, number of computers, general lighting and so on. Analyze and identify the library’s requirements for activities and functions related to energy consumption. Assess the extent to which the current power connects and source meets the requirements and its costs. Identify and select energy reducing strategies that can meet the new requirements. Design the energy supply system that incorporates the above strategy/strategies. Implement the energy supply system Evaluate the performance of the energy supply system based on capacity, costs and effectiveness. Responsibilities and Supervision Maintenance staff Maintenance staff is appointed for one-and-half month temporary period for conducting the implementation on a full time basis. Maintenance staff will get assistance from information management staff in every department. These staff will give the expected assistance on regular basis as they have knowledge and experience about their respective departments and how energy is used in a typical day. The focus on energy supply information they ought to provide will depend on the functions performed by each department, record management practices and current number of visitors that use the departmental services and spaces. Council electrician Staff member with skills like council electrician may be called upon to guide and discuss energy supply issues, comment on drafts, assist in staff consultation and demonstration training. The council electrician will be kept updated about the progress of installation to keep the tool up-to-date once the installation process is over. Office Manager Office Manager will be required on an irregular basis; utmost one day in a week for the one-and-half month. Stage 1 will require assistance from librarians to gain access to energy use. Short interviews will be conducted. Stage 2 will involve discussions from a few representatives in each department (1-2 hours per department) to confirm the range of activities adequately identified. All librarians will attend half day training session in the selected library hall for all staff to note practical measures to use energy efficiently and demonstrations. Stage 3 will involve short discussion with Office Manager, Council electrician and Maintenance staff for risk management and some additional feedback that can be given to the other staffs. Time lines Commencement date: 10 September 2015 Cessation date: 30 October 2015 Date Task 10-13 Sep Compile WBS (Work Plan) and Management Plan 14- 16 Sep Preliminary Investigation 17-20 Sep Checking of Stage 1 by Council electrician Stage 2 analysis and benefits/business case Compilation of draft 20-25 Sep Department’s Consultation and completion Check of Stage 2 by council electrician 26 Sep - 23 Oct Stage 3 identification of energy supply needs and capacities Installation of energy supply system 24- 25 Oct Training, demonstration and consultation 26-30 Oct Seek authorization from council electrician Finalize project Resources Estimated Cost Reason $400 Purchase of either solar panels and sensor, energy saving and sensitive globes or improve windows and door lighting $280 Systems classification scheme and workshops Training and demonstration Consultation/training in regard to authorizing. Total $680 Reporting requirement Reporting arrangement is designed for quality control. Maintenance staff will report to Office Manager on a weekly basis or when need be twice a week about the progress. He will also report, but informally, to Council electrician about work breakdown structure and installation system required. When relevant for the progress of the energy supply system work, reports will be submitted to Departmental staff as a reference group or appointed representatives Maintenance staff will examine additional implementation issues in relation to the new energy system and reports to department reference group accordingly. 4. Communication plan Consulting with relevant stakeholders Stakeholder Information Frequency Communication method Format Office Manager High level information only Funding requests Schedules change plans and deviations accomplishments Weekly/ twice-a-week (only when need be) Formal meeting Power point (pre-read a day earlier before meeting) Council electrician Resourcing, Lighting technology issues. Progress/ operational/technical issues Weekly e-mail of formal meetings Agenda, adhoc or formal meeting Departments’ Reference group Departmental requirements Baseline changes Progress Fortnightly or as needed Email or formal meeting Agenda or adhoc Others/ Interested party Progress, risks, plan, schedule, issues and selection of approach As needed Email or informal meeting Updated plans Adopted from Picken Wanamaker (2011) Promoting energy saving initiatives Consult on best place to place switches for staffs to control unnecessary lighting zones and spaces. Staff will note the reasons for locating switches in strategic locations to reduce the number of running bulbs at any given time. Communicate to them about set timers for starting the energy systems mostly as soon as people/users enter the library and during working hours only. Inform all staffs to switch their personal devices and gadgets, computers and printers into power saving modes and switch off when not in use to reduce energy wastage. Set up a centralized reporting to ensure regular maintenance, come up and inform them of maintenance schedules and collaborative review of the workability of new energy system. In turn, it is possible to compare use and saving targets periodically. Every department will have a document with check dates and indicated change in usage. 5. Monitor Progress The plan will be reviewed at the end of every stage for the implementation to stick on track. Supervision of the plan will be carried out by the Office manager and confirmed by council electrician. They will be informed if any problem arises with timing, quality or cost. Any changes to the plan will be negotiated. In addition, library staff inheriting the system will be kept informed about the progress of the project. In turn, they will be part and parcel of dealing with residual tasks or day to day activities that promote energy conserving. Weekly reports will be reviewed to confirm that the work is deployed as planned before the next stage is commenced. 6. Procedure for employees to follow Opening the windows immediately after arrival in the office Ensure consistent glass windows cleaning to ensure maximum light during the day. Switching on lights during cloudy seasons, from 8 to 9:30 am and in the evening from 5:30 pm Switching off all lights before leaving office and switch on printers and computers only when necessary. Ensure rearrangement of tables, books closets in a manner that ensure ease of access. For instance, have reading tables close to the walls, books shelves in the middle to avoid their shadows darkening the reading areas. Arrange shelves according to the user needs; the most used close to naturally lighted areas while less used in darker areas where there are walls on both sides or far from doors and windows. Communicate to users about the changes and energy saving processes through memos on notice boards and in accessible areas. Reporting any break-down and areas to improve in the department to increase better lighting Reduce unnecessary shelves; replace broken tables that may make lighted area less useful (Malman, 2005). References Bube, R. (2012). Fundamentals of solar cells: photovoltaic solar energy conversion. Elsevier. Malman, D. (2005). Lighting for Libraries. 2001, Revised 2005. Architectural Lighting Design. http://www.iar.unicamp.br/lab/luz/ld/Arquitetural/diversos/Lighting%20for%20Libraries.pdf. National Maritime Museum (2015). Energy Policy Statement. Retrieved on 21 August 2015 from http://www.rmg.co.uk/about/policies/sustainable-development/energy-policy-statement. Pickens, Wanamaker. (2011). Communication Plan Strategy Example. Retrieved on 21 August 2015 from http://communicationplanstoday.blogspot.co.ke/2011/11/communication-plan-strategy-example.html. Read More