Case Studies

Energy Solution Providers M&T solution delivers ASB a 24% Energy Reduction

The ASB initiated the Save Watt programme as an energy efficiency drive. The programme encompassed energy audits, lighting control, HVAC upgrades, renewable energy and greenhouse gas studies, as well as energy-efficient design for new building projects and refurbishments.

Audits by ESP indicated there was potential to save 19% of the ASB’s electricity consumption and a Monitoring and Targeting (M&T) programme was initiated to pinpoint opportunities for savings and how best to achieve them.

This project, begun in 2008 – 2009, saw monitoring equipment installed in all ASB branches to provide real-time consumption data for  performance analysis.

Immediately after the monitoring and targeting (M&T) system was installed the ASB was able to identify after-hours loads in excess of expectations. These had not been identified through bill verification procedures.

Once the after-hours loads were reduced, the task of reducing daytime loads was addressed. This led to an overhaul of the Save Watt programme, including a review of leadership and policy, documents, data analysis, project planning and implementation, and how successes and failures were reported internally and externally.

Monitoring and Targeting (M&T) is a technique that provides managers with real-time data to identify opportunities for better energy management, and measure project results against forecast outcomes, ensuring optimum targets are set and achieved.

This involves installing monitoring equipment on different meters (electricity, water, gas), and on various loads, such as HVAC, lighting, boilers and UPS, to record usage at pre-set intervals, in this case 15 minutes. 

The system records kWh, kVAh, kVARh, Power Factor, Amps per phase and Volts per phase and data is transmitted every half hour by GPRS to a central server where it is processed  and presented in a series of graphs and tables chosen by the ASB to provide a real-time picture of consumption.

M&T determines the relationship between energy use and key performance indicators(production, weather, etc.) to help business managers assess plant performance and quantify opportunities for improved operating and maintenance efficiency.

The M&T system allows for continuous commissioning of systems and enabled the ASB to test manufacturers’ claims and finally adopt energy-efficient technologies which offer the greatest benefits.

Ultimately the key benefit of the installation of an M&T system is the quick, accurate and comprehensive identification of problem areas and verification of the targeted savings.

The verified savings

Since the M&T installation, annual electricity consumption adjusted for production growth is currently achieving a 24% reduction and on target to exceed 9,000MWh per annum.

Actual savings are 5% beyond the target of 19%.

ESP and ASB would like to acknowledge the support of the Electricity Commission who funded this project.

Electricity Commission funding - How to access it

The Electricity Commission promotes and facilitates electricity efficiency, reflecting the Government Policy Statement on Electricity Governance and the Electricity Act. The Commission offers financial assistance to organisations in the commercial sector who want to improve their electricity efficiency.

The Commission has a number of programme partners who manage electricity efficiency projects for commercial sector organizations.

For more information please visit http://www.electricitycommission.govt.nz/