Ian Hopkins shines a light on the four-steps that can dramatically improve energy efficiency – helping local authorities to relieve the pressure of rising energy costs and improve the sustainability of their stock.
To make the most of squeezed public finances, it’s essential to minimise energy waste. Our Energy Opportunities research with more than 1,000 energy decision makers uncovers four key opportunities to improve efficient energy management.
- Gain visibility of your energy consumption
If you do not know precisely how, when and where you are using energy, how can you understand where your energy costs really lie? How can you pinpoint where energy is being wasted, or the best opportunities to make savings?
Energy-efficient organisations understand the impact of monitoring and measuring energy consumption on cost and carbon reduction. By monitoring equipment with low-cost, wireless sensors, connected to an Internet of Things (IoT) analytics platform, you can quickly gain deep and insightful energy analytics across single or multiple sites. This means that you can pinpoint where energy waste is occurring and inform energy efficiency improvements to turn visibility into cost savings.
- Use advanced energy efficiency solutions to reduce energy costs
40% of the organisations we interviewed for our research have significantly reduced energy costs after investing in advanced energy solutions. ‘Quick wins’ include replacing traditional light fittings with LED lighting, which is around 90% more efficient than traditional incandescent or halogen bulbs and uses up to 70% less power than fluorescent lamps. It also has a significantly longer lifespan.
Other energy efficiency measures with a rapid payback include improving insulation and installing energy control and management systems.
- Reduce your reliance on the grid with Combined Heat and Power (CHP)
CHP provides an effective solution for local authority sites, particularly where there is sufficient heat demand. It can reduce energy costs by up to 40% and unlock greater sustainability benefits by using renewables to fuel the CHP process. By providing a stable, secure, off-grid energy supply your site resilience is enhanced, protecting you from energy supply disruption. And in combination with battery storage you maximise opportunities to generate revenue and avoid peak power costs through energy optimisation or participating in Demand Side Response programmes.
We’ve installed one of the country’s largest commercial battery storage schemes for Gateshead Council, which is storing power from its CHP system to provide enough electricity to supply 3,000 homes for one hour. This will provide cost savings and strengthen resilience, while generatin an income by relieving peak-time pressure on the National Grid.
- Improve sustainability with Solar
Solar energy is one of the most cost-effective methods of improving both financial and environmental performance. Reduce electricity costs by offsetting more expensive grid supplies and increase sustainability by using 100% renewable power. Generate revenue by selling excess power back to the grid while you improve resilience by combining solar with energy storage.
Flexible finance
Lack of budget and manpower are no barrier to seizing the opportunity to improve energy performance. There are many flexible finance options and Centrica has the capability to deliver end-to-end projects – removing the financial and management burden from time and budget-pressed public sector bodies.
Council becomes more energy-efficient
Centrica Business Solutions has partnered with Durham County Council to maximise the energy efficiency of select council buildings. This has delivered a 34% reduction in electricity usage and saving £44,000 per year.
Durham County Council wanted to cut carbon emissions and amplify the energy efficiency of its buildings. The Council embarked on a major energy assessment of some of its building stock. In the first phase it tackled larger places of work before addressing smaller, rural offices. In the next phase it wanted to renovate three, large vehicle depots.
Full audit, design and install
Centrica Business Solutions started by conducting an energy assessment of the three sites. Working alongside the Council, Centrica Business Solutions designed and installed a range of energy saving solutions. These included LED lighting to replace the fluorescent strip lighting, pipe insulation, automatic doors to ensure heat loss was kept to a minimum, and destratification fans. The refits were completed within three months, with all three depots fully operational throughout.
The solution has delivered an immediate impact. Most strikingly, the depots are now warmer and more efficiently lit. “They are more energy efficient now,” says Paul Wilkinson, Senior Projects Manager, Durham County Council. “This gives us peace of mind that we are being as efficient as possible, but it also means that the staff working in the depots are benefitting from the changes.”
The cost savings have been remarkable. Across the three depots there has been a 34% reduction in electricity consumption (380,000 kWh saved), resulting in a cost reduction of £44,000.
“The LED lighting produced the quickest return,” continues Paul. “But the range of measures – doors closing automatically, lights going off when no one is in the area, circulating hot air from ceiling to floor – these have all helped to maximise the efficiency of our operations.
“Centrica Business Solutions has helped us reduce energy costs and become more energy-efficient. Implementing these energy-saving solutions has not only allowed us to reduce our carbon emissions, it has also helped us define a long-term energy management strategy.”
With thanks to Ian Hopkins of Centrica Business Solutions for preparing this article
