Initiatives in Action

The ESAP identified a number of energy savings initiatives and following is a  summary of those which have either been fully implemented or are currently in progress:

1. Specific Utilities Initiatives
2. Power factor correction
3. Site wide metering program
4. Heating Ventilating & Air Conditioning Controls modifications
5. Green Power Purchase
6. Awards & Accolades

1. Specific Utilities Initiatives

These measures centred on the passing of the applicable utility charges through to third party tenants occupying areas within the university campus. Savings were anticipated as the user-pays principle encouraged the self-regulation of energy consumption. Since 2006, utility charges have been progressively either directly billed or rolled in to the rental charges of these tenants.

2. Power factor correction

Correcting the power factor is about improving the efficiency of the electricity that the campus draws from the substations.  A description about what a power factor is all about in technical terms can be found here.

The implementation of power factor corrections is now complete and has improved the power factor experienced at each of the supply sub-stations. This in turn has decreased the amount of electrical current consumed by campus.

3. Site wide metering program

During 2008 an order was placed with Country Energy’s “Energy Answers” division to supply and install a site wide metering and reporting system for the University campus. This system provides the collection and reporting of consumption data for each of electricity, natural gas and potable water utilities provided on campus. 

The scope of the system has now also been extended to allow the Performance Indicator Project to also access the data collected so that it can be viewed by users across the various departments. Completion of the system is expected in September 2009.

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4. Heating Ventilating & Air Conditioning Controls modifications

Identified during the ESAP process were many specific projects across campus where more efficient performance of the existing mechanical services could be achieved.

These projects generally fell into one of the following categories:

• Minimising the running times of the mechanical plant by scheduling their operation for actual, required occupancy times and/or utilising occupant detection systems.
• Maximising the use of outside air cycles to provide non-mechanical cooling as much as possible.
• Minimising unsuitable outside air infiltration by, for example, using of CO2 sensors to maintain air quality.
• Adjustment of control setpoints for both space condition and service water setpoints to eliminate excessive heating and cooling plant operation.
• Resetting of heating plant setpoints based on the prevailing outside air temperature.
• General overhaul of control algorithms to eliminate inbuilt inefficiencies such as systems, on occasion, heating and cooling simultaneously or plant running at higher capacities than actually necessary.

As of the end of May 2009, HVAC sustainability projects have been completed in buildings 14, 39, 41 and 30. During 2009, Building 17 will be completed and works will commence in buildings 20 and 22.

Whilst the 2008/2009 initiative savings are only just beginning to be realised, the indications to date are that the measures implemented so far have shown a significant decrease in kilowatt-hours consumed (kWh) and CO_2e emissions generated.  As can be seen in the graph below the average monthly consumption has decreased from October 2008 and it is expected there will be a sustained and deepening reduction through the remainder of 2009.

Caption:  Wollongong Campus average kilowatt hours per month (Note data only for 6 months of 2007 and not complete for May 2009).

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5. Green Power Purchase

In November 2008 UOW purchased 15% Green Power which placed us as one of the leading universities in Australia in green power purchase. This proportion of our consumed electrical power is generated from sources recognised as wholly renewable. Learn more about our GreenPower Commitment.

6. Awards and Accolades

The University has received the following:

2005: Gold Green Globe Award
Significant energy savings at UOW were recognised by the NSW Government with the Minister for Utilities, Mr Carl Scully, awarding UOW a Gold "Green Globe Award" at the Energy and Water Green Globe Awards 2005.      

2003: Silver Green Globe Award
The Minister for Energy and Utilities, The Hon Frank Sartor MP, presented a Silver Energy Smart Business Award to UOW for commitment to reducing greenhouse gases at the Energy Smart Green Globe Awards held at Parliament House.

2001: Bronze Green Globe Award
Energy savings at UOW were recognised by the NSW Government awarding UOW a Bronze "Green Globe Award" at the Energy and Water Green Globe Awards 2001.