Energy efficiency in the public sector

In decentralising services, government is moving more responsibility and decision making to Local Authorities. Budgets however do not necessarily follow, and more money must be raised locally.

Given that governments are driving energy efficiency measures forward, one can imagine that the public sector must be leading by example. Within the public sector are schools, colleges, hospitals and health estates, police, military and both national and local government. One might imagine that this sector above all others is energy astute and efficiency aware. This is rarely true.

The technology is there to control buildings’ energy use in lighting, heating, HVAC, building controls and distribution. Lighting alone can account for 40% of a typical commercial enterprise’s electricity consumption. It is also important to consider that passive energy reduction measures such as installing insulation, can create problems if adequate ventilation is not considered at the same time.

In industry there are proven systems to reduce the power consumed by electric motor systems and to better control the application of electrical power throughout a plant. Two thirds of electrical energy used by industry is used powering motors. In most countries less than 10% of those motors have any kind of control and therefore cannot be slowed down or switched off automatically.

Energy efficiency in the public sector

While public buildings are an obvious demonstration for the public to see its authorities putting into practice what they preach, this is rarely the case. Again, this is largely because of a lack of understanding of what can be achieved and how much it costs – budgets are frequently the excuses given for lack of action in the public sector.

For example, attention is often paid to heating and thermal management, but lighting is ignored. Outside, car parks are maintained, but lit for far longer than necessary.

In many large public buildings there is enormous scope for intelligent building controls that can impact substantially on energy consumption. This is particularly true in hospitals, schools and colleges – all of which have many areas unoccupied for example at any given time.

Depending on the country or region, the spheres of influence in energy efficiency decision making can be highly complicated and often disjointed. The need is for a coherent and holistic understanding by all the stakeholders in the public building sector to understand the broadest possibilities for electrical energy conservation and management.

Through its UK partners, Schneider Electric is able to support and advise local government in energy saving in public buildings

Go here for the Schneider white paper “Unlocking energy efficiency”

Contact 999 Automation for energy saving surveys and Schneider energy saving products