College Energy Management

Did you know College spends €6 million each year on electricity, natural gas and water? This results in greenhouse gas emissions of 28,000 tonnes.

It is College policy to promote sustainable development and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Everybody has a role to play. Simple actions like switching off lights when they are not required, not using plug-in electric heaters, using a blank screensaver, tightening up your PC powersave features, pulling down the sash on fume cupboards, and managing lab equipment all help. For more tips on how you can help, go to www.e3.ie. 

Fume cupboards use electricity and draw heat out of the building.

Energy Facts
In 2008/09 college consumed over 34,400,000 kWh of electricity, over 35,400,000 kWh of natural gas and over 443,000 cubic metres of water. That cost €6m. Each extra € spent on energy and water, is a € less available for other activities, such as research or campus development.

Our commitment
The College Strategic Plan identifies our role in fostering a sustainable society, and to raise awareness of the centrality of low-carbon living and sustainability. College aims to position itself at the forefront of sustainable, low energy procurement initiatives in all future construction projects. We will establish ambitious targets for reduced energy usage, water usage and waste production in all areas of College activity.

College energy strategy
Our energy programme has four main strands

• Ensure new and refurbished buildings are designed to be efficient in use
• Monitor, manage and reduce use in existing buildings
• Consider life-cycle costs when buying new equipment and plant
• Use low cost and, where possible, renewable energy sources

Energy reduction programme - e3
The Director of Buildings Office has been collaborating with UCD, DIT, and DCU to reduce energy use since 2004. The programme is called e3 (energy, environment and economy).
Our participation has resulted in College achieving cumulative savings of €555,000 (Dec.09). Indeed, last year alone we achieved savings of €259,000 and 1,100 tonnes of greenhouse gas.
In 2010 this programme will be extending to include more buildings.
You can monitor energy performance of participating Trinity college buildings, and find out more about e3, at www.e3.ie.

Exciting Biosciences Development

During 2011 the Colleges newest building the Biosciences Development on Pearse Street will be coming to completion. The building has several very innovative energy saving features including a highly efficient heat recovery system on all ventilation equipment and a rain water harvesting system.

The building will have a 500 kW Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant. The CHP plant simultaneously generates both electricity and heat on site. The electricity will provide the base electrical demand for the building and recovered heat generated will heat the building and general hot water. This will be a first for College and will assist in reducing the overall environmental impact of the building.

Energy assistance to faculties, schools and departments
We are committed to working with faculties, schools and departments to assist them in reducing their energy use and emissions. This particularly includes those participating in the 1010 campaign. The 1010 campaign is encouraging people to reduce their energy consumption by 10% in 2010. We will meet to discuss opportunities. Where appropriate, our support may include an energy survey to identify energy saving opportunities, and investments in reducing energy use.
We will also support and work with commercial and self-financing units that take a leading role in reducing their energy use. 

Display Energy Certificates
Most Trinity College large buildings now have a Display Energy Certificate (DEC) indicating the energy performance of that building. DEC’s are ratings based on the actual measured energy consumption in a building each year. These certificates are prominently displayed, and generally to be found at the entrance of each building. They are updated annually, and our objective is to improve the energy rating of our buildings over time.

Renewable Energy
Since 2007 a substantial proportion – currently 50% - of our electricity has been generated from renewable energy sources. In 2009 this resulted in a saving in greenhouse gas emissions of 8,400 tonnes.
Nationally, only 6.4% of Ireland’s electricity is generated from renewable sources. Energy is precious, use it wisely.

Energy Awareness & Useful Links
If you would like to promote energy efficiency in your area, awareness stickers, notices and posters are available from us and from other sources.
For e3 posters and stickers, contact kieron.mcgovern@tcd.ie.
For posters and customisable notices, see www.e3.ie (“Get Involved”). 
For guidance on how to raise energy awareness, and other resources, see http://www.sei.ie/energymap/Energy_Awareness/
Other links:
www.tcd.ie/greenpages
www.powerofone.ie
www.change.ie
www.carbontrust.co.uk

Winter Demand Reduction Scheme & Night Demand
Each winter College participates in the national Winter Peak Demand Reduction Scheme. This scheme helps reduce the peak national electricity demand, thereby reducing the use of less efficient power generating stations.
College receives a significant financial incentive for reducing electricity use between 5pm and 7pm during the winter months (November – February inclusive).
You can help by ensuring that unnecessary laboratory, office, and other equipment, and lighting is switched off between 5pm and 7pm.
Where possible batch-type work, such as energy intensive IT updates or computations, electric autoclaves, use of hydraulic equipment, and activities that use significant volumes of compressed air should be avoided from 5pm-7pm.
Electricity prices at night – from 11pm to 8am – are half that of during the day, so we also encourage switching batched activities to between these times where possible.
Remember, between 5pm and 7pm:

• Switch off unnecessary lights or equipment
• Do not run electric autoclaves
• Avoid substantial IT updates and computations
• Avoid activities that use compressed air
• Avoid use of hydraulic equipment/pumps

2011Green Week Competition
Green week starts on 21st of February, 2011. See www.tcd.ie/greenpages for the programme. This year we are giving away two whole house electricity meters. Click here for more details.

Kieron McGovern

Engineering Services Manager
Director of Buildings Office
West Chapel
Trinity College
Kieron.mcgovern@tcd.ie
Phone     +353 1 896 8513
Fax         +353 1 679 3799