AUTHORS: Michelle M. Soledad, Renyl B. Barroca, Eddie S. Paras
DATE COMPLETED: August 1, 2012
KEYWORDS:
ABSTRACT
The Ateneo de Davao University seeks to develop a culture of responsibility for the environment, and pushes for sustainable development. At the global level a number of ways through which these two can be achieved has been studied and discussed, and among these considerations is the responsible use of electric energy.
An effort to develop a management system towards the efficient use of electric energy was therefore conceived and deemed appropriate. The main goal of the effort is to bring about the two-fold benefit of reduction of costs to electric energy consumption while contributing to the preservation of the environment.
This study conducted a detailed inventory of electric energy consuming devices installed in the Jacinto Campus of the Ateneo de Davao University, which were classified into Lighting Loads, Air-conditioning Units, Elevators, and Other Loads. The following buildings in the Jacinto campus were included in the study: Finster, Jubilee, Bellarmine, Canisius, Del Rosario, Dotterweich, Gisbert, Thibault, and Wieman Halls.
The study also established baseline data regarding average actual energy consumption. The expected electric energy consumption per month based on the devices identified during the inventory and the average operating hours as determined through interviews was computed, and compared against the actual electric energy consumption as billed by the Davao Light and Power Company.
The analysis identified Finster Hall as the building that contributes the most to total electric energy consumption, responsible for 53% of electric energy consumption. Air-conditioning units, on the other hand, is the load type that contributes the most to total electric energy consumption, responsible for 58% of total energy consumption.
A percentage difference of 10% was observed between the combined computed average monthly electric energy consumption of Finster and Jubilee Halls, and the air-conditioning load of Canisius Hall, versus actual consumption. This difference is attributed to electric energy consuming situations that are unaccounted for and could not be integrated accurately into averaging, such as (but not limited to) special events that utilize Finster Auditorium, F213, and J301; actual usage of electric energy consuming devices based on actual daily occupancy (for example, classroom use based on class scheduling for the term), need, and population, among other factors; and unaccounted use of convenience outlets by students, faculty, staff, and guests, for the purpose of charging personal laptops and mobile devices.
Recommendations regarding energy conservation and awareness, as well as improvement in practices related to building envelope, building occupancy, ventilation, and controls were identified. Opportunities for future research that will contribute to the development of a sustainable energy efficiency management system were also discussed.
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