Victoria University - Footscray Nicholson Campus Energy Audit

University Campus consists of three big buildings with total internal floor area of 28,200 m2 and house around 2,500 students. The purpose of this energy audit is to identify opportunities to reduce energy consumption as part of the university energy saving initiative. Major energy saving recommendations are listed below:

• Improve the BMS by adding new energy efficiency control strategies.
• Install solar PV system to generate electricity.
• Change chiller and boiler constant flow system to variable flow system.
• Replace old inefficient chiller and boilers with new high efficiency type.
• Add insulation to the buildings' ceiling.
• Occupancy sensors.
• Replace lights with more efficient type.

Total annual cost saving was $139,071 with 7.66 years payback period. Annual GHG avoidance was 737.4 Tonnes CO2-e.

Further, Victoria University implemented one of our recommendations, which is replacing an old calorifier for domestic hot water system in one of the buildings with solar hot water system. AESS helped the university by preparing the specifications and tender document for this project so they can select a qualified contractor to do the job.

AESS estimated that by implementing this recommendation, an annual 87,390 MJ saving in gas consumption and 8,240 kWh saving in electricity consumption are achievable. This leads to around 13.4 Tonnes CO2 emissions avoidance.

Refer to the photo to the left that shows the solar hot water system installation after it has been completed.

Mansfield Primary School Energy Audit

Primary school with 485 students located in Mansfield, Victoria. The school is more than 150 years old with some recent expansions and upgrades. Major energy saving recommendations are listed below:

• Install solar PV system to generate electricity.
• A/C units and Gas heaters controls.
• Replace old A/C units with new high efficiency type.
• Replace lights with more efficient type. 
• Occupancy Sensors
• Office equipment and kitchen appliances Controls

Total annual cost saving was $8,814 with 6.75 years payback period. Annual GHG avoidance was 33.43 Tonnes CO2-e.

Irymple Primary School Energy Audit

Primary school with 323 students located in Mildura, Victoria. The school is more than 125 years old with new learning centre built in 2009. Major energy saving recommendations are listed below:

• Install solar PV system to generate electricity.
• A/C units and Gas heaters controls.
• Reprogram the irrigation pump controls.
• Replace lights with more efficient type. 
  
• Occupancy Sensors
• Office equipment and kitchen appliances Controls

Total annual cost saving was $22,107 with 4.15 years payback period. Annual GHG avoidance was 100 Tonnes CO2-e.

Edithvale Primary School Energy Audit

Primary school with 350 students located in Melbourne, Victoria. The school is more than 100 years old with recent upgrades. Major energy saving recommendations are listed below:

• A/C Units and gas heaters controls.
• Ventilation system for the servers room.
• Delamp.
• Replace lights with more efficient type.
• Occupancy sensors.
• Office equipment and kitchen appliances controls.

Total annual cost saving was $3,734 with 7.1 years payback period. Annual GHG avoidance was 17.3 Tonnes CO2-e.

School's Energy Consumption Simulation

AESS has successfully completed the energy consumption simulation of five school buildings in USA. This service included the followings:

• Building a model for the school building in a simulation software and as per the architectural drawings.
• Adding the construction materials of the building to the building model in the simulation software including the windows and doors.
• Adding the as-built building services to the building model in the simulation software such as but not limited to HVAC systems, lighting systems, domestic hot water systems...etc.  
• Running an energy consumption simulation for the school building.
• Calibrating the energy consumption results in the simulation software to match the actual energy bills within +/- 10%.
• Applying Energy Conservation Measures (ECMs) in the simulation software to quantify the energy saving for each measure so the client can decide on which measure they can implement for a better return on investment (ROI).