1.0 DIT Energy Management Programme

The DIT Energy Management Programme developed is similar to strategic energy management programme frameworks proposed by Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and Energy Star (U.S.) and may be described by the following Steps.

Step 1: Get Commitment- Through Leading by Example

Dublin Institute of Technology is a third level education institution with colleges throughout Dublin. In 2002 DIT Bolton Street College with a total floor area of 36,000m² was initially used as an example and template to promote and highlight the benefits of energy management and efficiency. A number of strategic steps were implemented, these included:

• An awareness campaign was implemented to motivate the staff to improve house keeping.
• The existing Building Energy Management System (BEMS) was upgraded and an energy information system (or commonly known as an energy monitoring and targeting system) installed.
• Existing plant was retrofitted with more efficient plant.
• Fuel tariffs were utilised to reduce energy costs.

Energy Savings of over 30% helped influence senior management and building managers to commit to the continuous improvement of energy efficiency and to develop an energy and environmental strategy.

An energy efficiency budget was created and support funding was received from Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEAI) for potential building energy management systems (BEMS) upgrades in the main colleges and installation of  energy information systems (commonly known as energy monitoring and targeting systems).

Additionally the following steps were undertaken

• An energy manager was appointed.
• An energy policy was drafted.
• Energy management and efficiency was implemented as an integral part of the bi-monthly building management meetings.

Step 2: Identify & Understand

The DIT undertook comprehensive energy audits and surveys for all the main colleges.  Building energy management systems were upgraded in the main colleges (Aungier Street, Bolton Street, Cathal Brugha St and Kevin Street) and energy monitoring systems were installed. This helped the DIT to assess the energy efficiency on an ongoing basis and to benchmark energy performance against best practice measures as provided by Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) and the Carbontrust UK. Short term energy monitoring was undertaken to establish base energy loads and identify areas for improvement through plant control and good house keeping.

Furthermore the DIT joined the e3 Dublin Universities Energy Bureau. The e3 bureau provided energy auditing and survey services, energy purchasing management and helped establish benchmark guidelines. SEAI Display Energy Certificate format  has been adopted for the energy management programme and all DIT buildings.

Step 3: Plan and Organise

A DIT energy committee was established and a chairman was appointed. Energy management structure, reporting and responsibilities were established. A comprehensive and structured energy policy was drafted. The energy policy provides the framework and template for continuously improving energy efficiency in the DIT and is reviewed and assessed periodically. The energy policy is divided into a number of sections, these include:

• A statement of commitment signed by the chairman of the energy committee. This is a public declaration outlining the commitment to energy efficiency.
• A detailed document outlining the long term and short term goals and the categorised energy policy objectives necessary to achieves goals.
• The management structure, roles and responsibilities.

Energy use is controlled via strategic energy management practices as provided by the energy policy document. The energy policy provides a number of categorised objectives to ensure energy use is controlled, energy efficiency is continuously improved and long and short term goals are achieved. The categorised objectives include:

(i) Management Objectives. (ii) Building Control, Design & Maintenance Objectives. (iii) Energy Research Objectives. (iv) Energy Information Systems / Energy M&T Objectives. (v) Awareness & Training Objectives.

Student participation is currently included within the Energy Research Objectives

Step 4: Implement

Implementing the energy management programme has encompassed raising awareness, implementing energy projects and overcoming barriers to change.

Energy awareness has been promoted by:

1. An official launch of the DIT energy management programme
2. Efficiency poster campaigns and energy efficiency ideas competitions for students and staff.
3. An energy intranet website with energy analysis, performance and savings for the colleges.
4. Student participation in energy efficiency projects.
5. Providing lectures to students and staff on the DIT Energy Programme and on specific energy efficient technologies used and energy savings achieved, for example Building Energy Management System Development.

Energy projects implemented include:

• Installed Energy Monitoring and Targeting Systems (M&T).
• Developed an energy information  intranet website.
• Building Energy Management System (BEMS) upgrade and control strategy improvement projects.
• Boiler replacement and hot water services (HWS) projects.
• Developing specific boiler control strategies .
• Variable speed drive (VSD) projects.
• Lighting retrofit projects.

Step 5: Control and Monitor

The energy programme and energy policy is reviewed / audited and updated annually providing an opportunity to reinvigorate the energy management campaign. The overall energy policy is periodically reviewed and updated, highlighting the flexibility of the strategic energy management programme.

The energy information system is used to audit and review performance periodically. The building rating is reviewed with energy inefficiencies pinpointed and potential projects highlighted.

Potential energy projects are assessed in terms of energy and environmental impact improvements and energy cost savings. When a project is implemented energy savings are measured and verified and any problems highlighted and rectified.