ECOsystems - Saving Energy and the Environment

SAVING ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
 
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ECOsystems Limited

  •  Telephone
     + 64 (04) 566 3666
  •  Facsimile
     + 64 (04) 566 0666
  •  E-Mail
     info@eco.co.nz

Available Funding

Continuous Energy Optimisation of Commercial Buildings

While the traditional commissioning process of commercial buildings is focused on ensuring the building operates as designed, Continuous Energy Optimisation (CEO) focuses on optimising all building services (including HVAC, lighting and controls) over a period of time, for the existing building conditions, which is an important distinction.

Research overseas suggests savings in the order of 15 – 20% with simple paybacks of less than 2 years. CEO maintains long term savings using ongoing monitoring of energy consumption with follow up commissioning as needed. It also improves system reliability and building comfort by optimizing the systems operation and control schedules based on actual building conditions. Operational staff skills are upgraded by allowing direct participation in the process and O&M costs reduced.

To obtain the funding from the EC, the following are required to make the process a success:

  • Sites should have annual electricity consumption of approximately 300 MWh (300,000 kWh) per annum, with the Commission having a preference for larger sites. Smaller sites will be considered on their merits.
  • Access to at least 12 months energy invoices prior to the CEO process beginning and 3 months after the process is completed.
  • Allow a copy of each site report and energy data to be sent to the EC
  • Run the process for up to 3 years
  • Provide on line access to energy data for ECOsystems
  • Provide access to tenancies and check meters where applicable
  • Provide m2 and mechanical and control system documents and access
  • Facilitate ECOsystems to work closely with building staff and service personnel
  • Funding available for usual plant maintenance

    • In a nutshell, the service maximises the efficiency of existing building plant for energy savings. In times of tight finances it is a great opportunity to maximise savings without requiring major capex. The cost for each building is assessed individually but the EC currently funds a significant part of the cost of this service.

    Food Retail

    ECOsystems carried out a number of energy audits for one of our clients in this sector and these audits highlighted the opportunities to reduce energy consumption and save dollars through the installation of an integrated range of energy efficiency measures (lighting, controls, HVAC, refrigeration etc.). Projects we have now completed have had savings greater than our projections and are typically in the order of 15 – 20%.

    In a nutshell, the EC will pay for energy efficiency items with a payback of greater than 3 years and less than 6 years. This means that the EC expects a business to carry the cost of any energy efficiency upgrade for the first three years with the EC carrying the additional capital cost over and above this to a maximum of six years.

    To identify which measures are suitable for the client, we carry out a specification audit of the premises. Following the audit process we prepare a fixed price quote to implement the recommendations for the client and the EC. On acceptance of the quote, approximately 55% of the project is invoiced to the client and the balance to EC The cost of the project (including the audit) is split between the client and the EC according to the formula outlined above.

    Energy Efficient Lighting Control

    Based on our experience with many energy efficiency upgrades and lighting control projects, this project basically funds up to 35% of the cost of installing more energy efficient lighting projects.

    Each project is individually assessed and energy savings calculated to determine the amount of funding available from the EC. Following the assessment we prepare a fixed price quote to implement the recommendations for the client and the EC. On acceptance of the quote, the relevant proportion of the project is invoiced to each of the client and the EC. The cost of the project (including the assessment) is split between the client and the EC according to the formula outlined above and, in our experience, typically means the client will receive a 35% discount.

    These funds can be used for example to upgrade a lighting project to include lighting controls funded by the EC. It could also be used to contribute to a lighting upgrade in an existing building or add more efficient components at the design stage. There is significant flexibility so any lighting project can be reviewed.

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    ECOsystems Limited, Level 2, 17 Raroa Road, Lower Hutt, NEW ZEALAND