Energy Management Plan 2017 2021
Energy Management Plan 2017 2021
Energy Management Plan 2017 2021
2017 – 2021
Energy Management Plan 2017-2021
Table of Contents
1. Executive Summary………………………………………………………………………… 3
2. Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………… 4
2.1 General
2.2 Purpose of the Plan
2.2.1 Environmental
2.2.2 Financial
3. Background……………………………………………………………………………………. 7
3.1 Previous Plans
3.1.1 Greenhouse Action Plan 2007-2012
3.1.2 Energy Management Plan 2012-2017
3.2 Related Plans, Strategies and Policies
3.3 Council’s Energy Consumption
3.3.1 Buildings and Facilities
3.3.2 Street and Public Lighting
3.3.3 Fuel
4. Best Practice…………………………………………………………………………………… 13
4.1 Energy Hierarchy
4.2 Energy Audits
4.3 Investment and Payback
4.4 Peak Demand Management
4.5 Automated Building control
4.5.1 Building Management Systems
4.5.2 Sensors and timers
4.6 Environmental Upgrade Agreements
4.7 Fleet Management Systems
6. Targets……………………………………………………………………………………………. 16
8. Existing measures……………………………………………………………………………. 17
9. Action Plan……………………………………………………………………………………… 18
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Energy Management Plan 2017-2021
1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
As a leader in the community, Mildura Rural City Council strives to set an example of responsible
environmental management. In 2007 Council developed a Greenhouse Action Plan to address rising
energy usage and associated greenhouse gas emissions. The Action Plan identified a range of activities
to achieve a 20 percent reduction from 2005-06 emissions by the year 2011-12.
The Energy Management Plan developed in 2012 expanded on the Greenhouse Action Plan by
considering the financial benefits of reducing energy consumption. This plan detailed a broad range of
actions that considered both the environmental and financial benefits to Council. The target of a 10
percent reduction from 2011-12 electricity consumption levels was met in the first year of the plan.
The development of this Plan involved a review of the Energy Management Plan 2012-17 and
identification of actions to build on the achievements of the previous plans.
Development of this Plan involved significant consultation with stakeholders to determine the targets
and an appropriate action plan to achieve the objectives.
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Energy Management Plan 2017-2021
2. INTRODUCTION
2.1 General
Council is located approximately 500 kilometres North West of Melbourne in Victoria, covering an area
of 22,214 square kilometres and supports a population of around 53,000. Major centres include
Mildura, Red Cliffs, Merbein and Ouyen (see Figure 1). Major Council assets include offices/service
centres in Mildura (x2) and Ouyen, depots in Mildura and Red Cliffs, The Mildura Arts Centre and The
Alfred Deakin Centre.
Attractions to the Mildura area include its temperate, climate, the Murray River and National Parks.
The Mildura economy is strong due to the surrounding agricultural base and its location as a regional
hub with the Calder highway from Melbourne crossing the Sturt Highway connecting Sydney to
Adelaide.
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Energy Management Plan 2017-2021
the costs involved with energy usage, thus demonstrating a commitment to environmental and
economic sustainability.
The Plan documents actions for the effective management of energy across three focus areas within
Council; buildings and facilities, street/public lighting and fleet; and actions to support reduced energy
consumption within the community.
2.2.1 Environmental
It is widely accepted by the international scientific community that the climate is changing as a result
of human activities, particularly burning fossil fuels and land clearing (IPCC, 2007). Australia's climate
has warmed in both mean surface air temperature and surrounding sea surface temperature by
around 1 C since 1910. There has also been an increase in extreme fire weather, and a longer fire
season, across large parts of Australia since the 1970s (BoM, 2016).
Climate change poses a significant threat to natural systems and human settlements. Climate change
will require us to plan for extreme weather events and conditions, including heat waves, droughts,
floods and severe storms as well as accelerated degradation of infrastructure (Holper, 2002).
In Victoria, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) predict that by
2030, average daily maximum temperatures are likely to rise by between 0.5 and 1.5°C compared to
1990 and by 2070 they are likely to rise by between 0.7 and 5.0°C (CSIRO, 2006). In Mildura it is
anticipated that the average number of days above 35°C per year could increase from 32, up to as
many as 73 days a year by 2070.
Council’s total greenhouse gas emissions in 2011-12 were 12,225 tCo2-e (MRCC 2011-12 Greenhouse
Gas Inventory), with the areas of public/street lighting, buildings & facilities and fleet accounting for
approximately ninety-five percent of this. Reducing the consumption of energy sources used in these
areas; electricity and fuel, will have the biggest impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Emission
percentages calculated from these areas in 2015-16 is shown in Fig 2 below.
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Energy Management Plan 2017-2021
Figure 2. Council’s greenhouse gas emissions percentages for public/street lighting, building & facilities and fleet
in 2015-16 (Australian Government, 2016).
The operation of Council’s buildings and facilities is the largest contributor to greenhouse gas
emissions followed by fleet and street/public lighting. Although there are other areas of Council that
contribute to emissions, such as waste, water use and air travel, these will not be a focus for emission
reduction under this Plan. There are opportunities to reduce emissions in all of the three major
emission areas.
2.2.2 Financial
In addition to environmental benefits, a reduction in energy consumption will lead to a reduction in
financial costs to Council. In 2015-16 Council’s expenditure on the main three energy using areas
totaled over 2.41 million dollars. Cost percentages for the three areas are shown in the Fig 2 below.
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Energy Management Plan 2017-2021
Figure 3. Cost percentages for public/street lighting, building/facilities and fleet in 2015-16.
While emissions from fleet make up 28 percent of overall emissions from the three focus areas, the
cost of fuel for fleet accounts for over half of the energy costs for Council. Reductions in fuel use will
contribute to significant cost savings for Council. Reductions in electricity consumption for our
buildings/facilities and street/public lighting will also help reduce costs for Council.
3. BACKGROUND
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Energy Management Plan 2017-2021
Figure 4. Council’s net greenhouse gas emissions profile (dashed red line is the 20 percent reduction target).
Source: 2011-12 Greenhouse Gas Inventory report.
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Energy Management Plan 2017-2021
Figure 5. Council’s electricity consumption from 2006-07 to 2015-16 showing the target (red dashed line) set
under the Energy Management Plan 2012-17.
Much of the reduction in energy consumption during this period can be attributed to the installation of
over 355 Kilowatts of solar photovoltaic panels across 17 Council sites as well as solar hot water
systems at 30 Council’s sites. In addition Council also has solar installed on Council assets that are
managed by other organisations such as the Mildura Airport which has a 100 Kilowatts of solar
photovoltaic panels.
Figure 6. Council’s electricity consumption for large market and small market sites.
The five large market sites account for over 60 percent of Council’s building and facility electricity
consumption. The large market sites are: The Alfred Deakin Centre, Madden Avenue Service Centre,
Deakin Avenue Service Centre, the Mildura Arts Centre and the Red Cliffs Depot. These sites are closely
monitored and have been a priority for works and behavioral change programs for decreasing
electricity consumption. Small market sites are monitored for anomalies in electricity consumption by
comparing the previous year’s consumption for the quarter to the current year’s quarterly
consumption.
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Energy Management Plan 2017-2021
Figure 7. Council’s electricity consumption for large market sites (*The Alfred Deakin Centre).
The Alfred Deakin Centre is Council’s highest electricity consuming site, with total consumption close
to that of all small markets sites combined. Recent energy efficiency works at this site including the
installation of solar water pre-heating for the outdoor pool, upgrades to the heating, ventilation and
air-conditioning (HVAC) system and the installation of additional solar panels, bringing the total to 85
kilowatts, will help to reduce electricity and gas consumption at this site.
The Madden Avenue Service Centre has recently had a new HVAC system installed along with
additional solar panels, increasing the total system to 90 kilowatts. Lighting upgrades and continual
behavioral change programs in the near future will help to reduce electricity consumption at this site.
Figure 8. Council’s electricity consumption for large market sites (*Mildura Arts Centre).
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Energy Management Plan 2017-2021
The Mildura Arts Centre (MAC) is the only large market site with an increasing trend in electricity
consumption. A recent energy audit at this site will result in additional solar panels being installed and
lighting upgrades throughout. Due to the variable nature of the electricity consumption at this site,
thorough analysis on the best options for reducing consumption is required.
The Deakin Avenue Service Centre has recently had 27 kilowatts of solar power installed and will be
undergoing some lighting upgrades to help reduce electricity consumption. The Red Cliffs Depot is
scheduled for an energy audit in 2016-17 which will identify works to be undertaken to reduce
electricity consumption.
3.3.3 Fleet
Council’s fleet includes passenger vehicles, utility and commercial vehicles, heavy trucks, loaders,
graders, mowers, trailers and other miscellaneous equipment. Diesel accounts for over 90 percent of
Council’s fuel consumption. There has been a steady decrease in the consumption of petrol from 2011
to 2016. Diesel consumption is significantly influenced by the amount of funding received on an annual
basis to undertake road works.
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Energy Management Plan 2017-2021
4. Best Practice
AVOID
Design new buildings with
consideration for energy
efficiency, retrofit existing
buildings to improve efficiency
or substitute power from
renewable energy sources.
REDUCE
Manage existing assets to
reduce energy consumption
OFFSET
Purchase accredited emissions
offsets such as tree-planting or
energy efficiency.
Figure 11: Emissions Reduction Hierarchy. Source: Greenhouse Action Plan 2007 – 2012.
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Energy Management Plan 2017-2021
The network demand charge as a significant component of the electricity bills for The Alfred Deakin
Centre and Madden Service Centre. If these assets can be managed to reduce that peak load, then this
demand charge may be lowered with no capital investment. The end result is that although total
energy consumption remains the same, total costs can be reduced. For example, if ventilation systems
are on timers to all start-up at 8am, changes can be made to stagger start-up times to reduce the
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Energy Management Plan 2017-2021
maximum loading on the system. As peak demand management shifts, rather than reduces total
energy use, its benefits lie solely in a reduced financial cost to Council.
• Allowing businesses to obtain longer term and lower interest loans for environmental upgrades,
encouraging greater uptake environmental initiatives.
• Reduced energy, water and waste costs, and improved working conditions (such as increased
thermal comfort) for building tenants.
• Job creation and economic development.
• A demonstration of Council’s leadership in environmental sustainability.
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Energy Management Plan 2017-2021
5. Targets
The targets of this Energy Management Plan are provide in Table 1.
Targets are based on reductions from 2015-16 consumption levels for the three focus areas. These
consumption reductions targets are to be achieved by 2022 and rely on current operational and capital
works funding levels being maintained. The annual cost and emission reductions have been estimated
based on current cost tariffs and emission factors.
Focus Area Consumption Reduction Annual Cost Reduction Annual Emission Reduction
Buildings and Facilities 25% $270,000 1,195 tCO2-e
Street and Public lighting 15% $33,000 248 tCO2-e
Fleet 10% $123,000 293 tCO2-e
Total $426,000 1,736 tCO2-e
Table 1. Targets and estimated cost and emission reductions for the three focus areas.
The Annual Environmental Sustainability Report will provide the public with an overall picture of how
Council is progressing toward the targets for electricity and fuel consumption. This document provides
an assessment of Council’s performance in a range of environmental sustainability areas, including
electricity and fleet, against targets.
By continuing to monitor its energy consumption and emissions Council will be able to:
Reporting Council’s activity and successes will assist in maintaining the focus and momentum of the
program. Regular reporting can assist in motivating action and acknowledging the efforts of
participants. It also provides an effective method of sharing Council’s achievements.
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7. Existing Measures
A number of existing energy saving measures are in place and will continue as part of standard Council operations. These measures will not
be reported on as part of the quarterly branch plan reporting.
Operational Ensure sustainability concepts and procedures are implemented under the Risk Management Framework. CA
Monitoring and Reporting Maintain a register of key energy efficiency works implemented at Council facilities. CF
Monitoring and Reporting Manage electricity data collection and analysis, and report anomalies. CF
Monitoring and Reporting Monitor fleet fuel consumption, including hire plant, and report anomalies. FS
Source time of use load profiles for major sites and investigate opportunities to manage existing assets to decrease
Monitoring and Reporting CF
peak loads.
Monitoring and Reporting Report on electricity and fuel consumption in the public Annual Environmental Sustainability Report. CF
Energy Management Plan 2017-2021
8. Action Plan
The Action Plan is designed to achieve the objectives of the Plan and reach the target reduction in energy consumption. The Action Plan
builds on the existing measures that Council has in place and contains reportable actions to be included in Branch Plans for quarterly
reporting.
Responsible Assisting
17-18
18-19
19-20
20-21
21-22
Focus Area Action Funding
Branch Branch
Buildings & Ensure energy costs are included in the development of any building and facility
X X X X X Operational AS CF
Facilities upgrade/Master plans.
Buildings &
Implement "follow me printing”. X X Capital IS CF
Facilities
Buildings & Rationalise personal electrical appliances including heaters, fans, printers and
X Operational AS CF
Facilities fridges in Council office buildings.
Buildings & Investigate opportunities for sub-metering electricity where there is potential to
X X X X X Operational CF AS
Facilities recover costs from users.
Buildings & Review current procedures relating to out of hour’s office access and include
X Operational CF AS
Facilities energy management considerations where appropriate.
Buildings &
Determine and monitor gas consumption and cost across Council sites. X X X X X Operational CF FS
Facilities
Buildings & Audit small market energy accounts and identify/implement actions for potential Operational,
X X X X X AS CF
Facilities electricity savings though the Capital Works Program. Capital
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Energy Management Plan 2017-2021
Street/public Review the Strategy for the Mildura Public Lighting Management Plan and ensure
X Operational CF AS
Lighting energy efficiency plans for street lighting are included.
WIS,
Fleet Implement a Fleet Management System for heavy vehicles and plant. X X Capital FS
PAWS
Allocate fuel consumption and cost to funded projects, operational and Capital
Fleet X X Operational FS WIS
works
Utilise the Fleet Management System to reduce fuel consumption of Parks and
Fleet X X X X Operational PAWS FS
Gardens activities i.e. efficient works scheduling and route planning.
Assess the potential for using alternative fuels on an annual basis and provide
Fleet X X X X X Operational FS CF
report to the Executive Leadership Team (ELT).
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Energy Management Plan 2017-2021
Acronyms List
CF – Community Futures
AS – Asset Services
FS – Financial Services
PAWS – Parks and Waste Services
WIS – Works and Infrastructure Services
CA – Corporate Administration
IS – Information Systems
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References
IPCC, (2007): Summary for Policymakers. In: Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis.
Contribution of Working Group I to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change [Solomon, S., D. Qin, M. Manning, Z. Chen, M. Marquis, K.B. Averyt,
M.Tignor and H.L. Miller (eds.)]. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and
New York, NY, USA.