This Sunshine Coast school conducted a full energy audit to consider the savings by installing an energy management system, a solar PV system and power factor correction on their college buildings.
The table below outlines the scenario and savings after the AuziMAX EMS, a solar system and power factor correction equipment from Edge Electrons was installed.
With annual savings of approximately $12,700 per year, the equipment and installation has a return on investment of 3 years.
Energy Costs per Annum
$43,000
Average Energy Use per day
370 kWh
Network Demand
65 kVA
Power Factor
0.91
Energy Reduction Solution
1. Install AuziMAX EMS on multiple campus buildings
2. Install Power Factor Correction
3. Install 24 kW Solar PV System
AuziMAX Savings
20 kVA Demand – The AuziMAX EMS is controlling multiple AC Split systems in several buildings across the school in order to minimise network demand.
PFC Savings
24 kW Solar PV
5 kVA Demand – The Edge PFC unit is reducing reactive load raising the Power Factor from 0.91 to unity, and saving 5 kVA from network demand charges.
The Solar PV system is generating 25% of the sites entire load.
Equipment Investment
AuziMAX EMS – $6,000 (3 buildings)
Edge 25 KVAR PFC – $2500
24 kW Solar PV System – $30,000
Total $38,500
Total Savings and Expected Return on Investment
Approx. $12,700 annual saving – ROI of 3 years – comprising network demand reduction of 25kVA (38% of max demand), and solar production of 36,500 kWh.
Future Energy Saving Initiatives
Based on the energy data gathered the following initiatives are to be evaluated in coming months:
a) Increasing Solar PV system to 36 kW
b) Reduction of loads overnight – currently showing 8kW running idle.
Copyright Enopte Pty Ltd.