Eskom and CTICC energy saving initiative sheds light on energy consumption Real-time energy consumption meter readings help businesses use energy sustainably and reduce their carbon footprint.

30 November 2009: Eskom has embarked on an energy saving initiative known as ‘Measure 2 Manage’, which will measure energy consumption in real-time from 30 November to 7 December, 2009, during the pre-draw and final-draw activities taking place at the Cape Town International Conference Centre (CTICC).

“Eskom’s energy supply is still severely constrained and future demand is predicted to exceed supply unless energy consumers reduce their consumption. With the local commercial property sector currently consuming up to 16% of Eskom energy output, commercial properties need to find ways to reduce their consumption not only in the long term but also in the immediate term,” says Nosipho Maphumulo, General Manager, Energy Efficient Demand Side Management (EEDSM).

Substantial cost-savings can be achieved by this sector by implementing energy efficiency measures and being energy efficient has the added benefit of reducing the sector’s environmental impact due to the associated reduction in carbon emissions.

Energy consumption is measured in kilowatt hours (kWh), and it is estimated that 1kWh amounts to a power station emitting 1.03kg of carbon. By reducing the energy consumption of their properties, owners are contributing towards a reduction in carbon emissions.

While there are many energy efficient technologies and adaptations available to this sector, property owners often find it difficult to decide on the best approach for their business, especially when weighing up the initial outlay cost against cost savings achieved as a result of energy savings.

As an industry leader in sustainability CTICC is committed to transforming the events industry to one that is socially, economically and environmentally sustainable. According to Chief Executive Officer, Rashid Toefy: “CTICC is continually thinking of new and innovative ways to implement sustainable initiatives throughout the centre and to encourage event greening”. CTICC is one of the only convention centres in Africa that has had its processes certified according to the internationally recognised systems standards ISO 9001 (Quality Assurance), ISO 14001 (Environmental Management) and OHSAS 18001 (Occupational Health and Safety).

In light of this, the CTICC has given Eskom permission to install 36 meters and modems over the said period to monitor the centre’s energy consumption in real time. This data will also be translated into environmental information, made accessible for viewing via an online energy dashboard, and updated every 60 seconds.

“We are excited to partner with Eskom on this initiative to monitor and reduce our energy consumption” said Toefy. Toefy added that through a concerted effort of switching off unnecessary plant and equipment during December 2008, the centre made a significant saving on electricity, which goes to show the difference that can be made if one is cognisant of how to reduce your carbon footprint.

In addition to being able to monitor and translate energy consumption in real time and making this information easily accessible to external parties, the remote meter reading system can also isolate and monitor various rooms or sections of a building making it even more practical for businesses to find ways to curb energy consumption.

At the CTICC the data loggers will monitor the energy consumption of the various areas being used for the pre- and final-draw activities, namely:

• The admin, coffee shop and registration areas
• The lights for halls one, two, three and four
• Auditoriums one and two
• The east and west ballrooms
• The Jasmine, Stralitzia and Marimba restuarants
• Incomers one and two

With the information collated from this event, the CTICC and Eskom will be able to review the centre’s energy consumption peaks and patterns on a minute-to-minute, hour-to-hour or day-to-day basis, in order to make recommendations on how to curb it for future, similar events.

By visiting the project site: www.measure2manage.co.za, interested parties will have access to: the CTICC’s energy consumption, carbon emissions and energy demand over the draw period, as well as energy saving tips and links to further energy saving information. Visitors to the site will also have the option of registering for periodic energy saving email alerts.

For further information on energy efficient technologies suitable for the commercial property sector visit www.eskom.co.za/dsm.

Eskom and CTICC energy saving initiative sheds light on energy consumption Real-time energy consumption meter readings help hospitality establishments intelligently control power consumption

30 November 2009: Eskom has embarked on an energy saving initiative, ‘Measure 2 Manage’, which will measure energy consumption in real-time from 30 November to 7 December, 2009, during the pre-draw and final-draw activities taking place at the Cape Town International Conference Centre (CTICC).

“Eskom’s energy supply is still severely constrained and future demand is predicted to exceed supply unless energy consumers reduce their consumption. With the local commercial property sector currently consuming up to 16% of Eskom energy output, commercial properties need to find ways to reduce their consumption not only in the long term but also in the immediate term,” says Nosipho Maphumulo, General Manager, Energy Efficient Demand Side Management (EEDSM).

During economic downturns, the hospitality industry in particular is compelled to trim its operating costs without compromising productivity or the quality of guests’ comfort. Substantial cost-savings can be achieved by this sector by implementing energy efficiency measures. Being energy efficient has the added benefit of reducing the sector’s environmental impact due to the associated reduction in carbon emissions.

While there are many energy efficient technologies and adaptations available to this sector, property owners often find it difficult to decide on the best approach for their business, especially when weighing up the initial outlay cost against cost savings achieved as a result of energy savings.

As an industry leader in sustainability CTICC is committed to transforming the events industry to one that is socially, economically and environmentally sustainable. According to Chief Executive Officer, Rashid Toefy: “CTICC is continually thinking of new and innovative ways to implement sustainable initiatives throughout the centre and to encourage event greening”. CTICC is one of the only convention centres in Africa that has had its processes certified according to the internationally recognised systems standards ISO 9001 (Quality Assurance), ISO 14001 (Environmental Management) and OHSAS 18001 (Occupational Health and Safety).

In light of this, the CTICC has given Eskom permission to install 36 meters and modems over the said period to monitor the centre’s energy consumption in real time. This data will also be translated into environmental information, made accessible for viewing via an online energy dashboard, and updated every 60 seconds.

“We are excited to partner with Eskom on this initiative to monitor and reduce our energy consumption” said Toefy. Toefy added that through a concerted effort of switching off unnecessary plant and equipment during December 2008, the centre made a significant saving on electricity, which goes to show the difference that can be made if one is cognisant of how to reduce your carbon footprint.

In addition to being able to monitor and translate energy consumption in real time and making this information easily accessible to external parties, the remote meter reading system can also isolate and monitor various rooms or sections of a building making it even more practical for businesses to find ways to curb energy consumption.

The systems have already been installed in certain five star hotels in the Western Cape including the One and Only, Westin Grand, Mount Nelson and the Table Bay with notable results. One of the hotels commented that within a four month period, a 30% saving had been made on their energy demand (or kVA) reading and the systems had paid for themselves already.

At the CTICC the data loggers will monitor the energy consumption of the various areas being used for the pre- and final-draw activities, namely:

• The admin, coffee shop and registration areas
• The lights for halls one, two, three and four
• Auditoriums one and two
• The east and west ballrooms
• The Jasmine, Stralitzia and Marimba restaurants
• Incomers one and two

With the information collated from this event, the CTICC and Eskom will be able to review the centre’s energy consumption peaks and patterns on a minute-to-minute, hour-to-hour or day-to-day basis, in order to make recommendations on how to curb it for future, similar events.

By visiting the project site: www.measure2manage.co.za, interested parties will have access to: the CTICC’s energy consumption, carbon emissions and energy demand over the draw period, as well as energy saving tips and links to further energy saving information. Visitors to the site will also have the option of registering for periodic energy saving email alerts.

For further information on energy efficient technologies suitable for the commercial property sector visit www.eskom.co.za/dsm.