Analysis of technical and financial benefits of energy efficient practices in selected Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) buildings in Accra

Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Date
MAY, 2016
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Energy is a critical resource for human development. However, for many people, the option to conserve energy by using energy efficient appliances and machines and proper maintenance culture is not practiced. Research has shown that the total energy use of a building can be reduced by implementing energy efficient design strategies at the design stage of a building. Passive energy efficient design techniques like proper building orientation, use of sun shading, selection of materials more suitable to prevailing climatic conditions can considerably reduce a building’s energy use and reflect in economic gains to all stakeholders. The present study set out to analyse and outline the technical and financial benefits of energy efficient practices in Electricity Company of Ghana buildings in Accra. A case study of the two regional buildings (Accra East and Accra West) was conducted in order to compare their energy efficiency profiles. Data collected from comprehensive energy audits formed the basis of the projections. A reliable and previously validated, standardized Energy Audit Tool complete with an operating manual was used to make study findings readily comparable and verifiable. The mean total energy consumption for Accra West was 414,077kWh while that for Accra East was 659,477 kWh. Accra East consumed approximately 150% of energy compared to Accra West. Over the period, the mean occupancy-adjusted energy consumption for Accra West and Accra East was 1,648 and 2688 kWh/person respectively. The present data shows that the energy efficient practices in place at the Accra West building is able to save on the average 1040 kWh/person every year. At the current rate of GHȻ0.4712 , this translates to a cost benefit ofGHȻ 490.048 (0.4712 X 1040) per person per year for the Accra West building. For a total staff roster of 245 workers, therefore the point can indeed be made that the Accra West facility accrues a financial gain of GHȻ 120,061.76 (490.05 X 245) per year. We conclude that the Accra West regional office of the Electricity Company of Ghana iii performs better as a model energy efficient building than the Accra East regional office building and could be emulated.
Description
A thesis submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering
Keywords
Citation