APPLICATION

e n e r g i ze - J uly 2010 - Page 50

The aim of these audits was to make the
centres more energy efficient, so as to
reduce electricity costs, counteract tariff
increases, avoid possible power rationing
penalties, increase asset value, and to
help alleviate the South African energy
crisis. This is achieved by reducing both
the total energy consumed (kWh) and the
maximum demand (kVA) of the centres
though better control and retrofitting to
efficient technologies.
M e t h o d o l o g y
The energy audits consisted of a full site
walkthrough identifying and documenting
all energy usage points. The audits begin at
the incoming feed and work through to the
end points. At every point, the technology
and control methodology is analyised to
determine any inefficiency, and where
identified, business cases for replacing or
optimising are investigated.
Lo g g i n g
The audit begins with the installation of
a load logging device at the incoming
feed. The device is installed for a period
of no less than a week to obtain a normal
operating load profile of the site. The
logged data is analyised to determine if
the centres are on the correct tariff, if the
power factor is at acceptable levels and to
determine any abnormalities with council
metering or expected usage times.
In c o m i n g f e e d
The next step is an inspection of the
main transformers to identify loading
percentages and to ensure that the site
feed is optimised. Multiple transformers
operating at low loads can be shifted to
fewer transformers at a higher loads (where
possible), and thus higher efficiency.
Voltage levels are checked at sites
where low voltage feeds are provided,
and if supply is over nominal, corrective
measures are investigated.
Li g h t i n g
In commercial environments, lighting
contributes significantly to the total.
During each audit, all the light fittings were
counted and investigated. Lux levels were
noted, as the point of the audit is not to
decrease lighting levels, but to provide the
same lighting more efficiently. The national
standards (SANS 204-2) also recommend
Lux levels for different situations, and
these levels were used as guidelines as
well. Inefficient fittings were indentified,
and alternative technologies can then
be identified, and the business cases can
be calculated for each retrofit. Changing
to more efficient fittings will reduce both
energy and demand costs, as commercial
lighting is generally on during peak times.
This means that these interventions have
excellent payback periods.
Better control of the existing lighting fixtures
also yielded significant savings. It is not
necessary to light up an area unless it is
in use or being lit for aesthetic reasons.
Modern technology allows for more
detailed control of lighting and eliminates
human error. Motion detectors, timers,
day/night sensors and BMS systems can all
be used to ensure that there is sufficient
light for customers, aesthetics and security
purposes, but reduce unnecessary usage.
The control of the lighting fixtures resulted
mainly in energy savings (kWh), as opposed
to kVA, however these interventions were
generally easy to implement and very cost
effective, making them attractive solutions.
Ai r c o n d i t i o n i n g
The air conditioning units of a shopping
centre account for a majority of the power
consumed. The audit helps identify areas
of wastage and poor management.
Compressors, circulating pumps and fans
are often over sized and poorly managed;
this leads to inefficient operation, demand
spikes during start up and increased
maintenance. During the inspection we
investigate various options including VSDs,
compressor cycling, air management and
BMS control of the entire plant.
Fin d in g s
The energy audits of the Retail Africa
portfolio were very successful and large
energy and financial savings were found
to be achievable at all sites. The majority
of the sites investigated have 11 kV power
supplies and the maintenance and
Commercial shopping
centre energy audits
Information from Sedgeley Energy
In N o ve m b e r 2 0 0 9 , Se d g e le y En e rg y b e g a n a se rie s o f e n e rg y a u d its o n th e c o m m e rc ia l p o rtfo lio o f th e R e ta il Afric a Pro p e rty G ro u p . Th e
c o m m o n a re a p o rtio n s o f 1 8 sh o p p in g c e n tre s a ro u n d th e c o u n try we re a u d ite d .
Site CO
2
saving [tons/year] Saving [R/year) Payback [years)
Steenberg 313 R179 793 2,4
Glengarry 371 R215 400 2,8
Honeydew 148 R90 l88 2,8
Total 832 R485 381 2,7
Ta b le 1: Vo lta g e o p tim isa tio n sa ving s.
Site Demand saving [kVA] Savings [R/year) Payback [years]
L Corro 13 R16 248 1,4
Glengarry 20 R25 003 1,3
Sanridge 80 R99 648 1,23
Featherbrooke 49 R61 488 1,9
Irene 174 R187 980 1,5
Westcoast 126 Rl51 032 1,4
Total 462 R541399 1,5
Ta b le 2: Po we r fa c to r c o rre c tio n sa ving s.
APPLICATION
e n e r g i ze - J uly 2010 - Page 51
loading of their transformers was found
to be acceptable. It was noted however
that some smaller sites receive low voltage
and in three cases the voltage levels were
above nominal. A voltage optimisation
device was proposed and the device
savings and paybacks can be seen in
Table 1.
The load profiles from the logging identified
that all sites were on the correct tariff and
no abnormalities with the utility metering
system were identified. The data did,
however, show that six of the sites required
power factor correction to be installed,
the details of the identified savings and
paybacks can be seen in Table 2.
The lighting and load audits revealed
that the majority of technologies currently
installed were relatively energy efficient
and changing to the most efficient fixtures
was not feasible. There were a few retrofits
required but the main area where savings
were identified was in the control of the
equipment.
Large energy savings could be achieved
by installing occupancy sensors with
built in lux level control. Sedgeley Energy
worked closely with management to ensure
changes did not affect the mall security
or aesthetics and that maximum savings
could be achieved. The achievable
savings through retrofitting and correct
control of the lighting and other loads
throughout the mall can be seen in Table 3.
Due to the size and current setup of
the centres, there were limited savings
achievable on the air conditioning
systems as the majority of the centres
are strip designed with no common
area air conditioning. BMS systems were
proposed for the larger indoor centres
and the feasibility studies are currently
underway.
C o n c lu sio n s
The results from the audits were very good
and large savings were found with short
payback periods. The findings showed
that even though efficient technologies
may already be in place, there are still
achievable savings at good paybacks
if investigated thoroughly. Apart from
saving the shopping centre money, the
savings also benefit the centre as a green
building has the ability to achieve higher
rentals due to:
The ability of a green building to
achieve higher rentals.
Faster lease up.
Higher resale value.
Possible future inc entives from
government.
Greater consumer interest in the
efficient building.
Contact Stuart Batchelor,
Sedgeley Energy, Tel 082 941-2580,
stuart@sedgeley.co.za
Site Retrofit
[kW]
Equipment control
[kWh / month]
Annual saving
[R)
Payback
[yearsl
L Carro 0,40 0 R 16 579 1,47
Honeydew Village 3,20 158 R 5 969 0,94
Kingfisher Square 2,00 855 R 6096 0,89
Parktown Quarter 2,30 1789 R 18 892 0,77
Steenberg 5,20 3261 R 31 287 1,44
Honey Ridge 0,40 1040 R 6 378 1,80
Clearwater Crossing 1,92 599 R 5 959 0,58
Clearwalet Offlce Partk 2,80 213 R 9 941 1,21
Sandridge Square 1,80 318 R 4 320 2,02
Eden Meadows 0,42 288 R 6 792 0,62
Glengarry 3,80 2830 R 17 881 0,66
Featherbrook Village 4,20 1232 R15 943 1,26
The Village 11,90 1260 R 19 244 0,86
Southdowns 0,80 347 R 3 129 1,60
Irene Village Mall 4,20 141824 R 9 775 1,36
Fountains Mall 9,30 1532 R 11 012 1,44
Westwood Mall 1,90 5571 R 19 052 1,68
Westcoast Mall 0,00 26845 R 168 714 0,37
Total 56,54 62962 R 376 963 0,83
Ta b le 3: Re tro fit a nd c o ntro l sa ving s.