Industry and market always pursue efficiency in all aspects of its operations. For example, the first human agricultural processing, just use hoes. But then wore buffalo, and society more modern use of the tractor, and even now created a computerized system for this purpose.
The industrial revolution in the last century to make the technology become more effective in supporting human life. Meanwhile, beginning a period ago, the revolution in information technology makes communication easier and cheaper. And now, people around the world are vying for how to revolutionize energy use.
“The energy source is increasingly scarce, while demand continues to grow. It makes people have to change the pattern of energy use,” said Luluk Sumiarso, Director of the Indonesian Institute for Clean Energy (IICE). This was revealed on Energy Efficiency Week Jakarta area, at the Hotel Park Lane Jakarta, Tuesday, August 9, 2011.
It is said to Lulu, 90 percent of the energy consumed in Indonesia is a fossil fuel. Unfortunately, fossil energy reserves in Indonesia increasingly depleted. Petroleum reserves are expected to run out next 25 years. And less than 100 years for the other fossil energy.
Now the country faces serious issues 3 pieces. “In addition to the thinning of energy sources, there is a problem with the fluctuating energy prices and climate change. We (the people of Indonesia) have to deal with this risk with energy efficiency,” said Lulu.
The trick, according to Lulu, starting with a change of paradigm. “Before you can change business-as-usual, it is necessary to change the paradigm-as-usual. Had to change the way of thinking,” he said.
This paradigm shift is important because Indonesia using fossil fuel subsidies absorb so large. Even so the amount of energy subsidies is to defeat the budget for health and education.
The key to this is twofold. “Energy conservation and renewable energy,” he said. Paradigm to renewable energy also needs to be changed. From the beginning as an alternative energy, the focus now must be shared.
Energy efficiency is using less energy to achieve the same results or even larger. Energy efficiency, according to Lulu, an option that is low risk, low cost, and have long term benefits. “By earning over lower energy, companies can save on operational costs and increase the bottom line (profits, ed.),” Said Lulu.
There are four advantages to be gained by companies from energy efficiency. The first is an advantage because of reduced operational costs. Second, profit increased due to employee welfare. Third, the advantages of higher productivity. Lastly, the company will attract talented job seekers today are generally looking for a work environment that is concerned with sustainability (sustainability).
In terms of operational cost savings, exemplified Lulu, Singapore Oxygen Air Liquide company Ltd. change the procedure by switching off the chiller when not in use. This policy is able to save 2,160 megawatts, or about 324 thousand Singapore dollars (about USD 2.27 billion at an exchange rate of Rp 7,000 per dollar Singapore).
The second step, energy efficiency to improve the welfare of example is to maximize the natural light in the office. “A lot of behavioral changes in energy efficiency not only saves money because it uses less energy, but also because of productivity increases.”
A study shows that this will make workers more comfortable. So that in turn will improve the level of employee attendance, prevent accidents, improve productivity, and improve psychological condition.
For example, in the company Lockheed Martin, United States. The use of natural light is able to improve employee attendance rate of 15 percent, increase productivity by 15 percent, and helped the company win the contract manufacture of defense equipment worth 1.5 billion USD.
Meanwhile, the benefits of increased productivity can be obtained by adjusting the temperature of the room. A study conducted by Cornell University found that increasing the room temperature of 20 to 25 degrees Celsius will improve the company’s performance. Error writing was reduced by 44 percent, and increased the quality of the writing as much as 150 percent. As a result, the company will be able to save about 2 USD per hour for each worker.
Last benefits, many companies are now trying to win the recruitment of talented employees by offering a working system that is concerned with environmental issues. In fact, now buyers are increasingly concerned with this issue. The Body Shop is just one example of a successful company because its customers are interested in the values of the company that respects the environment.
However, Lulu admitted that in order to have a broad impact, it takes great effort and continuous so that a culture of energy efficiency. Considering the energy efficiency can not be separated from renewables, he urges that all parties to cooperate.
From the financial side, the average investment costs spent on energy efficiency measures is approximately 300 USD per kilowatt of electricity saved. These costs include hiring energy auditors, preparing human resources, and construction (purchase of new tools).
“However, the cost for energy efficiency is still cheaper than if it had to build new power plants to meet growing demand for energy. Generally, a power plant requires a minimum investment cost of $ 1,600 per kilowatt,” said Totok Sulistiyanto, Consultant EINCOPS (Energy Efficiency and Conservation Clearing House Indonesia).
Integrated design process
integrated-design-processTotok stressed the importance of a change in the pattern of building plans. “Usually the architect design the building, and then handed over to another consultant to calculate the various technical aspects. This will make the
building have a performance that is not good,” he said.
The right way, according to Totok, is the joint architect engineering consultant from civil engineering, mechanical, electrical, energy, and others from the beginning to sit together to design the buildings. “This concept is called integrated design process,” he said. This process needs to be considered so important details in the design of energy efficient buildings could be accommodated properly.
Luluk Sumiarso
Source: Energy Magazine Issue 11 – September 2011