bankmecu recognises the importance of energy efficiency in reducing the greenhouse gas impacts on climate change and the increased resource consumption arising from population growth. bankmecu monitors energy consumption (electricity and gas) at bankmecu owned and leased service centres where possible.
Figure 8d: Energy Consumption
|
|
2010/11
|
2009/10
|
2008/09
|
% difference between 2009/10 and 2010/11
|
|
Electricity Consumption (KWH)
|
1,394,905
|
1,517,882
|
1,008,732
|
-8%
|
|
KWH/FTE
|
4,538
|
4,842
|
4,492
|
-6%
|
|
|
|
Gas Consumption (MJ)#
|
1,556,537
|
1,216,974
|
857,382
|
28%
|
|
MJ/FTE
|
5,064
|
3,882
|
3,818
|
30%
|
*KewHead Office only. Figures in 2009/10 and 2010/11 include Kew, Canberra, Bendigo, Mildura and Kyneton.
bankmecu’s overall electricity consumption decreased in 2010/11 by 8%, while overall gas consumption increased in 2010/11 by 28%.
Electricity decrease can largely be attributed to service centre closure and consolidation.
Gas consumption increased across all service centres. In particular gas usage at bankmecu’s head office, being the largest occupied premises, was notable. Average maximum temperatures in April, May and June were colder in 2011 (16.9 degrees) compared to the same time in 2010 (17.8 degrees). As a result, gas heating was utilised more through these months. During warmer months the gas heating on the air conditioning unit is turned off (November through to March). Electricity consumption decreased during the same period.
Retrofitting – solar panels
In June 2008 bankmecu received a State Government grant for $48,180 to assist in the installation of solar roof panels at its Head Office. The system is rated to provide 15,000 kWh per year and will save 450 tonnes of greenhouse gases over the life of the system. bankmecu created an education display in the Head Office foyer area, which displays details on electricity generated and CO2 savings made through this initiative.
Since installation in June 2008, the solar panels at the Head office have generated 43,501 kWh. This equates to a total CO2-e saving of 23,048 kg.
|
Period
|
kWh
|
CO2-e
|
Reading Date
|
|
June 2008 - 30 June 2009
|
17,768
|
9,417
|
29-Jun-09
|
|
1 July 2009 - 30 June 2010
|
13,527
|
7,169
|
28-Jun-10
|
|
1 July 2010 - 30 June 2011
|
12,206
|
6,462
|
27-Jun-11
|
|
TOTAL
|
43,501
|
23,048
|
|
Due to faulty installation, the capacity of the solar panels to generate power has decreased over time. As a result, the solar panels were replaced by the installer Origin in July 2011.
Other initiatives to reduce energy consumption included improving IT efficiency. For example, bankmecu purchased 91 new Wyse C10LE thin client terminals in June of this year. The newly deployed units (Wyse C10LE) use half the power consumption to that of the former Wyse V30 used by bankmecu. bankmecu has budgeted to purchase a similar number of Wyse terminals again this financial year.
Energy saving tips were also provided to staff through Footprints.