How Turning Off Lights Can Keep Them On Longer

Welcome, Net Zero News readers! In an era marked by shifting geopolitical landscapes, rising inflation, and unpredictable energy markets, ensuring a reliable and affordable energy supply has never been more challenging. At the forefront of tackling these issues is the Pirbright Institute, a leading research centre dedicated to the protection of livestock and the enhancement of livelihoods. We are fortunate to have insights from Dave Gillies, Energy Manager at Pirbright, who elucidates how his team’s innovative approaches are navigating the complexities of today’s energy landscape while embracing sustainability.

Energy plays a pivotal role at the Pirbright Institute. Following salaries, energy costs constitute our largest expenditure. The demands of our laboratory-intensive research operations compel us to remain acutely conscious of our environmental impact and the pressing need to curtail energy consumption across our campus. As we strive for excellence in scientific research, we recognise that our energy choices significantly influence both our operational efficiency and ecological footprint.

Recent geopolitical developments have triggered dramatic fluctuations in energy tariffs, leading to escalating operational costs. While our funding is secured every five years through the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), the unpredictability of utility costs poses a significant challenge. Despite our efforts to forecast and manage energy expenses through the Crown Commercial Service, sudden spikes in energy prices catch many institutions off guard. Nonetheless, the imperative to pay these rising bills remains unchanged.

Every organisation carries a moral obligation to utilise energy responsibly. This commitment not only reduces operational expenditures but also contributes to the mitigation of carbon and greenhouse gas emissions. At Pirbright, we are dedicated to a multifaceted approach that encompasses capital development projects, process optimisations, and staff-driven innovations aimed at enhancing our energy efficiency or even generating our own power. By creating a virtuous cycle of ethical adjustments, we not only reduce costs but also enhance our attractiveness to potential investors.

As the landscape of research funding evolves, our grant sources increasingly seek assurances that our scientific endeavours align with environmentally sustainable practices. Fortunately, implementing energy-saving measures need not be a burdensome financial undertaking. We believe that incremental change can be achieved with minimal investment through various strategies, including:

Effective asset care programmes that ensure our equipment is maintained in optimal condition.
Condition monitoring techniques to identify inefficient machinery, allowing for proactive replacements.
Replacing obsolete equipment with energy-efficient alternatives.
Utilising lifecycle and obsolescence registers to forecast replacement costs accurately.
Investigating new infrastructure and plant investments to bolster our energy efficiency.
Strategic procurement to secure the best energy deals.

When opportunities for investment arise, having a repertoire of solutions ready for implementation ensures that we can act swiftly. Our goal is to have proposals reviewed and approved by our Senior Leadership Board so that we can initiate projects immediately upon securing funding.

A notable success story for the Pirbright Institute is the BBSRC’s decision to award us £2.7 million in 2022 for the installation of a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant. This innovative installation has the potential to save the Institute £1 million annually when operating at peak efficiency. Furthermore, we plan to enhance these savings by recovering waste heat for low-temperature hot water supplies in nearby facilities, and we are exploring the possibility of exporting excess energy produced by the CHP back to the National Grid, providing an additional revenue stream.

Looking ahead, the completion of our ongoing projects by 2025 is expected to yield an estimated energy savings of 761,486 kWh, equivalent to around £200,000. Our energy reduction initiatives for the coming year are ambitious and include:

The rollout of low-temperature hot water (LTHW) heat recovery systems across our Plowright building.
Improved ventilation regimes, projected to save approximately 350,000 kWh annually.
Site-wide lighting optimisation, anticipated to save around 65,000 kWh per year.
Adjusting building temperature setpoints to reduce heating and cooling demands, saving an estimated 346,486 kWh.

In addition to these projects, we are actively exploring opportunities to rationalise our steam and compressed air generation and distribution systems, as well as expanding our existing solar panel arrays on site. While physical changes often require substantial investment and time, we remain committed to pursuing ‘quick wins’—process changes and proposals that demand minimal upfront costs.

Adhering to the principle that the most economical energy is the energy that goes unused, we have decommissioned some of our older buildings, relocating research to upgraded facilities on our Surrey site. This strategic move not only optimises our energy use but also enhances our research capabilities.

Let’s take a moment to consider some commonplace office items used daily, assuming continuous operation:

A single 60W lightbulb costs approximately £115 per annum and emits 107 kg of carbon.
A desktop PC with two monitors incurs a cost of £467 per annum and emits 438 kg of carbon.
A laptop with two monitors costs about £210 per annum and emits 196 kg of carbon.

Together, these items amount to an annual cost of £792 while emitting a total of 741 kg of carbon. By turning off unused equipment, we can significantly contribute to both our financial savings and our planet’s health. Simply limiting the operation of these devices to regular working hours can save us £610 per annum and reduce carbon emissions by 570 kg.

Switching off equipment that is not in use is a practice we often embrace at home, yet it is sometimes overlooked in the workplace. By making a conscious effort to turn off equipment, we contribute not only to our bottom line but also to the sustainability goals that we, as a community, are striving to achieve.

As we navigate the complexities of energy management, the Pirbright Institute remains steadfast in its commitment to sustainability and efficiency. Our journey reflects the broader challenges faced by organisations worldwide, and our proactive measures serve as a model for other institutions aiming to balance operational needs with environmental stewardship.

In closing, the Pirbright Institute’s experience underscores the importance of innovative thinking, strategic investments, and a collective commitment to sustainability in navigating the uncertain energy landscape of today. Together, we can forge a path toward a more sustainable future, ensuring that our energy practices align with our mission to protect livestock and improve livelihoods.

Stay tuned to Net Zero News for more insights and updates on how organisations are adapting to the challenges of our time. Together, we can champion the cause of net-zero emissions and work towards a sustainable future for all.