Audit enables effective energy management

Reid Industrial Graphic Products strives to provide innovative solutions to human-machine interface (HMI) problems. But as the company faces steep rises in electricity prices, managing energy use has come to play an increasingly important role in business operations.

Aware of the rising costs and impact on the environment, Reid Industrial decided to engage Assurance Consulting to undertake an energy audit of its Brisbane-based site. The company’s goal was not only to identify energy savings, but more importantly to reduce its carbon footprint.

The on-site survey analysis indicated electrical usage data of 129,104 kWh per annum. The total electricity costs for this period came to a total of $46,019 with an average monthly spend of $3835. The site’s greenhouse gas emissions represented 102 tonnes of carbon dioxide released per year. Something had to be done.

The outcome of the audit was suggestions to make cost-effective recommendations. This involved replacing the majority of Reid Industrial’s existing lighting with high-quality LED technology, as well as the implementation of an on-site renewable power source — solar panels.

By taking action and implementing the integrated recommendation, Assurance Consulting estimated Reid Industrial’s new annual electricity bill to be approximately $12,537 — with the predicted savings increasing as future price rises occur. In addition, Reid Industrial has pledged to do its best to minimise the impact operations have on the environment.

Image credit: ©iStockphoto.com/Alex Slobodkin