saving energy

Lighting

Lighting is used in industries to illuminate work surfaces according to the requirements of the task to be performed. There are various “lux level” requirements for different tasks. For example, a high lux level is required when workers are filling and packaging bottles and a low lux level is required within the corridors of the enterprise. Some best practices for energy savings within lighting systems are given below:

• Switch off all unnecessary lights. When feasible, turn off the lights beside windows.

Turn off the lights when you leave at night.

• Make the most of daylight, e.g., by putting polycarbonate sheeting in the roof as a skylight. Window and skylight cleaning will allow more natural daylight to reach the workspace.

• Instead of brightly lighting an entire room, focus the light where you need it to directly illuminate work areas.

• Paint ceilings and walls white and use lightcoloured flooring materials.

• Install occupancy sensors for restrooms, offices, and other rooms within the facility.

Determining which lights are the most appropriate candidates for an occupancy sensor depends on how much electricity the light uses, the traffic within the area and how often lights are left on. Occupancy sensors can conserve more than 20 percent of the annual energy usage of an individual lighting system, depending upon the area.

• Use light timers and photo sensors, which reduce the use of artificial lighting during periods when natural sunlight from exterior windows or skylights is adequate.

• Use LED bulbs instead of incandescent bulbs.

Image 20 Switching off the lights when not required is one of the most simple yet effective ways of saving energy

Compressed Air System

Compressed air is used in almost all types of industries. Compressed air is utilised to power a variety of equipment, such as pneumatic tools, monitoring instruments for process control, conveyor belts, etc. and is often preferred because of its convenience. Normally, air compressors are an overlooked area for energy savings as the general perception is that air is free and naturally available all around us. However, air compressors are a costly source of power, about eight to 10 times the cost of electricity.27 Given this high cost, better maintenance practices and elimination of air leakages would help improve the performance of compressed air systems, resulting in cost savings. Some best practices for saving energy in air compressors are given below:

27 Chicago Pneumatic. The cost of compressed air. LINK.