Benchmarking energy use creates awareness at Exxaro

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May 2013 News

As one of the top performers in the National Energy Barometer Survey for the 2011 utility year, Exxaro has received confirmation that its buildings’ energy efficiency investments are paying off when compared to others in the same sector.

After participating in every National Energy Barometer Survey since its inception, Exxaro is for the second consecutive year runner up in the Head Office & Corporate Offices category, with winners Central Energy Fund (CEF) House, and in third place Anglo Gold Ashanti. Categories assessed in the 2011 survey included head offices, hospitals, hotels, and motor car dealers, but due to non-disclosure agreements not all winners in all categories may be announced.

Ernst Venter, Exxaro’s executive head for growth, technology and services.

When asked why Exxaro uses the National Energy Barometer Survey benchmarking adjudication process, Ernst Venter, Exxaro’s executive head for growth, technology and services, says, “It allows us to compare our building to others in the industry, and it is very encouraging to know that a 50-year-old building fares well against green build buildings, and other more recently built and upgraded facilities.”

One of the initiatives implemented by Exxaro to assist with its energy management is real-time metering. By being able to monitor energy usage in real-time, problem areas in a facility can be identified quickly, and rectified at very short notice, thereby minimising the risk of unforeseen utility charges. Geysers are also switched off when not required, thereby reducing the requirement for heating water unnecessarily.

The Energy Barometer is a tool to encourage taking steps in the right direction and is being used by many companies to decide which buildings in their portfolios’ energy management initiatives will deliver the most significant impact, and encourages continuous improvement to maintain and improve its Barometer benchmarking status.

“The National Energy Barometer Survey participation has contributed to raising awareness amongst occupants of the building and serves as a motivation to improve continuously,” says Venter. “Exxaro is looking at intensifying the role of energy champions in each business unit to maintain the positive impact the awareness and savings initiatives are making.”

Watch the relevant videos explaining the National Energy Barometer Survey on www.energybarometer.com

For more information contact Energy Cybernetics, +27 (0)41 367 1041, [email protected], www.energycybernetics.com

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