ESB Networks to manage Carbon Footprint in all premises

Energy conservation is very much to the forefront of people's minds at present and ESB staff are very proactive when it comes to energy saving.

In an effort to reduce energy consumption and as a result, minimise unnecessary greenhouse gas emissions, ESB Networks and Shared Services have launched an initiative in all ESB Networks properties. It identifies ways of eliminating waste and the wasteful use of energy in our offices, stores and garages. To date, in ESB Head Offices consumption has been reduced by 5%, however, there is more that we all can do.

National Estate Facilities Team member Eddie McDonnell has volunteered to research and manage a project which would further develop the initiative throughout ESB Networks locations. He in turn enlisted the assistance of our own in-house experts in Energy Efficiency Section in Customer Supply.

Eddie carried out research that involved studying the use of energy in the larger ESB Networks properties. One of the initiatives was to carry out a number of energy audits in premises at Leopardstown and St. Margaret's Road.

The results of the audits showed how immediate savings could be made and CO2 emissions reduced. Resources have now been allocated by ESB Networks to implement key initiatives which will be rolled out nationwide over

the next couple of months and these are detailed below:

• Control of heating in Drying Rooms in ESB Networks depots by installation of tamper proof thermostats and time switches.
• Installing heating control through door sensors and time switches in stores and garages.
• A 'switch off ' initiative in relation to lighting and office machinery.
• With the support and assistance of Customer Supply additional scoping audits will be carried out on Network premises.

While the energy saving initiatives have been supported at the highest level in Shared Services, ESB Networks and Customer Supply, it is intended to enrol the support of 'local champions' at all levels throughout the businesses.

Ultimately, however, this drive to reduce the level of emissions into the environment as a result of unnecessary energy usage requires all of us to step up to the plate as 'Champions' and operate a switch off policy when equipment is not in use or when we are away from the office.

Chris McElhinney, Manager Shared Services, at a recent review meeting with ESB Networks regarding the roll out of these initiatives captured the essence of this program when she stated: "This is a really good example of ESB businesses working together to develop initiatives which will benefit not only their areas but the whole of ESB and indeed the environment generally.

"Each of us can contribute to energy efficiency in ESB which may also be useful in a day to day context at home too. In order to achieve the reductions in greenhouse gas emissions required to drive back the impact of climate change requires active engagement of us all at work and in our homes."