Application of Calculators for the Energy Assessment

This chapter emphasizes the importance of applying the calculators for assessing the energy usage and pollution prevention for a hypothetical facility in Ohio. As a part of the study, we identified lighting fixtures and suggested alternatives for energy reduction and pollution prevention. We performed an energy assessment survey of the entire facility using the Energy Assessment Spreadsheet (EAS) tool developed at The University of Toledo to calculate reductions in energy use and costs associated with energy consumption of lighting fixtures. As a result, there is a reduction of electricity usage from 2,056,942 kilo Watt hour (kWh) to 1,477,059 kWh, or nearly 30% less energy expenses with an annual savings of over $55 thousand. Additionally, we performed a life cycle assessment using Economic Input Output Life Cycle Assessment (EIO-LCA) to determine the change in environmental impacts due to the use of energy efficient lighting. EIO-LCA revealed a reduction in Carbon Dioxide (CO2) gas emissions from 1,830 metric tons to 1,300 metric tons, which is approximately 30%. The pollution prevention (P2) calculator comprising of P2 Green House Gas (GHG) tool and the P2 Cost Calculator developed by the United States (U.S.) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was the third tool applied. The greenhouse gas reductions were calculated using the P2 GHG tool while cost savings related to energy savings were calculated using P2 cost calculator. There was a reduction of 492.823 metric tons of Carbon Dioxide equivalents (MTCO2e) GHGs for the electricity savings of nearly 580,000 kWh.

Keywords: Energy assessment, reductions in energy, life cycle assessment, energy consumption, environmental impacts, energy efficient lighting, pollution prevention calculator, P2, greenhouse gas reductions, electricity savings, reduction in hazardous waste generation, lighting fixtures, MSDS, LEAN, HVAC, HVAC Design: SBT: HAT, DGP, SBSAT, D-HAT, CIS, FAT, UT PPIS.