Systematic Design of Energy-Saving Action Plans for Taiwan Campus by Considering Economic Benefits and Actual Demands

Abstract

In response to the future net zero emissions plan in Taiwan, the campus shoulders the university’s social responsibility and educational significance. Recently, energy conservation and carbon reduction have become common goals for every campus. However, there is a common problem to be addressed in terms of how to take into account the economic benefits and the continuous improvement strategy regarding actual demands. In this study, a systematic design of energy-saving action plans for a Taiwan campus by considering economic benefits and actual demands is demonstrated. By taking National Taiwan University of Science and Technology in Taiwan as an example, eight energy-saving action plans during the period from 2016 to 2020 are introduced, and the effectiveness of these topologies is verified by real implementations. Action plans contain the installation of a smart energy management system, elevator power recovery devices, circulating fans, and lighting delay switches; the replacement of old air-conditioners, fluorescent lamps, and high-sodium streetlights; and load consolidation and low-efficiency transformers replacement. Upon evaluation, the estimated electricity savings can achieve up to 16% of annual electricity consumption, and the payback period is about 5.22 years. Upon application, the actual power saving amounts to about 3,076,260 kWh for approximately 15.5% of the power consumption of Taiwan Tech in 2020.