Electrical energy audit in a Malaysian university - a case study

In this paper, the electrical energy audit performed for the development of the electrical energy efficiency measures EEMs in Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Penang is discussed. The energy audit showed that the buildings consumed a monthly average electrical energy of 1.5 million kWh and having a potential to save 0.15 million kWh of energy, a 10% electrical energy saving potential. The energy audit was carried out on the lighting system and air conditioning system in UiTM Penang, the systems consuming 25% and 56% of total electrical energy utilized by UiTM respectively and the equipment were found to be operating at low energy efficiency. Failure to switch off electrical equipment even when not required being in operation, absence of switch signage´s, inadequate effective control systems, low efficient equipments and systems were identified to be the major causes of energy losses and wastes in the buildings. To improve the electrical energy performance in buildings, an enhanced level of awareness to reduce energy waste, the use of efficient equipment and control systems is found to be the most effective energy efficiency measures strategy to improve the lighting and air conditioning system efficiency in the buildings. The benefits of implementing the energy efficiency measures in buildings are substantial both in terms of energy savings and cost savings.