The Energy Champion for 2006/07 was selected by analysing each of the agencies efforts throughout the Energy Smart Government program with an emphasis on 2006/07. Some of the factors considered included meeting annual energy reduction targets and the percentage reduction of energy consumption, energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions relative to the baseline. The implementation of energy saving initiatives were weighted highly and factors such as purchasing green power and submitting data on time gave agencies an advantage.

The Energy Champion for 2006/07 was WorkCover WA.

WorkCover WA – 2006/07 Energy Champion

WorkCover WA established an energy management team in 2002/03 and undertook energy audits in 2003/04. Over the following years the agency implemented a number of changes to air handling and lighting systems to improve energy efficiency.

The following energy efficiency initiatives were undertaken by WorkCover in 2006/07 and enabled further energy reductions and improvements in energy efficiency:

• Consolidation of all three sites into the Shenton Park building allowing more efficient management of energy use and operations
• Upgrades to lighting, heating and cooling systems to reduce energy consumption
• The addition of sensors to efficiently control the car park lighting
• The installation of motion sensors and automatic shut down controllers to the office lighting system and the relocation of composite light switches to areas close to staff exits
• Fine tuning of the heating and cooling system controls after monitoring the building temperatures. This minimised the use of chillers and maximised the use of outside air for cooling.
• Utilising venetian blinds and window tinting to reduce unwanted heat transfer through office windows
• Regular inspections to ensure good housekeeping practices are exercised and that energy saving equipment is operating as specified
• Setting of appropriate electronic equipment to shut down, power save or sleep mode
• Purchase of more energy efficient computers and LCD monitors
• Reducing the use of stand alone printers and photocopiers by purchasing multi-function devices.

In addition to the 2006/07, Landgate and the Western Australian Sports Centre Trust were recognised as Overall Energy Champions for the first phase of the Energy Smart Government program (2002 – 2007). Both of these agencies performed consistently well over the five year period and were highly innovative in their approach to energy management.

Landgate – Overall Energy Champion, 2002- 2007

Landgate is the first and only WA Government agency to enter into an energy performance contract. The contract is in place for its Midland Office with savings guaranteed by the contractor. This has generated significant savings for the agency.

A number of performance improvement measures have been implemented as part of the EPC. The first stage of Performance Improvement Measures included:

• Installation of lighting sensors in all offices and meeting rooms.
• Upgrade of lighting controls for all floors.
• Upgrade of the air conditioning system in the computer suite.
• Improvements to the Building Management System.
• Installation of programmable time switches to optimise operation of domestic hot water units.

Stage Two of the Performance Improvement Measures consisted of:

• Modulating the control of variable air volume control systems
• Current limiting of chillers
• Greater peak demand management.

The agency has also improved its energy efficiency in other ways:

• Purchase of multi functional devices to reduce the number of printers and facsimile machines within the building
• Purchase of energy efficient computer hardware and software
• Staff education via the intranet, reminding them to turn off computers, screens, facsimiles, photocopiers and printers prior to departing each evening.

Landgate has shown great dedication to energy efficiency and sustainability generally. It has implemented a number of innovative initiatives and has maintained momentum throughout the last five years, resulting in significant and ongoing savings.

Western Australian Sports Centre Trust – Overall Energy Champion, 2002- 2007

The most well known energy related initiative of the WASCT is the installation of a geothermal system at Challenge Stadium. This system now heats a number of the swimming pools.  Solar heating systems have also been installed at both Challenge Stadium and Arena Joondalup. These renewable energy systems have drastically reduced the amount of natural gas used by the WASCT.  In 2006/07 the WASCT used approximately 27,000 GJ of renewable energy.

In each of the last five years the Trust has reported new initiatives undertaken to improve the efficiency of energy use. These have resulted in a significant reduction in the amount of energy purchased by the WASCT and demonstrate its ongoing commitment to sustainability.

These other initiatives include:

• Upgrade of lighting systems with more energy efficient fittings and luminaires
• Improvements to the air conditioning controls and building management systems
• Installation of a more energy efficient main chiller at Challenge Stadium
• Installation of variable speed drives on pool pumps and air handling unit fans
• Replacement of opaque roof skylights resulting in reduced need for artificial lighting
• Installation of pool blankets.

The geothermal and solar energy systems implemented by the WA Sports Centre Trust have made a significant contribution to the overall energy savings of the Government as reported through the Energy Smart Government program. In addition, the Trust has shown ongoing dedication to improving the management of its operations and its environmental footprint.