In honour of CBI-electric: low voltage’s commitment to energy efficiency the company contracted Terra Firma Solutions to install a state-of-the-art 1.1MW Solar PV (Photovoltaic) system at their head office in Gauteng. Both companies form part of the Reunert Group – renowned JSE listed industrial group with international operations across Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, and USA.
As a brand focused on supporting customers with their electricity infrastructure and committed to responsible energy use, the company wanted to show consumers they are walking the talk. “We believe everyone needs to become more responsible about their energy choices. We should all work together and take action in order to ease the constraint on the national grid and ensure that electricity, as a scarce resource, can be shared by all. We’re glad to be able to start our own renewable energy journey with Terra Firma,” says Terry Lawrenson, Managing Director at CBI-electric: low voltage.
Turnkey energy solution provider Terra Firma’s integrated smart approach focuses on holistic energy usage, management and self-generation making them the perfect partner to aid the business in its goals to harness the power of the sun.
“Sunshine is an abundant resource in Africa, affording the opportunity for supplementary energy supply. A partnership between our companies meant solar technology was the most effective option to meet our sustainability goals,” says Lawrenson.
The installation was completed in December 2021 and is the first step in the company’s drive for a more responsible energy mix and optimisation. “Going forward, renewable energy and IoT based dynamic load control will optimise our load profile, reducing costs and flattening our impact on the national grid,” Lawrenson adds. The array covers 4 000 m2 and offsets more than 2 200 tonnes of carbon dioxide.
Steps for reducing energy consumption
Businesses interested in implementing energy efficient solutions should take the following steps first, says Lawrenson:
- Know your numbers: Conduct an energy audit. Ascertaining how much energy a business uses is the first step in calculating potential savings and drawing up a green framework for the company. The audit can be done in house or by contracting a consultant for energy efficiency assessments, solutions and management.
- Change the lights: All fluorescent lamps can be replaced with LED lamps to improve on energy efficiency. LED lamps use around 75% less energy and can last longer reducing power consumption. “At CBI-electric, we replaced fluorescent lamps with LED lamps a few years ago,” says Lawrenson.
- Monitor, control and schedule with smart devices: Smart devices such as smart plugs, controllers and isolators allow users to schedule lights, aircons and items that are plugged in and not in use to be turned off. When it comes to temperature management, aircons and heaters can be scheduled to turn on depending on the temperature. Lights can be scheduled to turn on and off at the start and end of every day.
With these measures in place, businesses can then assess whether they should invest in their own renewable energy generation or continue with energy efficiency measures. “Efficiency and environmental responsibility is of the upmost importance to our company and is vital for the country as a whole,” says Lawrenson. “Our investment in renewable energy is about more than just saving money, it is about responsible use of energy, protecting the environment and lowering our carbon footprint. This is something that every individual and every business should consider implementing and in South Africa we have many opportunities to do so,” he concludes.
