Campus Infrastructure Services is looking to improve energy efficiency in every area. Although a fossil fuel, Natural Gas is a better substitute for electrical heating across most applications.

By changing the mix of energy sources in your office, laboratory or workshop it may be possible to achieve better environmental and cost outcomes. Of course, there may be ways to reduce the overall need for generating heat.

The Utility Information System is available to every staff member and every student. You can see how your building or area is performing and observe the pattern of gas use over the year. This online system may also be used as an education tool or to identify anomalies to the management or the administration.

Please read below about how natural gas is used on campus and some suggestions so you can become a champion for energy efficiency at the University of Sydney.

UIS On-line Natural Gas Data

The Utility Information System presents up to four displays of consumption data for each gas meter.

• Display One - presents Real-time Natural Gas Demand Profiles (updated automatically every 15 minutes) for a limited number of meters located on Main Campus only.
• Display Two - presents Monthly Bar Graphs for Total Gas Consumption and Cost.
• Display Three - presents a Recent Eight Day Natural Gas Demand Profile for a limited number of meters located on Main Campus only.
• Display Four - presents an Historical Sixteen Day Natural Gas Demand Profile for a limited number of meters located on Main Campus only.

Natural Gas Contract Definitions

• The University gas contract price relates to the following components: a Maximum Daily Quantity (MDQ), a Maximum Hourly Quantity (MHQ),an Annual Quantity (ACQ). The daily gas consumption is measured on a 24 hour basis from 6:30am on Day One to 6:30am on Day Two.
• The Load Factor is a measurement of the Average Daily Consumption value divided by the Maximum Daily Quantity. The better the Load Factor (ie the more constant the usage), the better the price.

How you can Help Save on Natural Gas

• Bookmark and visit your university building's internet site/s on at least a monthly basis. Learn how to analyse your building's monthly natural gas data.
• Turn off all gas appliances in unoccupied areas. Identify opportunities within your building where utility savings can be made then liaise with CIS on 12264.
• As the university gas contract contains a Maximum Daily Quantity (MDQ) for each major campus, sensible gas utilisation is required in mid winter as the typical daily consumption is in the order of 95 - 98% of the contracted Maximum Daily Quantity. As a result, if this daily quantity is exceeded, the university is exposed to costly penalty charges which are then applied for the full year.
• The selection of heating appliances and hot water systems is important. Select energy efficient equipment and seek advice where necessary.
• Ensure thermostats are set correctly.
• Operate process equipment at the lowest effective operating temperatures.
• If you are major user of hot water or steam, liaise with CIS regarding the size of your natural gas boiler, the operating hours of the plant and opportunities for utility saving.

Tips for natural gas analysis

• Gas leaks are very dangerous but may go undetected. Careful monitoring of gas usage could identify a leaking system.
• Monthly Gas consumption is extremely seasonal with the winter gas consumption and MDQ being at least double the summer consumption. Consider your gas usage in mid-winter and the Maximum Daily Quantity implications.
• Consider that gas heating costs are roughly equivalent to Off Peak Period electricity costs; noting that for one GJ of energy, 66 kg of CO2 emissions are produced using natural gas as compared to 267 kg of emissions using conventional electricity sources.
• If your monthly gas consumption has increased substantially, attempt to eliminate the possibility of an out of tune major appliance (violet bushy / yellow smokey lazy flame) or an unidentified gas leak.