|
Based in Carrickfergus, near Belfast, Ryobi Aluminium Casting (UK) Ltd is one of the world’s largest aluminium die casters.
Keen to improve its energy efficiency, the organisation contacted the Carbon Trust, who recommended it build a Combined Heat and Power plant to generate electricity on-site and provide heat for the factory. As a result, Ryobi has reduced its energy bills by approximately 26 per cent, thus saving more than £250,000 per year and reducing its annual carbon footprint by 1,150 tonnes. The money invested in energy efficiency measures will be paid back in around three and a half years.
Ryobi Aluminium Casting (UK) Ltd is one of the world’s largest aluminium die casters, producing complex components such as engines and gearbox housings. The company’s 23,500 m2 factory is sited in Carrickfergus near Belfast and has a workforce of about 250 people. Ryobi is committed to continuously improving the environmental performance of the plant as well as the working conditions for its staff.
The main problem area was energy management. Heating the large casting halls proved to be inefficient and costly, particularly with predicted rises in electricity prices. Excessive airflow through the buildings also made it difficult to maintain a reasonable level of comfort. The temperature in the factory often dropped below 10°C in winter.
After conducting an extensive audit of the facilities, the Carbon Trust proposed building a Combined Heat and Power plant to generate electricity on site and provide heat for the factory. Installing automatic doors in key zones to contain heat was also recommended, as was a Building Energy Management System to improve the gathering and analysis of energy data.
Adopting these measures represented a significant financial outlay for Ryobi; yet the savings already made in a short period of time more than justify the investment. The factory is warmer with less draughts, resulting in improved comfort for the staff. The new Building Energy Management System has also enabled Ryobi to quantify savings in each department.
Edwin Turner, Facilities Manager at Ryobi commented, “Ryobi’s senior management has been very supportive of the various projects that we’ve initiated to reduce energy costs. Each success opens our eyes to further opportunities.”
Overall the company has reduced energy costs by approximately 26 per cent. This equates to over £250,000 per year, which has contributed directly to the company’s profits.
Furthermore, Ryobi reduced its carbon footprint by 1,150 tonnes of CO2 per annum. The overall payback on all the investments made in energy efficiency is approximately 3.3 years. With future energy prices looking to increase further, the savings are bound to become greater still.
|