Southwest Environmental Limited

Southwest Environmental were asked to write up an Aspect and Impacts Register for ISO14001 for a company near Exeter who had identified a need for an Aspect and Impacts Register after a Stage 1 Audit from BSI.

I thorough study of the companies impacts was carried out, and a scoring system used to rate each impact in order of importance. This helps to prioritise efforts in reducing emissions.

Typical chapter:

2.1       Electricity

2.1.1    Impact & Aspect Sources

Electricity generation creates emissions. At present taking in to account the “mix” of electricity in the UK grid each KWh of electricity supplied creates 0.434 kg/KWh of CO₂[1]_, a catalyst for global warming. Of course there are other emissions as well, such as Sulphur Dioxide, and Oxides of Nitrogen especially from coal fired power stations. At present around 90% of UK electricity comes from non-renewables.

It is unclear as to proportions of demand attributed lighting, machinery and IT / IT infrastructure.

2.1.2    Impact & Significance (of Aspect)

2011 saw a total electricity consumption of 416,246 kWh, with 2012 see the total as 408,172 kWh. It is not possible to estimate trends from such a limited data set. However, electricity usage remains fairly constant throughout the year suggesting there is very little in the way of electric space heating.

Carbon emissions total approximately 180 tonnes per annum.

Some subdivision of electricity usage has been attempted, IT equipment and associated infrastructure and cooling equipment accounts for 31,000 kWh per annum. Which equates to around 7.45% of power usage, the bulk of which is from air conditioning used in server rooms.

2.1.3    Aims & Objectives (to reduce impacts)

Efforts should be made to reduce the carbon intensity of Southwest Environmental's electricity supply. The quickest way to achieve this without significant investment is to switch to a low carbon energy tariff. Care must be taken when choosing a tariff, as they are not always as "green" as they appear, at the time of writing it would appear that Ecotricity are a preferable option (although he owner of Ecotricity appears to be more focused on his football team these days).

In the long term renewable energy options could be considered on site especially in the form of photovoltaic cells. The DECC’s feed in tariff could be used to decrease payback time of what would be a sizable capital outlay; alternatively roof space could rented to a solar energy firm.

It may also be possible to make efficiency savings. When replacing equipment the most efficient variety should be sought. For example “A” rated electrical appliances.

An air compressor feeds tooling in the workshop area, the design of this system should be inspected to see if improvements can be made.

At present >90% of power usage remains unaccounted for further assignation is needed.