IPN Sustainability Program: Solar Photovoltaic Electricity Generation and Consumption Reduction

Abstract

As part of the energy sustainability program intended to reduce the carbon footprint of the National Polytechnic Institute, solar photovoltaic electricity generation systems along with electricity consumption reduction actions have been implemented in three entities. These actions were implemented in accordance with recommendations defined by environmental committees and considering the diagnoses of baseline energy consumption. This work reports the quantification of the savings generated by the implementation of operational measures of technological substitution and solar photovoltaic electric power generation. The foregoing includes a process of identification of the baseline of electricity consumption, the replacement of infrastructure and equipment of high energy consumption with equipment of low consumption and environmental impact, as well as the installation of technology for the generation of electrical energy by renewable sources. Three solar photovoltaic systems were installed, replacement of luminaires, replacement of hand dryers and replacement of obsolete air conditioning equipment. It was found that on average the reduction in monthly electricity consumption is 31% with the consequent economic savings. Regarding the reduction of the carbon footprint, an impact on non-generation of tonnes of CO2 equivalent amount 37% quantified with reference to the generation before the implementation of the operational and power generation measures. This is equivalent to not having generated 18.31 tCO2e per month. This work describes the activities carried out and the methodology used to calculate the savings found, both in energy consumption, economic, and in reducing the carbon footprint.