Saving Electricity at the Workplace

With the world population striving towards digitalization, there is a surge in digital infrastructure in every workplace. Globally, buildings contribute around 40% of the world’s annual energy consumption with a large portion supplied to lighting, heating, cooling, and air conditioning. With the increase in electricity consumption, there are bound to be impacts to the world around us. So, what are they?

Saving Electricity

A report in 2017 showed that approximately 64.5% of the electricity we use is generated from the burning of coal, oil and natural gas. When there is burning, there is going to be negative impacts to our environment, and this is no different. The combustion process to generate electricity actually produces many harmful by-products such as carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter and even heavy metals.

When these gases are not properly processed or regulated before they are released into the environment, air pollution occurs. Some of these gases are greenhouse gases and depletes our ozone layer which is essential in protecting us from UV rays. The ozone layer also helps regulate the temperature on Earth. On top of that, some of these gases can also enter the water cycle and cause acid rain.

Another indirect adverse impact that is hardly thought of, is that the transmission and distribution of electrical power require transmission lines and utility infrastructure. This could cause issues like deforestation as large areas of land are cleared in the process.

With all this in mind, Maha Chemicals wants to play a part in the reduction of energy consumption. Maha Chemicals Malaysia have recently replaced its current lighting system in the office to Motion Sensor Lighting. These lights will detect if there are people in the vicinity and if there isn’t it will automatically switch the lights off. Through observation, we have seen a rough saving of 30-40% in electricity consumption since 2019 and with these savings, the cost of installing this Motion Sensor Lighting is estimated to be covered in just 4 years.

As part of Maha Chemicals’ strive towards sustainability, plans are in the works to incorporate more of similar systems in other offices throughout the region. Going green will be one of Maha’s focus in the years to come.

Do check out our other sustainability efforts here!

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