Having previously been involved with more traditional M&E-based sustainability and energy projects, we have more recently focused our efforts on measuring building performance. Lawler Consulting uses new Energy Performance Contracting (EPC) building models to finance energy investment from energy savings whilst also maintaining savings through a strategic long-term partner approach.
This helped to see Lawler Consulting enter the first-ever publicly procured energy performance contract in Ireland with Dublin City Council. It was originally anticipated that it would result in 30% annual energy savings for each leisure centre, resulting in combined energy cost savings of €170,000 annually and maintenance savings of over €70,000 annually. However, in just 2 years the annual savings are higher than anticipated at 42%.
Having won a second contract with the DCC in 2019 the new energy contract involves the upgrade to the efficiency of 7 of its sports facilities and will see a saving of €1 million over the term of the contract which will offset carbon emissions by 321 tonnes each year.
Lawler has also previously worked with the LeisureWorld fitness facility in Cork City. Given its large size, the leisure centre falls within the top 3 energy users within the Cork City Council catchment area. Working with Lawler to avail of and SEAI EXEED grant, our client expects to realise energy savings of an estimated 50% per year at an annual value of over €100,000.
Through our SEAI EXEED process, we brought the LW Management on the worthwhile journey of challenging and analysing existing energy usage patterns, developing a project plan to tackle all areas of high energy costs which also had high added value potential. Project undertakings for the facility included pool plant optimisation, heat recovery LED Pitch Lighting Upgrade, and a BMS upgrade.
To receive the award for Excellence in Energy Services Award for the public sector highlights the continued improvement of our work within the sector to improve both organisational sustainability and building performance.
We also want to emphasize the importance of our clients and their willingness to attempt new processes and use new technologies to reach a non-traditional solution. Collaborating more in this way will collectively play a pivotal role if we are to reach our climate targets in the hopes of limiting the potential damage posed by climate change.
The move towards EPC was a carefully considered and calculated process wherein an interview with the CIBSE Journal, our Managing Director Daniel Ring outlined:
“Even in the worst of times, you can approach a business and say do you want me to take some pain away in terms of financial pressure? Here’s what we can do. It’s a powerful proposition and is hugely complimentary with the rest of Lawler Consulting’s energy and sustainability offering”.
The importance of creating collective consciousness around climate issues must be heightened. With the levels of new technology and working methods always improving, now is the time to tackle climate change together.
The future is bright; the future is Lawler Consulting
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