Department of Economics and Energy

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Browsing Department of Economics and Energy by Author "Samanya, Micheal"

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    Assessment of Energy Demand Side Management in Higher Institutions of Learning Lecture Rooms.
    (2023) Samanya, Micheal
    Global interest in Energy Demand Side Management (DSM) is growing, particularly in industrial and domestic sectors. However, there is a lack of attention in existing literature regarding DSM practices in higher education institutions, especially in developing countries. This study explores DSM in higher education lecture rooms, examining energy consumption, costs, emissions, and optimization strategies. The analysis of energy consumption patterns in lecture rooms at higher education institutions reveals significant variations throughout the day, emphasizing the need for tailored DSM strategies. Morning sessions consume 2,564 kWh, afternoon sessions 3,467 kWh, and evening sessions peak at 4,095 kWh. Evening sessions stand out as the highest energy consumers due to reduced natural daylight, underscoring the urgency of DSM measures. These variations in energy consumption highlight the importance of adjusting energy use to match actual demand, rather than following static lighting schedules. Key optimization strategies include dynamic lighting control, automated schedules, energy-efficient technologies like LEDs, maintenance of faulty lights, and occupancy-based lighting. These strategies align with the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), emphasizing factors influencing DSM adoption. Integrating these practices can lead to substantial reductions in energy consumption, further reinforced by figures indicating the potential for energy optimization during all sessions. The study results revealed that for 76.58% of the study time, the Lights were kept ON and only switched OFF 23.42% of the study time in the month of March. The study quantified energy costs incurred by keeping lights ON during daytime, demonstrating that keeping lights ON in the selected lecture rooms during the morning, afternoon and evening sessions amounted to about UGX 591,504.24, UGX 797,538.89 and UGX 968,310.83, respectively, in the Month of March. These cost variations emphasize the need for DSM to manage demand and reduce expenses. Additionally, the embedded greenhouse gas emissions attributed to keeping lights ON were assessed to underscore the environmental impact. Keeping lights ON in the morning, afternoon and evening sessions accounted for about 189.23 kgCO2eq, 255.14 gCO2eq and 309.77 kgCO2eq emissions, respectively, in the e month of March. Embracing DSM strategies could contribute to a reduction in the carbon footprint in educational institutions' lecture rooms, aligning with global environmental goals. The study also reveals that energy consumption persists during weekends and holidays, with an actual energy consumption of 504.9 kWh. These figures highlight untapped opportunities for energy conservation during non-academic periods, further underscoring the need for efficient resource allocation. In summary, this study emphasized the dynamic nature of energy consumption in higher education lecture rooms and underscores the significance of DSM strategies in optimizing energy usage. The integration of figures, including frequency, cost, and greenhouse gas emissions, reinforces the importance of DSM in minimizing energy wastage, reducing operational expenses, and contributing to environmental sustainability. Policy recommendations include incentivizing energy-efficient practices, integrating renewables, and fostering collaboration among institutions. Future research avenues involve a comprehensive consumption analysis, longitudinal studies, and advanced technology exploration to further enhance energy management in higher institutions of learning.