ECO-INSULATION STARS AT SA ASTRONOMICAL OBSERVATORY

By bwmadminInstallations

STOP PRESS – ECO-INSULATION LISTED FOR SOUTHERN AFRICA ENERGY EFFICIENCY ASSOCIATION’S ENERGY SAVING PROJECT AWARD 2011.

SALT OBSERVATORY NEAR SUTHERLAND AT 6 A.M. PRE-DAWN ON A WINTER’S MORNING
A major consideration in the design and ongoing operation of a large observatory such as the SAAO in Sutherland, where the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) is located, is the comfort of the observer and resident technical maintenance and support staff.
Creating comfortable living conditions in an area where cosy fires are forbidden due to smoke particulate emission means heavy reliance on national grid power, backed up by emergency clean burning fuel oil generators on site. The observatory is a direct consumer of Eskom power which is charged at the Ruraflex rate. This means peak rates of close to R 3 per kWh  dropping to 40 c/kWh  during off peak low demand seasons. Heating in the accommodation blocks, houses and other spaces such as office and recreation centre is by large electrical heating panels that consume approximately  25 kWh each per day in the peak demand season, contributing substantially towards an overall site energy consumption of 145 000 kWh per month in the season.
Eco-insulation was ultimately chosen and installed by Richard Ellis and his team, due to its superior insulating characteristics, ease of installation at 100% coverage and cost effectiveness. Having SABS approval and being fire rated in line with the national building standards was also non negotiable.
Subsequently Eco-Insulation was installed over a two week period in the SALT workshops (a notoriously climate-exposed location), in all accommodation areas, the office area and also in parts of the recreation centre.

“Best estimates show that the energy saving is significant – close to 180 000 kWh per annum”, says SALT electrical engineer Keith Browne, a member of the SAAO Energy Saving Committee. “We will be running observations over the ensuing months to get a more accurate picture, but this installation will save the SAAO hundreds of thousands of Rands over the years. – payback will be over two years. What’s more, it is considerably more comfortable – warmer – indoors this winter”.

Eco-Insulation founder, Cecil Homan, is delighted with the project. “Eco-Insulation has clearly demonstrated its prowess in the realm of industrial / scientific infrastructure – or should I say the Cosmos?”

We will post further information as this story develops !