Government Energy Management Strategy
The Queensland Government introduced the Strategic Energy Efficiency Policy for Government Buildings in December 2007. This established mandatory energy reduction targets for departments of:
- 5% savings by 2010; and
- 20% savings by 2015
Savings targets for the Government Energy Management Strategy were adjusted at this time to target energy reduction rather than financial savings to allow consistent reporting with the Strategic Energy Efficiency Policy and ClimateSmart 2050.
What it's about?
The Government Energy Management Strategy (GEMS) is a whole-of-Queensland Government energy efficiency initiative.
Queensland Government Agencies consume significant amounts of electricity in their buildings, accounting for approximately 1,034 gigawatt hours in 2006–07. This level of use equates to an annual electricity bill of $99 million and annual emissions of greenhouse gas equivalent to over 1 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (equivalent to 230,000 cars on Queensland's roads). Greenhouse gas emissions are harmful to the environment, contributing to global warming.
GEMS was launched in December 2003. While its primary focus is energy use, it is also tackling water consumption.
GEMS seeks to improve government agencies’ use of energy and water – producing financial and environmental benefits.
GEMS implementation is coordinated by a multidisciplinary team within the Technology and Development Division of the Department of Public Works.
The GEMS team works with agencies to:
- promote smarter ways of managing energy across Government
- incorporate energy management into a whole-of-life approach to asset management
- reduce overall costs to Government and community by being more energy-efficient
- fulfil a commitment to care for the environment.
Benefit to agencies
By using less energy, agencies save money.
GEMS has exceeded its savings targets, achieving cumulative savings of $28 million against its target of $20 million.
Agencies taking up the GEMS challenge are rewarded financially. They get to keep the savings they make on their electricity bill, redirecting that money to fund their own priority projects.
According to the Australian Greenhouse Office, an office of 200 people could cut its energy bill from $42,000 to $5,000 simply by turning off all computers at night and using energy-star office equipment.
Environmental benefits
Using less energy helps save the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
A computer left on overnight all year generates the same amount of greenhouse gas as a car driving from Sydney to Perth.
According to the Australian Greenhouse Office, an office of 200 people could cut their greenhouse gas emissions from 280 tonnes to 30 tonnes a year by turning off all computers at night and using energy-star office equipment.
