Optimal prioritization of energy efficiency measures in buildings in Rwanda

Abstract

Economic growth and industrial growth of any country depend on its energy production. Higher the utilization of energy in a nation, greater is the progression and overall growth. In this perspective, country’s utilization of energy is supposed as its social-economic growth. Currently, the requirement of energy is rising day by day according to the advancements of technology and population growth. Electricity is a major source for achieving the goal of economic growth and fulfill power necessities of a nation. Electricity production has increased substantially as it has become a major requirement in a country’s development, but the consumption and production of electricity should be balanced. Residential buildings consumed more than three times the energy used by non-residential buildings end users. Currently, a significant amount of electricity is lost during transmission and distribution. Ensuring that losses are reduced to an acceptable level (some level of losses is unavoidable) can reduce the required generation level and support the financial performance of the sector. Inefficient consumption of electricity brings significant financial and environmental penalties. Behaviours, technologies and standards can be introduced to reduce the amount spent on electricity by consumers, reduce the current pronounced peak demand and increase the power quality of the distribution system. It is becoming increasingly clear that energy efficiency can bring many significant economic and environmental benefits. Yet it is also clear that huge energy efficiency potential remains untapped. While energy efficiency is improving, its impact on global energy use is being overwhelmed by increasing economic activity across all sectors. Energy efficiency is the key to ensure sustainable, safe, reliable and affordable energy system supply in the future. The methodology used to gather information in this study was interviewing the user of buildings, staff from Public Institution, Energy Development and Utility Bodies as well as site visit to the buildings for visual inspection on use of electricity during work hours and those two methods was done in combination with readings the books, standards, national policy, strategies and other publications related to generation, transmission, distribution of electrical energy, loss reduction and energy efficiency. x In this study, we proposed the policies and actions required to deliver available energy efficiency and monitoring the use of energy within the buildings. The role of Government in ensuring market readiness to deliver efficiency improvements, and in evolving measures, using monitoring and evaluation, to increase ambition as technology develops and costs fall. This study is done to provide a clear picture on implementation of energy efficiency technologies and measures in buildings within Rwanda; it targeted to provide the basic potential benefits, the opportunities to improve the efficiency of buildings in energy management and give a background on the key issues that need to be considered for developing appropriate policies and a legal framework for implementation. The study proposed the methodology that can be used for determining the efficacy of buildings in terms of energy efficiency and some of useful mechanisms necessary to finance the energy efficiency actions. It concludes with a discussion on the route and procedures for development and implementation of on energy efficiency policy and strategies in buildings. Based on findings, to maximize energy efficiency within a building, the implementation of energy efficiency in building should started from the design of the buildings by considering all parameters and standards related to the use efficiency products. Government to set up minimum energy standards performance and those standards to be used during installation within the buildings.