BACKGROUND:
The Department of Justice and Community Safety (the department) has a vision for a justice and community safety system that works together to build a safer, fairer and stronger Victoria. The department has productive partnerships with more than 60 statutory entities and the support of more than 100,000 volunteers. It has extensive service delivery responsibilities ranging from managing both the state’s adult and youth custodial systems to providing consumer protection.
The environment team resides within the Assurance business unit of the Department of Justice and Community Safety (DJCS) and manages the Environmental Management System (EMS) to minimise the department’s environmental impacts, ensure efficient use of resources and comply with various legislation including the Financial Reporting Directive 24D and Climate Change Act 2017.
This document specifies a proposal for an environmental sustainability project to be undertaken by a student over four months, with the guidance of the Senior Environmental Specialist and RMIT supervisor(s).
DJCS is a significant greenhouse gas emitter with emissions expected to reach 80,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions (t/CO2-e) this financial year. Of this number almost a quarter of emissions can be attributed to office-based emissions. The department has pledged to cut emissions in offices by 30% from 2015 levels.
AIM:
The student shall perform energy efficiency audits across a minimum of two occupied office locations. The audits shall be summarised together in one audit report and provided to the Assistant Director of Environment and Climate Change. These shall include specific recommendations, anticipated pay-backs and greenhouse gas emissions saving estimations to answer the research question:
- What is the current annual cost per m2 to the department of operating offices of varying levels of energy efficiency and ownership?
- What savings can be achieved through upgrades to the tenancy fit-out, appliances and staff behaviour and how does this differ between a regional and urban environment?
The energy efficiency audit shall include lighting, utilities, appliances, computers, printers, heating and cooling. It should consider building envelope, shading, consumption, usage (timers, sleep-mode etc.), appliances and any other opportunities the student may identify.
We propose that the audit be executed at a minimum of two occupied office locations: one central business district location and one regional office. The student is expected to be utilising available data on electricity consumption, lease costs, perform site visits, provide a NABERS comparison, research energy efficiency data (energy star ratings) of various electrical devices, resulting in an energy efficiency audit checklist and recommendations. Findings will be presented in an extensive report detailing options to improve energy efficiency with corresponding costings, pay-backs and greenhouse gas emissions savings.
This project will contribute considerably to the department’s environmental targets within the Environmental Management Plan and key goals of reducing office-based emissions.
DELIVERABLES:
The deliverables of the project include:
| Deliverable | Description | Initial Timing Estimate |
| 1 | Background and market research | 2 weeks |
| 2 | Departmental baseline and analysis | 2 weeks |
| 3 | Metro audit | 2 weeks |
| 4 | Regional audit | 2 weeks |
| 5 | Final report and recommendations | 2 weeks |
The project report shall be written up as a business case including, but not limited to, the following sections:
- Executive Summary
- Background and market research
- Departmental baseline and analysis
- Audit methodology and outcomes
- Recommendations
The project deliverable shall be written for a wide audience. It should be assumed the majority do not have an in-depth understanding of energy efficiency audits.
WORK METHOD:
TBD
KEY ATTRIBUTES:
Attributes required include:
- Basic engineering and financial modeling
- Intermediate spreadsheet skills
- Intermediate energy efficiency audit knowledge
- Self-motivated.
STUDENT SELECTION:
DJCS is welcomed to join the selection of students with RMIT project team.
The successful applicant must be willing to undertake security and police checks before appointment or access to site is given. DJCS reserves the right to refuse any or all students applying to this Industry Engagement at any stage of the process.
