Integrating ICT Sustainability
AN INDIVIDUAL PROJECT FOCUSED ON A
SMALL SCHOOL
THE BASICS OF PREPARING TO INTEGRATE
SUSTAINABILITY INTO ICT PLANNING AND
DESIGN PROJECTS
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Perform an audit of the existing ICT environment including its practices and
equipment.
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analysing energy audit data on enterprise resource consumption
Negotiate with the stakeholders to establish the extent to which sustainability is to
be integrated
Research and identify suitable technology solutions applicable to the project
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develop and monitor policies for review and improvements, benchmarking against
industry best practice and attempting new approaches continuously over time.
ICT sustainability from a
business standpoint
Investing to integrate sustainability for businesses has become
imperative to help drive their competitive advantage by
establishing a social status that supports the environment,
communities and its own operations. More specifically in case of
schools, this will gain the support of their target community and
will establish a positive image from their market.
In addition to improving a business’ social perception from the
public, integrating sustainability in ICT will also improve
efficiency and ultimately reduce cost within its operations.
Energy efficiency as a stepping
stone to sustainability
Energy Efficiency can be interpreted as the reduction of
e n e r g y u s e f o r a g i v e n s e r v i c e o r l e v e l o f a c t i v i t y, o r m o r e
a p t l y a s t h e a r t o f “ D o i n g m o r e w i t h l e s s ”. T h e n o t i o n o f e n e r g y
efficiency is often associated with technological improvements
(sustainable production, which requires innovation and
legislation/obligation); it however can also be achieved
through better organization or management, and through
behavioural changes.
Therefore, taking the initiative to implement energy efficiency
in an organisation sparks the conversation towards
s u s t a i n a b i l i t y.
Individual Project Strategy
Lighting contributes significantly to business energy use and
operating costs. Increasing energy prices highlight the need to
reduce the cost of lighting. Energy use associated with lighting
systems can be reduced by up to 82% if energy efficient lighting
practices are adopted.
Network Operation and
Security
• Enable access list and review firewall rules on the router
• Ensure that netbook operating system hotfixes and patches are up-
to-date.
• Setup limited access to network shares and netbooks. Employ best
practices when access individual or group access for end users.
• Install Anti-Virus on the netbooks and server
• Run schedule task to backup data on the server
• Ensure regular backup cycles are in place for important data.
•A n a l y s e c u r r e n t l i g h t i n g c o n d i t i o n a n d p o s i t i o n i n g i n t h e r o o m s
and corridors
• Plan and ensure that lighting architecture will meet AS 1680.2.3
standard.
• Calculate, compare and analyse results
• Source information on availability and cost of solution
• Research on future trends of the solution on the internet.
• Install motion sensor lighting and program for optimum
efficiency.
• Develop, implement and promote policies and procedures to
improve sustainability in the school.
Sketch of the recommended
project system
Sensors
Use sensors to automatically switch lights by detecting light levels and/or room
occupancy.
Sensors should cover all the occupied areas to avoid false switching. Rooms used
at night should not be left
totally dark if automatic controls switch off lighting. Minimal lighting should still
be available.
Short term technology solutions to
achieve reduction of power
consumption;
Implement and promote policies to turn off devices such as monitors,
computers and lighting.
Replace all incandescent and fluorescent with energy efficient cfl
bulbs.
Reduce number of light bulbs (de -lamping) in use while still adhering
to as 1680.2.3 by using high efficiency light.
Install motion sensor switches for lighting
Maximise use of natural light and ventilation – promote the use of
daylight as much as possible. Skylights may also be installed in areas
such as toilets, changing rooms, etc. Opening doors and windows to
improve airflow can decrease the need for air conditioning in
classrooms.
Turn off devices or appliances that consume energy while in standby mode when not in use.
Prevent unnecessary printing of documents. Use emails or print to pdfs and publish
documents online. This saves consumables (e.g. Electricity, paper, toner, diffuser, etc.) And
time.
Energy usage within the ICT
project - graph
Recommendations
•U s e o f L E D L i g h t s
• De-lamping of lighting zones
•I m p l e m e n t a n d a d v o c a t e p o l i c i e s a n d p r o c e d u r e s f o r
sustainability