Energy Assessment at a garment manufacturing company in Sri Lanka

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Executive Summary

ILINK Development Services conducted an on-site energy assessment at a facility in Sri Lanka, as part of a partnership with Levi Strauss & Co. to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The assessment revealed that the facility, a key denim jeans supplier, meets 30% of its electricity needs through rooftop solar and uses LED lighting. However, inefficiencies such as compressed air leaks, standby compressor overuse, and excess lighting were identified. The facility’s electricity consumption correlates moderately with production (R-sq 64.6%), while diesel use shows negligible correlation (R-sq 0.7%). Total energy consumption for 2024 was dominated by purchased electricity, with diesel and petrol contributing to Scope 1 emissions. Nineteen recommendations were proposed, including ROI-based, investment-based, and organizational changes, targeting a reduction in energy waste and Scope 1 and 2 emissions. Key actions include upgrading to IE3 motors, installing VFDs in compressors, and switching to electric forklifts, aiming for cost savings and environmental impact reduction.

Major Learnings for Industries

Energy Inefficiencies are Systemic: Garment manufacturing facilities often face recurring issues like compressed air leaks, over-illumination, and inefficient equipment, which significantly increase energy waste.
Renewable Energy Adoption: Rooftop solar can substantially offset electricity needs, but its full potential requires optimized load management.
Data-Driven Insights: Regression analysis highlights the need to address base energy loads, as production alone does not fully explain consumption variations.
Motor Efficiency Matters: Upgrading to IE3/4 motors can yield immediate energy savings and reduce operational heat, enhancing equipment longevity.

Recommendations

Upgrade Motors: Replace IE2 motors with IE3/4 motors to improve efficiency (e.g., 12 kW fusing machine motor replacement saves USD 64/year).
Optimize Compressed Air Systems: Install VFDs, CFM meters, and conduct leakage tests to save ~14,000 kWh/year (USD 1,190).
Enhance Lighting Efficiency: Conduct lux surveys, install motion sensors, and switch to bay LED lights in storage areas (USD 82/year per bay).
Electrify Forklifts: Convert one petrol forklift to electric to reduce 6.24 tCO2e annually.
Replace Fans: Switch to BLDC fans for 65% energy savings (USD 1,806/year for multiple units).
Improve Data Collection: Automate power analyzer data logging to reduce manual errors.

Conclusion

The assessment underscores the potential for significant energy and cost savings through targeted interventions. By addressing systemic inefficiencies, adopting advanced technologies, and enhancing employee awareness, the facility can reduce its environmental footprint and align with Levi Strauss & Co.’s climate goals. Implementing the 19 recommendations could lead to substantial reductions in energy consumption and GHG emissions, with ROI periods ranging from 10 months to 7 years.

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