For office workers, the lighting system in the workplace is crucial not only for eye health and work efficiency but also for energy conservation and carbon reduction. Mr. Marius Morgenweg, a German engineer who has been working in the offshore wind energy sector in Taipei for four years, noticed that the lighting system in his Taipei branch office was consuming an excessive amount of electricity. Being a detail-oriented person, he attended energy-saving courses, EUREM, and obtained certification. Eventually, he undertook a project to enhance the company's lighting system. By replacing the existing fluorescent with energy-saving LED lights, the company could recover the cost of the new lights in less than four years. The upgrade resulted in a 57% energy saving, reducing electricity costs by TWD 52,000 and carbon emissions by 5.5 tons per year.
During the project, Marius investigated the company's existing lighting system, energy cost savings, and potential carbon emissions. He discovered that several offices used energy-intensive fluorescent lamps for lighting. Marius mentioned that time constraints posed the most difficult aspect of the research. Despite his busy schedule, he collaborated with his mentor at EUREM to draft the entire report within the given deadline. Nevertheless, Marius was determined to improve the office environment and credited the EUREM energy training courses for helping him overcome the difficulties.
Marius believes that the most valuable aspect of the EUREM course was learning how to effectively communicate project goals to all stakeholders, including the management. This skill proved useful when office workers want to propose company-wide improvements. The key is to convey their goals persuasively, focusing on the benefits. The EUREM course project manager, Kelly Peng, emphasized that energy-saving courses encompass more than just data collection and performance analysis. Learners also need to grasp the basics of project management, including organizational and project execution, to effectively convey goals, progress, and results within time and budget constraints.
It is worth noting that the concern for company lighting energy arises from the difference in energy usage culture between Germany and Taiwan. Marius, coming from Germany, shared that his home country has created a strong energy efficiency and conservation culture over the last few years, with tight building regulations and incentives for energy-saving equipment. He suggested that Taiwan could pay more attention to energy efficiency, as it already prioritizes energy-saving practices in high-tech industries but overlooks building details for home use due to smaller spaces and lower energy consumption.
After completing the EUREM course, Marius not only obtained a professional energy-saving certification but also became known as the "energy-saving expert" among his friends and family. He promotes sustainable practices, such as using new triple-glazing window technologies, water-saving showers, and energy-efficient lighting fixtures. He even encouraged his parents to install solar power panel on the rooftop of their house. Marius believes that small achievements can collectively lead to significant progress in utilizing limited resources. As a result, he now serves as a lecturer for EUREM as well. He highlights the importance of recognizing that even small and relatively inexpensive improvements to current systems can substantially enhance performance, reduce costs, and increase energy efficiency for more sustainable utilization of our resources.
Learn more about our EUREM Energy Efficiency Training on our official webpage!
For further information, please contact the Head of Recruitment and Training Services, Ms. Peng
Tel: +886-2-7735 7522
Email: peng.kelly(at)taiwan.ahk.de