Abstract:
The objective of this research is to assess the electricity consumption in buildings within Chiang Rai Rajabhat University and create three simulated scenarios. The scenarios consist of: 1) Building without solar panels and energy management system 2) Building with solar panels but without an energy management system 3) Building with solar panels integrated with an energy management system. Each simulation scenario will assess three aspects: energy, greenhouse gas, and economics. The results from simulating the building without the installation of solar panels and energy management systems are as follows: The building has consumed 969,213 kWh of electricity and emitted 512,713 kgCO2eq of greenhouse gases. The cost of electricity consumption from the grid is 3,409,735 baht. The results from simulating the building with the installation of solar panels but without an energy management system are as follows: There is a reduction in electricity consumption from the grid by 29.70%. The accumulated energy is 2.71 MJ, resulting in a net energy of 0.89 MJ. The emission of greenhouse gases is reduced by 29.70%. The amount of greenhouse gases emitted from various activities per 1 kWh of electricity production is 0.23 kgCO2eq. The net present value is 537,297 baht, and the payback period is 7.18 years. The results from simulating the building with an energy management system are as follows: There is a reduction in electricity consumption from the grid by 9.66%. The accumulated energy is 1.42E-04 MJ, resulting in a net energy of 3.59 MJ. The emission of greenhouse gases is reduced by 9.66%. The amount of greenhouse gases emitted from various activities per 1 kWh of electricity reduction is 1.13E-05 kgCO2eq. From the economic assessment, the net present value is 275,270 baht, and the payback period is 4.30 years. Therefore, the results from installing solar panels along with an energy management system show that it is possible to reduce electricity consumption from the grid by 381,518 kWh, or 39.36%. It can also reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 201,823 kgCO2eq, or 39.36%. Additionally, there is a reduction in expenses from electricity consumption from the grid by 1,439,270 baht, or 42.21%. The results from the simulated scenarios, which demonstrate a reduction in electricity consumption from the grid, a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions, and cost savings from electricity consumption, can be utilized as a guideline for implementing energy management practices within educational institution buildings.