Scholar Profiles
Laura Locke
2005 - 2006 University Scholar
Mentor: Diane Schaub
College of Engineering
"Working beside my mentor has taught me to think creatively and outside the box. Research must be approached with an open mind, and you must be willing to expand and adapt your thoughts or conclusions on a subject if you are to be successful."
Laura is a senior majoring in industrial and systems engineering, with a minor in business. She is a recipient of the Women in Engineering Scholarship and is president of Alpha Pi Mu industrial engineering society. She is also a member of the Institute of Industrial Engineers and Tau Beta Pi engineering honor society. She works at the UF Industrial Assessment Center.
Research Description:
Making the Link Between Energy and Productivity
When implementing energy management programs, calculating energy savings is typically a straightforward proposition. Savings are calculated based on the number of kilowatts or kilowatt-hours saved versus the cost of installing new energy savings equipment. Rarely is thought given, however, to the potentially much greater savings that result from productivity savings that can accompany these changes. It is fairly well-recognized that there is a human component to the decision to de-lamp an area or make a large cut in compressed air pressure. However, other less obvious results can drastically affect the payback associated with energy savings, such as increased worker throughput due to more temperate working temperatures and decreased absenteeism due to day-lighting enhancements. Currently, no practical relationship between lighting, temperature and worker productivity has been formulated and a usable cost/benefit analysis for implementation of these concepts has yet to be determined.
The goal of this research is to find a way to accurately quantify these relationships and apply them to the economic justifications of energy saving recommendations. This research looks at, from a classical industrial engineering/ergonomics perspective, how to go about finding these hidden benefits and how to calculate the accompanying savings. One approach used in the project is an in-depth review of existing literature and research concerning these areas. Authors are contacted for more specific study follow-up. Another approach is surveying companies to find common practices concerning lighting, temperature and productivity and the reasons behind these practices. This project builds on information studied in several UF industrial engineering classes, specifically Energy Management, Work Design and Human Factors, and Engineering Economy.
The information obtained from this research will be integrated into recommendations made to manufacturing facilities audited by the University of Florida’s Industrial Assessment Center. This information will also be shared with Industrial Assessment Centers across the nation.
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