Page 112 - rsc_eng

Environmental Performance

112

In 2010, set activity increased by close to 7% at the Fuencarral facilities, with respect to 2009, afecting consumption for the period.

Water consumption in 2010 rose slightly (5%) on the previous year due largely to the start of the construction of the new building at the Fuencarral facilities in August 2010.

Electricity consumption also increased slightly (1.5%). Bearing in mind the fact that changes were made to the technical installations in the last quarter of the year, requiring an increase in the air conditioning system and technical equipment to permit the integration of Cuatro, this slight rise refects the measures implemented to efciently manage energy resources.

As part of the equipment renewal plan, changes were made to set lighting, replacing incandescent lamps with fuorescent or cold lamps and LED technology. The aim of this three-year plan is to reduce electricity consumption directly through lamp use and also indirectly by generating less heat and therefore reducing demand for air-conditioning in the studios. Currently, close to 40% of studio lighting consists of low consumption or cold systems, and work is under way to increase this to 60% in 2011.

Additionally, 95 22W illumination screens were replaced by 14W high performance screens, generating a 47% energy saving. All the 22W screens are to be gradually replaced. In parallel, due to the change of production video format (from 4:3 to 16:9), the old tube monitors were replaced with fat technology monitors, the replaced monitors having been recycled through authorised companies.

Continuing the trend that commenced in previous years, in 2010 a further 45mts2 of solar panelswere installed on building exteriors, thereby fulflling the objectives defned. Electricity consumption

through the air-conditioning systems is expected to decline as a result of this measure.

A specialised frm, DRK, was commissioned to prepare a study on the change of illumination from incandescent or fuorescent to LED, so as to reduce electricity consumption. The results of the study were submitted in the last quarter of the year and the frst actions will be implemented in the frst quarter of 2011.

As part of the measures to increase employee awareness and encourage the responsible use of limited natural resources, in June a new note was published in the intranet inviting all employees to control their use of electricity. In addition, the Study Managers were asked to keep the set doors closed during programmes to reduce temperature fuctuations.

At the same time, measures have been implemen­ ted on an on-going basis aimed at promoting sustainable energy consumption, including, reducing set lighting during advertising breaks when broadcasting live and during downtime when filming; gradually replacing light screens in common areas with new low consumption and higher performance screens; maintaining the low lighting schedule in the car park and for facade posters; daily programmed checks by Maintenance & Conservation personnel of all facilities at the end of the day in order to switch off devices left on and check and renew interior lighting on sets to increase spotlight performance and obtain considerable savings in electricity and heating costs.

Propane consumption also rose in 2010 (nearly 5%) due basically to the increase in the number of meals prepared in the kitchens and to the fact that the cafeteria remained open in August, whereas it was closed in August 2009 for refurbishment.