Gujarat Pipavav Port identifies innovative ways to reduce power consumption

When it comes to reducing power consumption and associated emissions, large pieces of equipment often take the spotlight, as these can offer a quick win. But often, a small change, replicated many times can be just as effective. And this is exactly what Gujarat Pipavav Port Ltd.[APM Terminals Pipavav] achieved recently. Through altering the Printed Circuit Board of more than 200 air conditioners around the Port, to a fixed temperature of 24 degree Celsius they reduced power use and associated emissions and achieved an annual saving of around 5 million INR (approximately USD60,000).

This improvement was the winning initiative during the Port’s quarterly Kaizen contest. Kaizen is a Japanese approach to continuous improvement using a range of lean methodologies that are part of APM Terminals Way of Working. Kaizen leads got an opportunity to showcase their initiatives and the event also served as a platform for sharing best practices for different departments to leverage. Kaizens were judged on the application of Lean tools and the impact each initiative had on Safety, Quality, Delivery and Cost (SQDC).

The Kaizen undertaken by Asset Management team, led by Dhruv Yadav, focused on ‘Reducing power consumption to improve KWH/move’. Other initiatives included Improving the Pilot boarding and disembarking process to enhance safety of pilots, Standardisation of RTG slow down parameters to improve Running hrs per move and Enhancing navigation safety through the approach channel.

The company’s Way of Working hero last quarter, Aadesing Baria, was also recognized during the event for a Kaizen on ‘Driving Power Reduction through Waste Identification’. This project involved analysing the usage of high-mast illuminations in the operations area (Jetty, Wharf, Yard, Truck Parking area, Fertiliser shed etc.). Rationalising their use to avoid unwarranted consumption of electricity, while maintaining the right balance between Operational and Safety requirements, delivered annual savings of approximately 5 Million INR (Approximately $60K).