These online assessment ideas focus on selected required knowledge from the MSS11 SS3 Improve energy usage for a process or organisation Skill Set. They do not cover all assessment requirements for the Skill Set.
UPDATE: These resources have not been designed or mapped to the updated units in the MSS Sustainability Training Package. However they do cover some of the key aspects of the MSS units of competency.
The following abbreviations have been used to show where the requirements are in the Skill Set units:
- E – Element
- PC – Performance Criteria
- RK – Required Knowledge
- RS – Required Skills
Drivers for energy efficiency
This is a requirement for MSS015002A (RK) and MSS405070A (RK).
Guidance
The Skill Set requires the learner to understand the drivers for improving energy efficiency in the organisation. There are many possible drivers which could include:
- Standards, codes of practice, and external targets such as the AS/NZS ISO 14000 Environmental Management Standards, NSW Energy Savings Actions Plans, and greenhouse gas protocols
- Legislation and regulations such as the Energy Efficiency Opportunities Act (2006)
- Business plans and goals which provide strategic direction, for example a strategic sustainability plan or goals to audit energy use
- Business drivers such as reducing cost and improving productivity where energy is a significant and increasing cost
- Commitment to social, economic and environmental sustainability
- Availability of grants and funding to support energy efficiency.
Sample question
This question is presented as matching items. The learner is given a list of statements and has to match it with the driver it reflects.
Online this could be a “drag and drop” function where an incorrect answer wont drop into place. Only a correct answer will stay in place and allow the learner to move on to the next item. Depending on the online system it might be possible to build in challenges such as allowing multiple items to match with one driver, unattached statements or wrong answers.
On paper matching items can be done by drawing a line between the matching statements.
Statement from a business
- It’s about a sustainable future of the business.
- We want to do the right thing by the company, the industry and the environment.
- We need to improve our operational efficiency in order to be competitive.
- There was funding available for improving our energy efficiency and as part of this we were required to determine our overall carbon saving over the duration of the project.
- I think certainly energy costs have increased over the last few years and we had to look at our cost base and we saw opportunities.
Driver for energy efficiency
- Business driver
- Commitment to social, economic and environmental sustainability
- Availability of grants and funding
Correct answers
- It’s about a sustainable future of the business – Business driver
- We want to do the right thing by the company, the industry and the environment – Commitment to social, economic and environmental sustainability
- We need to improve our operational efficiency in order to be competitive – Business driver
- There was funding available for improving our energy efficiency and as part of this we were required to determine our overall carbon saving over the duration of the project – Availability of grants and funding
- I think certainly energy costs have increased over the last few years and we had to look at our cost base and we saw opportunities – Business driver
Analysing energy use and waste
This is a requirement for MSS015002A (E1, E2, RK) and MSS405070A (E1, Range)
Guidance
The learner will need to be able to analyse energy use and waste based on lean principles. Energy use is categorized into necessary use and waste, with waste being further categorized into necessary waste and unnecessary waste.
Necessary waste is any activity or cost which does not contribute directly to customer benefit/feature of the product, and which cannot be avoided. Necessary waste cannot be eliminated but should be managed and hopefully reduced.
Unnecessary waste is any activity or cost which does not contribute directly to customer benefit/features in the product and can be avoided. Unnecessary waste should be eliminated as quickly as practical.
The concept of muda or the seven wastes can be used to analyse and categorise waste.
Sample question
This question is presented as selecting the correct term to complete a sentence.
Online this could be a cloze (fill in blanks) with drop down list where the correct term is chosen. Select the drop down arrow options and then select the appropriate term to complete the sentence. On paper this could be done by putting a line through the incorrect term.
Words underlined are correct. Words with lines through are incorrect.
When we boil a kettle of water the amount of energy used will be (more/less) than that required to physically heat the water.The energy used to physically heat the water is waste/necessary. Any energy that is used that is not required to boil the water is waste/necessary.
Wasted energy could be used to heat the jug itself, be lost in water that turns to steam, or be used to heat excess water.
The energy used to heat excess water is necessary/unnecessary waste.
The energy used to heat the jug itself is necessary/unnecessary waste.
The energy used to turn the water into steam is necessary/unnecessary waste.
Energy trading
This is a requirement for MSS405070A (E3, RK, Range)
Guidance
The Skill Set requires the learner to be able to develop an energy trading plan. Energy trading plans take a broad perspective of determining where energy (typically heat or cold) can be swapped between “activities” so that the overall use of energy is reduced.
Energy trading means formal trading where the business investigates alternatives such as buying energy through alternative suppliers and tender processes, and selling excess energy produced by the business to the grid.
Energy trading also means internal trading of excess energy from one area to an energy consuming area elsewhere in the organisation.
Sample question
The question is presented as multiple choice. In an online assessment the user typically sees an explanation if they select a wrong answer. In a formative assessment they keep trying until they get it right. In a summative assessment only the first answer is likely to be accepted and “marked”.
Which of the following is an example of internal energy trading?
A Purchasing green energy from an electricity retailer
Incorrect. Green energy should have less CO2-e and be better for the environment but it is not energy trading as the overall use of energy is not reduced.
B Pressing sawdust into bricks and selling them to another company as fuel for electricity production
Incorrect. The business selling the sawdust bricks will be reducing waste to landfill and providing an alternative source of fuel but is not technically taking part in energy trading as the overall use of energy is not reduced.
C Installing photovoltaic cells on the roof and generating electricity for the business
Incorrect. Generating electricity internally is not energy trading.
D Boxing and ventilating engines and generators and pumping the heat back into the factory in winter
Correct. This is internal energy trading where waste energy in the form of heat is being consumed in another part of the business, so that the overall use of energy is reduced.
