STAYSAFEsafety has a price, life is priceless

As a repercussion of the decision to shut down the central cooling in buildings due to the shortage of fuel, EHSRM coordinated with several end users in different faculties on the best way to safely store flammable chemicals present in laboratories. Chemicals were reclassified according to their MSDS and those with low flash points and high flammability were relocated to cold rooms to prevent any accidental fires due to the high summer heat. Moreover, EHSRM followed-up on the procurement of equipment for the different safety systems for the renovation of the cold stores in chemistry and the warehouse whose budgets were secured from AUB, ASHA and UNESCO, respectively. In addition, EHSRM is working with FPDU on the introduction of safety systems during the partial renovation of the Chemistry building.

In order to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of its services, EHSRM is in the process of automating the logging of fire incident reports with the IT department through the use of Team Dynamix platform and is investigating the possibility of reducing the time to notify the Emergency Response Team as soon as a fire alarm incident is detected. This process is being done in parallel with the phasing out of pagers at AUBMC and their replacement with voice over IP handheld devices. On the other hand, EHSRM in coordination with deans, chairmans and director of departments assigned new safety and deputy safety wardens in buildings and will soon re-initiate training them on their new role as safety ambassadors.

EHSRM organized an RLSC meeting and discussed several urgent issues related to radiation safety, in particular those related to release of patients taking iodine treatment, dosimetry services through LAEC, and enforcement of the radiation and laser safety regulations. EHSRM prepared an agreement letter with LAEC to provide, until the end of December 2021, dosimetry reading services for 100 users for free. Subject to the success in implementation of this service, EHSRM will stop the contract with the dosimetry service provider from the US.

EHSRM reviewed the different offers for contractors involved in the cleaning of the incinerator shaft at AUBMC and rejected two of the contractors since they did not comply with the safety requirements in relations to PPEs and tools used. With the gradual opening of AUB to students, EHSRM will be assessing the capacities of classrooms, laboratories, studios and study spaces based on the recommendations of the COVID-19 Expert Committee and will be working on the unification of the precautionary signs used on Campus.

Solar photovoltaic (PV) are devices that convert sunlight into electrical energy. A single PV device is identified as a cell. PV cells are made of several semiconductor materials placed between protective materials in a combination of glass and/or plastics. A single PV cell produces about 1 or 2 watts of power.

Commercially and to increase their power output, PV cells are connected together in chains to form larger units known as modules or panels. Modules can be used individually, or several can be connected to form arrays. Modules or arrays are then connected to the electric grid as part of a complete PV system. This modular structure allows PV systems to meet electric power needs in small and large scale projects.

Other than modules and arrays, a PV system also includes mounting structures that point panels toward the sun, along with the components that take the direct-current (DC) electricity produced by modules and convert it to the alternating-current (AC) electricity used to power all of the appliances in your home. The PV system might also include batteries. These batteries accumulate excess energy created by your PV system and store it to be used at night or when there is no other energy input. The performance of the batteries depends on climate, location and usage patterns (charge/discharge cycle history). Lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries are the most common types of batteries used in PV systems. These batteries differ in performance and cost. While both options can be effective storage solutions, in most cases, lithium-ion battery technology is superior to lead-acid due to its reliability and efficiency, among other attributes. However, in cases of small off-grid storage systems that are not frequently used, less expensive lead-acid battery options can be preferable.

Back in 2016, AUB launched its first Photovoltaic Power Plant to mitigate the high environmental and economic costs of electricity generation through combustion of diesel. This project comprised the installation of a 150 kWp solar panel system on the Bechtel Building and the CCC Scientific Research Building rooftops. A team from AUB assisted the UNDP CEDRO project in setting up 474 PV modules each generating a peak power of 315 watts, covering an area of 1,500 m2.

Recently, a new solar panel system consisting of 140 modules was installed on the rooftop of the Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences at AUB. The system was operational in 2021 and consists of a 100 kWp solar system that can generate more than 160 MWh of useful energy to be used on campus. The energy produced by this solar system will save the university more than 53,000 L of diesel fuel per year.

With the current economic crisis and fuel shortage in Lebanon, harvesting energy from the sun is not only environmentally sound, but also strategically important to Lebanon’s Economy. Harvesting solar energy might be the optimal solution to secure uninterrupted power to Lebanese households in the near future.

NEWSLETTERWELCOME NOTE

ARTICLE OF THE MONTH | PV as an alternative source of electricity

THINK SAFE1. Solar energy is the least abundant

energy resource on earth. a. True b.False

2. Not until recently, the space industry started to adopt solar technology in their design.

a. True b.False

3. Installing a 5 Amperes solar panel system for a household apartment requires a lot of space and is not feasible.

a. True b.False

Answers are on page 2

September 2021 - Issue # 54

PV panels of AUB’s buildings

The Environmental and Chemical Safety Unit performed lab inspections in IOEC; investigated several incidents on campus; responded to occupational complaints; assessed class capacity and COVID-19 arrangements in several areas on campus; checked and reviewed all the signs used for COVID-19 at AUB; inspected and followed-up on several scaffolds installation on campus; participated in a meeting on incinerator shaft cleaning at AUBMC; coordinated with different faculties on the best way to safely store flammable chemicals present in laboratories; worked on the UI greenmetric submittal; proposed a plan to improve the follow up on lab inspections in IOEC and reviewed paint submittals for several projects.

Health Physics Services Unit coordinated an RLSC meeting; edited the agreement of personnel monitoring service with LAEC and prepared template procedures; attended to issues related to iodine patients discharge; reviewed 3 IRB studies and prepared risk assessment for two of them; managed an orphan radioactive source at Biology department; followed-up on radiation safety training for medical staff and provided training to housekeeping department; reviewed the dose map result of blood X-ray irradiator; monitored 2 iodine patients and 9 lutetium patients; followed-up with MOPH regarding the license renewal of Radiation Oncology department; prepared import license documents for radioactive materials and followed-up on purchase requisitions; responded to contamination incident in PET-CT; and monitored cleaning activities at iodine treatment room (1045).

The Life and Fire Safety Unit responded to 47 Emergencies two of which were real fires; conveyed code requirements of Oncology Pharmacy at L5 and L9 OR UPS batteries rack enclosure; reviewed fire alarm shop drawing and installation inspection on ACC roof; conveyed code requirements for PICU renovation project and medication handout window of Pharmacy; reviewed room numbering plans of L10 & L01 in AUBMC; reviewed several material submittals regarding stairs, fire equipment and doors and hardware, installation inspection of sprinkler system L1, L2, attic and attic mezz in Architecture; inspected the installation of sprinkler system L2, L3 & L4 in Building 37; witnessed annual maintenance testing of fire alarm systems; performed site visits and life and fire safety training for engineering students trainees; reviewed several material submittals of fire suppression systems, flammable liquid storage cabinets, and HVAC plans; conveyed code requirements for chemicals stores; and attended a meeting and checked the renovated area at L5 in College Hall.

The Occupational Safety Unit conducted a fire and evacuation drill in material management department; reviewed proposed personal protective equipment for incinerator shaft cleaning and held meetings with contractors to discuss specifications and methods of operation; surveyed proposed solution for patient room balcony locking to facilitate housekeeping cleaning of balconies and glass; participated in the Disaster Plan Reassessment Taskforce second meeting; assisted several departments in the emergency preparedness call list updates in anticipation of the August 4 one year commemoration events; provided several fire and facility safety training sessions for staff; and conducted general safety rounds in ACC Ophthalmology and ENT units.

The Risk Management Unit responded to many inquiries related to old reports, medical management charging and incidents data; followed-up on sharps safety moodle training; followed-up with Employee Health Unit on work related incidents and closure and with many departments on incidents feedback and closure; worked on data review for the AUBMC annual incident report.

The Sanitation and Biosafety Unit responded to a cross contamination complaint at DTS; followed-up on AC - DX units operation in culture rooms at DTS; reviewed and approved a research proposal for the IACUC at ACF; responded to an inquiry about fungal growth in ventilation system; responded to a BSC alarm at PLM; responded to an alarm complaint at DTS; followed- up with PEMC on Oncology Pharmacy ventilation issue; followed-up with other departments on EHSRM specifications for new biosafety cabinets; followed-up with AUBMC Housekeeping on COVID units waste generation; arranged for the collection and testing of campus water samples; responded to inquiries related to fit testing and respirators use; followed- up on DTS complaint regarding improper implementation of safety guidelines.

EHSRM in Action | Latest Activities

PV outlook in LebanonLebanon relies on imports to satisfy its energy demand. In terms of primary energy, consumption is met using fossil fuels that include: liquid petroleum gas (LPG), gasoline, gas oil, kerosene, fuel oil and bitumen. The only sources of energy produced domestically include solar water heaters, hydro power plants and a minor solar PV contribution. Lebanon had a cumulative installed solar PV capacity of just 56.37 MW at the end of 2018. This includes large-scale projects and distributed installations. However, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) estimates that the potential for utility scale solar PV could reach 182 GW which can satisfy most, if not all, of the electricity demand in Lebanon. Based on IRENA’s assessment around 5,558 km2 of land in Lebanon is suitable for utility scale solar PV.

IRENA (2020), Renewable Energy Outlook: Lebanon. International Renewable Energy Agency, Abu Dhabi.

Solar power

Lebanon had a cumulative installed solar PV capacity of just 56.37 MW at the end of 2018 (LCEC 2019d), including large-scale projects and distributed installations. IRENA’s Global Atlas for Renewable Energy (see Figure 20) indicates that annual average solar irradiation in Lebanon ranges between 1 520 kWh/m2/year and 2 148 kWh/m2/year, with a significant majority of areas being above 1 900 kWh/m2/year. Building on this solar irradiation data, IRENA estimates that the potential for utility scale solar PV could reach 182 GW. The estimate is based on the Agency’s suitability mapping approach, which scores each 1 km2 parcel of land on resource quality, proximity to transmission lines, topography, population density, protected areas and land cover. The results of this assessment, conducted specifically for this report, indicate that over 5 558 km2 of land in Lebanon is suitable for utility scale solar PV, having scored above 65%.

Based on a PV land-use footprint of 33 MW/km2, this translates to around 182 615 MW of solar PV capacity. This estimate was found to be more than twice that of prior assessments by NREAP, at 87 000 MW.

Source: IRENA (n.d.), Global Atlas for Renewable Energy; World Bank; 1 km Global Horizontal Irradiation.

Disclaimer: Boundaries and names shown on this map do not imply any official endorsement or acceptance by IRENA.

Figure 20: Solar resource potential: Annual average daily GHI (kWh/m2)

Daily global horizontal irradiance (GHI) in kilowatt-hours per square metre

OpenStreetMap

4.14.34.54.85.15.45.75.96.0

0 25 50km

24 Lebanon

2. ENERGY SECTOR STATUS AND PLANS

1. Primary energy supply

Lebanon relies on imports to satisfy its energy demand. In terms of primary energy, consumption is met using the following six major components:

• liquid petroleum gas (LPG);• gasoline;• gas oil;• kerosene;• fuel oil; and• bitumen.

The only sources of energy produced domestically include solar water heaters (SWHs), hydro power plants and a minor solar PV contribution.

In 2010, energy imports accounted for approximately 96.8% of primary supply, and only 3.2% was locally produced from hydroelectric power plants and SWHs. The share of primary energy imports did not change significantly between 2010 and 2015, as political instability in the region prevented uninterrupted imports of natural gas, thus forcing various plants to rely on fuel oil.

Primary energy production in Lebanon comes from mainly imported oil products. In 2016, fuel imports accounted for around 95% of overall energy production and imports. Some 96% of the country’s total primary energy supply (TPES) in 2017 was sourced from primary and secondary oils, followed by coal at 2% (IEA, 2019).

Like other developing countries, Lebanon faces difficulties in compiling energy data and therefore is yet to generate a complete energy balance. The energy data employed by this study was largely based on two reports published by the Lebanese Centre for Energy Conservation (LCEC), namely the NREAP 2016–2020 (LCEC, 2016) and The First Energy Indicators Report of the Republic of Lebanon (LCEC, 2018).

Source: IEA, 2019

Figure 3. Total primary energy supply by source (%)

Coal2%

Oil products96%

Solar and wind1%

Biofuels and waste1%

Hydro<1%

5Renewables Energy Outlook

Total primary energy supply by source in Lebanon

ANSWERS TO “THINK SAFE” 1. False. Around 173,000 terawatts of

solar energy strikes the Earth continuously. That’s more than 10,000 times the world’s total energy use.

2. False. The space industry was an early adopter of solar technology. In the 1950s, the space industry began to use solar technology to provide power aboard spacecraft. The Vanguard 1, the first artificial earth satellite powered by solar cells, remains the oldest manmade satellite in orbit.

3. False. Installing a 5 Amperes solar panel system needs an area of 10 to 18 m2 and will cost around 5,000 USD. The saving from such system is around 578 USD per year.

RECYCLING CORNERRecycling activities at AUB till end of July 2021

2,607

22,627

91,611

866,964

Batteries collected for recycling or safe disposal (Kg)

Fluorescent lamps crushed

Recyclables collected through the red and blue recycling system (kg)

Water bottles saved through installed drinking water fountains

AUB Campus | Corporation Yard building Phone: 961-1-374374 - Ext. 2360 ehsc@aub.edu.lb

www.aub.edu.lb/facilities/ehsrm

Safety in the Spotlight | Solar energy vs fossil fuel

1,243,050 Plastic bottles and cans collected through reverse vending machine

Solar energy Fossil fuel

Will never be exhausted in our lifetime Is finite and located in only certain locations on earth

Must be converted into electricity or heat using solar converters such as photovoltaic cells, thermal cells, mirrors or ovens

Must be converted into electricity or heat by the use of converters that use fire to burn the oil, such as: turbines, engines and fire

Can be used directly Cannot be used directly

Is only directly available during the periods of sunshine

Is available at all times as long as the fuel is available

Does not produce pollution by the converters Produces significant amount of pollution by the use of fossil fuel

Does not have any health effects from the use of the solar converters

May cause respiratory and other health hazards from pollution created by use of oil

Is the only system that can be developed and installed on any scale, small, medium or large

Requires extensive capital to build fossil fuel electric plants and are often used for medium and large scale systems