Energy Audits
ENERGY AUDIT
What is energy audit?
Energy Audit is a process in which all the energy flow in the system is identified and quantification of energy usage according to its discrete function is done. It aims to balance the input and output of energy. Along with helping in improving the operating and maintenance practices of the system, Energy Audit helps in pollution control, cost optimization, and other safety aspect.
Energy audit helps in shielding an organization from fluctuation in energy cost availability. It also helps in deciding appropriate energy mix, enables reliability of energy supply, and encourages the usage of better equipment and technology for energy conservation.
Why Energy Audit ?
It reduces energy losses up to 80% which translates to savings in energy cost by 7% to 10%.
It assists in saving energy with least investment or investment with good ROI.
What benefits the Energy Audits can bring to business?
Reduce energy costs of the organization.
With reduced energy cost, production cost is reduced, which makes the organization more competitive.
Dependence on imports for energy is reduced.
Reduce pollution and environmental damage.
Energy security is increased.
An energy audit is a study or inspection survey to determine energy consumption pattern and trend of facilities, system equipment. Based on Energy survey, Energy Bills, system design and measurement calculations report is generated. Analysis of energy flows can further be determined for energy conservation in a building. It may include a process or system to reduce the amount of energy input into the system without negatively affecting the output. In commercial and industrial real estate, an energy audit is the first step in identifying opportunities to reduce energy expense and carbon footprint. These are few highlights of typical energy audit.
- The analysis of building and utility data, including study of the installed equipment and analysis of energy bills;
- The survey of the real operating conditions;
- The understanding of the building behavior and of the interactions with weather, occupancy and operating schedules;
- The selection and the evaluation of energy conservation measures;
- The estimation of energy saving potential;
- The identification of customer concerns and needs.
Energy audit is commonly used to describe a broad spectrum of energy studies ranging from a quick walk-through of a facility to identify major problem areas to a comprehensive analysis of the implications of alternative energy efficiency measures based on client requirements and financial criteria.
Applicable to :
Cement, Iron and Steel, Sugar, Fertilizer, Pharmaceuticals, Paper and Pulp, high rise buildings, Power Plants, malls, commercial establishment, hospitals and IT companies Facility management companies.
Methodology: As per industry practices, coupled with BEE guidelines.
Types of Energy Audit:
1. Preliminary Energy Audit :
The Preliminary Energy Audit usually accounts for almost 70% of the total energy, as it focuses on major demand and supply of the energy. It is essentially a data gathering exercise in the preliminary stage, as well as its analysis. It uses just the available data and limited diagnostic instruments for the audit.
2. Detailed Energy Audit
The detailed audit can be understood as the verification, monitoring, and analysis of the use of energy, and suggesting an action plan for reducing the energy consumption through a technical report. Thus, it goes beyond quantitative estimates. The detailed energy audit is performed after the preliminary energy audit. Here, sophisticated instrumentation such as flow meter, flue gas analyzer. and scanner are used for computing energy efficiency.
Generally, four levels of analysis can be outlined based on ASHRAE level audit:
- Level 0 – Benchmarking or Feasibility Study: This first analysis consists in a preliminary Whole Building Energy Use analysis based on the analysis of the historic utility use and costs and the comparison of the performances of the buildings to those of similar buildings. This benchmarking of the studied installation allows determining if further analysis is required;
- Level I – Walk-through audit: Preliminary analysis made to assess building energy efficiency to identify not only simple and low-cost improvements but also a list of energy conservation measures (ECMs, or energy conservation opportunities, ECOs) to orient the future detailed audit. This inspection is based on visual verifications, study of installed equipment and operating data and detailed analysis of recorded energy consumption collected during the benchmarking phase;
- Level II – Detailed/General energy audit: Based on the results of the pre-audit, this type of energy audit consists in energy use survey in order to provide a comprehensive analysis of the studied installation, a more detailed analysis of the facility, a breakdown of the energy use and a first quantitative evaluation of the ECMs selected to correct the defects or improve the existing installation. This level of analysis involves advanced on-site measurements and simulation tools to evaluate precisely the selected energy retrofits;
- Level III – Investment-Grade audit: Detailed Analysis of Capital-Intensive Modifications focusing on potential costly ECMs requiring rigorous engineering study.
Scope of work for detailed Energy Audit:
Data Collection,
A B C Analysis,
Field Study,
Data Collation and Analysis,
Report Preparation and submission.
Areas covered:
Electrical utility, and
Thermal utility.
Where do I find a good energy auditor and what should I look for?
The first step is to look for a BPI (Building Performance Institute) Certified Building Analyst or other Certified Energy Auditor from reputable certifying organization. Also, try and select an auditor who has some real world experience and who uses the proper tools to perform the audit.
- When choosing an auditor for a “professional energy audit” ask them if they use these proper tools:
- Combustible gas leak detector
- Carbon Monoxide analyzer
- Combustion Analyzer
- Digital manometer
- Blower door
- Duct Leakage testing equipment
- Thermal imaging camera
Contact dash@dashinspectorate.com or call whats app 00971508692438