We have been taking various steps and measures for saving energy right from the day human being started using energy. But the efforts were kneejerk reactions to circumstantial compulsions without any significant impact on long term consumption. However with any scarcity and security beginning to be the key issues, systematic methodology was evolved to conserve energy on sustainable basis and also adopt renewable energy sources.
Energy Audit is the first step toward systematic efforts for Conservation of Energy. Like financial audit it tells you how and where the energy is being consumed. But going beyond the audit, it further it tells you how efficiently and effectively the energy is being used, how much of energy is being wastefully utilized and at what places.
Energy audit provides us with the tool to benchmark our consumption against our own best figures as well as that of the best in the segment – nationally as well as internationally.
We can also incorporate many of the energy conservation measures during designing of the system, to additionally save in the capital costs.
1. Energy Audit
Energy Audit is the first step toward systematic efforts for Conservation of Energy. It involves collection and analysis of energy related data on regular basis and in a methodological manner.
The study not only identifies various gaps and weak areas but also provides us tool to take corrective actions and monitor the performance.
1.1 Specific Energy Consumption
The specific energy consumption is the energy consumed by the installation per unit output. All the measurements are generally based on the purchased values of energy and final output from the installation. This has been corrected to energy consumed per unit of area for building and commercial premises. This can be extended to include specific machinery / equipment or even part of the plant / process.
The values are to be computed on day to day basis to analyze the deviations and take corrective actions.
1.2 Targets & Benchmark
The benchmark values are generally set for specific energy consumption and / are energy costs for the complete facility. The target or benchmark values are set as the goal that one plan to achieve in the specified period of time and on consistent basis. The internal benchmark values based on the best values achieved by the organisation; while the external benchmark values are the values reached by similar organisation / competitor.
The benchmark sets the goal while subsequent steps of the audit provide us the direction to reach the goal.
1.3 Energy Accounting & Unaccounted Consumption
This involves carrying out detailed measurement by installing meters and sub-meters or otherwise to prepare authentic break up of the energy consumption. This helps in identifying the major consumers of energy and also defines the gap between energy supplied and energy consumed.
This helps in identifying unknown avenues of losses like compressed air / steam / water leakages, cable losses, even theft and even fault in supply measurement in an extraordinary situation.
1.4 Equipment Performance
This is one of the most important and intricate part of the energy audit study; covering all the mechanical as well as process equipments like air compressor, refrigeration systems, pumps, boilers, dryers, evaporators.
It involves carrying out measurements as per the laid down procedures to ascertain actual output of the equipment / machine and also energy consumed per unit of the output.
The underperformance of equipments is one of the major reasons for energy losses.
1.5 Distribution System
The generation of all the utilities is at centralized places, while the consumption is distributed through out the facility. The electricity is also distributed throughout the plant through maze of cables.
The distribution is a necessary evil which if not controlled eats away substantial part of the energy. The Electricity Boards lose over 35% of power generated in the country in Electrical Distribution System.
1.6 Utilization
Loading a 10 Ton truck with 1 Ton of material would never be termed as efficient operation, even if the truck gives the best mileage and runs on the best highway. The effective utilization is mapping the actual process requirements and matching them with the utility / service provider.
Mismatch between discharge pressure of air compressor with the actual plant requirement would be another commonly found example.
1.7 Recovery from Waste Energy
The recovery of waste energy has gained great importance in recent times. It has become common practice to install waste heat boiler for DG sets, feed water / combustion air preheating from boiler exhaust.
The recovery of heat from bathroom drain has also been key focus area in the countries having extremely cold weather.
1.8 Cost of Energy
Purchasing at lowest cost is the simplest form of saving. Replacing furnace oil or LPG with coal has gained momentum due to phenomenal rise in cost of furnace oil.
The power cost is optimized by maintaining unity power factor, availing bulk discount. The cost is also reduced by sourcing power through installation of capital power plant, co-generation systems and even wind mills.
1.9 Renewable Energy
As the name suggests renewable energy is not only an unending source of energy but it is also environment friendly and non-polluting.
Some of the economically feasible alternatives include water heating, wind mills, biofuel from agro / municipal waste, bio-methanation of high COD effluent.
1.10Energy Monitoring
Monitoring is like regular and routine health check, which is essential to realize the savings on sustainable basis. It also helps in conterminous improvements.
