Energy Audit Services

An energy audit is defined as a systematic procedure that obtains an adequate knowledge of existing energy consumption profile of the site. It is a process inspection, survey and analysis of energy flows for energy conservation in a building, process or system to reduce the amount of energy input into the system without affecting the output. It helps to identify the factors that have an effect on the energy / power consumption. The performance of an energy audit is the essential step to the energy efficiency improvements. It is a procedure that helps to analyze the use of energy in an industries, enterprise, commercial or building. It serves to identify how a facility of factories uses energy and to identify opportunities of energy conservation. Energy audit can assist in evaluating energy efficiency, identifying energy saving opportunities and establishing a plan to implement energy saving projects. It is a process to collect comprehensive data on energy use. Energy Audit is a process which needs experienced personnel know as Energy Auditor and some auditing equipment’s. Through the energy audit we can assess the energy cost and its effect to the total production cost. Also, we can identify financially and technically viable options for reducing energy usage. It will help us to identify possible ways to improve productivity through interventions in areas not directly linked to energy consumption. There are different types of energy audits, which can include simple or detailed data analysis & surveys. The time required to conduct any audit depends on the size and type of factory. But priority should be given to the departments or sections of the plant of highest energy / power consumption. Broadly Energy audit is having two types, one Preliminary Audit & another one is detailed audit. Preliminary Audit is type of energy audit uses existing or easily obtained data for energy audit. The amount of energy consumptions in a facility is obtained by conducting a simple survey. Detailed Audit is done in three phases, preparing for the audit visit, performing the facility survey and implementing the audit recommendations. Let’s take an example of one medium scale industry to conduct preliminary energy audit & evaluate the possible energy savings which in turn, we can compare with how much we can save the energy if we conduct such audits in each and every industry in India.

When the object of study is an occupied building then reducing energy consumption while maintaining or improving human comfort, health and safety are of primary concern. Beyond simply identifying the sources of energy use, an energy audit seeks to prioritize the energy uses according to the greatest to least cost effective opportunities for energy savings.

An energy audit of a home may involve recording various characteristics of the building envelope including the walls, ceilings, floors, doors, windows and skylights. For each of these components the area and resistance to heat flow (R-value) is measured or estimated.

The leakage rate or infiltration of air through the building envelope is of concern which are strongly affected by window construction and quality of door seals such as weather-stripping. The goal of this exercise is to quantify the building’s overall thermal performance. The audit may also assess the efficiency, physical condition and programming of mechanical systems such as the heating, ventilation, air conditioning equipment and thermostat.

A home energy audit may include a written report estimating energy use given local climate criteria, thermostat settings, roof overhang and solar orientation. This could show energy use for a given time period, say a year and the impact of any suggested improvements per year. The accuracy of energy estimates are greatly improved when the homeowner’s billing history is available showing the quantities of electricity, natural gas, fuel oil, or other energy sources consumed over a one or two-year period.

Energy-audit is the basic tool by which a rational energy management programme can be developed in any sector using energy. Until an assessment has been carried out on how the energy flows within an establishment, areas where wastage occurs cannot be highlighted and the scope for improvements identified. Energy audit is similar to the financial audit. It involves brief on site survey and analysis of the systems concerned. It can be defined as the technique for assessing the energy conservation potential. Energy audit is the key to a systematic approach for decision-making in the area of energy management. It attempts to balance the total energy inputs with its use and serves to identify all the energy streams in a facility. It quantifies energy usage according to its discrete functions. Industrial energy audit is an effective tool in defining and pursuing comprehensive energy management programme.

As per the Energy Conservation Act, 2001, energy audit is defined as “the verification, monitoring and analysis of use of energy including submission of technical report containing recommendations for improving energy efficiency with cost benefit analysis and an action plan to reduce energy consumption.”

Why should we go for an Energy Audit

In any industry, the three top operating expenses are often found to be energy (both electrical and thermal), labour and materials. If one were to relate to the manageability of the cost or potential cost savings in each of the above components, energy would invariably emerge as a top ranker and thus energy management function constitutes a strategic area for cost reduction. Energy audit will help to understand more about the ways energy and fuel are used in any industry and help in identifying the areas where waste can occur and where scope for improvement exists.
The energy audit would give a positive orientation to the energy cost reduction, preventive maintenance and quality control programmes which are vital for production and utility activities. Such an audit programme will help to keep focus on variations which occur in the energy costs, availability and reliability of supply of energy, decide on appropriate energy mix, identify energy conservation technologies, retrofit for energy conservation equipment, etc. In general, energy audit is the translation of conservation ideas into realities by lending technically feasible solutions with economic and other organizational considerations within a specified time frame.
The primary objective of energy audit is to determine ways to reduce energy consumption per unit of product output or to lower operating costs. Energy audit provides a “bench-mark” (reference point) for managing energy in the organization and also provides the basis for planning a more effective use of energy throughout the organization.
Energy audit study helps an industry to understand and analyse its energy utilisation and identify areas of energy wastage, decide how to budget its energy use, plan and practice feasible energy conservation methods that will enhance their energy efficiency, curtail energy wastage and substantially reduce energy costs.
The energy audit serves to identify all the energy streams in a facility, qualify energy usage with its discrete functions, in an attempt to balance the total energy input with its use. Energy audit is thus the key to a systematic approach for decision-making in the area of energy management. As a result, the energy audit study becomes an effective tool in defining and pursuing comprehensive Energy Management Programme (EMP).
Energy audit of a group of similar type of industries will help generate vital information on different energy utilisation patterns and practices followed and single out best practices in particular industrial sector. Group energy audit will generate greater awareness energy efficiency and help small industries to operate more profitably.
Energy Audit should aim for:
i. Identifying cost-effective measures to improve the efficiency of energy use,
ii. Estimates of potential energy saving, implementation costs and payback periods for each recommended action, and
iii. Documenting results and vital information generated through these activities.
Energy Audit Study Includes:
i. Auditing of energy consumption (including any heat and power generated).
ii. General examination of work place (including physical condition of organisation, its processes, occupancy time and variations in ambient temperature and energy consumption pattern, etc.).
iii. Measurement of all energy flows, (including testing of boiler or steam raising, heating equipment, refrigeration, etc.).
iv. Analysis and appraisal of energy usage (e.g., specific fuel consumption, energy-product interrelationship).
v. Energy management procedures and methodology.
vi. Identification of energy improvement opportunities and recommendations for energy ef¬ficiency measures and quantification of implementation costs and paybacks.
vii. Identification of possible usage of co-generation, renewable sources of energy and recommendations for implementation, wherever possible, with cost benefit analysis.

Types of Energy Audit:
The term 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 sufficient to satisfy the financial criteria of sophisticated investors.
The type of energy audit to be performed depends on:

i. Function and type of industry,
ii. Depth to which final audit is needed, and
iii. Potential and magnitude of cost reduction desired.

Thus energy audit can be classified into the following types:

(i) Preliminary audit
(ii) Mini audit or general audit
(iii) Detailed audit or comprehensive audit/investment grade audit.

i. Preliminary Audit:
The preliminary audit (alternatively called a simple audit, screening audit or walk-through audit) is the simplest and quickest type of audit. It involves minimal interviews with site-operating personnel, a brief review of facility utility bills and other operating data and a walk-through of the facility to become familiar with the building operation and to identify any glaring areas of energy waste or inefficiency. Typically, only major problem areas will be uncovered during this type of audit. Corrective measures are briefly described and quick estimates of implementation cost, potential operating cost savings and simple payback periods are provided. The level of detail, while not sufficient for reaching a final decision on implementing a proposed measures, is adequate to prioritize energy-efficiency projects and to determine the need for a more detailed audit.

ii. General Audit or Mini Audit:
The general audit (alternatively called a mini-audit, site energy audit or complete site energy audit) expands on the preliminary audit described above by collecting more detailed information about facility operation and by performing a more detailed evaluation of energy conservation measures. Utility bills are collected for a 12 to 36 month period to allow the auditor to evaluate the facility’s energy/demand rate structures and energy usage profiles. If interval meter data is available, the detailed energy profiles that such data makes possible will typically be analysed for signs of energy waste. Additional metering of specific energy-consuming systems is often performed to supplement utility data. In -depth interviews with facility operating personnel are conducted to provide a better understanding of major energy consuming systems and to gain insight into short and longer term energy consumption patterns. This type of audit will be able to identify all energy-conservation measures appropriate for the facility, given its operating parameters. A detailed financial analysis is performed for each measure based on detailed implementation cost estimates, site-specific operating cost savings and the customer’s investment criteria. Sufficient detail is provided to justify project implementation.
iii. Investment-Grade Audit/Comprehensive Audit:
In most corporate settings, upgrades to a facility’s energy infrastructure must compete for capital funding with non-energy-related investments. Both energy and non-energy investments are rated on a single set of financial criteria that generally stress the expected return on investment (ROI). The projected operating savings from the implementation of energy projects must be developed such that they provide a high level of confidence. In fact, investors often demand guaranteed savings. The investment-grade audit (alternatively called a mini-audit, site energy audit or complete site energy audit) expands on the preliminary audit described above by collecting more detailed information about facility operation and by performing a more detailed evaluation of energy conservation measures. Utility bills are collected for a 12 to 36 month period to allow the auditor to evaluate the facility’s energy/demand rate structures and energy usage profiles. If interval meter data is available, the detailed energy profiles that such data makes possible will typically be analysed for signs of energy waste. Additional metering of specific energy-consuming systems is often performed to supplement utility data. In -depth interviews with facility operating personnel are conducted to provide a better understanding of major energy consuming systems and to gain insight into short and longer term energy consumption patterns. This type of audit will be able to identify all energy-conservation measures appropriate for the facility, given its operating parameters. A detailed financial analysis is performed for each measure based on detailed implementation cost estimates, site-specific operating cost savings and the customer’s investment criteria. Sufficient detail is provided to justify project implementation.

iii. Investment-Grade Audit/Comprehensive Audit:
In most corporate settings, upgrades to a facility’s energy infrastructure must compete for capital funding with non-energy-related investments. Both energy and non-energy investments are rated on a single set of financial criteria that generally stress the expected return on investment (ROI). The projected operating savings from the implementation of energy projects must be developed such that they provide a high level of confidence. In fact, investors often demand guaranteed savings. The investment-grade audit (alternatively called a comprehensive audit, detailed audit, maxi audit or technical analysis audit) expands on the general audit described above by providing a dynamic model of energy-use characteristics of both the existing facility and all energy conservation measures identified. The building model is calibrated against actual utility data to provide a realistic baseline against which to compute operating savings for proposed measures. Extensive attention i

Energy Audit Methodology:

Energy audit methodology includes the various phases and steps involved in carrying out energy audit.
Preliminary Energy Audit Methodology:
Preliminary energy audit is a relatively quick exercise to:
i. Establish energy consumption in the organisation.
ii. Estimate the scope for saving.
iii. Identify the most likely (and the easiest areas for attention).
iv. Identify immediate (especially no-/low-cost) improvements/savings.
v. Set a ‘reference point’.
vi. Identify areas for more detailed study/measurement.
vii. Preliminary energy audit uses existing or easily obtained data.
Detailed Energy Audit Methodology:
A comprehensive audit provides a detailed energy project implementation plan for a facility, since it evaluates all major energy using systems. This type of audit offers the most accurate estimate of energy savings and cost. It considers the interactive effects of all projects, accounts for the energy use of all major equipment and includes detailed energy cost saving calculations and project cost.
In a comprehensive audit, one of the key elements is the energy balance. This is based on an inventory of energy using systems, assumptions of current operating conditions and calculations of energy use. This estimate use is then compared to utility bill charges.
Detailed energy auditing is carried out in three phases:

Phase I – Pre-audit phase
Phase II – Audit phase
Phase III – Post-audit phase
Industry-to-industry, the methodology of energy audits needs to be flexible.
A comprehensive ten-step methodology for conduct of energy audit at field level is presented below. Energy manager and energy auditor may follow these steps to start with and add/change as per their needs and industry types.

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