ENERGY, [ENERGY AUDITS]

                        ENERGY AUDITS                          

Energy audits

The verification, monitoring, and analysis of the 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 the Need for Energy AUDIT?

1. The three top operating expenses are energy (both electrical and thermal), labor and materials.

2. Energy would emerge as a top ranker for cost reduction

3. primary objective of Energy Audit is to determine ways to reduce energy consumption per unit of product output or to lower operating costs

4. Energy Audit provides A “bench-mark” (Reference point) for managing energy in the organization

 Types of energy audits

1. preliminary energy audit

2. targeted energy audit

3. detailed energy audit

Preliminary audit

1. preliminary energy audit uses existing or easily obtained data.

2. find out the energy consumption area in the organization

3. estimates the scope for saving

4. identifies the most likely areas for attention

Targeted energy audits

1. targeted energy audits are mostly based upon the outcome of the preliminary audit results.

2. they provide data and detailed analysis on specified target projects.

3. targeted audits, therefore, involve detailed surveys of the target subjects/areas with analysis of the energy flows and costs associated with those targets.

Detailed energy audit

Detailed energy audit evaluates all systems and equipment which consume energy and the audit comprises a detailed study on energy savings and costs.

A detailed energy audit is carried out in phases

1. the pre-audit phase

2. the audit phase

3. the post-audit phase

    

Energy audit instruments

Power analyses

Electrical measuring instruments:-

These are instruments for measuring major electrical parameters such kva, kw, pf, hertz, kvar, amps, and volts. In addition, some of these instruments also measure harmonics.

These instruments are applied online on running motors without any need to stop the motor. Instant measurements can be taken with hand-held meters. While more advanced ones facilitate cumulative readings with printouts at specified intervals.

 

Fuel efficiency monitor

This measures oxygen and temperature of the flue gas. Calorific values of common fuels are fed into the microprocessor which calculates the combustion efficiency.

 

Pilot tube and manometer

Air velocity in duets can be measured using a piolet tube and inclined manometer for further calculation of flows

Ultrasonic flowmeter

This is a con-contact flow measuring device using the doppler effect principle. There is a transmitter and receiver which are positioned on opposite sides of the pipe. The meter directly gives the flow. Water and other fluid flows can be easily measured with this meter.

Lux meters

Illumination levels are measured with a lux meter. It consists of a photocell which senses the light output converts to electrical impulses which are calibrated as lux.