The appearance and development of energy audit is mainly a result of greater energy efficiency connected with cost reductions and certain guidelines from international standards as the ISO 50001:2011. In this subchapter our main source of information regarding energy audits is the Thrumann`s seventh edition Handbook of Energy Audits. The handbook’s purpose is to give engineers as well as non-engineers guidance through the audit process and help them identify and prioritize conservation potential, low-cost and no-cost operational, maintenance and other opportunities.
Types of energy audits
Thrumann (2007, 10) describes three main types of energy audits in order of increasing complexity, which can be performed in an organization:
1. The Walk-Through Audit
An audit performed through a tour of the facility, where each of the energy using systems is visually inspected. Typically it includes an evaluation of energy consumption data to analyse energy use in quantities and patterns as well as provide comparisons to industry averages or benchmarks for similar facilities. The walk-through audit is the least costly of all three still providing preliminary estimate of savings potential and providing a list of low cost savings opportunities through improvements in operational and maintenance practices. If the level one audit shows opportunity and savings potential appearance, more information can be collected and further analysed bringing more detailed and quantified audit results to the decision-makers in the form of a standard audit.
2. Standard Audit
It quantifies energy use and possible losses through a more detailed review and analysis of business activities. This analysis may include some on-site measurement and testing to quantify energy use and efficiency of various systems where the standard energy engineering calculations are used to analyse efficiencies and calculate energy and costs savings based on improvements and changes to each system. The audit includes an economic analysis of recommended conservation measures.
3. Computer Simulation
Is the third level of possible energy audit, which can be done with computer simulation software.
It includes detailed energy use by function and a more comprehensive evaluation of energy use patterns. The auditor will gather the needed information about energy inputs, energy use and buildings technology and develop a computer simulation of the organizations building systems that will account and predict the annual energy use. The goal is to build a base for comparison that is consistent with the actual energy consumption of the facility, further on this base is usually taken as the baseline year before the changes. When the baseline is set, the auditor can suggest changes of improvements in energy use, buildings technology and other in order to achieve greater energy efficiency. The method and further calculations are there to predict energy savings and give information about the best possible and cost-effective changes. This
50 type of audit is the most expensive as it demands detailed equipment information, operational data, as well it demands the software model building and its simulation.
Once the level of audit is established the needed information can be gathered. Some or most of the information should be gathered prior the site-visit as a thorough evaluation of energy use and systems before going site can identify areas of savings potential and as so make the on-site time spent most usefully.
An organized approach is told to be the best as it helps collect useful information and reduce the amount of time spent evaluating the facility. Splitting the audit process into mostly three distinct components, including pre-site work, the site visit and post-site work, it becomes easier to allocate the time for each step and leads to a more comprehensive and useful audit report.
For defining certain costs, there is a certain form in use; below we are presenting a simplified version:
Table 14: Sample of energy accounting form
SAMPLE OF AN ENERGY ACCOUNTING FORM Facility name: Company building no. 1
Facility type: Offices
Utility: Electric meter Electric meter no.: Electric rate schedule:
Gross area(square meters):
Gross area (cubic meters):
YEAR ELECTRICITY USAGE HEATING USAGE IF NOT
ELECTRICITY TOTAL
Source: The Handbook of Energy Audits, (Thrumann, 2007, 24) The Audit Report
When the type of audit performed is selected and the pre-site, on-site and post-site work analysis is done, the audit report can be developed and published. Thrumann (2009, 18) describes the general flow of audit activities as the identification of all energy systems, mainly all the energy consuming appliances and business operations are included, evaluation of the systems condition as well as the analysis of the impact of improvements to those systems.
This report explains the existing conditions of the organizational buildings in terms of the envelope/façade, equipment, lighting, and occupancy, giving recommendations to improve efficiency through improvements in operation and maintenance of the building and business
51 processes. Energy conservation measures have to be presented in detail. The audit report has to be understandable to all levels of management and customized to the business activities.
Table 15: Audit report tasks, Thrumann (2009, 19, 20):
A WELL-ORGANIZED AUDIT REPORT 1. Executive Summary
A simple explanation, straight forward and to the point providing the current situation, recommended improvements and advantages of taking recommended actions. Including a brief introduction to the facility/building/business and describe the purpose of the audit and overall conclusions. This is a one or two-page introduction, expressed very clearly to the point with specific actions which have to be taken.
2. Building Information
Provides a general background of the facility/building/business its mechanical systems and operational profile. It should include a description of the building envelope/façade, age and construction history, operating schedules, number of employees and occupancy patterns, and a discussion of the operation and maintenance program. It is also useful to include a floor plan, selected photos of the facility and mechanical systems, a description of energy types used in the plant, and a description of the primary mechanical systems and controls.
3. Utility Summary
Energy Accounting information for the last two years is included in the utility summary. Figures and graphs that were developed for analysis and are easy to understand, demonstrating all consumption patterns regarding energy should be included. The information for each graph and figure should be chosen depending on the target audience, level of managers or employees it addresses. For example, actual monthly consumption by fuel type may be of more interest to the engineering and maintenance staff while annual costs or monetary-savings information may be more appropriate for administrative personnel. Pie figures of energy use and cost by fuel type can offer compelling documentation of overall energy use and expenses. The utility summary includes a summary of overall facility benchmarks, energy use indices and other key ratios, and comparisons within the business industry averages.
4. Energy Conservation Measures (ECMs)
This section should have a beginning with a list of energy conservation measures that meet the financial criteria established by the facility/business owner or manager. For each measure, the measure name should be included, costs have to be predicted on an annual level as well the saving potential and simple payback of the investment (if there is any) in a summary figure. A one or two page description of each energy conservation measure and support calculations should follow this summary figure. The ECM description as energy saved, emissions lowered, supported with energy use and savings calculations, and the simple payback, net present value or life cycle cost analysis should be included. Any assumptions made regarding operation or equipment efficiency should be listed, as well the ECMs that were considered but fell out of current financial criteria.
5. Operation and Maintenance Measures (O&Ms)
This section address operational and maintenance issues observed during the on-site visit. It includes descriptions of specific low-cost operational and maintenance items that require attention. It includes items that will reduce energy consumption and costs, address existing problems or improves practices that will help prolong equipment life of systems. It is also useful to the owner to include cost and savings estimates of O&M recommendations.
5. Appendices
Support material and technical information not included elsewhere in the report should be added to the appendices, so the report has full informational background. Typical information in this section includes floor plans and site notes as appropriate, photos, audit data forms, motor, equipment, and lighting inventories, and other.
52 The audit report connected to the plan-do-check-act cycle is not just in the check level as it gives preliminary, detailed answers and information of what can be done, how it should be done regarding energy savings and achievement of greater energy efficiency in business connected to the cost estimation and investment analysis.
As energy consumption is connected to pollution and emissions production further we are briefly presenting the pollution audit.
What is a Pollution Audit?
As presented in Chapter two, greenhouse gas emissions of CO2 in Slovenia have overall slightly fallen in 2011 compared to 2010, as did the emissions caused in companies of the type F in business classification.
A pollution audit generally takes electricity and heating (fuel) consumption numbers over a two year period and provides approximations for carbon dioxide, nitrous oxides, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, mercury, cadmium, lead, mercury compounds, cadmium compounds and lead compounds. Giving important information about emission production, we expect pollution audits to become more valuable to organizations which are looking forward being environmentally friendly using environmentally sound technologies. Organizations will start and started implementing energy efficient technologies with the goal to reduce the energy bill as well as to help and prevent utility/business generated pollution.
There are several online pollution and emission calculators available on the internet and help approximate the emissions of other air pollutants in addition to carbon dioxide.