scholarly journals Comparative study on quality assurance for mandatory energy audits in Romania and Germany

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-39
Author(s):  
Michael Krutwig ◽  
Kejo Starosta ◽  
Adrian Tantau
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Comparative Study ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Balance Sheet ◽  
Energy Audit ◽  
Comparative Review ◽  
Energy Audits ◽  
Minimum Quality

AbstractThe commitment to an activity always requires the assurance of the quality of the result. Article 8 of the Energy Efficiency Directive 2012/27/UE of the European Parliament (EED) requires large companies in all member states to carry out an energy audit at least every four years. An energy audit follows the standard EN-16247-1, but this standard does not take into account a possible reluctance of the company carrying out the audit and thus compliance with a minimum qualitative standard. The various national implementations therefore define further rules for carrying out these audits. In Romania, Article 8 of the EED was implemented in the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NEEAP). The coordinating authority for the energy audits is the Autoritatea Nationala de Reglementare în domeniul Energiei (ANRE). In Germany, the Erneuerbare Energien Gesetz (EEG) was created for this purpose, with the Bundesamtes für Wirtschaft und Ausfuhrkontrolle (BAFA) being responsible for coordination. This study compares the differences in the respective regulations. In a comparative review, we analyze the national rules that companies in Romania and Germany have to follow when carrying out audits. Factors such as minimum sizes, balance sheet limits, calculation of measures, qualification of the auditor and also sanctions in the event of violation of the audit obligation are compared. This is intended to enable conclusions to be drawn as to whether there are differences in the requirements and minimum quality of energy audits in different countries and what influence the mandatory audit has on companies.

scholarly journals Energy Efficiency Solutions for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

Proceedings ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 19
Author(s):  
Joanna Southernwood ◽  
Grigoris K. Papagiannis ◽  
Erudino Llano Güemes ◽  
Luisa Sileni
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Energy Saving ◽  
Energy Management ◽  
Policy Recommendations ◽  
Effective Energy ◽  
Energy Audit ◽  
Horizon 2020 ◽  
Efficiency Measures ◽  
Energy Audits ◽  
Innovative Capacity

Few small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have undertaken an energy audit to date and even fewer have taken action to implement energy-saving measures. Lack of time, knowledge, and finance, coupled with the low priority that SMEs give to energy management, are the most commonly cited barriers to effective energy management in SMEs. Four projects funded by Horizon 2020 (SPEEDIER, SMEmPower Efficiency, E2DRIVER, and Innoveas) have developed innovative capacity-building programmes designed to eliminate these barriers and encourage SMEs to undertake energy audits and implement the recommended energy efficiency measures. This paper presents an overview of the innovations being tested and suggests a series of policy recommendations that could help to drive uptake of energy audits in SMEs.

scholarly journals Energy Audit of Agricultural Enterprises: New Approaches and Assessment Criteria (Following the Russian-Finnish Project Interim Outcomes)

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 4-8
Author(s):  
H. Soininen ◽  
T. Ranta-Korhonen ◽  
E. V. Timofeev ◽  
A. V. Erk
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Environmental Assessment ◽  
Assessment Criteria ◽  
Leningrad Region ◽  
Energy Audit ◽  
Agricultural Enterprises ◽  
New Approaches ◽  
Energy Auditing ◽  
Energy Audits

Currently implemented project “Russian-Finnish Bioeconomy Competence Сentre – BioCom” within South-East Finland – Russia Cross-Border Cooperation Programme 2014-2020 aims to integrate the BioEconomy principles and approaches into the agricultural sector of the neighbouring border areas of Russia and Finland. The energy efficiency of farming and sustainable use of energy resources is one of the fundamentals of the bio-economy concept. The energy audit is the first step in identifying opportunities to reduce the energy inputs on the farms.(Research purpose) To discover the new approaches to the energy auditing of agricultural enterprises and new assessment indicators following the project experience.(Materials and methods) Four farms were selected for the energy inspection – two farms located in the Leningrad Region, Russia, and two farms located in the South Savo Region, Finland. In Russia the standard energy auditing, measurement, and calculation procedure was applied. The systems of electrical power supply, heat supply, water supply, sewage, and building envelopes on the farms were examined and estimated.(Results and discussion) Following the outcomes of the energy audits in the project framework and the previous relevant experience, the basic energy-saving and efficiency improvement measures were established. Three new approaches to the energy auditing of agricultural enterprises were suggested – energy and environmental assessment of applied technologies and equipment; consideration of the application of renewable energy-generating sources; consideration of the conversion of vehicles to biogas.(Conclusions) The study outcomes proved the energy audits to play an important role in improving the energy efficiency of agricultural production provided they are mandatory, take into account the energy environmental assessment criteria, consider the application of renewable energy-generating sources and the conversion of vehicles to biogas.

scholarly journals Real benefits of leak repair and increasing the number of inlets to energy

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 714-725 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Lipiwattanakarn ◽  
S. Kaewsang ◽  
A. Pornprommin ◽  
T. Wongwiset
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Friction Loss ◽  
Input Energy ◽  
Energy Audit ◽  
First Case ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Energy Audits ◽  
The Right ◽  
District Metered Area ◽  
Total Inflow

Abstract Two real cases of energy audit were investigated in a district metered area (DMA) of the Metropolitan Waterworks Authority in Bangkok, Thailand. The first case was energy audits before and after leaks were repaired. The repairs resulted in a 9% reduction of inflow to the DMA. We estimated that the input energy to the DMA reduced 8% while the energy in water delivered to customers increased 8%. Thus, two benefits of reducing leakage to energy were found. In the second case, we temporarily opened a boundary valve connecting to the trunk main to function as another inlet to the DMA, so the number of inlets increased to two. The new inlet was nearer to main distribution pipes that delivered water to more customers than the first one. Thus, the inflow from the old inlet decreased to only 10% of the total inflow. The estimated input energy increased slightly by 4% because the inflow and leakage did not reduce, but the energy delivered to customers increased greatly (16%) due to a significant decrease in friction loss. Thus, reducing leakage and selecting the right hydraulic locations of inlets can benefit energy efficiency in DMAs substantially.

scholarly journals Managing Tax Dispute Due to IFRS-16 on the Retrofits Implementation in Indonesia

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (3.21) ◽  
pp. 200
Author(s):  
Ismiriai Nasip ◽  
Eka Sudarmaji
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Comparative Study ◽  
Cash Flow ◽  
Questionnaire Survey ◽  
Balance Sheet ◽  
Service Level ◽  
Business Owner ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The Impact

The IFRS-16 will shortly be implemented worldwide, where the operating lease is effectively removed, and all operational leases are qualified as debt. The operational lease is a major source and is important for off-balance sheet financing in Indonesia. Therefore, the implementation of IFRS-16 will probably hurt Indonesian business. The contract and/or service level agreements on the retrofits for the energy efficiency product can relieve the business owner from cash flow and new debts. This study established a framework for a critical comparative study; compare and assess the possibility of the retrofit financial practices under the current taxes regime, and the possibility upon IFRS-16 implementation to better understand the favorable measures for retrofit practitioners and future customers to handle the disputes. Triangulate the findings of comparative study and questionnaire survey to develop recommendation for the future researchers, practitioners and the government. The result indicates that the benefits of the retrofits financing implementation beat the cost and complexity posed by the enactment of new IFRS standards. Thus, the impact of the IFRS-16 and taxation are being considered as a part of business constraints that should be addressed together and able to manage the disputes over misperception on retrofits aspects with taxes officers.  

Sustainable Schools: Making Energy Efficiency a Lifestyle Priority

2004 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 81-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ken Purnell ◽  
Mark Sinclair ◽  
Anna Gralton
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Energy Efficient ◽  
Alternative Energy ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Positive Energy ◽  
School Students ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Residential Energy Efficiency ◽  
Energy Audits

AbstractPromoting efficient energy use in schools that consequently reduces greenhouse gas emissions is the purpose of a residential Energy Efficiency in Schools (EEIS) program reported on in this paper. Research on this program aligns with one of the “key overarching sustainability issues”, set out in the Learning for Sustainability: NSW Environmental Education Plan 2002-2005: “Sustaining energy use, cutting greenhouse gases”. The EEIS program was sponsored by Queensland EPA, Ergon Energy and Education Queensland. Participants learnt about innovation, leadership, coal mining, greenhouse issues, the “greenhouse challenge”, conducting energy audits, alternative energy and promoting energy efficient practices in school and the community.Three EEIS models in Queensland that supported change in energy usage behaviours of participants (school students, parents and staff) is examined. In each of the models, interviews were conducted and questionnaires were completed with participants. In Model 1 it was found that, overall; the EEIS program did develop positive energy efficient behaviours in those who participated. In relation to whole school effects, mixed results were obtained. In Model 1 a rural school initially reduced energy consumption by fifty percent and in Model 2 significant changes in energy efficient behaviours in the school communities occurred. In Model 3 one school followed through an action plan and similar positive effects were observed. The development of an action plan that is implemented in the school, the selection of suitable participants, and post-program visits to schools by relevant staff were among the factors that contributed to the overall success. Each model was found to have achieved their aims to varying degrees but had outcomes that are likely to have both lifetime and possibly intergenerational effects.

scholarly journals Implementation of Innovative Energy Saving Projects to Strengthen the Competitiveness of Domestic Enterprises

2021 ◽  
pp. 188-196
Author(s):  
Olha SOBKO ◽  
Ihor KRYSOVATYY ◽  
Svitlana SMEREKA
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Energy Saving ◽  
Alternative Energy ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Energy Audit ◽  
Economic Relations ◽  
Alternative Energy Sources ◽  
Power Stations

The article deals with the features of innovative projects launch of the energy saving on the enterprises of Ukraine, the necessity of research of essence and specific of introduction of such projects is substantiated concerning the energy-savings on enterprises, their place in the system of economic relations is examined. Foreign experience of market of innovative projects introduction of the energy-saving is investigated, that is one of the basic component elements of effective competition which is beneficial in innovative activity of enterprises, which means the launch of innovative developments, new technologies, knowledge, information. The basic most effective districting over of territory of Ukraine is demonstrated, where realization of innovative projects of the energy efficiency introduction and energy-savings of sunny power stations and surface windy power stations is carried out. Considerable technically accessible potential of power mediums production of redintegrated energy and alternative types of fuel sources in Ukraine is revealed. The basic barriers over introduction of innovative projects in the market of energy-savings are shown, in particular: limited access to technologies and innovations, high cost of services in energy efficiency, lack of skilled specialists, sub-zero quality of suggestion of services in energy efficiency in the market etc. Attention is focused on using of project management for realization of innovative projects, as a basic tool of management, in particular to the energy management and energy audit, and their basic tasks on an enterprise are given. The basic strategic constituents regarding the development of fuel and energy complex of Ukraine and its competitiveness are pointed out, as well the use of alternative energy sources on a period to 2035, that is mentioned in operating Power strategy «Safety, energy efficiency, competitiveness». The mechanism of electric power production stimulation of iterated sources in Ukraine is demonstrated which means the «Green» price for the subjects of managing that produce power from the solar and wind energy.

scholarly journals The economical benefits of conducting an ASHRAE LEVEL II energy audit

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Catherine Tong
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Economic Benefit ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Level Of Detail ◽  
Mechanical Equipment ◽  
Energy Audit ◽  
Level Ii ◽  
Level I ◽  
Energy Audits

Conducting an ASHRAE Level II Energy and Water audit provides building owners opportunities to save energy and water in their buildings. The ASHRAE Level II Energy Audit will fulfill the requirements for BOMA BESt Energy Assessment and IESO’s saveONenergy Electricity Survey and Analysis. The IESO saveONenergy allows building owners to receive monetary incentives to improve their energy efficiency. Energy audits are an effective method to increase energy efficiency for commercial buildings. However, there are multiple levels of energy audits set by ASHRAE (Level I, II, and III) which varies the level of detail and economic benefit. The role of this research is to explore the benefits of a Level II energy audit and the economic benefit of a office tower located in Toronto. This building had an ASHRAE Level I audit two years ago and a case study will be performed to evaluate the level of detail and economic benefit of a Level II Energy and Water audit. The tower was evaluated according to ASHRAE Level II guidelines and the results obtained were an Energy Star score for the building, benchmarking against BOMA BESt buildings, energy conservation measures (ECMs), financial savings, payback periods and CO2 savings. They were separated into low/no cost measures, capital measure, other measures and impractical measures. If the building managers were to target all of the recommended ECMs, a total of $300,000 in utility costs per year would be saved. This is equivalent to 1,700,000 ekWh saved per year and a 6% reduction of their current energy use. Further more, the total energy use intensity (EUI) would improve from 26.2 ekWh/ft2 to 24.7 ekWh/ft2. . This case study has allowed a comparison for the two different types of energy audit. Compared to a Level I energy audit, there is a lot more detail which can provide a better potential savings as there are more engineering calculations involved for mechanical equipment, reviewing of drawings, observation of mechanical equipment, and interviews with the building operators.

scholarly journals Framework for developing a new model of risk classification according to the energy usage of companies

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 1150-1161
Author(s):  
Ana Șerbănescu ◽  
Michael Krutwig
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Sustainable Use ◽  
Risk Classification ◽  
Energy Audit ◽  
Total Consumption ◽  
Developed Country ◽  
Common Framework ◽  
Energy Audits ◽  
Main Component

Abstract In the last 50 years, both the authorities and the majority of the citizens have understood the need to enforce measures to both preserve energy and reduce the costs of producing it. Nowadays, every developed country has correlated the profitability and the competitiveness of its industry with the efficient and sustainable use of energy and is therefore making conscious efforts to improve these areas. Any action program deemed to enhance energy efficiency has as main component the critical analysis of the energetic resources allocated to an activity in a given perimeter, also known as energy audit. This paper aims to develop a model of risk classification to be applied in planning and performing procedures during energy audit, which can allow a common framework to be developed in this area of audit. The stakeholders of the entity will also be offered a unitary perspective regarding the risks of the respective business, which can be helpful in their decision-making process. The research methodology of this paper consists of quantitative instruments, namely the statistical analysis of a database containing energy audit conclusions of companies in Europe. The indicators used will relate to energy savings, the number of measures implemented as a result of the audit, the percentage of energy saved from total consumption (energy efficiency) and the business line of the company. The novelty this framework will bring consists of the congruence created in the energy audit procedures of different practices and of the standardization and quality improvement in energy audit opinions. The approach of energy audits will therefore evolve towards a risk based one, rather than an analytical one. Also, we will explain the importance of energy savings for the profitability and the competitiveness of companies in the economy today, while facilitating a transparent communication with the stakeholders. This analysis is relevant especially given the fact that the cycle of 4 years after the directive of mandatory energy audit has been enforced ends with 2018 and a conclusion can be drawn before the new audit period starts in 2019.

scholarly journals Benchmarking of Industrial Energy Efficiency. Outcomes of an Energy Audit Policy Program

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 2210 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristaps Locmelis ◽  
Dagnija Blumberga ◽  
Andra Blumberga ◽  
Anna Kubule
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Monitoring System ◽  
Energy Management ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Energy Audit ◽  
Energy Management Systems ◽  
Energy Efficiency Policy ◽  
Industrial Energy ◽  
Energy Audits ◽  
Industrial Energy Efficiency

Latvia’s industrial energy efficiency policy imposes the implementation of mandatory energy audits and energy management systems in large industrial enterprises and large industrial electricity consumers to improve industrial competitiveness, to move towards a carbon-neutral economy and to increase the security of supply. Companies affected by this energy efficiency policy are obliged to report to the national energy efficiency monitoring system on energy efficiency measures indicated in energy audits or energy management systems with the highest savings or economical potential. The purpose of this study was to assess the initial outcomes of the first industrial energy efficiency program in Latvia, using data from the national energy efficiency monitoring system, including an analysis of individual energy audit reports, and benchmarking it with findings from a similar program, thereby revealing untapped energy efficiency and CO2 emission reduction potential. Although the national monitoring system made it possible to ascertain results of the energy efficiency program, the statistical analysis of the data did not allow for a robust conclusion on the technical or economic industrial energy efficiency potential. This study suggests that Latvia’s energy efficient policy should continue its course in implementation and provides recommendations for improvements on the national energy efficiency monitoring system.

scholarly journals The economical benefits of conducting an ASHRAE LEVEL II energy audit

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Catherine Tong
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Economic Benefit ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Level Of Detail ◽  
Mechanical Equipment ◽  
Energy Audit ◽  
Level Ii ◽  
Level I ◽  
Energy Audits

Conducting an ASHRAE Level II Energy and Water audit provides building owners opportunities to save energy and water in their buildings. The ASHRAE Level II Energy Audit will fulfill the requirements for BOMA BESt Energy Assessment and IESO’s saveONenergy Electricity Survey and Analysis. The IESO saveONenergy allows building owners to receive monetary incentives to improve their energy efficiency. Energy audits are an effective method to increase energy efficiency for commercial buildings. However, there are multiple levels of energy audits set by ASHRAE (Level I, II, and III) which varies the level of detail and economic benefit. The role of this research is to explore the benefits of a Level II energy audit and the economic benefit of a office tower located in Toronto. This building had an ASHRAE Level I audit two years ago and a case study will be performed to evaluate the level of detail and economic benefit of a Level II Energy and Water audit. The tower was evaluated according to ASHRAE Level II guidelines and the results obtained were an Energy Star score for the building, benchmarking against BOMA BESt buildings, energy conservation measures (ECMs), financial savings, payback periods and CO2 savings. They were separated into low/no cost measures, capital measure, other measures and impractical measures. If the building managers were to target all of the recommended ECMs, a total of $300,000 in utility costs per year would be saved. This is equivalent to 1,700,000 ekWh saved per year and a 6% reduction of their current energy use. Further more, the total energy use intensity (EUI) would improve from 26.2 ekWh/ft2 to 24.7 ekWh/ft2. . This case study has allowed a comparison for the two different types of energy audit. Compared to a Level I energy audit, there is a lot more detail which can provide a better potential savings as there are more engineering calculations involved for mechanical equipment, reviewing of drawings, observation of mechanical equipment, and interviews with the building operators.

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