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

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Catherine Tong

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.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Catherine Tong

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.


Proceedings ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 19
Author(s):  
Joanna Southernwood ◽  
Grigoris K. Papagiannis ◽  
Erudino Llano Güemes ◽  
Luisa Sileni

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.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Arif Budiyanto ◽  
Muhammad Hanzalah Huzaifi ◽  
Simon Juanda Sirait ◽  
Putu Hangga Nan Prayoga

AbstractSustainable development of container terminals is based on energy efficiency and reduction in CO2 emissions. This study estimated the energy consumption and CO2 emissions in container terminals according to their layouts. Energy consumption was calculated based on utility data as well as fuel and electricity consumptions for each container-handling equipment in the container terminal. CO2 emissions were estimated using movement modality based on the number of movements of and distance travelled by each container-handling equipment. A case study involving two types of container terminal layouts i.e. parallel and perpendicular layouts, was conducted. The contributions of each container-handling equipment to the energy consumption and CO2 emissions were estimated and evaluated using statistical analysis. The results of the case study indicated that on the CO2 emissions in parallel and perpendicular layouts were relatively similar (within the range of 16–19 kg/TEUs). These results indicate that both parallel and perpendicular layouts are suitable for future ports based on sustainable development. The results can also be used for future planning of operating patterns and layout selection in container terminals.


2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 46-56
Author(s):  
B.I. Basok ◽  
E.T. Baseyev

The communal heat power engineering of Ukraine and its main area - the heat supply of the settlements of Ukraine - is the main consumer of primary energy resources (more than 60% of the total energy balance of the country, mainly imported natural gas). At the same time, this sector has the greatest potential for energy saving if measures and mechanisms are used to increase the efficiency of energy use, first of all with energy supply in buildings (thermal losses here reach up to 40%). Low energy efficiency of heat supply is the main reason for high tariffs for the consumer of housing and communal services and the challenge of social tension. Increasing energy efficiency is a basic condition for national economic, environmental and social stability, a requirement for the safety of life and a guarantee of the entire national security of the country. An overview of technological, organizational and socio-economic innovations for increasing energy efficiency of buildings is presented. Innovative equipment and technologies for increasing the energy efficiency of buildings and innovative engineering systems for their energy supply have been carried out at ITTP NAS of Ukraine. The method of determination of energy efficiency indicators of buildings, enclosing structures of buildings and the practice of conducting energy audits with the use of such diagnostic center measures as demonstration building of the "zero energy" constructed on the territory of ITT of NAS of Ukraine with energy supply from renewable energy sources (heat of soil, insolation, wind). Such a demonstration facility serves as a scientific and methodological center for training students of heat energy specialties, as well as the training of specialists involved in the development of energy efficient energy supply technologies for buildings and their energy audit. On the problems of increasing energy efficiency of the building sector in the near future, the main objectives of scientific research, subjects of fundamental, applied research, subjects, methods and tools of such research were determined.


2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 4-8
Author(s):  
H. Soininen ◽  
T. Ranta-Korhonen ◽  
E. V. Timofeev ◽  
A. V. Erk

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.


Author(s):  
Arnawan Hasibuan

This study aims to determine the right strategy for energy efficiency that can be applied in the campus area. This study uses quantitative methods in a dominant position, while qualitative methods are less dominant. The method of analysis for this study uses Contextual Interaction Theory (CIT) with the characteristics of the implementer and the target group consisting of motives, cognition, and strengths. These variables will be the main points for formulating a basic strategy on energy use at the Faculty of Engineering, Bukit Indah campus, Malikussaleh University. Contextual issues are also external factors that influence and become a consideration in determining the level of energy efficiency efforts on campus. Regarding to CIT measurements which have been analyzed, the score of motives from implementer is -0.33, cognitions +0.50, and power +62. Then, overall for target group get positive score which consist of motives +0.75, cognitions +0.54, and power +0.44. The result of type interaction between two actors point out number 10 which is about obstructive. Apart from that, three contextual issues will also be analyzed that affect the characteristics of actors, namely the specific context, the structural context and the broader context. Strategic planning to pursue energy efficiency at the Faculty of Engineering, Bukit Indah Campus, Malikussaleh University consists of increasing motivation with energy-saving campaigns and awarding prizes. Then, improve cognition with energy audits and socialization of energy efficiency. Finally, increasing strength through the implementation of sustainable policies and programs.


2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 714-725 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Lipiwattanakarn ◽  
S. Kaewsang ◽  
A. Pornprommin ◽  
T. Wongwiset

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.


2004 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 81-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ken Purnell ◽  
Mark Sinclair ◽  
Anna Gralton

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.


Energies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 1338 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ida Johansson ◽  
Nawzad Mardan ◽  
Erwin Cornelis ◽  
Osamu Kimura ◽  
Patrik Thollander

Climate change, due to anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases, is driving policymakers to make decisions to promote more efficient energy use. Improved industrial energy efficiency is said to play a key role in the transition to more carbon-neutral energy systems. In most countries, industrial small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) represent 95% or more of the total number of companies. Thus, SMEs, apart from using energy, are a major driver in the economy with regard to innovation, GDP growth, employment, investments, exports, etc. Despite this, research and policy activities related to SMEs have been scarce, calling for contributions in the field. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to critically assess how adequate energy efficiency policy programmes for industrial SMEs could be designed. Results show that scientific publications in the field differ in scope and origin, but a major emphasis of the scientific papers has been on barriers to and drivers for energy efficiency. Scientific contributions from studies of energy policy programmes primarily cover energy audit programmes and show that the major energy efficiency measures from industrial SMEs are found in support processes. The review further reveals an imbalance in geographic scope of the papers within the field, where a vast majority of the papers emanate from Europe, calling for scientific publications from other parts of the world. The study synthesizes the findings into a general method on how to design efficiency programs for the sector.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document