scholarly journals Energy Performance of Italian Oil Refineries Based on Mandatory Energy Audits

Energies ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 532
Author(s):  
Carlos Herce ◽  
Chiara Martini ◽  
Marcello Salvio ◽  
Claudia Toro
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Primary Energy ◽  
Continuous Increase ◽  
Oil Refineries ◽  
Public Data ◽  
Energy Audits ◽  
The Impact

Petroleum products account for the 32.3% of worldwide primary energy. There are more than 100 oil refineries in Europe that directly employ 119,000 people with a turnover of EUR 600 billion and around 1.2% to the total value added in manufacturing. Therefore, the petroleum refining sector is very important in the European economy, and its decarbonization is crucial in the energy transition. Refineries present a high degree of complexity and integration, and the continuous increase of their energy efficiency is a key topic for the sector. In this work an analysis of the energy efficiency in ten Italian refineries based on mandatory energy audits and public data is presented. The primary (0.0963 ± 0.0341 toe/t), thermal (3421.71 ± 1316.84 MJ/t), and electrical (68.20 ± 19.34 kWh/t) specific energy consumptions have been evaluated. Some insights about the impact of refined products mix (mainly driven by production of diesel fuel) and Nelson Complexity Index in energy consumption are presented. Lastly, an overview of energy performance improvement actions (EPIAs) information extracted from energy audits is presented. This work presents a first step for the benchmark of Italian refineries that should be subsequently improved.

scholarly journals Impact of Energy Monitoring and Management Systems on the Implementation and Planning of Energy Performance Improved Actions: An Empirical Analysis Based on Energy Audits in Italy

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (16) ◽  
pp. 4723
Author(s):  
Carlos Herce ◽  
Enrico Biele ◽  
Chiara Martini ◽  
Marcello Salvio ◽  
Claudia Toro
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Energy Monitoring ◽  
Energy Audits ◽  
The Impact

The implementation of monitoring tools and energy management systems (EnMSs) supports companies in their long-term energy efficiency strategies, and they are essential to analyse the effectiveness of energy performance improvement actions (EPIAs). The first fundamental step towards increasing energy efficiency is the development of energy audits (EAs). EAs provide comprehensive information about the energy usage in a specific facility, identifying and quantifying cost-effective EPIAs. The crucial role of these tools in clean energy transition is remarked by the European Energy Efficiency Directive (EED), which promotes the implementation of EAs and EnMS programmes. The purpose of this work is to better understand the link between EnMSs (specifically ISO 50001) and EAs in the EED Article 8 implementation in two industrial and two tertiary sectors in Italy. Moreover, the impact of company size, energy monitoring systems, and EnMSs on planned and/or implemented EPIAs is analysed. Our findings show that, albeit the complexity of the variables involved in energy efficiency gap, the “energy savings/company” and “EPIA/site” ratios are higher in enterprises with an EnMS and monitoring system. Thus, a correct energy audit must always be accompanied by a specific monitoring plan if it is to be effective and useful to the company decision maker.

scholarly journals From Energy Audit to Energy Performance Indicators (EnPI): A Methodology to Characterize Productive Sectors. The Italian Cement Industry Case Study

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (24) ◽  
pp. 8436
Author(s):  
Giacomo Bruni ◽  
Alessandra De Santis ◽  
Carlos Herce ◽  
Luigi Leto ◽  
Chiara Martini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Performance Indicators ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Cement Industry ◽  
Economic Sectors ◽  
Metallic Mineral ◽  
Energy Audits ◽  
The Impact

In this work, a novel methodology to assess energy performance indicators of productive and economic sectors trough the analysis of the Italian mandatory energy audits database is presented. The updating of sectoral reference energy performance indicators is fundamental for both companies and policy makers—for the formers to evaluate and compare their energy performance with competitors in order to achieve improvements and for the latter to effectively monitor the impact of energy policies. This methodology could be potentially applied to all production sectors, providing key information needed to characterize various production processes from an energy point of view. Awareness of energy efficiency and sectorial benchmarking represent the first necessary steps for companies moving towards energy transition. This paper provides details of the statistical method developed and its application to the NACE 23 division “Manufacturing of other non-metallic mineral products”, with a focus on the cement industry. For this sector, results are presented in terms of specific indicators based on energy source. General results, methodological insights, and validation of the proposed case study are discussed.

Sustainable energy solutions for thermal load in buildings - Role of heat pumps, solar thermal, and hydrogen-based cogeneration systems

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-25
Author(s):  
Praveen Cheekatamarla ◽  
Vishaldeep Sharma ◽  
Bo Shen
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Carbon Footprint ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Primary Energy ◽  
Heat Pumps ◽  
Total Carbon ◽  
Coefficient Of Performance ◽  
Renewable Energy Resources ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Economic and population growth is leading to increased energy demand across all sectors – buildings, transportation, and industry. Adoption of new energy consumers such as electric vehicles could further increase this growth. Sensible utilization of clean renewable energy resources is necessary to sustain this growth. Thermal needs in a building pose a significant challenge to the energy infrastructure. Supporting the current and future building thermal energy needs to offset the total electric demand while lowering the carbon footprint and enhancing the grid flexibility is presented in this study. Performance assessment of heat pumps, renewable energy, non-fossil fuel-based cogeneration systems, and their hybrid configurations was conducted. The impact of design configuration, coefficient of performance (COP), electric grid's primary energy efficiency on the key attributes of total carbon footprint, life cycle costs, operational energy savings, and site-specific primary energy efficiency are analyzed and discussed in detail.

scholarly journals Energy Efficiency and GHG Emissions Mapping of Buildings for Decision-Making Processes against Climate Change at the Local Level

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 2982 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edgar Lorenzo-Sáez ◽  
José-Vicente Oliver-Villanueva ◽  
Eloina Coll-Aliaga ◽  
Lenin-Guillermo Lemus-Zúñiga ◽  
Victoria Lerma-Arce ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Spatial Resolution ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
Primary Energy ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Low Carbon Economy

Buildings have become a key source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions due to the consumption of primary energy, especially when used to achieve thermal comfort conditions. In addition, buildings play a key role for adapting societies to climate change by achieving more energy efficiency. Therefore, buildings have become a key sector to tackle climate change at the local level. However, public decision-makers do not have tools with enough spatial resolution to prioritise and focus the available resources and efforts in an efficient manner. The objective of the research is to develop an innovative methodology based on a geographic information system (GIS) for mapping primary energy consumption and GHG emissions in buildings in cities according to energy efficiency certificates. The developed methodology has been tested in a representative medium-sized city in Spain, obtaining an accurate analysis that shows 32,000 t of CO2 emissions due to primary energy consumption of 140 GWh in residential buildings with high spatial resolution at single building level. The obtained results demonstrate that the majority of residential buildings have low levels of energy efficiency and emit an average of 45 kg CO2/m2. Compared to the national average in Spain, this obtained value is on the average, while it is slightly better at the regional level. Furthermore, the results obtained demonstrate that the developed methodology is able to directly identify city districts with highest potential for improving energy efficiency and reducing GHG emissions. Additionally, a data model adapted to the INSPIRE regulation has been developed in order to ensure interoperability and European-wide application. All these results have allowed the local authorities to better define local strategies towards a low-carbon economy and energy transition. In conclusion, public decision-makers will be supported with an innovative and user-friendly GIS-based methodology to better define local strategies towards a low-carbon economy and energy transition in a more efficient and transparent way based on metrics of high spatial resolution and accuracy.

The Evaluation of Non-Renewable Primary Energy as Part of Energy Performance Certificates

2014 ◽  
Vol 1041 ◽  
pp. 222-225
Author(s):  
Michal Kraus ◽  
Kateřina Kubenková ◽  
Darja Kubečková
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Czech Republic ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Primary Energy ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Existing Buildings ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
The Impact ◽  
New Buildings

The evaluation of non-renewable primary energy expressing the impact of the environment is part of the energy performance certificate. The evaluation is based on factors of primary energy. New buildings or larger modifications of existing buildings must meet the legislative requirements in the Czech Republic, which are consistent with the requirements of the European Union. On the basis of modeling of different energy sources and different number of energy sources for the selected building are set values of non-renewable primary energy.

Evaluation of Energy Efficiency Improvement Program for Rental Homes

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lesley Herrmann ◽  
Moncef Krarti
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Improvement Program ◽  
Green House ◽  
Energy Efficiency Improvement ◽  
Green House Gas ◽  
Efficiency Measures ◽  
Residential Energy Efficiency ◽  
Energy Audits ◽  
The City

Recently, the city of Boulder, CO has recently approved mandatory energy efficiency standard, called SmartRegs Program, for rental properties. Improving residential energy efficiency is a goal of the city as they strive to meet the green house gas reduction targets of the Kyoto Protocol. However, energy efficiency is typically not implemented in rental units because of a split incentive between landlords and tenants. This paper evaluates the various retrofit measures that improve rental homes energy efficiency as well as the effectiveness of SmartRegs Program. First, various energy efficiency measures are evaluated through walk-through and detailed energy audits to assess their effectiveness in improving the energy performance of rental homes. Based on the results of the energy audits and survey of various stake holders, a set of recommendations have been defined to ensure that the SmartRegs program be successfully implemented in order to improve the overall performance and quality of rental homes. Moreover, it is found that energy efficient can increase the thermal comfort levels and decrease the energy costs for tenants, increase the value of the property for landlords, and help the city meet their green house gas reduction goals.

scholarly journals TECHNOLOGICAL AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC INNOVATIONS FOR IMPROVING ENERGY EFFICIENCY OF BUILDINGS (Review)

2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 46-56
Author(s):  
B.I. Basok ◽  
E.T. Baseyev
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Energy Supply ◽  
Heat Supply ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Primary Energy ◽  
Research Subjects ◽  
Diagnostic Center ◽  
Total Energy Balance ◽  
Energy Audits

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.

scholarly journals Toward efficient energy consumption in middle income housing buildings in Egypt

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 180-189
Author(s):  
Ibrahim Rizk Hegazy
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Energy Efficient ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Energy Analysis ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Efficient Energy ◽  
Hot Weather ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Current research pays special attention to the application of approaches that promote sustainable design in a built environment and ensure energy efficiency. In this context, the form of housing buildings is an important parameter that has a meaningful impact on the use of energy in housing buildings. Hence, this research attempts to study the impact of the form of housing buildings on energy efficiency taking into account the mid-hot weather conditions in one of the middle-income housing buildings in new communities in Egypt. To achieve the research aim, a comparative analysis is carried out using parametric numerical analysis—DesignBuilder energy analysis—to compare the various hypothetical proposals for different building configurations. The study determines that the efficiency of energy use in buildings depends to a large extent on their forms that will help urban designers and planners to propose the best energy performance in the form of housing buildings in the stage of conceptual design suitable for other environmental, social and economic urban planning issues. These results should be incorporated into the building codes adopted in Egypt’s new cities in order to reach more energy-efficient housing buildings in Egypt.

scholarly journals The impact of ETC/PCM solar energy storage on the energy performance of a building

2019 ◽  
Vol 116 ◽  
pp. 00073
Author(s):  
Robert Sekret ◽  
Piotr Feliński
Keyword(s):  
Solar Energy ◽  
Surface Area ◽  
Solar Collector ◽  
Heating Surface ◽  
Heating System ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Primary Energy ◽  
Heat Output ◽  
Solar Fraction ◽  
The Impact

The main goal of this investigation was to increase the solar fraction and reduce the demand for non-renewable primary energy in a building heating system. Thermal performance of the prototype evacuated tube solar collector/storage integrated with a PCM (ETC/PCM) was analyzed. Technical grade paraffin with onset melting point of 51.24°C was used as a PCM. It has been shown that the highest solar energy fraction in the building heating system was obtained with a thermal load of 40 W·m-2 and the highest the surface area of ETC/PCM aperture in relation to the heating surface area value of 0.2. Lowering the heating system parameters from 45/35°C to 35/25°C allowed for an increase in heat output from solar energy in the range from 2.71% to 5.44%. The largest increase in the solar fraction was in the range of the ratio of the surface area of the solar collector ETC/PCM aperture to the area of the heated building from 0.03 to 0.07. In summary, obtained results indicated that the proposed solution allowed reduction of non-renewable primary energy demand in conceptual heating system from 6% to 27% depending on the heat load of the building and the aperture area of the ETC/PCM.

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