It is much easier and cheaper to design good energy performance into a new process or facility from the beginning than it is to retrofit it later. However it is a very significant business opportunity that is rarely taken. It is not necessary to spend more capital in building an energy efficient process than a less efficient process. It is not all about adding extra technology to save energy, though this is part of the process. The major opportunity is in challenging the specification and size of what is required in the first instance.
How to implement
1.1.1 Energy Efficient Design (EED)
The following steps can be used to implement a systematic approach to EED.
These steps entail the following:
Challenge energy service
It is very important that the user specification for the energy service is correct and not over specified. The energy service is the activity that is required, e.g. lighting or cleaning. Examples are; what steam pressure is required? Is steam required? What compressed air pressure is required? How many air changes are required? It is worthwhile putting effort into this step as it is the basis of all other decisions.
Ensure operational control is facilitated
Correct operational control of all system is critical to its efficient operation. At the early design stage it is important to consider operational control. Examples are; can load variation be catered for? Can setback occur at night or weekends? Are there local switches so that equipment can be switched off when not in use? Is it maintainable and accessible? etc.
Design and challenge distribution system
How will the service be distributed to the user? Is insulation adequate for the specific service? Are special precautions needed to minimise the risk of leakage such as all welded pipelines? etc.
Design and challenge generation system(s)
One of the last steps is to specify and design the generation equipment such as boilers, chillers, pumps, air compressors, etc.
Design and challenge controls
Ensure that automation is as simple as possible and will be understood by engineering and operational personnel. It very often is not. A well-documented User Requirement Specification (URS) will help with this.
1.1.2 Commissioning
Commissioning is an often neglected step in projects. The goal is simple, to ensure that the installed equipment or system is operating as designed. It is not uncommon to find well designed and constructed facilities and buildings operating in a very inefficient manner because the commissioning engineers do not understand the full complexity of the design. Lack of adaquate comissioning is a very common cause of systems which may be well designed and constructed not performing as the designers intended.
1.1.3 Communication
Operational staff, engineers, supervisors, operators, etc. need to be fully conversant with the design intent of the systems that they are to operate.
What is this?
It is much easier and cheaper to design good energy performance into a new process or facility from the beginning than it is to retrofit it later. However it is a very significant business opportunity that is rarely taken. It is not necessary to spend more capital in building an energy efficient process than a less efficient process. It is not all about adding extra technology to save energy, though this is part of the process. The major opportunity is in challenging the specification and size of what is required in the first instance.
How to implement
1.1.1 Energy Efficient Design (EED)
The following steps can be used to implement a systematic approach to EED.
These steps entail the following:
Challenge energy service
It is very important that the user specification for the energy service is correct and not over specified. The energy service is the activity that is required, e.g. lighting or cleaning. Examples are; what steam pressure is required? Is steam required? What compressed air pressure is required? How many air changes are required? It is worthwhile putting effort into this step as it is the basis of all other decisions.
Ensure operational control is facilitated
Correct operational control of all system is critical to its efficient operation. At the early design stage it is important to consider operational control. Examples are; can load variation be catered for? Can setback occur at night or weekends? Are there local switches so that equipment can be switched off when not in use? Is it maintainable and accessible? etc.
Design and challenge distribution system
How will the service be distributed to the user? Is insulation adequate for the specific service? Are special precautions needed to minimise the risk of leakage such as all welded pipelines? etc.
Design and challenge generation system(s)
One of the last steps is to specify and design the generation equipment such as boilers, chillers, pumps, air compressors, etc.
Design and challenge controls
Ensure that automation is as simple as possible and will be understood by engineering and operational personnel. It very often is not. A well-documented User Requirement Specification (URS) will help with this.
1.1.2 Commissioning
Commissioning is an often neglected step in projects. The goal is simple, to ensure that the installed equipment or system is operating as designed. It is not uncommon to find well designed and constructed facilities and buildings operating in a very inefficient manner because the commissioning engineers do not understand the full complexity of the design. Lack of adaquate comissioning is a very common cause of systems which may be well designed and constructed not performing as the designers intended.
1.1.3 Communication
Operational staff, engineers, supervisors, operators, etc. need to be fully conversant with the design intent of the systems that they are to operate.