Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
profiles that such data make possible will typically be analysed for signs of
energy waste. Additional metering of specific energy-consuming systems is
often performed to supplement utility data. In-depth interviews with facil-
ity operating personnel are conducted to provide a better understanding of
major energy-consuming systems and to gain insight into short and longer
term energy consumption patterns. This type of audit will be able to iden-
tify all ECMs appropriate for the facility, given its operating parameters.
A detailed financial analysis is performed for each measure based on
detailed implementation cost estimates, site-specific operating cost savings
and the customer's investment criteria. Sufficient detail is provided to jus-
tify project implementation. The evolution of cloud-based energy auditing
software platforms is enabling the managers of commercial buildings to
collaborate with general and specialty trades contractors in performing gen-
eral and energy system-specific audits [6-8]. The benefit of software-enabled
collaboration is the ability to identify the full range of energy efficiency
options that may be applicable to the specific building under study with
'live time' cost and benefit estimates supplied by local contractors.
9.4.2.3 Investment-Grade Audit
In most corporate settings, upgrades to a facility's energy infrastructure
must compete for capital funding with non-energy-related investments.
Both energy and non-energy investments are rated on a single set of finan-
cial criteria that generally stress the expected return on investment. The pro-
jected operating savings from the implementation of energy projects must
be developed such that they provide a high level of confidence. In fact, inves-
tors often demand guaranteed savings. The investment-grade audit expands
on the detailed audit described earlier and relies on a complete engineering
study in order to detail technical and economical issues necessary to justify
the investment related to the transformations.
9.4.2.3.1 Simulation-Based Energy Audit Procedure for Non-Residential Buildings
The following procedure proposes to make an intensive use of modern
building energy systems tools at each step of the audit process, from bench-
marking to detailed audit and financial study:
1. Benchmarking stage: Although normalisation is required to allow
comparison between data recorded on the studied installation and
reference values deduced from case studies or statistics, the use
of simulation models to perform a code-compliant simulation of
the installation under study allows direct assessment of the studied
installation, without any normalisation needed. Indeed, applying a
simulation-based benchmarking tool allows an individual normali-
sation and avoids size and climate normalisation.
