WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OR CARRYING OUT AND ENERGY AUDIT AND CARBON EMISSION ASSESSMENT?The rationale behind conducting energy audits is to provide information needed to establish or improve the energy management program as well as provide a baseline against which to compare the results of any management initiatives. The direct benefits of conducting energy audits include the financial, operational and environmental. FINANCIAL BENEFITS Financial benefits may accrue from low, medium or high cost investments measures and can be realised in several ways, not necessarily dependent on the level of investment. The benefits are as follows: - Reduced expenditure on energy; e.g., by reducing consumption or changing tariff or fuel type.
- Reduced maintenance cost; e.g., following improved utilisation of plant and optimisation in operation.
- Saving in other costs; e.g., water charges, where demand is reduced.
- Reduced capital expenditure; e.g., where increased efficiency avoids the need for additional plant or supply capacity or makes possible accurate sizing of any replacement plant.
- More productive use of labour where measures release staff for other duties; e.g., automated control systems.
- Increased productivity where working conditions are improved; e.g., improved temperature levels, airflow, etc
- Hedging against forecast increases in energy and water costs with the introduction of the carbon emissions trading scheme.
OPERATIONAL BENEFITS In addition to direct cost benefits, further benefits can be achieved by optimizing the operation of a building, process or plant. Ultimately, these may well have financial implications. The information made available to management on energy costs and use could in itself be found invaluable in asset planning and decision making. Measures can also lead to improved working practices or conditions. ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS Environmental benefits that arise from using energy more efficiently may include - Reduction of CO2 and other emissions both from the site itself and upstream of energy suppliers that can be harmful to the environment;
- Reduction of environmental impacts related to transmission, delivery or transport of energy;
- Reduction of regional and national energy demand;
- Conservation of natural resources particularly fossil fuels and other non-renewable fuels.
Measures can be implemented in a way that improves the quality of the working environment, but not necessarily reducing energy cost, as follows: - Comfort might be improved by draft-proofing, insulating the building fabric, resetting controls, providing additional controls or installing alternative systems. Changes in the temperature, humidity or lighting levels may be desirable. Productivity can be increased because the occupants are more satisfied with the working environment.
- Closer control of space conditions can be essential to the effective operation of buildings or equipment and could result in higher standards of quality and safety.
MARKETING BENEFITS - Now more than ever, companies are finding that going green makes good marketing sense. As the urgency of climate change becomes more apparent companies and clients are looking to support green businesses and products.
- Organisations will achieve recognition by the community, including potential costumers by being environmentally responsible corporate citizens.
|
