Energy Audit Process, Report Contents, and Evaluation Methods

Phases of the Energy Audit Process

1. Phase 1: Diagnosis of the Initial Situation

   • Data gathering and information
   • Visit to the facilities
   • Metering and data acquisition
   • Initial assessment of the energy behavior of facilities

2. Phase 2: Energy Balance

   • Detailed analysis of production
   • Detailed analysis of energy consumption

3. Phase 3: Benchmarking

   • Calculation of specific costs and consumptions
   • Framing of the analyzed consumer within its activity sector
   • Comparison of specific costs and consumptions

4. Phase 4: Evaluation of Applicable Actions

   • Analysis of potential improvement actions
   • Energy contracts optimization
   • Technical, economic, and environmental evaluation

5. Phase 5: Presentation of Results

   • Final report writing
   • Presentation of results to the customer

Index and Organization of the Energy Audit

1. General data of the site
2. Sources of energy supply
3. Production processes
4. Energy analysis of the site
5. Specific costs and consumptions
6. Benchmarking
7. Improvement actions detected during the audit
8. Appendixes

Minimum Contents of an Energy Audit Report (UNE EN 16247)

According to UNE EN 16247, the energy audit report must contain:

1. Executive Summary

   1. Organized classification of energy efficiency improvement opportunities
   2. Proposed implementation program

2. Background

   1. Information about the audited organization, the auditor, and the methodology
   2. Context of the energy audit
   3. Description of the audited object
   4. Relevant regulation which is considered

3. Energy Audit Details

   1. Description, scope, objective, etc.
   2. Information about the data gathering process
   3. Analysis of the energy consumption
   4. Criteria based on which the efficiency actions have been considered

4. Opportunities for Energy Efficiency Improvement

   1. Proposed actions, recommendations, and implementation plan
   2. Hypothesis for the savings evaluation and accuracy of recommendations
   3. Information about applicable subsidies
   4. Economic analysis
   5. Potential interaction with other proposed actions
   6. Measurement and verification methods which will be used for the evaluation of the recommended opportunities after being implemented

5. Conclusions

Types of Closed Questions for Data Gathering

• Dichotomous Questions

  Questions with two possible answers.

• Multiple Choice Questions

  Possibility to choose between a number of possible answers.

• Scaled Questions

  Answers are graded in intensity (e.g., Totally agree / Agree / Disagree / Totally disagree).

• Slider Scale Questions

  Similar to scaled questions, but with numeric options (e.g., 5 / 4 / 3 / 2 / 1).

• Panel Questions

  Answers presented in a double-entry table format.

• Filter Questions

  Closed questions (usually dichotomous) where the answer determines whether subsequent questions will be asked (e.g., Do you use propane in your facility?).

• Control Questions

  Used to verify the accuracy and consistency of previous answers.

• Consistency Questions

  Used to verify the consistency of previous answers (similar questions but written diversely).

• Introductory Questions

  Used to initiate the questionnaire or to shift from one topic to another. They are intended to appeal to the interviewed person.

Definition of Demand Response

Demand Response is a change in the usual pattern of energy consumption of a consumer as a reaction to the change in the price of energy, as well as to other incentives or signals coming from network operators, energy traders, or other market agents.

Evaluation Methodology for Improvement Measures

Technical Evaluation Steps

1. Identify the process or processes where the measure would be applied.
2. Identify the typical days when the measure would be applied.
3. Identify the periods during which the measure would be applied.
4. Calculate the consumption per period of the process affected by the measure before it is implemented.
5. Calculate the consumption per period of the process affected by the measure after it has been implemented.
6. Calculate the savings per period as the difference between the amounts obtained in steps 4 and 5.

Economic Evaluation Steps

1. Calculate the cost per period of the process where the measure would be implemented before it is applied.
2. Calculate the cost per period of the process where the measure would be implemented after it has been applied.
3. Calculate the savings per period as the difference between the amounts obtained in steps 1 and 2.

Environmental Evaluation Steps

1. Calculate the emissions per period of the process where the measure would be implemented before it is applied.
2. Calculate the emissions per period of the process where the measure would be implemented after it has been applied.
3. Calculate the avoided emissions per period as the difference between the amounts obtained in steps 1 and 2.