MEASUREMENT & MONITORING WHERE TO MAKE SAVINGS
CPA LTD
Measure , analyse , report , solve
According to the Carbon Trust , cash savings of up to 20 per cent can be achieved through energy efficiency measures such as installing variable-speed drives ( VSD ) for fans , pumps , and other motor driven systems . But , a one size fits all approach to energy savings just won ’ t do . Here , John Mitchell , global sales & marketing director at supply , installation and repair specialist CP Automation , explains how plants should measure their energy usage to find the best energy saving opportunities .
The ISO 50001 standard requires organisations to establish , implement , maintain and improve an energy management system . To make energy savings , a plant manager must first understand their facility ’ s energy usage . It sounds obvious , but in reality , achieving energy control and crucial ongoing energy savings requires a strategized approach . The first step is to measure your energy usage .
Many modern distribution and energy management systems already incorporate energy monitoring and logging facilities . However , they may only have a limited amount of memory and are unable to store results over an extended period . In addition , many integrated monitors only store summarised data that do not provide the level of detail needed for effective energy optimisation .
Portable power and energy loggers ( PELs ) provide a convenient and cost-effective alternative , with far superior capabilities . These PELs , from Chauvin Arnoux for example , can be installed in several different locations , with data from different processes or equipment available on a single screen . A real benefit of these modern devices is that equipment doesn ’ t need to be turned off and isolated during the installation process .
The next step is carrying out an energy audit . The data from the PEL will show where the most energy is being used in your plant and consequently where the most potential for energy savings can be found . The results from this report
It ’ s one thing implementing energy savings , but it ’ s also important to continually monitor your system to ensure you ’ re getting ongoing energy improvements .
will inform the type of improvements to implement and crucially where they should be implemented .
Energy saving opportunities can fall into two broad categories , those that relate to the workplace environment and technical aspects of the electricity supply . For example , a plant could improve the efficiency of the workplace environment by cutting down on unnecessary out-of-hours usage by switching to LED lighting with occupancy sensors . On the other hand , an energy audit may find that a motor is consuming a high amount of wattless or
useless power . In this instance , power factor correction would need to be installed to reduce this wastage , without compromising the performance of the equipment .
It ’ s one thing implementing energy savings , but it ’ s also important to continually monitor your system to ensure you ’ re getting ongoing energy improvements . Plants should also formulate a metering plan to measure and analyse energy usage over an extended period of time . This will assess whether the chosen energy efficiency measures have been effective or whether further improvements can be made .
Plants may choose to implement energy efficiency schemes for a range of reasons . While there are several universal energy saving fixes , it ’ s important that facilities use a targeted approach , which accurately monitors their systems to achieve the most effective energy and cost saving potential .
CP Automation offer a range of products and services to monitor power quality problems and energy usage . Visit www . cpaltd . net for further information about Chauvin Arnoux ’ s industry leading PEL kits which are available for purchase or hire . Alternatively contact sales @ cpaltd . net to take advantage of the full data analysis , reporting and solution implementation service .
For further information , please visit www . cpaltd . net
78 PECM Issue 48