Energy Audit

Whenever we face an analysis of the real use of the “building – technological systems” system, we can resort to an energy audit. This can be described as an investigation, detection and analysis of energy flows in a building, system or procedure, aimed at reducing the amount of energy fed into the system, without negatively affecting performance.

The Energy Audit is a way to identify Energy Conservation Opportunities (ECO) or measures (ECM). The energy saving opportunities or measures consist in a more efficient use of existing plants or in a partial/global replacement of the systems themselves.

An energy audit consists of the following steps:

Benchmarking Stage: A normalisation is usually required to compare the data recorded on the systems studied and the reference values obtained from case studies or statistics. The use of simulation models allows an exhaustive evaluation of the system in question, without the need for data normalisation. In fact, the application of a simulation-based benchmarking tool allows for individual normalisation, size prediction and climate normalisation.
Energy audit stage: The data on overall monthly consumption is generally insufficient to allow an accurate understanding of the building’s behaviour. Although the analysis of energy bills does not accurately identify the different subjects related to energy consumption in the structure, the consumption data can be used to calibrate the building and simulation models. The simulation model must be calibrated for the case in question in order to evaluate the existing system and correctly simulate the thermal behaviour of the building. The iterations required to perform the calibration of the model can also be fully integrated into the audit process and help identify the criticalities of the corrective measures required.
Detailed Energy audit stage: In this stage, on-site measurements and monitoring data are used to refine the calibration of the BES tool. Emphasis is given to understanding not only the operating characteristics of all systems related to energy consumption, but also the situations that cause short and long-term variations in the load profile (e.g. daily, weekly, monthly, yearly). Once the calibration criteria are met, the savings related to ECOs / ECMs can be quantified.
Investment-grade stage: In this stage, the results provided by the calibrated BES tool can be used to evaluate the selected ECOs / ECMs and direct a detailed engineering study.
This stage includes the following steps:

Analysis of the building (walls, floors, ceilings, etc…) and utility data, including the study of systems installed and the analysis of energy bills;
Investigation of real operating conditions;
Understanding of the building’s behaviour and interactions with different weather conditions, occupancy data and operational programmes;
Selection and evaluation of energy saving measures;
Estimation of the energy saving potential;
Identification of client requests and needs.

Infrared thermography

The advent of high-resolution thermography has allowed inspectors to identify potential problems within the building enclosure through a thermal image of the various building surfaces. For the purpose of an energy audit, the thermograph will analyse heat transfer by convection, radiation or conduction.

Sustainability

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The principles of sustainability can be applied to all stage of a building’s design. Our services include policies and strategies that can help save energy, obtain efficient systems, minimize environmental impact and limit the consumption of exhaustible natural resources in order to preserve them.