Energy conservation measures on an industrial site

Abstract

World and UK energy resources and use are reviewed and the role of energy
conservation in energy policy identified.
In considering various energy conservation measures, a distinction is made
between energy intensive and non-intensive industries and also between direct and indirect uses of energy. Particular attention is given to the non-intensive user of energy. Energy use on one such industrial site has been studied to determine the most effective energy saving measures in the short term. Here it is estimated that over 65% of energy is consumed for indirect purposes, mainly for heating and lighting buildings.
Emphasis is placed on energy auditing techniques and those energy saving
measures requiring greater technical, economic and organisational resources
to secure their implementation.
Energy auditing techniques include the use of aerial thermography and snow
formation surveys to detect heat losses. Qualitative and quantitative
interpretations are carried out, but restricted mainly to evaluating building roof heat losses.
From the energy auditing exercise, it is confirmed that the intermittent heating of buildings is the largest and most cost effective fuel saving measure. This was implemented on the site and a heat monitoring programme established to verify results.
Industrial combined heat and power generation is investigated. A proposal for the site demonstrates that there are several obstacles to its successful
implementation. By adopting an alternative financial rationale, a way of
overcoming these obstacles is suggested. A useful by-product of the study
is the classification of industrial sites according to the nature of industrial energy demand patterns.
Finally, energy saving measures implemented on the site are quantlfied using
comparative verification methods. Overall fuel savings of 13% are indicated.
Cumulative savings in heating fuel amount to 26% over four years although
heated area increased by approximately 25%.

Date of Award	Apr 1982
Original language	English
Supervisor	D.C. Hickson (Supervisor)