Energy efficiency and electricity
From Electrical Installation Guide
Contents |
Proactive regulations around the world
| Energy saving regulations affect all buildings, both new and existing, as well as their electrical installations. |
The Kyoto Protocol saw governments start to set out clear commitments in terms of quantitative targets and specific agendas for reducing CO2 emissions.
In addition to their Kyoto obligations, many countries have set themselves fixed, long-term targets in line with the latest EEIG (European Economic Interest Group) recommendations to the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) regarding energy saving and based on stabilising CO2 levels.
The European Union is setting a good example with its firm commitment, signed by all the national EU leaders in March 2007, to a 20% reduction by 2020. Known as 3x20, this agreement aims to reduce CO2 emissions by 20%, improve energy efficiency by 20% and increase the contribution made by renewable energies to 20%. Some European Countries are looking at a 50% reduction by 2050. Reaching these targets, however, wiII require significant changes, with governments stepping up their use of regulations, legislation and standardisation.
Across the world, legislation and regulations are serving to underline stakeholder obligations and put taxation and financial structures in place.
- In the USA
- The Energy Policy Act of 2005,
- Construction regulations,
- Energy regulations (10CFR434),
- Energy management programmes for various states (10CFR420),
- Rules for energy conservation for consumer products (10CFR430).
- In China
- Energy conservation law,
- Architecture law (energy efficiency and construction),
- lRenewable energy law,
- 1000 major energy conservation programmes for industry dans l’Union Européenne
- In the European Union
- The EU Emission Trading Scheme
- The Energy Performance of Building Directive
- The Energy Using Product Directive
- The Energy End-use Efficiency and Energy Services Directive.
For more information about european/french regulations, see 2010 edition in French (Chapter K- §2) : K-Efficacite energetique distribution electrique
How to achieve energy efficiency
Whilst it is currently possible to obtain energy savings of up to 30%, this potential reduction can only really be understood in terms of the differences which exist between active and passive forms of energy efficiency.
Active and passive energy efficiency
Passive energy efficiency is achieved by such measures as reducing heat loss and using equipment which requires little energy. Active energy efficiency is achieved by putting in place an infrastructure for measuring, monitoring and controlling energy use with a view to making lasting changes.
TIt is possible to build on the savings achieved here by performing analyses and introducing more suitable remedial measures. For example, although savings of between 5% and 15% may be obtained by improving how installations are used or by optimising the equipment itself (decommissioning redundant systems, adjusting motors and heating), more significant savings can also be achieved.
- Up to 40% on energy for motors by using control and automation mechanisms to manage motorised systems,
- Up to 30% on lighting by introducing an automated management mechanism based on optimal use.
It is important to remember, however, that savings may be lost through.
- Unplanned/unmanaged downtime affecting equipment and processes
- A lack of automation/adjustment mechanisms (motors, heating)
- A failure to ensure energy saving measures are adopted at all times.
A realistic approach would be to establish the identity of energy consumers and adopt passive followed by active saving measures, before finally implementing inspection and support devices to ensure that any savings made can be sustained over the long term. This involves a four-stage process:
- The first stage is concerned with diagnosis and primarily aims to get a better idea of where and how energy is being consumed. This requires the development of initial measures and a comparative assessment process with a view to evaluating performance, defining the main areas for improvement and estimating achievable energy saving levels. The logic behind this approach is based on the realisation that you can only improve what you can measure.
- The next stage involves establishing basic requirements in terms of passive energy efficiency. These include:
- Replacing existing equipment/devices with low-consumption alternatives (bulbs, motors, etc.),
- Improving thermal insulation and ensuring that energy quality supports work in a stable environment where savings can be sustained over time.
- The stage that follows this involves automation and active energy efficiency. Anything responsible for energy consumption must be subjected to a process of active management aimed at achieving permanent savings.
Active energy efficiency does not require highly energy-efficient devices and equipment to be already installed, as the approach can be applied to all types of equipment. Good management is essential for maximum efficiency – there is no point in having low-consumption bulbs if you are going to waste energy by leaving them switched on in empty rooms!
All things considered, energy management is the key to optimising use and eliminating waste.
- The final stage consists of implementing basic changes, introducing automation and putting in place an infrastructure based around monitoring, support and continuous improvement. This infrastructure and the ongoing processes associated with it will underpin the pursuit of energy efficiency over future years (see Fig. K1).
| 1 Quantifying | 2 Implementation of basic measures | 3 Automatisation | 4 Monitoring and improvement |
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Fig. K1: Les 4 conditions de la pérennité des économies
The key to sustainable savings
As Figure K2 illustrates, energy savings amounting to 30% are readily achievable as things stand, although annual losses of 8% must be expected if there is neither proper support nor monitoring of key indicators. It is clear, therefore, that information is crucial to ensuring that energy savings are sustained over the long term.
Fig. K2: and monitoring technology ensures savings are sustained over the long term.
Consequently, energy monitoring and information systems are essential and must be put in place to deal with the challenges ahead.
Approaches to energy efficiency must have a proper structure if significant long-term savings are to be achieved, but only those companies with sufficient resources to actively intervene at any stage of a process will be in a position to pass the savings promised on to their customers. This is where Schneider Electric can help with its approach based on managing the life cycle of customer products (see Fig. K3).
Ultimately, the objectives set can only be achieved by sharing risks and developing a win-win relationship between those involved in the approach.
The reports provided by the energy monitoring or information systems can be used to formulate suitable energy efficiency projects in line with different strategies acceptable to all those involved.
- Start with a simple project involving relatively little expense and geared towards quick wins, before going on to make more significant investments (this is often the preferred solution).
- Think in terms of how the investment for a project can and must be recouped when devising a project (this is a popular method for assessing and selecting projects). The advantage of this method is the simplicity of the analysis involved. Its disadvantage is the impossibility of tracking the full impact of a project over the long term.
Fig. K3: Energy efficiency solutions based on the life cycle
- Other, more complex strategies may be selected. These involve an analysis of various management parameters such as the current net value or the internal return-on-investment rate. Whilst the analysis required under these strategies demands more work, they provide a more precise indication of the overall impact of the project.
