ENERGY CONSERVATION AND AUDIT

Energy Conservation:
Energy conservation means reduction in energy consumption but without
making sacrifice in quantity and quality of production. In other words, increasing a
production from a given amount of energy input by reducing losses, wastage and
maximizing the efficiency.
General principles of energy conservation are:
Recycling the waste: Reducing the waste and reclaiming the useful waste
material by its recycling can save that invisible energy which would be
otherwise wasted . e.g. recycling of a aluminum can would save energy to
run T.V for 3 hours.
Modernization of technology: Modern energy efficient technology should
be adopted by replacing or retrofitting existing old in efficient equipments
e.g.- Indian steel industry uses 9.5million kcal/ton while Japan or Italy uses
4 million kcal/ton.
Waste heat utilization : Waste heat from one process can serve the need of
other, which require heat at lower grade.
Proper housekeeping.
Judicial use of proper type of energy: Though all energy forms are
expressed in same unit, the financial value of each form varies enormously
with grading e.g.-high grade, medium and low grade energy.
Judicial use of proper type of fuel: A cheaper primary source should be
preferred wherever possible.
Cogeneration: should be used wherever possible and economical.
Training of manpower: To adopt habits in efficient use of energy.
Adopting daylight saving time : (Summer season)
Proper operation and maintenance.
Energy conservation opportunities:
Energy conservation opportunities can be broadly divided into 3 categories.
1. Opportunities of reducing /eliminating waste:
Eliminate leakage in compressed air systems, oil systems, lubrication
system, water system,etc
Use recycled scrap.
Use thermal insulation.
Stop wastage by switching off electric circuit, water tap, oil tap etc when
not in use.
2. Opportunities related with improved operation and maintenance.
Periodic maintenance,lubrication,cooling,etc
Improved operating sequences to eliminate the losses.
3. Opportunities of modernization.
Use of modern vehicles to reduce fuel consumption.
Use of renewable instead of non- renewable like solar cooker, biogas
plant, wind generation plant etc.
ENERGY AUDIT:
Energy audit is an official systematic scientific study of energy
consumption by an organizational / plant / process /sector aimes at recommending
energy saving measure for energy saving and energy audit are:
Familiarization with energy inlets and outlets.
Data acquisition, measurements.
Study of advanced, modern processes and plants for similar activities under
audit.
Formulating energy equations and software.
Economic evaluation of energy consumption.
Analysis of energy consumption sub-processes.
Suggest energy conservation processes along with alternatives, necessary
investments, payback periods, economic benefits etc.
Suggest steps to be taken for reducing energy consumption without
sacrificing productivity.
Technical and economical information and guidelines regarding suggested
energy.


Energy Scenario in India:
Sixth largest energy consumer.
Annual per capita energy consumption of total energy is 290 KGOE (kg of
oil equivalent).
Commercial energy for India is 130 KGOE.
For USA 8080 KGOE and china 600KGOE.
Annual per capita consumption of electrical energy is 400kwh.
Sector wise energy consumption:
Industry = 41%
Transport = 9.5%
Domestic = 47.3%
Others = 3.2%
Electrical power generation:
Present installed capacity in India is 1, 10,000 Mw.
Thermal (coal and gas)=68.8%
Hydro electrical =24.0%
Nuclear energy=2.7%
Non-conventional (wind and micro hydro)=4.5%
Some important points:
Present coal is sufficient for net 238years.
Oil reserves are sufficient for need of next 20 years.
Hydroelectricity energy=1 lakh Mw(utilizing 26000Mw).
Nuclear energy currently is 10,200Mw by 2010 and 20,000Mw by 2012.
Non-conventional energy: potential is 1lakh Mw up to march 2003-
4800Mw.