Energy management means a change in quality of producing, transmitting, distributing and using energy. In many buildings, energy management is a complex process covering all the energy carriers. The whole process of energy management should be started with an energy audit - evaluation of the present way of using energy and fuels. An external auditor usually prepares the audit but it may be prepared by the person directly involved in energy consumption in the building/company (self-audit).
Self-audit is a continuos procedure consisting of:
- Continuous and regular gathering energy data,
- Current analysis of the data,
- Defining improper use of energy,
- Analyses of possibilities for improvement with consideration to:
- Technical possibilities,
- Economic effectiveness,
- Periodical reporting on the energy consumption,
- Proposals for modernization activities.
Each energy carrier has its specifics, which influence possible techniques and technologies for rationalising its utilisation.
Implementing techniques of electricity management may be particularly effective. The following factors are fundamental for electricity utilisation:
- High dynamics of electricity consumption with limited possibility of energy storing,
- Easy transfer and distribution of electricity and well developed technologies of electricity processing to other energies,
- Possibility of implementing automatics in electricity consumption.
It is easy to define the level of fuel consumption but it is difficult to monitor their utilisation and dynamics of changes in consumption patterns. Lowering fuels consumption will depend on steps taken towards each phase of energy conservation and utilisation. Activities taken to run sound fuels consumption management may be divided in three groups:
- lowering consumption by increasing efficiency of combustion or processing,
- increasing effectiveness of fuel utilisation,
- utilisation of fuels for combined processes.
Choosing a fuel should be influenced by its impact on the environment, f.ex. sulphur content.
Other typical energy sources are:
- hot water,
- cooling water,
- water steam,
- compressed air.
Where it is possible, energy carriers consumption should be measured. This will allow monitoring and will constitute the first step towards energy carriers management.
Plan for Energy Activities is the fundamental document for running energy management:
- short-term and long-term activities,
- no-cost and low-cost investments,
- high-cost investments.
Each activity/investment should be analysed separately within the general energy consumption frame and the financial guidelines.