Provide comprehensive data on energy usage and its management to reduce costs and allow the most favourable energy purchasing arrangements in the deregulated energy market,

Establish and examine general trends in energy usage for each fuel type over the previous three years and relate this usage to production using statistical techniques,

Evaluate the energy usage for each major energy consuming process. This activity will normally involve on-site metering, relating energy usage to production on a process shift basis and highlighting energy inefficiencies,

Establish energy performance benchmarks for major items of plant and for individual processes. Identify differences in these benchmarks in comparison with the benchmarks which we have established for similar equipment and processes,

Establish energy targets based on the energy benchmarks, using both best practice techniques and implementation of worthwhile energy projects,

Identify areas of opportunity for improved energy efficiency and productivity including strategies to reduce waste,

Identify specific projects, including efficient technologies where relevant,

Quantify the size of avoidable waste and hence savings in greenhouse gas emissions which are possible through the implementation of energy management strategies,

Provide full financial analysis of energy cost reduction projects including reference to other parameters which may affect the decision making process where relevant,

Other matters considered relevant to achieve energy efficiency, e.g. the use of energy as a management tool, which could result in an improved culture with a consequent valuable spin off into other areas; improved productivity for individual processes and equipment with a consequent improvement in energy efficiency.

Additional skills may be needed. These would be used as appropriate:

Review of energy consumption using statistical techniques (relate to production or other relevant indicator),

Identification of energy savings possibilities - often requiring innovative thinking,

Fuel analysis - alternative fuel types/ tariff /contract analysis,

Co-generation analysis,

Control Systems: controls for air conditioning, computerised controls, e.g. BMS, EMS systems,

Lighting Systems (modern lighting and controls),

Compressed Air systems,

Steam and Boiler Systems,

General Heat Recovery,

Waste to Energy Systems,

Motor Controls,

Power systems, UPS analysis,

Renewables,

Strategic issues.

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Energy Efficiency Opportunities Assessments:

The Energy Efficiency Opportunities (EEO) Programme is a compulsory Commonwealth government programme for large energy users run by the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism (DRET).

Under this programme:

Large energy consuming industries which could be a single business or a group under a common ownership, defined as those that use more than 0.5 PJ per annum, are required to join and undertake rigorous and comprehensive energy assessments (audits) covering at least 80% of their energy use over a period of five years.

The trigger year for the programme was the 2005/06 financial year with the first five year programme cycle covering 80% of energy usage ending in June 2011.

Annual reports of energy usage and identified energy savings are required to be made to DRET as well as an annual public statement - usually published on the business' web site.

The five year cycle of the programme specifies the processes involved to adding or subtract businesses to or from a group and the attendant obligations.

During the second five year cycle, the business is required to reassess the previously completed EEO assessments and extend the coverage to at least 90% of the energy use of the business.

Reporting under the programme initially was the responsibility of the end purchaser of the energy irrespective of use subsequently amended to the party with operational control over the site.

The required methodology is proscriptive and requires significant internal processes to be undertaken and documented for later possible verification.

Businesses are encouraged and expected to implement all identified energy savings projects that are financially viable.

The assessment framework sets out Six required Key Elements:

Leadership,

People,

Information, Data and Analysis,

Opportunity identification and evaluation

Decision making; and

Communicating outcomes.

The relationship between the different elements is shown in the figure below:

More Information:

EEO Home Page

EEO Industry Guidelines

EEO Resource Material

EEO Newsletters

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Energy Management Programmes:

An Energy Management Programme is a total approach to the management of Energy Use by an organisation.

Typically, a successful programme will include the following elements:

Commitment from senior management,

Computer monitoring of energy usage and costs across all locations,

Group consolidation with energy performance benchmarks,

Analysis of measures to reduce energy costs,

Energy audits, fuel alternatives, project identification, reports, financial proposals, preparation and implementation of energy management plans,

Management of the programme - regular review and achievements,

Regular reporting on energy performance,

Organisational energy policies,

Information newsletters to inform employees,

Remaining abreast of new developments so that advantage may be taken of new technology.

With a comprehensive energy management programme our approach is to follow the elements listed above. We have found the following components to be very significant:

The use of Energy as an Efficiency Performance Benchmark - Trending energy and production data is an extremely effective method of showing overall efficiency performance,

Interpretation of Results and Using the Results as a Management Tool,

Management of Energy Usage to minimise Costs,

Well run energy management programmes will naturally lead to positive Cultural Change and Employee Awareness.

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Energy Purchasing and the Deregulated Energy Market:

Contract negotiation - electricity, petroleum products and gas - including energy management issues to minimise energy purchase costs,

Contract letting and management,

Operating under the deregulated Energy Market.

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Energy Performance Contracting:

Advice, Contract Specification and Arrangement.

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Energy Rating Schemes:

We are accredited under ABSA to provide energy ratings for buildings using NatHERS energy rating software and to provide BASIX energy performance reports.

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Energy Savings Action Plans:

Energy Savings Action Plans for larger energy users in New South Wales were originally mandated by the NSW Department of Energy Utilities and Sustainability (DEUS). With restructuring of government agencies, responsibility for the program passed to the Department of Environment Climate Change and Water (DECCW) now known as the NSW Government Office of Environment & Heritage (OEH).

The required process involves a rigorous assessment of energy usage, evaluation of energy savings opportunities accompanied by an implementation programme.

Full details are available at the OEH Web Site.

Organisations that have a requirement to report under this programme have been notified of their obligations. A complete list of the organisations affected by this legislation is available on the OEH Web Site with a time frame for the initial plan preparation and submission for approval.

Mandated dates for plan submission are June 2006, September 2006 and December 2006 depending on the size of the business.

Annual reports are required for three years post-approval with Savings Action Plans expected to be reviewed after four years. At this stage the ESAP programme is an on-going programme, however changes are possible with the new NSW State government.

We have prepared an Energy Savings Action Plan for one large manufacturing facility in NSW as well as for three coal mines to meet their ESAP requirements. Also, we have worked with a food manufacturer to assist them with the design and implementation of a comprehensive site metering system to provide accurate real-time energy data for project analysis and performance benchmarking.

We have prepared the ESAP annual reports for a number of coal mines in NSW.

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Renewable Energy

Feasibility studies for biomass to energy power schemes, small scale hydro-electric power schemes, waste to energy power schemes, wind power, and solar power.

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Mandatory Energy Efficiency Programmes (Australia)

The Queensland Department of Mines and Energy posted a fact sheet that compared all mandatory energy efficiency programmes across Australia. However, in March 2012, the new Queensland State government scrapped the Queensland programme.

Nevertheless, we have reproduced that sheet and updated it with the close of the Queensland porgramme ease of reading and understanding. A link to the page is below:

Mandatory_Energy_Programs_Comparison.pdf

If you need Acrobat reader, follow the link on the Downloads page. File Size 43 kB

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Our Track Record:

Energy and Greenhouse Audits for industry, government organisations, public utilities, commercial and domestic buildings;

Energy Strategies;

Specialist energy analysis, innovative energy management, project design and implementation;

Energy Performance Benchmarks achieving operational efficiency improvements and cost reduction;

Historical Energy Usage Trend Analysis identifying waste and areas for improvement Strategic Advice on Energy Matters;

Cost Effective Energy Purchasing;

Energy Management Programmes - Assistance with Implementation;

Energy Management Information and Training;

Identification of Economic and Sustainable Energy Improvement Opportunities;

Technical and Financial Evaluation of Energy Projects;

Working with businesses to achieve Economical and Lasting improvements from Energy Management strategies. We have shown consistently how establishing and working to energy efficiency benchmarks allows you to manage your business more efficiently and economically!

Analysis of buildings for energy usage using NatHERS and AccuRate software;

Feasibility study for mini hydro-electric Power System to take advantage of renewable energy certificates in the deregulated electricity market in NSW;

Feasibility studies for a number of wind power projects in Victoria and Tasmania. Studies included power connection options and costs;

Feasibility studies for a number of small scale co-generation power projects adjacent to industrial facilities in NSW;

Detailed technical and financial study of burning mine ventilation air in a purpose built facility with heat exchanger to abate greenhouse gases and generate power, including the development of a specific modelling tool to calculate generated NSW Greenhouse Gas Abatement Certificates (NGACs);

Feasibility proposals on development of integrated wood waste to energy power facilities at discrete Australian sites. Feasibility - technical and financial appraisal, modelling, energy balance. Technologies included conventional wood waste burning, gasification and wood chip pulverising for split turbine application;

Feasibility study into power generation options for the Australian sugar industry;

Energy Savings Action Plan for major NSW manufacturer;

Energy Savings Action Plans for a number of NSW coal mines;

Annual Reports for Energy Savings Action Plans;

Energy Efficiency Opportunities Assessment for large coal mine in NSW;

For further information, please contact us. Contact details

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