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Home / Technical Articles / How should facilities optimize their power consumption due to the hiking energy prices?

Where’s the energy going?

Nowadays, the enormous energy consumption worldwide has taken a downturn due to the hiking energy prices. Whether it’s gas, oil, or coal, the rising costs forced many facilities worldwide to cut their energy expenses. This is a good moment to start questioning facility power consumption and find where the energy is going, because for many businesses, increasing of energy bills and doing nothing about it usually means closing.

How should facilities optimize their power consumption due to the hiking energy prices?
How should facilities optimize their power consumption due to the hiking energy prices?

An important initial step in evaluating energy saving opportunities is to estimate The contribution to peak billing demand, and the amount of energy consumption. Of each major load or process within the facility being evaluated.

Generally, the facility energy profile helps to focus the energy optimization efforts on those processes or loads that have the most savings potential. This profile also may identify batch processes or discretionary loads that may be scheduled at times of low demand for the rest of the facility, or during times of off-peak utility prices.

The facility energy profile is best developed using actual power measurements from existing facility-wide monitoring systems. Some types of loads, lighting, for instance, may comprise part of the usage of every major circuit in the facility.

This fact would suggest that the meter measuring the power consumption of a feeder serving the building’s centrifugal water chillers.

An example of the facility energy profile looks like this:

  1. Chillers: 33% (highest demand)
  2. HVAC: 10%
  3. Chilled Water Pumps: 9%
  4. Production Equipment: 9%
  5. Compressed Air: 8%
  6. Lighting Systems: 8%
  7. Packaging Lines: 8%
  8. Miscellaneous: 6%
  9. Utility Systems: 3%
  10. Cooling Tower Fans: 3%
  11. Condenser Water Pumps: 3%

Actual power monitoring data from existing circuit monitors measuring the power consumption of individual feeders is the best basis for establishing the Facility Energy Profile

Figure 1 – Power monitoring of existing circuits

Power monitoring of existing circuits
Figure 1 – Power monitoring of existing circuits

Let’s start the discussion with defining demand analysis techniques, demand controls systems, optimizing the demand savings associated with generator operation, lighting control and later with optimizing electric motors, VSDs, compressed air, an so on.

Table of Contents:

  1. Demand analysis techniques
  2. Demand control
  3. Peak shaving with on-site generators
    1. Costs of generated power
    2. Utility rates affecting peak-shaving generation
  4. Lighting control
    1. Some lighting essentials:
      1. Lighting controls work better than people
      2. Light levels decline with age of the lighting system
      3. Facility’s lamp replacement practices
  5. Electric motors
  6. Variable-speed drives (VSDs)
  7. Compressed air
  8. Centrifugal water chillers
  9. Heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems
  10. Energy survey checklist

1. Demand analysis techniques

Demand analysis is the methodology used to determine if there are opportunities for a given facility to reduce peak demand charges. Demand analysis involves manipulation of historical demand interval data to determine:

  1. Which major processes or loads are operating at times of highest demand;
  2. How “steep” or “flat” the facility’s load profile appears; and
  3. What times of day these peaks are occurring.
Armed with this information, the energy auditor can better evaluate the potential for a variety of demand reduction techniques.

The demand sort is produced by rearranging individual integrated demand readings for a given billing period. Meters record demand readings chronologically, 3000 or so readings for a 30-day billing period at 15-minute demand intervals; the demand sort utilizes a software tool to distribute the readings from highest to lowest, so that times and values of peak usage are easily analyzed.

Figure 2 – Energy demand statistics

Energy demand statistics
Figure 2 – Energy demand statistics

Figure 4 shows the demand sort table facilitates demand analysis by depicting the number of intervals (or hours) during which the plant’s peak electrical demand exceeded certain levels.

Figure 3 – The demand sort table

The demand sort table
Figure 3 – The demand sort table

Using the demand sort table, the engineer is able to determine that a reduction in peak demand to 2200 kW at this example facility would have required a demand reduction of 122 kW for 25 15-minute intervals, or 6.25 hours, in August of the sample year.

Figure 4 – An example of reduction in peak demand to 2200 kW

An example of reduction in peak demand to 2200 kW
Figure 4 – An example of reduction in peak demand to 2200 kW

Facility Peak-Day load profiles from actual power monitoring data can show consistency, or, as in this case, a single-day aberration in peak demand that set the demand minimum billing level (ratchet) for the remainder of the year.

Figure 5 – Facility Peak-Day load profile

Facility Peak-Day load profile
Figure 5 – Facility Peak-Day load profile

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2. Demand control

Demand controls systems are available that perform the following basic functions:

  1. Measure power consumption (demand) in real time
  2. Predict demand level based on rate of instantaneous usage
  3. Compare predicted value to target setpoint
  4. Transmit signals to pre-determined equipment to turn off or curtail power usage if demand is predicted to exceed target kW

These demand controls systems are intended to reduce peak demand for a facility to some predetermined level. The design engineer’s foremost demand control system challenge is to identify loads in the facility that can be controlled effectively.

Ideal load candidates includes those machines or processes that are currently contributing to the facility’s load at peak times, and whose function can be delayed or curtailed at times of peak. Most facilities lack equipment or processes that fit this ideal description, despite the numerous machines and processes that may be operating at peak times.

In fact, successful demand control is usually the exception rather than the rule!

One common candidate for the demand control system is the air conditioning system. Buildings equipped with multiple packaged direct-expansion air conditioning systems are typical targets of demand control sales efforts. Unfortunately, demand control of air conditioning compressors usually leads to loss of temperature or humidity control within the conditioned space, or lack of demand savings.

The reason for this paradox is two-fold. One, natural diversity among multiple air conditioning compressors ensures that all compressors are not operating at full load at the same time. Strangely, this fact is often highlighted in the demand control system sales pitch: “Not all compressors are running at the same time, so you should turn some off for short periods of time”.

Secondly, basic thermodynamic principles of moist air and vapor-compression refrigeration systems require compressor power consumption to reduce air temperature and condense moisture. This process is controlled by thermostats and humidistats within the facility. When cooling or dehumidification is removed or reduced at times when these devices are “calling for” them, temperature and humidity will rise in the conditioned space.

So, if not air conditioning equipment, what loads have been successful demand control candidates?

An electrolysis process providing chemicals for a paper mill was able to reduce peak demand and flatten the demand profile for the overall facility. A battery-charging system for forklift vehicles in an automotive facility was capable of producing real demand savings during peak times.

Finally, a large induction furnace melting scrap metal proved to be an effective candidate for the rolling mill at a steel plant.

Figure below shows how chilled water supply and return temperatures increase over the course of a day due to demand control of inlet guide vanes on a centrifugal water chiller. Space conditions could not be maintained as a result of the demand control.

Figure 6Chilled water supply and return temperatures increase

Chilled water supply and return temperatures increase
Figure 6 – Chilled water supply and return temperatures increase

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3. Peak shaving with on-site generators

How, the engineer might ask, can a facility save money by burning fossil fuel in an onsite generator at a unit cost of 12 ¢/kWh, when the average unit cost of utility purchased power is 8 ¢/kWh? Very carefully, is the expected – and accurate – response.

The key to economical peak shaving is to understand and optimize the demand savings associated with generator operation. That is, the onsite generator must be operated the absolute minimum time necessary to reduce peak demand the maximum amount. Because the overall average unit price of electricity is not necessarily equivalent to the effective price of electricity at the plant’s peak.

For example, the facility that pays an overall average unit price of 8 ¢/kWh probably pays only about 3-4 ¢/kWh for actual energy consumption, yet an additional $10-$20/kW for demand. At the end of the month, the total billing amount divided by the total kWh usage might yield 8 ¢/kWh average, but the actual cost of power at its peak – when demand charges are included – may equate to an effective unit price of 20 ¢/kWh or higher.

For the facility with a sharp demand peak, when the peak for the month is set in a few hours or less and the remainder of the time demand is low, peak-shaving at 12 ¢/kWh can be preferable to paying 20 ¢/kWh.

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3.1 Costs of generated power

Onsite generators typically utilize natural gas, wood, fuel oil, or steam derived from a fossil fuel or as a part of a production process. Unit fuel costs for fossil fuels are usually calculated based on the fuel’s heating value, an estimated efficiency of the generator system, and the fuel cost.

Cost/kWh = fuel price/gal × 3413/HV/efficiency

In this equation, HV is the heating value of fuel oil in BTU/gal, and 3413 is the conversion from BTU to kWh. Internal combustion diesel generators typically range in efficiency from 25-30%.

For a typical example, #2 fuel oil may be burned in an IC engine. For a fuel-oil price of $2.00/gal, and a generator efficiency of 25%, the fuel cost/kWh is:

  • Cost/kWh = $2.00 × 3413/108,000 BTU/gal/0.25
  • Cost/kWh = 25 ¢/kWh

Obviously, peak-shaving is much less attractive at a fuel cost of $2.00/gal, unless required generator operation can be predicted accurately and electricity charges are comparably high as well.

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3.2 Utility rates affecting peak-shaving generation

Electric utility rates must be analyzed carefully prior to implementing peak shaving or cogeneration opportunities. Some utilities have special interconnection and protective relaying requirements to ensure that onsite generation does not pose a safety hazard for utility workers.

In addition, many utility rate schedules impose standby charges for onsite generation.

These charges are intended to recoup the utility’s investment in transformers and other equipment necessary to serve the facility’s entire load when the onsite generation equipment is not operating. Without this standby equipment, utilities often reserve the right to replace service equipment with smaller facilities, at risk to the facility of overloading the smaller equipment when onsite generation is not operating.

Facilities with onsite generation may be able to operate this equipment to reduce purchased power requirements during periods of high demand, or high utility prices.

Figure 7Reducing purchased power requirements with onsite generation

Reducing purchased power requirements with onsite generation
Figure 7 – Reducing purchased power requirements with onsite generation

Figure below shows how savings or losses associated with operation of peak-shaving generators are dependent on fuel prices, on-peak electricity prices, the amount of time the generator has to operate for a given peak-reduction target, and, most importantly, the accuracy with which plant personnel can predict these variables.

Figure 8 – Savings or losses are associated with operation of peak-shaving generators

Savings or losses are associated with operation of peak-shaving generators
Figure 8 – Savings or losses are associated with operation of peak-shaving generators

Electricity generation and peak shaving can also be accomplished with steam cogeneration systems typical of paper mills, refineries, and other large industrial processes.

Figure 9 – Steam cogeneration system diagram

Steam cogeneration system diagram
Figure 9 – Steam cogeneration system diagram

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4. Lighting control

Lighting systems in industrial facilities can represent an attractive savings opportunity, especially if lighting systems have not been upgraded or maintained in the past ten years. The most cost-effective approach for lighting energy savings is to address the following three issues, in order:

  1. Turn off lights during times when they are not needed
  2. Reduce light levels to match the requirements for the tasks being performed in the area
  3. Replace less efficient lamps, ballasts, or fixtures with more efficient sources

The second priority in lighting conservation involves light level reductions. The Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (www.iesna.org) has established recommended light levels for different types of work tasks and area usage types.

In addition, it offers design guidance in laying out lighting systems, estimating light levels by zonal cavity and point-by-point lighting design methodologies. These light level recommendations are typically described as ranges of footcandles, the footcandle being a quantity of light measured at a horizontal or vertical surface.

Light output of a fixture is usually published in lumens. Many manufacturers of lamps and lighting systems offer software tools to aid in designing new systems, or in evaluating changes to existing systems.

Suggested Course – Ultimate Course To Electrical Drawings Design Using AutoCAD, DiaLUX & ETAP

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4.1 Some lighting essentials

4.1.1 Lighting controls work better than people

While “turn-off-the-light” programs have been widely utilized in all types of facilities, sophisticated lighting control systems have proven to be much more cost-effective. Certainly, it’s cheaper to have a worker turn off a light, but workers forget, workers may not have access to circuit breakers controlling large banks of industrial lighting fixtures, those same circuit breakers are not designed for daily operation as light switches, and so on.

Lighting system controls that utilize microprocessors and specially-designed remote-operated circuit breakers are much more effective. These devices can be programmed to accommodate complicated shift configurations, including nights, weekends, and holidays. They also include simple over-ride features for temporary or unusual work schedules.

In addition, these systems can be monitored and controlled remotely using SCADA, or web-browser software packages, and they can interface with other control devices such as motion sensors or photocells.

For example, Powerlink MVP Intelligent lighting panel (by Schneider Electric) utilizes patented technology to control lighting circuits, and offers Transparent Ready web-based monitoring and control

Figure 10 – Powerlink MVP Intelligent lighting panel (by Schneider Electric)

Powerlink MVP Intelligent lighting panel (by Schneider Electric)
Figure 10 – Powerlink MVP Intelligent lighting panel (by Schneider Electric) utilizes patented technology to control lighting circuits, and offers Transparent Ready web-based monitoring and control

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4.1.2 Light levels decline with age of the lighting system

Several factors contribute to this decline. Lamps, including fluorescent and high-intensity discharge sources like high-pressure sodium and metal halide, experience Lamp Lumen Depreciation (LLD). The LLD is typically less than 1.0, indicating that average lamp light output at some point in the future is less than light output of a new lamp.

Light levels are also adversely affect by dirt and the accumulation of dust on the light fixture. Luminaire Dirt Depreciation (LDD), also a factor less than 1.0, is a function of the type of light fixture as well as the environment in which the fixture operates.

Ballast Factor, or BF, is yet another commonly used factor. BF is also a published value that is a function of the type of ballast used to control the arc characteristics of fluorescent and HID lighting systems.

The designer usually applies these factors to the rated light level output of a lighting system, in order to estimate the number of fixtures required to provide the desired light level – not at initial installation, rather at some designated point in the future. For example,

# fixtures = total required lumens/initial lumens/fixture/(LLD * LDD * BF)

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4.1.3 Lighting designers need to know the facility’s lamp replacement practices

Manufacturers publish the “rated life” expectancy of a given lamp. This value, usually given in thousands of hours, is not a guarantee that every lamp will extinguish at the same rated-life time. In fact, the “rated life” is a statistical value indicating the point at which half of the lamps of a representative sample will burn out. Some lamps will fail well shy of the rated life; others may last beyond the rated life.

The facility’s lamp replacement practices usually fall into one of two categories:

  1. Replace individual lamps as they fail (“spot replacement”)
  2. Replace all lamps at a predetermined point in time, even though many of those lamps are still burning (“group replacement”)

Group replacement runs counter to common sense for most people – if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. That’s why spot replacement is the most common practice by far. There is, however, a sound reason for considering the group-replacement strategy: Economics.

If the lighting designer knows, for example, that a facility will adopt the practice of group replacement, the designer can utilize fewer light fixtures at the outset. That’s because the lamps replaced before their end of life produce considerably more lumens than those allowed to burn to failure. The designer can use a higher LLD in the initial light fixture calculations to achieve the same target footcandle level.

Fewer light fixtures means lower energy costs attributable to lighting, and less heat for the building’s air conditioning system. Labor costs have also been shown to be lower for group replacement as compared to spot replacement. Group replacement can be scheduled to occur during unoccupied times; set up and take down costs are reduced; the cost per lamp itself can be lower with large-quantity purchases.

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5. Electric motors

Three-phase squirrel-cage induction motors comprise a considerable percentage of the electrical load in the United States. Design, operation, and maintenance of these machines is well described in other references; this document focuses on their energy efficiency aspects.

Induction motors typically range in full load efficiency from about 87% to 94%. This efficiency is very difficult to measure accurately in the field, requiring a dynamometer and other specialized equipment. Fortunately, energy saving projects associated with electric motors do not require actual efficiency of a given motor to be established.

One of the foremost opportunities for energy savings is to implement a program of replacing – rather than rewinding – induction motors at failure. Rewinding a damaged induction motor is a common practice in industry, but studies have proven that rewinding an induction motor drops its efficiency by a couple percentage points.

Multiple rewinds can further reduce the efficiency of the rewound motor. While a drop in efficiency from 89% to 88% seems insignificant, a quick estimate reveals that this reduction can be costly. A standard efficiency 20 hp motor operating 8000 hours annually, for example, costs about $7000 per year to operate at an average electricity rate of 7 ¢/kWh. Once this motor fails, the least-cost option for returning it to service is typically rewinding.

The incremental cost of replacing this failed motor with an energy-efficient motor, however, is only $430. This amount assumes considers the rewound cost, and the labor necessary to perform the motor change-out, as sunk costs.

The annual energy savings associated with replacing the failed motor with an energy-efficient model, at a new efficiency of 92.9%, is approximately $510. The simple payback for the replacement, therefore, is less than one year.

Energy-efficient motor programs are applicable to any AC motor installations utilizing NEMA Design B induction motors. Since the programs are based on replacement at failure, the full savings potential is realized after three years or more.

Table 1 – Published efficiencies of typical rewound, standard, and energy-efficient three-phase induction motors.

HPRewound EfficiencyStandard EfficiencyEnergy Efficient Efficiency
169.7%70.7%82.6%
279.5%80.5%83.4%
379.4%80.4%86.6%
581.4%82.4%88.3%
883.1%84.1%90.0%
1085.1%86.1%91.1%
1585.5%86.5%92.0%
2087.3%88.3%92.9%
2588.0%89.0%93.5%
3088.1%89.1%93.7%
4088.7%89.7%94.2%
5090.0%91.0%94.4%
6089.9%90.9%94.7%
7590.4%91.4%94.9%
10090.4%91.4%95.4%
12590.6%91.6%95.3%
15091.5%92.5%95.7%

Figure 11 – Electric motors are efficient machines, even at partial load

Electric motors are efficient machines, even at partial load
Figure 11 – Electric motors are efficient machines, even at partial load

Figure 12 – But power factor drops off sharply at half load

But power factor drops off sharply at half load
Figure 12 – But power factor drops off sharply at half load

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The Essentials of Rotating Electrical Machines: AC & DC Electric Motors and Generators

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6. Variable-speed drives (VSDs)

There are many devices used to provide AC motor control – starting, stopping, changing speed, varying torque, providing protection from voltage and current anomalies. This section will focus, however, on variable-frequency control devices designed to reduce energy consumption and improve operation of three-phase AC induction motors.

Table 2 – Four major categories of AC motor loads

Load TypeTypical Examples
Variable torqueCentrifugal pumps and fans
Constant torqueReciprocating pumps, conveyors, hoists
Constant horsepowerGrinders
ImpactPunch press

Energy-saving opportunities commonly focus on the variable-torque category, because the energy saving potential is large even with small changes in pump or fan speed control. This opportunity is driven by the power and speed characteristics of the variable-torque load. The capacity of a pump or fan is directly proportional to the speed. A change in speed of 10% yields a change in pump gpm or fan CFM of 10%.

Brake horsepower, however, is proportionally to the cube of the speed, meaning that a 10% reduction in pump or fan speed can yield a 27% reduction in power consumption.

In addition, pumps and fans are often controlled by mechanical devices in the fluid flow stream, such as dampers, control valves, and guide vanes. These devices are typically much less efficient means of varying pump volume or fan delivery than changing the speed of the pump or fan.

Since most pumps and fans are driven by fixed-speed electric motors, where speed of the driven load is determined by the number of motor poles, AC frequency, and motor slip, varying the speed of a motor requires an external device. This external device is commonly referred to as an adjustable-speed drive, variable-frequency drive, inverter, vector drive, or adjustable-frequency controller.

Figure 13 – Variable-torque loads, such as centrifugal pumps and fans, exhibit a cubic relationship between brake horsepower and speed

Variable-torque loads, such as centrifugal pumps and fans, exhibit a cubic relationship between brake horsepower and speed
Figure 13 – Variable-torque loads, such as centrifugal pumps and fans, exhibit a cubic relationship between brake horsepower and speed

Suggested Reading – Inside Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) Panel

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7. Compressed air

Compressed air systems can consume a significant amount of electric energy in an industrial facility. Many textile, automotive, chemical, and petroleum facilities operate large, multi-stage air compressors driven by electric motors representing hundreds, thousands, or even ten-thousands of horsepower in capacity.

One chemical plant providing raw materials for synthetic textile manufacturing operated one 22,000 hp, and two 8,000 hp compressors in a portion of its process. While the 22,000 hp compressor is rare, significant energy reduction opportunities associated with compressed are available.

Compressor energy reduction

Power consumption of a typical air compressor is a function of the air volume required (V), the inlet air temperature (Tin), and the required pressure rise (Pout/Pin)

These opportunities may include:


7.1 Reduce outlet pressure

Compressor discharge pressure in some facilities is set too high. Since the pressure rise across a compressor is a key factor in its power consumption, reducing outlet pressure can offer significant savings. Some reasons for excessive pressure may be straightforward; eg, production equipment with lower requirements has replaced older machines without a corresponding reduction in compressed air setpoint.

Other reasons may be more complex; eg, piping system losses or leaks may force higher setpoints at the compressors in order to provide adequate air pressure at production equipment.


7.2 Reduce air volume (CFM) requirements

Compressed air leaks usually offer the most attractive opportunity for reducing compressed air volume. Some facilities have ignored leaks to the point that one compressor is effectively operating 24/7 simply to serve air leaks.

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Eleven energy-efficiency improvement opportunities in compressed air systems


7.3 Reduce inlet temperature

Warm air is less dense than cold air. As the compressed air work equation above indicates, reducing inlet air temperature can reduce the work associated with a compressor. The usual method of reducing air temperature is to provide outside air intakes for the compressor, rather than allowing the compressor to utilize air from a hot equipment room.


7.4 Increase inlet pressure

It’s common to assume that inlet pressure to a compressor is fixed at atmospheric pressure, but this is a misconception. Air compressor inlet systems, especially air filters, need to be kept clean and free of obstructions. Pressure drop across dirty or blocked intakes serves to reduce the pressure at the compressor and increase power consumption.

Multi-stage air compressors, equipped with inter- and after-coolers to optimize efficiency and provide heat recovery, are common in industrial facilities.

Figure 14 – Multi-stage air compressors, equipped with inter- and after-coolers

Multi-stage air compressors, equipped with inter- and after-coolers
Figure 14 – Multi-stage air compressors, equipped with inter- and after-coolers

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8. Centrifugal water chillers

Figure 15 – Centrifugal water chillers in Dubai World Trade Center chiller plant

Successful Energy Efficiency In Using Centrifugal Water Chillers
Figure 15 – Successful Energy Efficiency In Using Centrifugal Water Chillers Dubai World Trade Center chiller plant retrofit – 39 storey building is air conditioned using (4) four water cooled centrifugal chillers (photo credit: greentechno.com)

Large commercial and industrial electrical loads are largely made up of centrifugal water chillers. Because of their efficiency, these machines typically produce cooling effects that are two to three times greater than the energy input needed. In the 1980s, centrifugal water systems were the subject of CFC legislation, which led to the replacement or refurbishment of many of these devices. But there are still chances for chiller optimization.

One opportunity is to alter the operational plan for numerous chillers that share a chilled water header. These machines are typically staged so that none are loaded above 80% of their rated capacity. This tactic evolved as a result of the machines’ part-load efficiencies, which tended to produce a U-shaped efficiency curve.

The curve showed that between 60% and 80% of full load was where efficiency was at its highest.

Actual measurements in industrial facilities, however, suggest that the laboratory-based efficiency curve is not representative of plant conditions. Cooling load on a typical industrial water chiller systems is often influenced by process changes that do not correspond to a linear change in condenser water temperature. The chiller efficiency, therefore, increases with increasing cooling load so that it reaches its optimum point at about full rated capacity.

The typical chiller efficiency curve is shaped like an u, with the peak efficiency occurring between 60% and 80% of full load. However, at full load, chillers serving industrial loads have their highest measured efficiency.

Figure 16 – Typical chiller efficiency curve

Typical chiller efficiency curve
Figure 16 – Typical chiller efficiency curve

Figure 17 – Operating three chillers at partial loads is less efficient that operating two chillers at or near their rated capacity

Operating three chillers at partial loads is less efficient that operating two chillers at or near their rated capacity
Figure 17 – Operating three chillers at partial loads is less efficient that operating two chillers at or near their rated capacity

Other successful strategies for chiller optimization include:

Optimization #1 – Chilled water reset

In order to adapt this strategy to the needs of the cooling load, the chilled water supply temperature setpoint must be raised. An automatic chiller controller’s control routines frequently include reset as a step. Resetting a compressor with chilled water can cut power usage by 1.5% to 2% per degree.

Optimization #2 – Reduce condenser water temperature

Similar to raising the chilled water setpoint, reducing the condenser water temperature serves to reduce the compressor power requirements. Condenser water temperature reduction of one degree can reduce compressor power consumption by 0.5%-1%.

Optimization #3 – Monitor and maintain chiller approach temperatures

Chiller condensers and evaporators are shell-and-tube heat exchangers that require periodic maintenance to maintain optimum heat transfer characteristics.

Since water travels through the condenser and evaporator tubes, solids have a tendency to accumulate on internal tube surfaces, requiring annual “rodding” to remove the scale and restore heat transfer coefficients.

Annual average readings of condenser approach temperature (difference in temperature between condenser water and refrigerant in shell-and-tube heat exchanger) gradually crept up from the initial design value of 6 F to nearly 15 F over three years.

Figure 18 – Annual average readings of condenser approach temperature

Increase in condenser tube fouling can have a significant adverse effect on compressor power consumption
Figure 18 – Increase in condenser tube fouling can have a significant adverse effect on compressor power consumption

Figure 19 – Increase in condenser tube fouling can have a significant adverse effect on compressor power consumption

Increase in condenser tube fouling can have a significant adverse effect on compressor power consumption
Figure 19 – Increase in condenser tube fouling can have a significant adverse effect on compressor power consumption

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9. Heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems

HVAC systems should be the focus of a targeted energy study, with similar objectives as the lighting analysis:

  1. Turn off unnecessary HVAC equipment during unoccupied times
  2. Match HVAC operation, including temperature and humidity, to minimum occupancy requirements
  3. Replace inefficient HVAC systems and equipment with energy-saving alternatives

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10. Energy survey checklist

10.1 Lighting

Table 3 – Checklist and optimization proposal for lighting

No.ChecklistOptimization proposal
1Lighting operating more hours than needed?Reduce operating hours with lighting control system.
2Areas over lit for task performed?Reduce light levels by disconnecting or replacing lamps or fixtures.
3Incandescent or quartz lamps operating more than 2,000 hours per year?Convert to LED or other energy efficient source.
4Mercury vapor lamps.Convert to energy saving LED, fluorescent, metal halide, or high-pressure sodium.
5Fluorescent at 18-feet or higher mounting heights.Convert to high pressure sodium or LED.
6VHO fluorescent fixtures.Convert to energy saving LED, fluorescent, metal halide, or high pressure sodium.
7Standard fluorescent ballasts.Replace with energy savings electronic ballasts at failure.

10.2 Induction motors

Table 4 – Checklist and optimization proposal for induction motors

No.ChecklistOptimization proposal
1Motors operating 75%+ full load, more than 6,000 hours per year.Replace with energy efficient motors at failure.
2Standard V-belts on pumps or fans.Convert to cog V-belts.
3Fans or pumps that are throttled with dampers or control valves.Consider variable speed drives.

10.3 Demand management

Table 5 – Checklist and optimization proposal for demand management

No.ChecklistOptimization proposal
1Sharp demand peaks of short duration (low load factor)?Identify loads to shed or reschedule to off-peak.
2Batch processes?Shift to off-peak.
3Consider Time-of-Use savings opportunities.

10.4 Exhaust, ventilation, and pneumatic conveying

Table 6 – Checklist and optimization proposal for exhaust, ventilation & pneumatic conveying

No.ChecklistOptimization proposal
1Transport velocities or exhaust flows higher than minimum required?Consider changing belts and sheaves to reduce air velocity.
2Consider variable speed or inlet vane control.
3Consider exhaust air heat recovery.
4Make-up air properly provided for all exhaust?
5Fume hoods designed to minimize exhaust?
6Properly designed stack heads

10.5 Fan-coil unit air handling units

Table 7 – Checklist and optimization proposal for fan-coil unit air handling units

No.Checklist & Optimization proposal
1Consider air side economizers.
2Considered chilled water reset.
3Consider water side economizer.

10.6 Centrifugal water chillers

Table 8 – Checklist and optimization proposal for centrifugal water chillers

No.ChecklistOptimization proposal
1Multiple chillers operating on a common header.Fully load one chiller before starting another.
2Consider chilled water reset.
3Consider water side economizer.
4Consider variable speed chiller control (long hours at light loads).
5Excessive approach temperatures – Check trends or design data.Clean condenser and evaporator tubes.
6Adding cooling load or chillers?Consider thermal energy storage.

10.7 Cooling towers

Table 9 – Checklist and optimization proposal for cooling towers

No.Checklist & Optimization proposal
1Consider variable speed drives for fan motors.
2Consider PVC fill to replace wood fill material.
3Consider velocity recovery stacks.

10.8 Boilers

Table 10 – Checklist and optimization proposal for boilers

No.ChecklistOptimization proposal
1Stack gas temperature > 400 F? (Ideal temperature: 100 degrees plus saturation temperature of the steam)Consider economizer to preheat feedwater or combustion air.
2Manual or intermittent blowdown?Consider automatic blowdown system.
3Continuous blowdown?Consider blowdown heat recovery system.
4Excess air high or unburned combustibles?Consider boiling tuning.
5Large amounts of high pressure condensate?Consider high pressure condensate receiver.
6Increase amount of condensate returned.
7Improve boiler chemical treatment.
8Maintain steam traps.

10.9 Heat recovery

Table 11 – Checklist and optimization proposal for heat recovery

No.ChecklistOptimization proposal
1Waste water streams > 100 F?Consider heat exchanger and/or heat pump.
2Waste air or gas stream > 300 F?Consider heat exchanger.

10.10 Cogeneration

Table 12 – Checklist and optimization proposal for cogeneration

No.ChecklistOptimization proposal
1Boiler rated pressure 100 psi greater than pressure required by process?
2Concurrent steam and electrical demands?Consider back-pressure turbine..

10.11 Refrigeration

Table 13 – Checklist and optimization proposal for refrigeration

No.Checklist & Optimization proposal
1Consider hot gas heat recovery.
2Consider thermal storage.

10.12 Compressed air

Table 14 – Checklist and optimization proposal for compressed air

No.Checklist & Optimization proposal
1Provide additional small air compressor for loads.
2Provide outside air intake.
2Eliminate air leaks.

Go back to the Contents Table ↑


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Source: Electrical Energy Management by Bill Brown, P.E.; Schneider Electric

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Edvard Csanyi

Electrical engineer, programmer and founder of EEP. Highly specialized for design of LV/MV switchgears and LV high power busbar trunking (<6300A) in power substations, commercial buildings and industry facilities. Professional in AutoCAD programming.

2 Comments


  1. Manoj Karichery
    Apr 22, 2023

    Hi Technical Team

    Good day

    The current power factor is 0.67; suppose improving the power factor to 0.98; can reduce the electricity bill? If yes, how much can you save?


  2. Madhav
    Dec 06, 2022

    Dear Edvard,
    Excellent work by you once again… appreciate your efforts in spreading and sharing the knowledge with all engineers.

    Keep up the good work. Stay blessed.

    Madhav,
    Pune, MS(India).

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