SME Decarbonisation Support - Energy Audit Framework

 Duligong Honid

SME Energy Audit Framework

Client: SMEs

 

 

 

 

 

Cozy coffee shop interior with a wooden counter, espresso machine, and pendant lighting, featuring shelves stocked with products and decor.

 

The Brief

Tomson Consulting Ltd were employed by a UK council to deliver energy audits for over 60 small & medium businesses in the area. Businesses audited included; offices of various ages, pubs, cafes, shops, leisure centres, manufacturing workshops, heritage buildings, and heavy industry including steel, glass and metal forgeries. 

 

 

Areas

Net Zero Planning

Key Stakeholders

SMEs - Council

 

Data Collection 

Each energy audit comprised requesting and obtaining data from companies, including: 

  • Energy consumption and cost data including electricity, half hourly electricity meter readings (if available), any on-site sub-metering, and monitoring records.
  • Gas consumption and cost data including any on-site meter readings.
  • Water supply and effluent billing information.
  • Details of mileage and fuel consumption of company vehicles and employee work travel. 
  • Use and disposal of any other materials, chemicals or fuels.
  • Scale drawing of the building's floor plan.
  • Notes on the occupancy of the building (opening hours, typical numbers of staff). 

Data Analysis

Data was analysed and compiled into a baseline footprint using the specified carbon emission factors. A site visit was conducted for each building, which included viewing and noting: 

  • Type, thickness, and condition of building fabrics (windows, roof, doors etc).
  • Areas of high potential air infiltration (draughts).
  • Boiler infrastructure, control, and operation.
  • Space and domestic hot water (DHW) heating infrastructure, locations, and control.
  • DHW consumption (temperature and flow rates).
  • Number and location of heat emitters.
  • Existing lighting units and potential for upgrade and improved controls.
  • Potential locations and suitability of solar PV.
  • Existing electrical infrastructure.

Following site visits, decarbonisation opportunities were identified, and potential energy, carbon and cost savings were estimated. Capital costs were estimated using benchmarks and quotations. Energy audit reports were completed and finished within 10 working days of the site visits.  

 

 

Measures 

Decarbonisation measures identified varied depending on the type of company and building, and included:

 

Optimisation of controls and use of buildings' heating systems and machinery.

 

Improvements to building fabrics such as insulation, glazing, draught-proofing.

 

Electricity savings e.g. LED lighting.

 

Implementation of low carbon technologies such as heat pumps, heat recovery, and electric vehicles.

 

Potential for renewable energy generation e.g. solar PV.

 

Potential to reduce waste and optimise materials use.  

 As of March 2023, Tomson Consulting's work on this project had resulted in grant applications totalling £112k and on course to deliver c170 tonnes carbon reduction per annum. At this time, a further 11 grant applications were in development and more were expected. 

 

 

 

 

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