Introduction

The purpose of the EEOS audit (EKR the hungarian equivalent of EEOS – Energy Efficiency Obligation Scheme) is to examine whether an investment carried out at a site complies with the requirements of the EEOS Regulation, Act LVII of 2015 on Energy Efficiency and Government Decree 122/2015 (V. 26.), and to determine and verify the final energy savings.

In this case study, we examine the heating centers of a site, paying particular attention to the possibilities of reducing heat loss, as energy supply costs have increased significantly in recent years. The aim of the audit was to reduce heating costs and improve energy efficiency.

Description of the specific action

• The site has a large-scale hot water heat distribution system, which has energy-saving potential. During the investigation of heat loss, uninsulated heating fittings and pipe fittings in the heat centers were examined. During the survey, we found about 280 system components that needed to be insulated, which we listed and performed energy calculations to reduce heat loss. Another advantage of the project is the improvement of occupational safety, especially for workers exposed to high heat loads, which also contributes to increasing the comfort of the working environment.
• We recommended demountable thermal insulation for the subsequent thermal insulation of the system components to be insulated, as our experts’ energy calculations show that increasing the efficiency of the thermal insulation provides the fastest return on investment. The study covered all of the site’s heating systems to be insulated, thereby reducing heat loss and contributing to achieving energy efficiency goals.
• After selecting the contractor for the thermal insulation system, the insulation blankets were manufactured and installed on the surfaces to be insulated.
• Upon completion of the implementation, the purpose of the EEOS audit prepared for the implemented system was to determine the energy savings, which, after verification, can be sold as Verified Energy Savings (HEM).

1. Post-investment status

Results and impacts of implementation

• During the implementation of the project, we checked some data using our own simplified method and obtained acceptable values. The construction quote and calculations were prepared by the contractor/partner company and the main results are presented below. The investment cost of the project is approximately €31,000, which includes the survey for the production of the project, the design of the elements, the full-scale construction, as well as a detailed payback calculation and system inspection report after the completion of the project. The achievable annual energy savings are 430 GJ/year, while the annual uninsulated operating cost is €17,000, while the insulated operating cost is only €2,300. This represents a saving of almost €15,000 per year .
• The calculation of heat losses and thermal insulation was done using known thermal engineering relationships, which were also supported by measurement options, for example, with a thermal camera measurement solution. Thermal camera measurements do not provide full accuracy due to environmental differences between the pre- and post-audit (medium temperature, external temperature, flow, etc.), but they make the efficiency of the thermal insulation visually noticeable. The annual electricity savings of the project are 120 MWh/year, and the CO ₂ emission savings are 45 tons/year, taking into account the electricity consumption value of 0.365 kg CO ₂ /kWh. The annual energy cost savings are more than €21,000.
• Based on the EKR system, taking into account additionality and the 430 GJ/year savings, the realized investment support of the project is approximately 5 million HUF . The calculations and results support that the project brings significant benefits not only economically, but also from an environmental perspective.