Applying Energy Building Simulation in the Assessment of Energy Efficiency Measures in Factories

Abstract

Manufacturing companies have been putting considerable effort in the implementation of energy efficiency measures since many years. By doing so they have been able to reduce energy consumption and increase productivity pursuing sustainable manufacturing practices. However, it has become more and more challenging to identify future energy efficiency measures, which meet the required cost-benefit ratio. The objective of this research is to improve prevailing methodologies used in the assessment of energy efficiency measures. Therefore we augment the system boundaries to the factory level and introduce a methodology that involves energy building simulation. Results show that the methodology proposed herein allows to quantify the propagating effects of singular energy efficiency measures within the factory environment. Besides, the consideration of non-energy benefits (e.g. thermal comfort) becomes possible. Being able to assess the multiple effects of energy efficiency measures is an important step towards the continuous improvement of energy efficiency in factories.