Energy Efficiency Assessment Research Articles

Revisiting Energy and Governmental Funds Allocation in Pakistan: A Novel Zero-Sum Gain DEA Approach

Like many developing countries, Pakistan has limited energy production and governmental funding to support its development. This research focuses on energy efficiency levels and governmental funds distribution among four provinces in Pakistan. Based on balanced panel data from 2006 to 2016, this study develops a novel Zero-Sum Gain (ZSG) DEA approach to simultaneously assess energy efficiency levels and reallocate limited financial resources among provinces. Under the assumption of constant outputs, energy production and governmental funds are considered as input variables, while GDP and population as output variables. Results indicate that efficiency levels of Pakistan provinces range between 0.62 to 0.88, thus suggesting room for improvement in funding allocation.

User Deep Energy Efficiency Evaluation via Load Perception and Clustering

With the constantly upgrading of the living level of urban residents, the types and quantities of domestic appliances continue to increase, and the electricity consumption behaviour is becoming more and more complex. Based on the fine-grained user energy consumption data obtained by load intelligent perception, this paper proposes a user energy efficiency evaluation method through fuzzy comprehension evaluation. First, the energy consumption characteristics at appliance level which can effectively represent energy consumption behaviour of users are designed and filtered, and then the energy efficiency evaluation strategy of appliances based on fuzzy comprehensive evaluation is established. The strategy adopts two-level fuzzy comprehensive evaluation. The first appliance-level fuzzy evaluation realizes the energy efficiency evaluation of the appliances. The second level is the comprehensive evaluation of user energy efficiency based on the appliance energy efficiency assessment, and the target users are divided into different energy efficiency levels. The measured data-based analysis results prove the effectiveness of the proposed method, and the results can guide users to optimize their electricity consumption behaviour scientifically and realize energy saving and carbon reduction.

Primary energy efficiency assessment of a coil heat recovery system within the air handling unit of an operating room

Heat recovery systems installed in Air Handling Units (AHUs) are energy efficient solutions during disparate outdoor-to-indoor temperatures. However, they may be detrimental in terms of a primary energy balance when these temperatures get closer, due to the decrease in the thermal energy recovered compared to the global energy consumption required for their operation. AHUs in surgical areas have certain particularities such as their continuous operation throughout the year, the large airflows supplied and the strict exigencies on the supply air quality, avoiding any cross contamination. This work presents the measurements and analysis performed on a coil heat recovery (run-around) loop system installed in the AHU that serves a mixed-air ventilation operating room in a Hospital Complex. A primary energy balance is studied, including the thermal and electric energy savings achieved, considering the electric energy consumption by the recirculation pump and the additional power requirements of fans due to the pressure drop introduced. The obtained value is then used to predict the thermal energy savings achieved by the heat recovery system. Results are extrapolated to the Typical Meteorological Year to provide an order of magnitude of the primary energy and CO2 emissions saved through the operation of the coil heat recovery system.

Energy efficiency assessment of power electronic drivers and LED lamps in Li-Fi communication systems

Light-fidelity (Li-Fi) communication systems have gained increased concerns as new and alternative paradigm for wireless communications. Through the increased applications of light emitting diode (LED) lamps for lighting in indoor and outdoor applications, industrial and academic interests have been risen towards adding communication functionality to the standard light emitting diode lamp illumination functionality in light-fidelity systems. As being the same source for lighting and communication, extra power losses and stresses are imposed on the light emitting diode lamp and its power electronic drivers to perform the dual functionalities. Therefore, proper light emitting diode lamp driver design and control systems are required. This paper reviews the different architectures of light-fidelity communication systems and develops a powerful systematic approach for assessing the energy efficiency and the communication system performance metrics for light-fidelity systems. Various light-fidelity structures, communication modulators, power converters, and communication modulation methods are considered based on the mathematical modelling. Simulation results show that energy efficiency and communication system performance are largely affected by system architectures, components, and communication modulators. The obtained results show that the proposed method represents a systematic approach for calculating the energy efficiency and power losses for various elements in light-fidelity systems. Additionally, the calculated energy efficiency with adding the communication functionality is lower than the traditional illumination of the lamps. The type of modulation technique, type of modulator, modulation index value, and forward lamp current have substantial effects on the calculated energy efficiency.

Energy efficiencies of European countries

ABSTRACT Improving energy efficiency is essential for sustainable development; therefore, an accurate assessment of energy efficiency is needed to inform policymakers on how to set energy efficiency goals. Using a stochastic frontier model, we estimate energy efficiencies of 44 countries in Europe from 1990 to 2015. Comparing average energy efficiencies across countries among three time periods, 1990 to 1998, 1999 to 2007, and 2008 to 2015, we find the following trends: (1) countries with highest energy efficiency cluster geographically suggesting spillover effects; (2) from the first period to the second period, 67.44% of European countries’ average energy efficiency increased, while only 59.09% of European countries’ average energy efficiencies increased between the first and the third period; (3) gains in energy efficiency may be levelling off or decreasing over time; and (4) when countries face economic downturn, they experience a decrease in energy efficiency signalling possible future decreases in energy efficiency in light of the recent recessions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Finally, we compute potential energy savings from a counterfactual experiment in which countries realize full efficiency. The results show substantial energy savings can be obtained by Russia in particular, and less savings can be obtained by countries with smaller populations.

Assessment of economic, energy and ecological efficiency of iron and steel production from orecoal briquettes in electric-furnace melting facility with application of hydrogen fuel

According to the Russia National cadastre, emissions of carbon dioxide in the steel industry in 2019 in the sector “Industrial emissions” accounted for near 50% of the whole volume of its emissions in the whole country’s industry. A perspective way to decrease emissions of greenhouse gases is application of hydrogen in technological processes of metallurgical stuff production. A brief characteristic of basic technologies of hydrogen production presented. Concept of hydrogen technology development in steel industry of Russia stated, basic directions of metallurgical subindustries restructing related to implementation of the new fuel – “brown” hydrogen presented. Possibilities of “brown” hydrogen obtaining as a secondary energy resource of metallurgical production considered. Results of calculation of economic, energy and ecological effectiveness of cast iron, steel and “brown” hydrogen production in electric-furnace melting facilities of new type presented. It was shown that replacement of scheme “blast furnace-basic oxygen furnace”, including production of sinter and coke, by electric-furnace melting production with obtaining hot metal and steel from ore-coal briquettes and application of “brown” hydrogen and recycling of carbon dioxide enables to exclude greenhouse gases emissions. Capital investment into the hydrogen project of 1.0 million t/year capacity with restructing production capacities will account for 9.5 billion Rubles (120.0 million euro), economical effect – 5.4 billion Rubles (70.0 million euro), period of capital investments payback – 1.8 year.

Energy Balance in Wastewater Systems with Energy Recovery: A Portuguese Case Study

This paper presents and discusses the application of a novel energy balance scheme for assessing energy efficiency in wastewater systems. The energy balance is demonstrated with a Portuguese real-life case study, using mathematical modelling to estimate the different energy components and to compute two energy efficiency indices. The total inflow intrinsic energy can represent a significant amount (>95%) of the total energy used in systems mainly composed of gravity sewers. The total input energy is significantly (four-times) higher in the wet season than in the dry season, mostly due to undue inflows (e.g., direct rainfall and infiltration). The potential for energy recovery strongly depends on the available head and flow rate at the delivery point, being 0.01 kWh/m3 in the current case, with a project payback period of 4 years. The energy balance components and the respective energy efficiency indices strongly depend on the considered reference elevation. Thus, a unique regional reference elevation is recommended in the calculations.

Energy Efficiency Assessment of Pressure Losses in Horizontal Ground Heat Exchangers with Two-Dimensional Computational Simulations

Bu çalışmada yedi farklı geometrik tasarıma sahip yatay toprak ısı değiştiricilerin enerji verimini etkileyen basınç kayıpları bilgisayar destekli simülasyonlar aracılığı ile incelenmiştir. 30 m^2’lik (6mx5m) bir bahçe alanında kullanılmak üzere tasarlanan modeller, denklemlerin hesaplama kolaylığı açısından, iki boyutlu olarak oluşturulmuştur. Her bir tasarım ısı değişim yüzey alanları, basınç kayıpları ve enerji verimlilikleri açısından karşılaştırılmıştır. Enerji verimlilikleri açısından karşılaştırılmaları ısı değişim yüzey alanlarının basınç kayıplarına oranı olarak tabir edilen enerji kazanım oranı değerleri üzerinden yapılmıştır. Elde edilen sonuçlara bakıldığında Tasarım-6’nın en yüksek ısı değişim yüzey alanına (6,9681m^2), en düşük basınç kaybına (88,9790kPa) ve aynı zamanda en yüksek enerji kazanım oranına sahip olduğu (0,0783m^2 kPa^-1) görülmüştür. Her ne kadar diğer tasarımlara göre Tasarım-6 en enerji verimli gözükse de işletim ve bakım açısından değerlendirildiklerinde diğer tasarımlar yek pare olarak kullanılabileceklerken Tasarım-6’nın çok fazla bağlantı elemanı içermesinden dolayı pratik kullanımının riskli olduğu düşünülmektedir. Sonuçların projenin geliştirilmeye devam edilmesi açısından çok verimli olduğu görülmüştür.

Energy efficiency assessment of China wastewater treatment plants by unit energy consumption per kg COD removed

ABSTRACT Unit energy consumption per kg pollutant removed (kWh/kgCODremoved) is used for the first time in assessing and ranking the sustainability of main treatment technologies of 1215 wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in China. The metric better measures the sustainability of main treatment technologies in WWTPs than unit energy consumption per cubic meter treated (kWh/m3). The energy consumption data of these WWTPs were selected from the database of 1399 WWTPs to evaluate the energy efficiency of different treatment technologies. 80.3% of the WWTPs applied anaerobic-oxic plus anaerobic–anoxic–oxic, oxidation ditch, and sequencing batch reactor as main technologies. Statistical analysis shows that the unit energy consumption of WWTPs decreases with increasing design flow rate, operation loading rate, and influent COD concentration. For example, the average unit energy consumption of SBR decreases from 2.76 kWh/kgCODremoved to 0.83 kWh/kgCODremoved when the design flow rate increases from less than 10,000 m3/d to 100,000–200,000 m3/d. The mean unit energy consumption of SBR decreases from 1.71 kWh/kgCODremoved to 1.32 kWh/ kgCODremoved and 2.85 kWh/ kgCODremoved to 0.63 kWh/kgCODremoved as the operation loading rate and COD removal increase from 40% to 100% and from less than 150 mg/L to over 450 mg/L, respectively. SBR has the lowest unit energy consumption among all the technologies. Therefore, SBR might be the most appropriate technology in small and medium-scale WWTPs in China. Regression equations were developed to predict the unit energy consumption for sustainable design treatment trains by input variables such as design flow rate, operation loading rate, and influent COD concentration.

The Assessment of Energy Efficiency versus Planning of Rail Freight Traffic: A Case Study on the Example of Poland

The issues addressed by the article concern the assessment of energy efficiency in rail transport, resulting from the proper organization of rail traffic. The problems related to energy consumption and, thus, the negative impact of rail transport on the natural environment are highly significant in terms of the green deal concept, climate change and sustainable development. In this article, energy efficiency is investigated in the context of minimizing the energy consumption necessary to satisfy a specific transport requirement. The essence of this article is to present an approach to energy-efficient planning of rail freight traffic. This article aims to develop a method covers the allocation of railway vehicles dedicated to freight traffic (locomotives and railcars) to perform a defined transport task, taking into account the energy efficiency assessment of the solution, routing the train launched with regard to the accomplishment of the defined transport task on the railway network, and determining the conditions of transport for a defined transport task, taking into account the allocated rolling stock (locomotives and railcars) and the route. In this article, based on the presented state of knowledge, a decision-making model has been proposed, including the model’s parameters, the values being searched for, indicators for assessing the quality of the solution, as well as the limitations and boundary conditions of the problem. The function of minimizing the energy consumption necessary to transport a shipment within the railway network (determining the energy efficiency of the proposed solution) has been proposed as the criterion. In addition, a description of the proprietary method of selecting rolling stock for accomplishing tasks, based on the assessment of the energy efficiency of the solution and a case study illustrating the operation of the method on the example of the area of Poland, has been presented.

Water and Energy Efficiency Assessment in Urban Green Spaces

Urban green spaces can be intensive water and energy consumers in the cities, particularly in water scarce regions. Though a very efficient use of such resources is necessary, tools for assessing both water and energy consumption and efficiency are not available. In this paper, a new methodology based on water and energy balances is developed for assessing the water-use and energy efficiency in urban green spaces. The proposed balances, adapted from those developed for water supply systems, are specifically tailored for accounting for urban green spaces specificities, namely, landscape water requirements, other uses besides irrigation and over irrigation water losses. The methodology is demonstrated in two case studies of different nature and characteristics: a modern garden with a smart irrigation system and an urban park with traditional irrigation system. The results show that the developed water balances allow to estimate and assess the irrigation efficiency over the years and to assess the effectiveness of implemented water saving measures. The application of the water–energy balance demonstrates the impact of water efficiency measures on the energy efficiency of the irrigation systems. The proposed methodology can be used to assess water and water–energy efficiency in urban green spaces and to identify the most adequate improvement measures, contributing for a better management of the two resources in the cities.

Energy efficiency analysis of air dehumidification methods that determine safe microclimatic
 working conditions

Introduction. The article deals with the issues related to provision of air humidity parameters required for non-hazardous operation of various technical facilities. 
 Problem Statement. The paper considers analytical methods for energy efficiency assessment of adsorption and condensation methods of air dehumidification, which provide safe microclimatic working conditions, and the influence of the operating modes of dehumidifying plants on the parameters of the microclimate. 
 Theoretical Part. As indicators of the energy efficiency of each of the methods, it is proposed to use the energy costs that are minimally necessary for the implementation of ideal physical dehumidification processes and per unit mass of water units emitted from air. This ensures safe and comfortable microclimatic working conditions with minimal energy costs. The ratio of the specific energy costs of the condensation and adsorption methods shows their comparative efficiency. An electronic Id-diagram was used to determine the air parameters in the implemented dehumidification processes (cooling, condensation and adsorption of water vapor).
 Conclusion. Analytical dependences are obtained for the analyzed energy efficiency indicators that provide safe and comfortable microclimatic working conditions with minimal energy costs. Numerical estimates were carried out according to the most probable modes of dehumidification processes and air parameters. The parametric restrictions on the implementation of the adsorption dehumidification method are justified, in which it becomes energetically more profitable. The conditions under which it is possible to implement a combined dehumidification method to ensure safe microclimatic working conditions are determined.

Методика критериальной оценки энергоэффективности магистральных насосов

В настоящее время об энергоэффективности насосного агрегата судят на основании результатов приемо-сдаточных испытаний - по значению КПД в номинальной рабочей точке. Опыт эксплуатации насосов на объектах нефтепроводного транспорта показывает, что реальная рабочая точка насоса отличается от номинальной. Данное расхождение объясняется вариативностью режимов работы насосных установок. В этой связи предлагается оценивать энергоэффективность насоса по результатам испытаний исходя из реальных условий функционирования насосного оборудования - в рабочем диапазоне, необходимом для перекачки нефти (нефтепродуктов) с учетом изменения потребной подачи и напора гидросистемы. Существующие методики оценки энергоэффективности насосов в рабочем диапазоне имеют ограничения для применения на объектах магистральных нефтепроводов. В настоящей работе предлагается использовать с этой целью критериальную оценку по характерным точкам в диапазоне подач. Сформулированы основные положения разработанной методики. Сделан вывод о том, что ее применение при приемо-сдаточных испытаниях позволит улучшить качество оборудования, поставляемого на производственные объекты, а следовательно, энергоэффективность НПС. Currently, energy efficiency of a pumping unit is assessed based on the acceptance test results according to the efficiency value at the nominal working point. The experience of operating pumps at oil pipeline transportation facilities shows that the actual working point of the pump differs from the nominal one. This discrepancy is explained by the variability of the pumping unit process modes. In this connection, it is proposed to evaluate pump’s energy efficiency based on the test results under the actual operating conditions of the pumping equipment, in the operating range required for pumping oil (petroleum products), taking into account the change in the required supply and hydraulic system pressure. The existing methods for assessing energy efficiency of pumps in the operating range have limitations for use at main oil pipeline facilities. This study proposes to use a criteria-based assessment using characteristic points in the supply range for this purpose. The basic principles of the developed method are formulated. It is concluded that its application during the acceptance tests will improve the quality of equipment supplied to production facilities, and hence the PS energy efficiency.

Towards nearly zero energy building concept – visual comfort and energy efficiency assessments in a classroom

PurposeThis paper aims to raise awareness on how a simple action by the occupant can significantly influence building energy efficiency, cost and CO2 emissions to the environment. Classrooms in schools are the primary energy consumers (45.4%) due to the use of artificial lighting, despite Malaysia's tropical climate being ideal for daylight exploitation. This paper focuses on assessing the workplane daylight distribution quality and quantity in baseline and existing conditions of a typical pre-school classroom in Kuala Lumpur as a model-based exploration strategy towards nearly Zero Energy Buildings.Design/methodology/approachThe adopted method is based on the calculation of average daylight factor (DF), daylight illuminance level (IL) and uniformity ratio (UR) parameters affected by the internal fixed drapes through computational and in situ measurements according to the requirements of the law and respective standards comprising the MS1525:2019, GBI and BREEAM.FindingsThe results show how user behaviour can turn a well-daylit area (Net Lettable Area>90%) into a poor-daylit area (NLA<5%) by sacrificing natural daylight. All the parameters' values were significantly decreased from 10% (UR) up to 88% (ADF). Full dependency on artificial lighting has imposed a total of RM18858.90 and CO2 emissions of 25,362 kg for all pre-schools' classrooms in the country per day.Social implicationsThe paper develops the occupants' awareness on their contribution to climate change and global warming through the information and transparency provided.Originality/valueThe evidence indicates that a simple action by the occupant can significantly influence visual comfort, EE, cost and CO2 emissions to the environment.

Energy Consumption and Spatial Assessment of Renewable Energy Penetration and Building Energy Efficiency in Malaysia: A Review

The development of sustainable energy systems is very important to addressing the economic, environmental, and social pressures of the energy sector. Globally, buildings consume up to 40% of the world’s total energy. By 2030, it is expected to increase to 50%. Therefore, the world is facing a great challenge to overcome these problems related to global energy production. Malaysia is one of the top consumers of primary energy in Asia. In 2018, primary energy consumption for Malaysia was 3.79 quadrillion btu at an average annual rate of 4.58%. In this paper, we have carried out a detailed literature review on several previous studies of energy consumption in the world, especially in Malaysia, and how geographical information system (GIS) methods have been used for the spatial assessment of energy efficiency. Indeed, strategies of energy efficiency are essential in energy policy that could be created using various approaches used for energy savings in buildings. The findings of this review reveal that, for estimating energy consumption, exploring renewable energy sources, and investigating solar radiation, several geographic information system techniques such as multiple criteria decision analysis (MCDA), machine learning (ML), and deep learning (DL) are mainly utilized. The result indicates that the fuzzy DS method can more reliably determine the optimal PV farm locations. The 3D models are also regarded as an effective tool for estimating solar radiation, since this method generates a 3D model exportable to software tools. In addition, GIS and 3D can contribute to several purposes, such as sunlight access to buildings in urban areas, city growth prediction models and analysis of the habitability of public places.

Energy Efficiency and Life Cycle Assessment with System Dynamics of Electricity Production from Rice Straw Using a Combined Gasification and Internal Combustion Engine

This study assessed the environmental performance and energy efficiency of electricity generation from rice straw using a combined gasification and internal combustion engine (G/ICE). A life cycle assessment (LCA) was performed to consider the conversion to electricity of rice straw, the production of which was based on the Philippine farming practice. Rice straw is treated as a milled rice coproduct and assumes an environmental burden which is allocated by mass. The results of an impact assessment for climate change was used directly in a system dynamic model to plot the accumulated greenhouse gas emissions from the system and compare with various cases in order to perform sensitivity analyses. At a productivity of 334 kWh/t, the global warming potential (GWP) of the system is equal to 0.642 kg CO2-eq/MJ, which is 27% lower than the GWP of rice straw on-site burning. Mitigating biogenic methane emissions from flooded rice fields could reduce the GWP of the system by 34%, while zero net carbon emissions can be achieved at 2.78 kg CO2/kg of milled rice carbon sequestration. Other sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are the use of fossil fuels and production of chemicals for agricultural use. The use of agricultural machinery and transport lorries has the highest impact on eutrophication potential and human toxicity, while the application of pesticides and fertilizers has the highest impact on ecotoxicity. The biomass energy ratio (BER) and net energy ratio (NER) of the system is 0.065 and 1.64, respectively. The BER and NER can be improved at a higher engine efficiency from 22% to 50%. The use of electricity produced by the G/ICE system to supply farm and plant operations could reduce the environmental impact and efficiency of the process.

Assessment of Energy Efficiency of Retrofitting Existing Residential Buildings Using Multiple Energy-Saving Measures

Retrofitting of existing buildings is one of the most effective ways to decrease building energy consumptions and reduce CO2 emissions, making buildings more comfortable and sustainable. This research aims at improving the energy performance of existing buildings through minimizing lighting, cooling, and heating loads. The study has used a real case data and energy efficiency simulation using IES-VE, a software package for building energy analysis and sustainable design. A single existing family building in Jordan has been used as a case study. The paper has studied many energy saving measures based on the economical value, the technological and the architectural features of the building, in order to show how related variables could improve the building’s energy performance. The research has studied variables like roof insulation, shading devices, and double-glazing. A combination of all the strategies has resulted in an efficient retrofit measure that has helped reducing energy consumption by an average of 40% annually, controlling heat loss, and gain. Roof insulation and shading devices have been the most efficient measures for reducing energy consumption in buildings while the PV has been the most efficient as energy saving. The results of this research have approved that studying retrofit scenarios on real case and have helped to provide real measurements and real impact of applying energy measures and how to develop simulation setting. It has helped developing guidelines and references for decision and policy makers, future investments and designer based on the research results. A matrix has been developed to compromise between initial cost, performance, feasibility, payback period of retrofit technologies, and finally installation process.

Thermal inertia and energy efficiency assessment of Direct Solar Floor system using a switching-linear model

This study presents a case study of a room equipped with a Direct Solar Floor (DSF) in order to predict the true thermal and energy behaviour. DSF operation during the night by thermal inertia is a complex phenomenon, and its relative impact is proven to be influenced by many factors including the solar radiation and the thermal insulation of the slab. However, current physical models do not show this relationship efficiently. This paper will demonstrate by adopting switching linear models that this relationship can be described formally with a numerical model. In fact, the simulation models developed in literature are represented in a very simplified method and cannot be used for a detailed analysis of thermal operations of DSF. The present study aims to reduce the knowledge gap and resolve the limitations such as (i) a realistic explanation of the thermal behaviour of direct solar floor, (ii) identify the heating mode by thermal inertia in a quick and easy way and (iii) estimate the heating time by thermal inertia for a long period, which can later estimate the gain in energy consumption bring. The switching model has detected three operation modes of the Direct Solar Floor, one of which corresponds to the moment of heating by thermal inertia. The model can also evaluate the duration and the energy provided by the thermal inertia. As a result, it has been estimated at 310 h and 18.6 kWh for a test period of 1110 h, which corresponds to an average of 3.58 h per day.

Energy Efficiency Assessment of Rail Freight Transport: Freight Tram in Berlin

Freight tram systems can potentially reduce commercial road vehicle use and, consequently, reduce congestion, accidents, air pollution, noise levels, and road maintenance costs. This paper explores the new application for the urban rail system as a sustainable solution for urban freight distribution. A significant problem in using rail for urban freight is determining the most efficient tram route, in terms of related costs and accessibility for the distribution centers and end-users. The study takes a systematic approach, based on identifying scenarios, existing tramlines, traveled distances, and time durations, and appraises the scheme through an energy consumption analysis to assess a hypothetical freight tram scheme. In a German case study in Berlin, a freight tram system delivered the goods of five delivery companies from their logistics hubs in the Pankow district to a micro depot instead of to the trucks. Three different path scenarios from logistics hubs to the micro depot were developed, to make comparisons based on energy consumption. Freight tram implementation in Berlin (compared to the current situation) resulted in a reduction of more than 7 tons of CO2 emissions per year, and 60 road-vehicle-kilometers per day, in exchange for 275 MJ of daily electric consumption.

Methods and techniques for energy efficiency assessment of geotechnological facilities at opencast mines based on the in-depth analysis

The article addresses energy efficiency of geotechnological facilities at opencast mines. The energy intensity of basic processes in solid mineral mining by the opencast method using the cyclical technologies takes up to 60&ndash;70% of the total mining and haulage cost. Given the mining technology is selected, and the stripping and excavations directions and procedures are determined, the potential for reduction in the geotechnology energy intensity lies in a proper choice of models of mining/haulage equipment, its duty and operation conditions. First of all, it is required to develop an energy efficiency methodology. This article reveals the possibility and potential of actual energy efficiency improvement in mines using the most widespread opencast method. The proposed approach assumes the in-depth analysis as an essential factor of the energy efficiency improvement of geotechnology facilities at opencast mines. The in-depth analysis should ensure real-time monitoring and assessment of energy consumption governed by the duty and operation conditions of the main mining and haulage equipment. The implementation of the proposed approach requires appropriate methods and techniques to take into account all factors that affect the mining and haulage equipment performance. This makes it possible to evaluate energy efficiency with due regard to the energy consumption and the nature of this energy integration by shares in the energy flows within the technology process. The studies emphasize that energy saving is a conventional key objective in mining. To this effect, it is required to ensure mechanical availability of mining and haulage machines, to monitor fuel consumption, to plan and control energy intensity based on the expected extraction volume per planned period. In the meanwhile, the research implemented reveals that opencast mines can essentially improve their energy efficiency in case of an appropriate backup with the relevant methods and techniques.