Energy optimisation in industry

Reduce energy losses

To achieve an effective energy optimisation approach, it is essential to reduce losses of all kinds, in particular leaks on utility networks. Air is an easily accessible commodity. However, it requires a lot of energy to make compressed air. Compressors work automatically to maintain supply networks at the required pressure levels.

Given the increase in energy and maintenance costs, compressed air leaks can no longer be considered to be “acceptable”. They cause excess electricity consumption by compressors and the resulting associated costs.

Financial savings can be made by reconfiguring these networks:

• alternating compressor operation
• permanent shutdown of certain redundant compressors
• reduced maintenance costs due to less stress on compressors
• etc.

A programme compliant with ISO 50001

Bureau Veritas supports industry in designing and implementing energy management systems in compliance with ISO 50001. Our programme is aimed at sites of all sizes.

• The optimised organisation of our leak detection and repair support programmes generates rapid return on investment (< 5 months).
• Bureau Veritas proposes an optimised method assisted by its software GEF Utilities. It can be used to carry out leak detection programmes to reduce fugitive emissions of all “Utility” fluids. The leak detection technology used quantifies the flow rates of the associated emissions. We can therefore estimate the annual financial losses caused by each leak. This technology can detect leaks that are both accessible and inaccessible (remote detection and measurement).

Our missions observe the requirements of:

• the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) 2010/75/EU
• European Directive 2012/27/EU on energy efficiency (French law no. 2013-619 of 16 July 2013): obligation for businesses with over 250 employees to carry out an energy audit

Methodology and fluids covered

Our computer-assisted field services implement a single tried and tested methodology based on our extensive experience. Whatever the fluid measured, the methodology remains the same. Only the detection tools change.

We can detect leaks on accessible and inaccessible equipment (under insulation or overhead).

After each measurement programme, we deliver a report including multiple analyses:

• By type of network
• By type of source
• List of leaks
• Repair orders (indication of leaks on drawings, images of leaks)
• Financial analysis of quantified leaks (for each fluid)
• - etc.

The main fluids for which we can optimise your utility networks are:

• Compressed air
• Nitrogen (N2)
• Natural gas (CH4)
• Ammonia (NH3)
• Carbon dioxide (CO2)
• Carbon monoxide (CO)
• Refrigerants (HFC, CFC, HCFC, etc.)
• Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6)
• Oxygen (O2)
• Hydrogen (H2)
• Sulphur dioxide (SO2)
• Water vapour
• and many other fluids.