Large energy users urged to consider equipment sizing under new EU Energy Efficiency Directive

Published:  14 November, 2023

Following the European Union’s launch of a new Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) to reduce emissions across the continent earlier this month, energy solutions specialist Aggreko is encouraging businesses to make sure their energy needs are being correctly specified.

The new legislation was adopted by the European Parliament and the Council earlier this year, and went into effect on the 10th October. It sets out a plan to reduce energy consumption, including establishing a legally binding target to reduce the EU’s final energy consumption by 11.7% by 2030.

With this target in sight, businesses must take steps to reduce their energy output, though inefficiency of current on-site solutions could be standing in the way of achieving this goal. Aggreko is therefore advocating that businesses assess their current options and identify if their current equipment has been specified correctly.

Chris Rason, Managing Director of Aggreko Energy Services said: “Making energy savings may seem like a daunting task, but through re-evaluating your current energy needs, opportunities may open up for reductions.

“For example, making sure equipment is matched to its application and not oversized is an easy way to make reductions. Incorrect specification can lead to excess energy being used, leading to higher and unexpected costs.”

Having a system that has been incorrectly specified can cause issues with meeting green targets. For example, a generator that is running in an inefficient setup could be swapped out for multiple, smaller generators. This can create an optimum load-on-demand system, where output can be scaled up or down in accordance with demand. Following this plan can generate energy savings, as generators will only run when they are required to meet the load, instead of having a single generator running constantly at a lower load.

Aggreko is keen to help businesses access the latest technology to seek savings. Remote monitoring, for example, is a smart way to evaluate energy performance for equipment over time, allowing users to identify and subsequently rectify inefficiencies quickly and efficiently. It presents live data that can be analysed and evaluated, giving customers the insights to make their energy system as efficient as possible.

The company is also working with companies to assess where battery energy storage solutions (BESS) may also hold the answer to create savings. During low demand the battery can take over the load, allowing the generator to be switched off for zero-emissions power. The battery can also be used for assisted startup to meet the initial power requirement, meaning a smaller, non-oversized generator can be used to meet the standard load once operational.

“Correct specification of your energy needs can go a long way to providing energy savings,” added Rason, saying “With a variety of options that can assist with downsizing an over specified system, there is a lot of scope for simple ways to save on your energy costs.”

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