Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland – National Energy Services Framework
Energy Performance Contracts
Handbook
Sample Document: LESC Preliminary Feasibility
Assessment Template
September 2014
1
Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland – National Energy Services Framework
2
Preliminary Feasibility Assessment
for
Local Energy Supply Contract
for
[Client Name]
[Facility Location]
[Logo (optional)]
Prepared by
[Energy Advisor Personal Name, Professional Qualifications]
[Advisor Employer/Trading Name if applicable]
[EA Logo]
Report Date: [dd mmm yy]
SEAI TA Ref. No.: [xxxxx]
SEAI PS Client ID: [PS Client ID / not applicable]
Guidance (for deletion)
SEAI recommends that this report be completed by a suitably qualified, experienced
and independent Energy Advisor with the objective of establishing if there is a
financially viable project and what the scope of that project is; if there is not a viable
project, further effort can be saved.
This template is to be used by the client/host’s Energy Advisor (“EA”, i.e. consultant or
other) for preparation of a Preliminary Feasibility Assessment report where the
client/host has received Technical Assistance from SEAI.
It is intended that this be a Preliminary Feasibility Assessment, not a fully costed and
analysed Feasibility Study; the difference being the time/effort that goes into
quantifying savings and capital costs. This Preliminary Feasibility Assessment should
be conservative on the low side when estimating savings and conservative on the high
side when estimating costs.
The EA should familiarise their self with the layout of this report and plan to put the
appropriate information in the appropriate location. One should follow the logical
progression of the report, rather than writing the entire report in section 1 or 2!
For calculations and tables the accompanying spreadsheet template has been provided.
The spreadsheet should contain all the EA’s workings, assumptions and be fully
transparent, with annotations where calculation methodology is not obvious. Tables
may be pasted from the spreadsheet into this report as appropriate.
We recommend the EA:
 Draws extensively from available documentation and factual data, such as
utility bills, drawings, maintenance logs.
 Applies rules of thumb where appropriate, but notes these as assumptions and
the source.
 Provides capital budget figures based on foreseeable scope of works, previous
experience of similar projects and associated rules of thumb.
Where fuel switching occurs, savings may be quantified based on both differences in
current average fuel prices (where there is a fuel conversion aspect to the project) and
expected seasonal efficiencies of existing and proposed installations. Avoid using
different indexation factors for different fuels in the future unless these can be clearly
justified. Indeed, using a fuel cost indexation factor which is above the general rate of
inflation is likely to be difficult to justify and will be subject to close scrutiny.
In some cases it may be necessary for the client to install some metering, or the EA to
install some temporary metering, to facilitate completion of this assessment.
If there are a number of buildings, particularly in different locations, a number of
separate reports with a single overall summary may be easier to complete and review.
If boiler condensing modules are to be used, explain how the low temperatures
required to extract the latent heat will be achieved.
The source of any information or data should be clearly referenced.
Provide a discounted cash flow analysis for the project as a whole (not client
perspective or ESCO perspective).
Client requirements should be clearly identified.
3
Avoid specifying the final design unless it is a client requirement. The more flexibility
the ESCOs have on the design, the better use can be made of their expertise. The
specification should be focussed on outcomes (e.g. peak and annual heat supply
requirements).
As a professional assessor you should provide an independent and fresh assessment of
options, with the objective of establishing if there is a financially viable project. If there
is not a viable project at the heart of this, then that is a valuable finding as it prevents
further effort being wasted.
In this template:
 Text within [square brackets] should be replaced with client-specific text.
 Text in grey consists of instructions to the Energy Advisor and should be deleted
or replaced as appropriate, before submission of the report to the client / SEAI.
 The normal black text should be left in the final version of the report – unless it
is inappropriate. Body text is Times New Roman 12. Main section headings are
Times New Roman 14 Bold. Sub-headings are Times New Roman 12 Bold.
Please maintain the formatting of this document.
 Tables, including spreadsheet, use Arial 10.
Include any photographs in a separate Appendix to this report. Only include
photographs if they add value to the report. Include appropriate captions and
references from the main body of the report to accompany the photographs.
Prior to printing to PDF, check the layout, page breaks and update the table of
contents.
A draft of the report (and spreadsheet) should be submitted for client review and
updated as appropriate. The finalised report is to be submitted by the client to SEAI as
part of the claim for Technical Assistance. If, on review, SEAI deem it inadequate or of
poor quality, SEAI reserves the right to withhold the Technical Assistance payment
from the client.
Executive Summary
To follow the main points of each section of the report. Maximum 2 pages.
Insert here existing energy use and spend (words or condensed version of table used in
Section 2.1).
Insert here conclusions, in particular:

Benchmark chart – existing energy/m2 versus proposed versus typical versus
good practice for each utility. This provides an overall sense-check.

Total investment budget €

Expected savings €

Simple paybackyears

Note any un-quantified benefits.
4
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1
INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................ 6
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
2
EXISTING ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND PERFORMANCE ...................... 10
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6
2.7
3
SITE VISITS .............................................................................................................................. 6
OBJECTIVES ............................................................................................................................. 6
DESCRIPTION OF SITE & SCOPE OF ASSESSMENT ..................................................................... 7
HEATING INSTALLATION.......................................................................................................... 8
ESSENTIAL WORKS .................................................................................................................. 8
OVERALL ANNUAL CONSUMPTION ........................................................................................ 10
ENERGY LOAD PROFILE ......................................................................................................... 11
MAIN ENERGY CONSUMERS .................................................................................................. 13
ENERGY PERFORMANCE ........................................................................................................ 14
RECENT/EXISTING ENERGY-SAVING INITIATIVES .................................................................. 16
FURTHER OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENERGY SAVINGS ................................................................. 16
CONCLUSIONS ........................................................................................................................ 16
OPTIONS & ANALYSIS .......................................................................................... 18
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.6
OPTIONS ................................................................................................................................ 18
BASE CASE ............................................................................................................................ 18
OPTION A – [TITLE] ............................................................................................................... 18
OPTION B – [TITLE] ................................................................................................................ 19
DISCOUNTED CASH FLOW ANALYSES.................................................................................... 19
RECOMMENDATIONS.............................................................................................................. 20
4
LOCAL ENERGY SUPPLY CONTRACT CONSIDERATIONS ....................... 21
5
METER AND DATA REQUIREMENTS ............................................................... 22
5.1 ENERGY METERS, MONITORING AND DATA .......................................................................... 22
5.2 ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS & STATIC FACTORS .............................................................. 23
6
CONCLUSIONS & NEXT STEPS........................................................................... 24
APPENDIX A .................................................................................................................... 25
5
Introduction
1
1.1
Site Visit
Organisation Name:
[Client Name]
Site Name &
Address:
[Address]
Buildings included:
SEAI Client ID:
[SEAI Public Body Client ID / not applicable]
Dates of Visits:
[dd mmm yy]
[dd mmm yy]
Energy Advisor:
[EA name and relevant professional qualifications]
[EA trading name/company where different]
[EA email address]
[EA phone number]
Visit Hosted by:
[Name of individual(s)]
[Energy Advisor] undertook a Preliminary LESC Feasibility Assessment of [site name]
under the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland’s (SEAI) National Energy Services
Framework Programme.
Give a brief summary of the visits – areas toured, focus of discussions, etc. Do not
include the site description here (which should be included in section 1.3).
1.2
Objectives
The objective of the assessment is primarily to assess the viability of implementing an
LESC Contract by:



Evaluating existing energy use, using a suitable energy performance indicator,
to ensure the potential for energy savings has already been addressed (or will be
addressed) and thereby protect against future energy conservation measures
changing the parameters on which a local energy supply contract would be
based.
Evaluating facility energy supply requirements (i.e. peak heat load and annual
energy use) to assist in the sizing and design of the energy supply installation,
based on historical energy use and foreseeable developments.
Evaluating different technology alternatives that may be suitable with a view to
identifying technically and economically viable options.
6





Providing initial concept overview, and indicative costs and savings associated
with each option.
Identifying any special considerations and essential client requirements to be
incorporated in the works (such as boiler replacement). Consideration will be
given to the incorporation of energy from existing equipment in the energy
supply contract.
Identifying additional metering and recording intervals that will improve the
quality of bids (such as heat metering to facilitate boiler sizing).
Identify any potential technical, financial or other risks to the project as
currently defined.
Identifying other benefits, including renewal of plant which has reached end of
life or resolution of comfort issues. These may need to be quantified.
This Preliminary LESC Feasibility Assessment is not a fully costed and analysed
“investment grade” Feasibility Study and has been completed in a relatively short
period of time using readily available site information, sector performance indicators,
and rules of thumb. It is a concise, or walkthrough assessment that has been prepared
with all reasonable skill, care and diligence possible within a short period of time. All
figures are indicative. In the event that all or part of this report is circulated to ESCO
Tenderers, neither the author nor the Client accept liability or responsibility for the
accuracy or completeness of the information contained herein, which is classified as
‘verifiable’, i.e. the Tenderer is at liberty to verify any or all of such information.
The contents of this report provide the basis for completion of the Energy Contracting
Handbook – Stage 2.
Note that the client will use this report to help assess which contract option –
traditional, EPRP, LESC – is most appropriate and should give each due
consideration. The report up to Section 5 should be agnostic as to which contract
option is most suitable. In Section 6 the EA may assist the client in this decision by
identify considerations for each. Most importantly, the EA should not write the report
like the final contract option (e.g. LESC) is a foregone conclusion – this is a client
decision.
1.3
Description of Site & Scope of Assessment
Give a brief overview description of site – location, age, size, activities, staff levels,
shift system, etc.
If there are multiple buildings, list the ones included in the scope of assessment in the
table below; otherwise give the same information for the building in question.
Identify any expansion plans and advise if/how these are of relevance.
The client may have identified the scope “we want to replace Boiler 1 with a biomass
one”, but the EA should bring a fresh perspective as to what the logical scope might
be. For instance, the EA might propose replacement of all boilers, create a district
heating system, or propose a different technology. Consider the different options and
make the case for the chosen scope of assessment here.
7
Building
Name
Floor
Area
Year of
Construction
BER / DEC
Rating
(specify
if Gross
Internal
or Total
Useful
Floor
Area)
(for
applicable
building
regulations)
(include date
issued)
Comments
This assessment includes the following network utilities:


[Electricity?]
[Natural gas?]
This assessment includes the following non-network utilities:


1.4
[LPG?]
[Other - specify]
Heating Installation
Provide description of existing energy generation, distribution and heat emitter
installation included in the scope of this assessment.
Identify existing meter points.
Identify design and operating flow-return temperatures.
Identify any issues, particularly comfort issues associated with over/under heating.
Calculate or estimate seasonal efficiency; if heat data is not available, a combustion
flue gas analysis may assist (seasonal efficiency will be lower); if estimated, then
provide rationale for the estimate.
1.5
Essential Works
Identify any works the client regards as an essential element to include in any works
contract. These must be assessed for budgetary cost and savings as part of this
assessment. It may emerge during this analysis that such essential works are not costeffective to implement, even as part of the overall works contract: this is ultimately a
client decision.
8
9
2
2.1
Existing Energy Consumption and Performance
Overall Annual Consumption
Give an overview of the overall annual energy consumption / spend. Include the AUP of each energy. [Client Name]’s annual energy
consumption is set out in Table 1.
Table 1: Annual Energy Consumption & Energy Costs
Copy & paste Table 1 from spreadsheet – sheet entitled ‘Table 1 - Energy Consumption’.
Tip: Delete any non-relevant (blank) rows to make the table look neater.
Tip: If you cut down the table because you are only using some columns/rows and you think it will look better on a portrait page, then change
the page orientation from landscape to portrait. If you do this, you should also delete the 2 section breaks at the bottom of this page and at
the bottom of the preceding page.
Tip: The yellow shading can be removed from the table once it has been copied into MS Word by selecting the entire table, and clicking
Format -> Borders and Shading -> Shading -> No Fill -> OK
If you have more refined data, particularly data for individual buildings, and monthly data, include here or in an appendix and reference it
here. The appendix may be a spreadsheet.
10
2.2
Energy Load Profile
The objective of this section is to provide the energy load profile information to assist in sizing the heat generator and projecting annual
energy use.
If the above Annual Consumption is aggregated from several separate heating systems, only some of which will be relevant, figures should
only be for the relevant heating system(s) (and this should be clear to the reader).
The type of data presented (e.g. monthly, weekly, daily, quarter hourly) will depend on what data is available and what the considerations are
(e.g. monthly load profile information tells us about energy use, but not about peak load or plant operating hours); use professional
judgement. If a wide range of data is being included, high level data may be presented here, with more detailed data in an appendix – a
relatively small number of key charts should tell the story.
Data should be presented in chart format and should be converted to kWh (state conversion factor).
Clearly identify if data is fuel (and fuel type) or heat.
Insert interval load data for electricity consumption where this is available from the MRSO.
We identified the aggregated annual heating load profile from the following systems summarised in [Table 2].
Paste in Table 2 from spreadsheet – sheet entitled ‘Energy Load Profile’. Adjust to fit.
For instance, in the case of a heating project, identifying different heating loads and associated temperature requirements will be of value. If
underpinning calculations are prepared in the accompanying spreadsheet, complete the tables in the spreadsheet and paste the results in
here. Where no data is available, estimates may be used, or the percentage may be omitted noting “Insufficient Data Available”.
Seasonal efficiency accounts for heat loss during periods that the boiler is “idling” to maintain its internal temperature while the building is
not calling for heat. An accurate description of seasonal efficiency would be the closest approximation of the boiler’s actual performance in a
particular building.
Table 2: Summary of Aggregated Annual Energy Load
Profiles
11
Thermal Energy Consumer
Fuel
consumption
kWh
Existing
Seasonal
efficiency
%
Heating
consumpti
on kWh
[e.g. building/system name process steam, process hot
water, domestic hot water, etc]
[e.g. building/system name process steam, process hot
water, domestic hot water, etc]
[e.g. building/system name,
process steam, process hot
water, domestic hot water, etc]
Total
12
Flow
temp
deg C
Return
temp
deg C
Details / Additional
Information
2.3
Main Energy Consumers
The main energy consumers at the site that have been quantified for this assessment are
summarised in [Tables 3 & 4 below].
In the tables below identify the main energy consumers at the site and, where possible,
their share of total where doing so is of value to the report. Delete table 3 if electricity is
not in the scope of this report.
Table 3: Summary of Primary Electrical Energy Consumers
% of
Total
Electrical Energy Consumer
Comments
[e.g. compressed air, chillers, motors
& drives, air conditioning, space
heating etc]
[e.g. compressed air, chillers, motors
& drives, air conditioning, space
heating etc]
[e.g. compressed air, chillers, motors
& drives, air conditioning, space
heating etc]
[e.g. compressed air, chillers, motors
& drives, air conditioning, space
heating etc]
Table 4: Summary of Primary Thermal Energy Consumers
% of
Total
Thermal Energy Consumer
Space Heating and Domestic Hot
Water, Process Steam, space Heating
etc.
Space Heating and Domestic Hot
Water, Process Steam, space Heating
etc.
Space Heating and Domestic Hot
Water, Process Steam, space Heating
etc.
Space Heating and Domestic Hot
Water, Process Steam, space Heating
etc.
13
Comments
2.4
Energy Performance
The objective of this section is to establish the potential for energy demand savings. If so,
this may reduce heat load in the future, changing the project parameters. A key finding
may be that energy efficiency upgrade works should be done prior to, or in conjunction
with, the proposed heating / CHP/ renewable project that is the subject of this feasibility
assessment.
Energy Performance Indicators
The term “Energy Performance Indicator” is used here to reflect trends in energy use in
that facility over time, normalised so that inter-year data is comparable. For instance, hotel
electricity use might be corrected for occupancy, or fossil fuel use might be corrected for
weather (degree days). In some cases there may be no annual normalisation required, e.g.
office building electricity use where there is not a significant cooling load. It is not
intended to spend time on an elaborate analysis, merely to understand if normalised energy
use is rising, falling, or staying the same.
The existing EnPIs at the site that have been quantified for this assessment are summarised
in Tables 5 below. Give details of EnPIs in use at site – definitions & recent values. If
none, then say so.
Table 5: Energy Performance Indicators
If there are EnPI’s (or you have produced any), copy & paste Table 5 from spreadsheet –
sheet entitled ‘Table 5 - EnPIs’. Otherwise delete this text.
If there are historical DEC ratings for the building, provide these as they illustrate a
trend. Ideally chart the DEC values for each DEC year.
Use other EnPIs where it is useful to do so.
Benchmarks
The term “Benchmark” is used here to reflect a comparison of this facilities existing and
projected energy use (i.e. when energy saving measures proposed herein are implemented)
with industry norms. Benchmarks give an indication of existing performance, the potential
for further savings and a sense check for the overall savings that this audit has identified.
Table 6: Energy Benchmarks
Example table: modify/delete as appropriate, copy & paste Table 6 from spreadsheet sheet entitled ‘Table 6 - Benchmarks’.
[Benchmark Name &
source] kWh/m2/p.a.
Electricity
Existing
14
Fossil Fuel
Other
Projected
Good Practice
53
103
Typical
67
169
Example text: The fossil fuel use of 80kWh per m² is projected to fall to 50kWh per m2 if
all the energy conservation measures are implemented. This reduction, whilst significant,
is reasonable as the projected energy use will be in line with “Good Practice”
benchmarks for the sector.
[Benchmark Name] Electrical Performance Breakdown of Energy Consumption
(kWh)
Example chart: replace with your chart from spreadsheet
[Benchmark name, e.g. Open Plan Office]
Electricity, kWh/m2
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Existing
Projected
Good Practice
Typical
[Benchmark Name] Fossil Fuel Performance Breakdown of Energy Consumption
(kWh)
Example chart: replace with your chart from spreadsheet
15
[Benchmark name, e.g. Open Plan Office]
Fossil Fuel, kWh/m2
250
200
150
100
50
0
Existing
2.5
Projected
Good Practice
Typical
Recent/Existing Energy-Saving Initiatives
Give a summary of energy-saving initiatives that have been implemented at the site (if
any). By discussing work done to date with the facilities staff you will get an indication of
their progress and the remaining potential for further savings; for instance, have the
facilities staff been working steadily and plucked the low-hanging fruit, or is there good
potential for easy savings?
2.6
Further Opportunities for Energy Savings
Identify any further opportunities, which you are likely to have established through client
discussion and site inspection. If there are proposed / mooted initiatives that have not yet
been implemented and you believe that they are still worthwhile, include them. This is not
an energy survey, so the measures need not be very specific and a list is adequate.
Acknowledge any contribution from client in identifying these measures.
2.7
Conclusions
The main points to conclude here are:
Overall energy use and cost, AUPs (Section 2.1 )
Characteristics of heat load under consideration (Section 2.2)
Annual heat load
Peak heat load of area(s) served.
What this energy is used for (Section 2.3)
Energy efficiency (performance) of the facility, whether or not energy efficiency should be
improved, and when this should be done (e.g. before LESC, simultaneous to, in
conjunction with, after or at any time). (Sections 2.3, 2.4, 2.5)
16
From a contractual standpoint, the annual heat usage and peak heat load are important
contract elements and it is essential that these be established. If they could not be
established as part of this study, then you must identify what information (e.g. metering) is
required for the client to establish the peak load.
Based on the information provided above, it is our view that: select/modify/add as
appropriate [the energy efficiency of the facility should be improved prior to entering / is
adequate and should not preclude entering into a local energy supply contract]. Continue...
17
3
3.1
Options & Analysis
Options
This section discusses options – technologies, installation arrangements, combining
existing with new, different boiler sizes, different fuel types. Although the theoretical range
of options is infinite, professional judgement should distil this to a small number of
sensible choices worthy of discussion and possibly some analysis. It should be clear that
some other options have been reviewed and eliminated.
Once main options are identified, provide to an appropriate level of detail:
Overview of proposed installation and how it would work. Include plant sizes, fuel storage
requirements, plant room requirements
Installation, commissioning, and maintenance requirements and associated costs
Energy savings – fossil fuel – associated with improved boiler efficiency, control.
Similarly for electrical savings, e.g. high efficiency pumps
New energy use quantities, which may be a mix of oil, LPG and biomass
Fuel prices
3.2
Base Case
You should discuss the base case. This is generally the existing installation, but if existing
is at end of life and must be replaced anyway, the next lowest capital cost option is the
base case; this would typically be to replace the end of life plant with similar but high
efficiency equivalents, e.g. replace existing boiler with higher efficiency modern (and
possibly condensing boiler). Using a higher cost base case – such as a budget to replace
existing end of life installation with something similar – will improve the rate of the return
of the project. However, if there is no budget to replace the existing installation, such an
approach may be inappropriate and will cause confusion later when a budget for the full
cost of the project is set against its savings.
3.3
Option A – [title]
Use subheadings, such as 3.3.1, as appropriate. Select ‘Style Heading 2 +Times New
Roman to Match Selection’ for subheading text only. Select ‘Normal’ for paragraph text.
Start with the most basic option, which may be to upgrade the existing boilers using the
existing fuel. That may not be what everybody is thinking of, but it is likely to be the lowest
initial cost option.
Overview of this option’s proposed installation and how it would work. Include plant
sizes. Rationale for a particular boiler size should be clear.
Installation requirements and associated costs.
Include site specific considerations.
18
Identify any technical requirements.
Energy savings – fossil fuel – associated with improved boiler efficiency, control.
Similarly for electrical savings, e.g. high efficiency pumps.
New energy use quantities, which may be a mix of oil, LPG and biomass
Fuel prices
The level of detail and time invested here should be appropriate – consider this is a
preliminary study, your time budget, the number of options that need to be discussed, the
quality of data available.
3.4
Option B – [title]
Overview of this option’s proposed installation and how it would work. Include plant
sizes. Rationale for a particular boiler size should be clear.
Installation requirements and associated costs.
Energy savings – fossil fuel – associated with improved boiler efficiency, control.
Similarly for electrical savings, e.g. high efficiency pumps.
New energy use quantities, which may be a mix of oil, LPG and biomass
Fuel prices
The level of detail and time invested here should be appropriate – consider this is a
preliminary study, your time budget, the number of options that need to be discussed, the
quality of data available.
Add more Options as appropriate.
3.5
Discounted Cash Flow Analyses
Summary results of DCF analysis for each option as described above. Include any
assumptions and outcome of each option against base case.
Life of installation
Initial capital cost Expect IRR calculation and NPV plus discount rate (where discount
rate provided by client).
Operating costs, including fuel costs
Maintenance costs (including any overhauls)
Identify recommended solution. Different data analyses should be included in Appendix.
A DCF analysis tool is available from SEAI.
19
3.6
Recommendations
Based on the above you may recommend one particular option as the clear winner, or
perhaps two for further evaluation; if further evaluation is required, be specific about
what is required (and why you couldn’t do that evaluation as part of this exercise).
20
4
Local Energy Supply Contract Considerations
The above examined different options from a technical and economic standpoint,
irrespective of potential LESC. This section is for your input on how an LESC might work
at this facility and with this client; it is not for general LESC advice.
Of particular interest is the likely scope of the contract and associated energy supply
meter point. The key decision will be if energy from the existing equipment will be
included in the scope of supply for the energy supply contract.
If the scope is limited to, for instance, a new biomass boiler in an existing heating system
then the meter point will be heat supplied to the client at boiler (or buffer vessel) output;
If the scope is to include both the new boiler and any existing client boilers, then the meter
point will be heat out of the entire system; electricity use by the boiler house may be
included in the scope (i.e. the ESCO is invoiced for electricity use and this netted off the
payment for the heat supplied).
If the scope is to include the district heating network, then the meter points will probably
be the secondary side of the heat exchangers; electricity use by the energy centre and
district heating pumps may be included in the scope (i.e. the ESCO is invoiced for
electricity use and this netted off the payment for the heat supplied).
Alert the client to any particular LESC pitfalls of which you are aware.
21
5
5.1
Meter and Data Requirements
Energy Meters, Monitoring and Data
The objectives here are (a) identify existing meter and monitoring infrastructure (b) to
identify further meter and monitoring requirements (c) to identify data requirements, so
the client can put in place the infrastructure and begin gathering this data once they
receive this report. The tables below should address all three.
Further data may be required for a more accurate analysis of the heat load characteristics
with a view to sizing the unit; this may involve fuel metering/logging or heat
metering/logging and may involve additional metering.
A LESC is a likely to be a heat supply contract at a particular measurement point
identified in Section 4. The LESC is likely to specify a maximum (peak) heat load [kW]
and an annual heat use range [kWh]. This has two implications (a) while an
understanding of existing use is important, it is not required as a “baseline” against
which future use will be compared (b) a heat meter (and logger) will be required in any
case. If a heat meter is going to be required in any case, it may make sense to install one
now and using this to improve understanding of the heat load characteristics.
From a contractual standpoint, the annual heat usage and peak heat load are important
contract elements and it is essential that these be established. If they could not be
established as part of this study, then identify what information (e.g. metering) is required
for the client to establish.
SEAI “Sample Document LESC Technical File Baseline Data.docx”, which is intended for
the next stage (i.e. Stage 3) provides further information and may be worth considering.
Existing Installation
Meter
Location & Area
Metered
Data Requirements
Further requirements
Meter
Location & Area
Metered
Monitoring & Data Requirements
22
5.2
Environmental Conditions & Static Factors
If there is a risk that areas are under-heated, this should be noted and an assessment as to
why it is underheated may be required. You may recommend installation of space
temperature loggers in such locations and/or logging of circuit flow/return temperatures.
Logging of flow and return temperatures at the point of heat supply is particularly
important, as the design may be 82degC flow and 71degC return, but actual operating
temperatures may differ in different heat load conditions.
The following environmental data should be recorded.
Insert additional information here or in Appendix (and refer to here).
Sensor
Location & Area
Metered
Monitoring requirements
Insert a
name for the
sensor (may
be BMS
name)
Identify the physical
location for the sensor
and area it will meter
(unless obvious)
May be possible to record using BMS if
client sets up a log file. Otherwise the
client may need to install local logging
devices.
Complete for all
sensors. Temperature
at least. RH may not
be required.
Avoid too many as it will result in too
much data – try to pick representative
areas and extreme areas.
Insert additional information here or in Appendix (and refer to here).
23
6
Conclusions & Next Steps
This is not an executive summary. Identify the main conclusions. Include peak heat load,
annual heat usage; if it has not been possible to establish these with sufficient accuracy,
then describe what is required to address this.
Total investment budget [€
Expected savings[€
Simple payback[
]
]
years]
Discuss the viability of the project – as an indication, an overall payback of 5-8 years is
generally viable. Then identify the factors that make this project viable or not, e.g. fuel
switching is likely to provide a good boost, but fabric upgrades will have a long payback.
If the payback is very short, suggest the client do it without LESC or perhaps add some
energy efficiency works with longer paybacks. Sometimes essential client requirements are
cost-of-ownership projects (such as replacing end of life plant) that may undermine the
commercial viability; in such cases the client may co-fund those works either as a capital
cost or an annual contribution to repay the ESCO/financier, or a long term payback may
be acceptable.
Identify other benefits, including renewal of plant which has reached end of life or
resolution of comfort issues. These may need to be quantified.
Identify any potential technical, financial or other risks to the project as currently defined.
Advise of any limitations of the assessment (e.g. lack of energy data) and, if appropriate,
recommend revisiting the study after this has been resolved. Avoid doing so unnecessarily:
you may have captured the essence of things and further refinement will only improve
reliability of the data, but not change the figures significantly.
Identify any special considerations and important assumptions.
The reader is referred to the LESC Handbook for further steps.
24
Appendix A
Complete / delete as appropriate
25