Energy Auditing

In Previous Unit, you have studied about energy accounting, which is an integral part of energy management and conservation. You have learnt that energy accounting helps us measure and account for energy inputs, energy consumption and energy losses in a power distribution system right from generating stations to the consumer end. Energy audit goes hand-in-hand with energy accounting. Actually, good energy management begins with an energy audit.

Energy audit is one of the most important tools for energy conservation and for achieving energy efficiency. It provides the means to identify the areas of leakage, wastage or inefficient use. It helps in identifying measures suitable for reduction of T&D losses. Thus, it helps in effective management of energy consumption and can lead to significant cost and energy savings as well as increased comfort, lower maintenance costs, and extended equipment life.

Therefore, in this unit, we discuss the concept and process of energy audit in relation to the power distribution sector. We would like to sensitise you to the importance of energy audit so that you can appreciate its need in a power utility. In the next unit, you will learn about demand-side management, which is an effective way of bringing about energy conservation.