Training on implementing Energy Mapping Tool

Low carbon development in industry

Training on implementing Energy Mapping Tool

14:19 - 19/08/2024

The training aims to enhance the capabilities of energy managers, energy auditors, and energy experts in developing energy mapping to improve the energy management and utilization in key energy-intensive enterprises.

On the afternoon of August 16, 2024, the "Training on Implementing Energy Mapping Tools" took place in a hybrid format, combining online and in-person participation. This activity is part of Component 3 – Low Carbon Development in Industry of the DEPP3 Program. The training attracted over 65 participants from auditing units and industrial enterprises involved in the Voluntary Agreement Program on Energy Efficiency in the industrial sector in Vietnam (VAS).

According to Mr. Rahul Raju Dusa, Special Advisor at the Danish Energy Agency, energy mapping is the fundamental first step required in an energy audit according to international standards. Following this, participants will gain a comprehensive overview of energy utilization at a facility, from which they can propose a roadmap and priority solutions for saving energy to enhance energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions as per client requirements.

“Today’s training will provide fundamental principles and basic approaches for developing energy mapping. Additionally, experts will present specific examples and common challenges encountered while using the tools, to help organizations better utilize the tools,” Mr. Rahul Raju Dusa shared.

Mr. Rahul Raju Dusa, Special Advisor, Danish Energy Agencies.

This activity is under a series of capacity-building initiatives for participants in the VAS Program, which includes domestic energy audit units and industrial enterprises involved in the VAS Program.

The program is currently providing technical support to 14 companies in key energy-intensive industries to conduct energy audits according to international standards and perform in-depth technical studies to identify significant and feasible energy-efficient potentials. The VAS Program plans to expand the number of key energy-intensive enterprises participating in various industries between now and mid-2025.

Energy efficiency has now become a mandatory requirement for key energy-intensive enterprises in specific and industrial businesses in general that wish to enhance their competitiveness and participate in the international supply chain. Therefore, improving the capacity of energy audit units to help businesses identify significant and feasible energy-efficient solutions is essential.

During the training session, Danish experts introduced the fundamental issues related to using energy mapping tools, including approaches, principles, typical examples, common challenges, and effective tool usage for developing energy-efficient projects.

According to the Danish experts, the basic principle of energy mapping is to provide an overview of the energy utilization situation at a production facility under specific conditions. For instance, by examining the Energy Process Flow Diagram (EDFD), energy managers can identify major energy consumption areas, the extent of energy losses, and unmanaged areas (outside the diagram). Based on this information, energy managers and auditors can collaboratively discuss to find ways to optimize the production process, propose priority solutions, and develop appropriate roadmaps to achieve energy efficiency and emission reduction goals.

Illustrative Example of an Energy Process Flow Diagram

The Danish experts also shared insights on the basic structure required for an energy map. Depending on the specific conditions of the enterprise and the sector, the diagrams may have unique characteristics. The tool allows auditors to customize data flexibly and add or remove major energy-consuming systems in the diagram to match the actual situation.

Basic components of an energy map.

To help energy audit units and enterprises better understand the practical application of the tool, the Danish experts provided an example from a Danish food ingredient company. By using the energy mapping, the company identified high-energy-consuming processes and implemented optimization solutions such as heat recovery and upgrading the cooling system. These solutions resulted in a 70% reduction in energy consumption and a 100% reduction in emissions.

During the training, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Ha, an energy expert from a long-established energy consulting firm in Vietnam, mentioned that the tool is very useful and intuitive. However, he also highlighted a challenge faced by energy audit units in collecting data for the diagram, especially when dealing with companies that have outdated machinery and non-standard installations.

The Danish experts also acknowledged this as a real challenge for companies and energy audit units in utilizing the tool. To help address this issue, the DEPP3 Program will organize more training activities in the near future to enhance the ability of using the tools, improve the quality of audit reports, and strengthen the capacity for conducting in-depth studies. The goal is to support enterprises in implementing energy efficiency projects, yielding long-term benefits for businesses and contributing to the goal of energy efficiency in the industrial sector.

Hoang Duong