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Auditing and Analysis of Natural Gas Consumptions in Small- and Medium-Sized Industrial Facilities in the Greater Toronto Area for Energy Conservation Opportunities

Author

Listed:
  • Altamash Ahmad Baig

    (Mechanical, Industrial and Mechatronics Engineering Department, Toronto Metropolitan University, 350 Victoria Street, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada)

  • Alan S. Fung

    (Mechanical, Industrial and Mechatronics Engineering Department, Toronto Metropolitan University, 350 Victoria Street, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada)

  • Rakesh Kumar

    (Mechanical, Industrial and Mechatronics Engineering Department, Toronto Metropolitan University, 350 Victoria Street, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada)

Abstract

This paper presents the findings of fifteen energy audits conducted on industrial sites in Canada’s Greater Toronto Area (GTA). The audits covered a range of industries including food processing, packaged goods, and finishing processes (powder-coating). The primary focus of the audits was to analyze the natural gas consumption and the performance of major-gas-consuming equipment. The audits identified natural-gas-consuming equipment that could be optimized to yield energy and operational cost savings and greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction opportunities. Food production plants’ energy intensity ranges from 5.59 m 3 /ft 2 to 17.73 m 3 /ft 2 . Therefore, there is a significant opportunity to improve energy consumption through better technology integration. The results of the audits indicate a trend of an increase in the percentage of non-productive consumption with non-productive time. The proposed energy-saving measures include reducing non-productive natural gas consumption, gas-fired equipment tune-up, optimizing boiler loads, and reducing oven exhaust by using variable frequency drives (VFDs). The findings of this study could be used to develop a demand-side management program specifically for small- and medium-sized industrial facilities in the Greater Toronto Area and other parts of Canada.

Suggested Citation

  • Altamash Ahmad Baig & Alan S. Fung & Rakesh Kumar, 2024. "Auditing and Analysis of Natural Gas Consumptions in Small- and Medium-Sized Industrial Facilities in the Greater Toronto Area for Energy Conservation Opportunities," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-19, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2024:i:7:p:1744-:d:1370586
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bosu, Issa & Mahmoud, Hatem & Hassan, Hamdy, 2023. "Energy audit and management of an industrial site based on energy efficiency, economic, and environmental analysis," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 333(C).
    2. Thollander, Patrik & Danestig, Maria & Rohdin, Patrik, 2007. "Energy policies for increased industrial energy efficiency: Evaluation of a local energy programme for manufacturing SMEs," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 35(11), pages 5774-5783, November.
    3. Anderson, Soren T. & Newell, Richard G., 2004. "Information programs for technology adoption: the case of energy-efficiency audits," Resource and Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 26(1), pages 27-50, March.
    4. Bataille, Chris & Melton, Noel, 2017. "Energy efficiency and economic growth: A retrospective CGE analysis for Canada from 2002 to 2012," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 118-130.
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