Evaluation of industrial energy use optimisation in this project has been approached by introducing the aims and objectives of the project and asking questions about the research which seeks to establish how various industries from different sectors utilise energy in their industrial processes. This is an action research which specifically focuses on the manufacturing, mining and Commercial industry sectors. Literature has been searched and reviewed based on global, continental and national practices through exploration of different perspectives and practices by experts and practitioners in the field of energy efficiency as well as academia. General reflection and selection of reference documentation has been governed by the problem statement and relevant literature considered to provide answers to the research questions posed. The adopted approach model framework is based on O’Leary. The mixed methods approach combining both qualitative research and quantitative research has been adopted. This has been achieved by designing and introducing a research model framework as well as adopting existing approaches for execution of energy audit activities. The designed research model framework has been utilised throughout as a significant guide in writing this thesis whilst existing model frameworks based on industrial current best practices and standards have ensured writing in consistency with internationalised standards. Based on forty-four firms from a combination of industry sectors of manufacturing, mining and commercial, the analysis and evaluation of data has entailed a tactic of picking one firm from each of the sectors, collection of the tariffs and monthly bills of up to a year, consolidation of the same and then interpret and analyse these in order to draw meaningful statistical inferences that point to available opportunities in industrial systems energy utilisation, the identified opportunities being tabulated in relation to each of the three firms selected representing a sample statistic out of the forty-four audited.
This thesis investigates the current perspectives, culture, practices, technologies and approaches in industrial energy utilisation as its specific subject matter. It is envisaged that this study will predictively test the result of such activities and then prove them against the fulfilment of the specified objectives and set out a theme for the outcomes to be reliable and validated for any desired future academic or industrial use.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1|Introduction
1.1. Background Information:
1.2. Overall Research Aim
1.3. Objectives
1.3.3. Research Questions
1.4. Value of this Research
Chapter 2|Literature Review
2.1. Introduction
2.2. Forces driving the Modern approach
2.3. Challenges and Barriers
2.4. Approach Models
2.5. Significance of models
2.6. Journal Reviews
2.7. Summary and arising issues
Chapter 3|Methodology and Research Methods
3.1. Introduction
3.2. Research Strategy
3.3. Research Execution Plan
3.3.1. Research Framework
3.3.2. Research Methods used
3.4. Research Design
3.4. Data Collection
3.4.1. Planning and organising energy audit activities
3.4.2. The Energy Audit Process
3.4.3. Description of the energy audit process steps followed
Onsite and Field Activities summary (portfolio of evidence)
3.4.3.1. Partial physical data from a few of audited firms:
Key elements to consider in energy demand side management (EDSM)
3.4.3.2. Energy Cost data evaluation based on one Manufacturing firm (Karob Plastics)
3.4.3.3. Energy Cost data evaluation based on one Mining firm (Mooiplaas PPC)
3.4.3.4. Energy Cost data evaluation based on one Commercial firm (UP Campus)
3.4.3.5. Characteristics of Energy Use
3.4.4. Quantification of Significant Energy Users (SEUs)|Why do this?
3.4.5. Measured data based on procedure followed at the audited sites:
3.4.5.1. Energy system analysis (ESA) based on holistic system.
3.4.5.2. Energy system analysis (ESA) based on Sub-system.
3.5. Recommendations in energy audit reports based on specific industry sector
3.5.1. Commercial sector: Fruition energy audit recommendation on opportunities
3.5.2. Mining sector: MP PPC energy audit recommendations on opportunities
3.5.3. Manufacturing sector: PRAGA energy audit recommendations on opportunities
3.5.4. Energy Audits Report writing in Summary
3.6. Survey Follow-up on Implementation data
3.6.1. Energy audit Recommendations implementation follow-up
3.6.2. Research challenges
3.7. Conclusion
Chapter 4|Findings Evaluation and Discussion
4.1. Introduction
4.2. Results (Case studies) from audited organizations
4.3. Evaluation and Discussion of findings
4.3.1. Evaluation
4.3.2. Discussion
4.4. Synthesis to global practices
4.5. Conclusion
Chapter 5|Conclusions
5.1. Introduction
5.1.1. Research Objective 1-
5.1.2. Research Objective 2-
5.1.3. Research Objective 3-
5.1.4. Research Objective 4-
5.2. Reflections on the Research
5.2.1. SWOT analysis
5.2.2. Final Reflections
Research Objectives and Focus Areas
The primary goal of this research is to identify, evaluate, and analyze opportunities for energy optimization across commercial, manufacturing, and mining industries in South Africa to foster efficient industrial processes and environmental sustainability.
- Investigation of current perspectives, cultures, practices, and technologies in industrial energy utilization.
- Application of mixed methods research, combining qualitative and quantitative approaches, to audit industrial energy systems.
- Evaluation of the impact of energy consumption practices on human and environmental well-being.
- Formulation of sustainable recommendations and benchmarks for global industrial energy management.
Excerpt from the Book
3.4.5.1. Energy system analysis (ESA) based on holistic system.
Sub-metering by data logging the main power incomer at the sub-station of a plant is aimed at energy system optimisation assessment of a whole system. This has been the commonest approach in this research. The purpose for conducting this type of energy audit is to verify the total energy demand of a company during normal production conditions. The procedure entails that data collected be tallied against the tariff and energy bills at the company to establish opportunity areas of savings.
Load profiles from data logging a few sites shown below have been incorporated as indicators for comparison of how energy is demanded and managed at different industry sectors. Shown are energy sums and Power factor sums respectively at the key SEUs of the sites.
The charts that follow below are out-puts from some of data logged at a few audited sites using the Power-Track energy analyser and its verifier software. The target in this approach is to measure energy demand quantities in a snapshot period when production averages normal business day out-put also termed business as usual. Typical interest is to focus on summed power quantities and the corresponding power factor.
Summary of Chapters
Chapter 1|Introduction: This chapter introduces the research context regarding industrial energy systems in South Africa, including the aim, objectives, and research questions guiding the study.
Chapter 2|Literature Review: This section reviews existing global and local practices, energy management models, and challenges, providing the theoretical foundation for the project.
Chapter 3|Methodology and Research Methods: This chapter details the mixed research strategy, audit procedures, data collection tools, and analysis techniques used to assess industrial energy systems.
Chapter 4|Findings Evaluation and Discussion: This section presents the empirical results from energy audits and follow-up surveys, evaluating findings against the identified industrial energy management practices.
Chapter 5|Conclusions: This final chapter revisits the research objectives, summarizes the study's conclusions, and offers reflections on the research process using SWOT analysis and reflection models.
Keywords
industrial energy, evaluation, optimisation, practices, research methods, operations and maintenance, energy efficiency, energy management, system analysis, sustainability, power factor correction, demand side management, case studies, energy auditing, resource efficiency
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research project?
The research focuses on evaluating initiatives for industrial energy use optimization across the manufacturing, mining, and commercial sectors in South Africa.
What are the primary industry sectors addressed in this study?
The study specifically targets medium to large-scale industries within the manufacturing, mining, and commercial sectors.
What is the main objective of this thesis?
The main objective is to identify, evaluate, and analyze opportunities for energy optimization to achieve efficient industrial processes and improved economic and environmental sustainability.
Which research methodology does the author employ?
The project adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative data (energy bills, load profiles, and measurements) with qualitative data (interviews, perceptions, and site walkthroughs).
What content is covered in the main body of the thesis?
The main body covers literature reviews, research framework development, energy audit strategies, detailed data collection and analysis, case studies of implemented improvements, and synthesis of findings.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include industrial energy, optimization, energy efficiency, demand side management, sustainability, and energy auditing.
How is the effectiveness of the energy audit recommendations measured?
The author uses follow-up surveys and implementation data to assess whether firms adopted recommended energy saving measures and the subsequent benefits achieved.
What specific challenges are mentioned regarding industrial energy optimization?
The author highlights barriers such as lack of awareness, technical capacity gaps, regulatory issues, and the common prioritization of "first costs" over long-term life cycle costs.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Gracious Banda (Autor:in), 2017, An Evaluation of Initiatives in Optimisation of Industrial Energy Use in South Africa, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/379357
