The requirement for an energy audit such as identification and quantification of energy necessitates measurements; these measurements require the use of instruments. These instruments must be portable, durable, easy to operate and relatively inexpensive. The parameters generally monitored during energy audit may include the following:
Basic Electrical Parameters in AC &DC systems – Voltage (V), Current (I), Power factor,
Active power (kW), apparent power (demand) (kVA), Reactive power (kVAr), Energy consumption (kWh), Frequency (Hz), Harmonics, etc.
Parameters of importance other than electrical such as temperature & heat flow, radiation, air and gas flow, liquid flow, revolutions per minute (RPM), air velocity, noise and vibration, dust concentration, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), pH, moisture content, relative humidity, flue gas analysis – CO2, O2, CO, SOx, NOx, combustion efficiency etc.
The operating instructions for all instruments must be understood and staff should familiarize themselves with the instruments and their operation prior to actual audit use.