Optimising the cold production system

Controlling the operation and running costs of your company’s cold production system

Cold production is used to cool a room or an element, preserve food products, control the temperature of a process, or activate air conditioning.

Optimising the performance of components and their use leads to significant reductions in electricity consumption. In addition to the cold production unit, this also includes the distribution system and the cooling system.

Definition of requirements with a view to optimising cold production

Analysis of current energy consumption

• Assess the energy consumption of the production unit(s) and the plant periphery.
• Monitor performance indicators and identify any malfunctions.

Identification of the building’s cooling requirements

• Inspection of cold production system(s)

Determination of the various current parameters of the installation, e.g. age, general condition, temperature level, consumption, and associated costs, etc.

• Analysis of heat consumption

• Check the technical limits of the production unit(s)

On the basis of the supplier’s specifications, identify the ideal temperature level and maximum power of the production unit(s)

• Check the set points and flow rates of the various outlets
• Cross-referencing consumption data with cold production indicators
• Visual analysis of the installation
• Visual inspection of the entire periphery of the installation, e.g. pipework, insulation, indoor and outdoor units, equipment room, leaks, etc.
• Check for frequent faults: starting intervals too long, permanent overload, cooling circuit overheating

Implementation of measures to adapt the cold production system

Cold production side

• Maintenance and periodic inspection of the installation by a qualified professional (refrigeration installer)

• Adjust setpoints to actual requirements, in accordance with supplier specifications

• During the cold season and if the production temperature level allows it, take advantage of the by-pass mode (“free-cooling”) which consists of direct cooling by the external cooling circuit

• Checking and, if necessary, adjusting the insulation of all refrigeration components, including the equipment room

• During the winter period, depending on actual requirements, it may be possible to professionally shut down the entire production system (or individual circuits)

Plant periphery

• Regular cleaning of outdoor condensers (cooling towers)

• Check and, if necessary, adjust the flow rate of the various pumps

• Replacement of old pump models with latest-generation pumps allowing flow rate adjustment

Subsidy application

Government subsidies

Temporary environmental impact aid

Extended “SME Packages Sustainability” aid scheme, to give companies greater incentives to invest in measures that significantly improve their environmental impact. Investments under this climate protection measure amount to 70 % for small businesses, 60 % for medium-sized businesses and 50 % for large businesses for projects costing more than €7 500, with a maximum subsidy of €100 000.

• Verification of company eligibility and costs: Ministry of the Economy (Department for Support to SMEs)
• For questions:
  • Chamber of Commerce
  • Chambre des Métiers (Chamber of Skilled Trades and Crafts)

Fit 4 Sustainability” programme:

• The “Fit 4 Sustainability” programme provides co-financing for an environmental audit and action plan on one or more topics chosen by the company (energy, greenhouse gases, waste, water, etc.)
• Subsidies of up to 50 %, 60 % and 70 % of the fees for carrying out an environmental study (energy audit and/or carbon footprint) + detailed, costed action plan to reduce consumption/GHGs (greenhouse gases) (medium- and long-term investment, ROI, etc.) – open to SMEs and large companies (except those required to carry out a statutory audit)
• Any questions? Luxinnovation

SME Packages – Sustainability

• Flat-rate subsidy of €5,000 for small and medium-sized enterprises for projects to reduce their environmental impact, costing between €6,650 and €25,000 excluding VAT
• Points of contact:
  • Chambre des Métiers for craftsmen (Chamber of Skilled Trades and Crafts)
  • Chamber of Commerce for companies in the non-craft sectors

N.B. State subsidies cannot be combined for the same project.

Application for subsidies from electricity and natural gas suppliers

Since 2015, natural gas and electricity suppliers have been required to make energy savings for consumers under the obligation scheme. Since then, energy suppliers have been offering support and advice, as well as subsidy programmes for consumers to implement energy efficiency measures.

The following suppliers offer this service for companies:

• Enoprimes Enovos + SUDenergie
• SUDenergie
• Sudstroum

N.B. Supplier subsidies can be combined with any state subsidies for the same project.