Technological advancement has substantially increased the efficiency of photovoltaic systems, from panels to inverters and equipment for remote management, reporting and action. At the same time, prices have fallen enough to allow the widespread usage of power generation solutions at the place of consumption, with maximum efficiency and immediate financial benefits. Extremely convenient sources of financing are already available, and new public programs, such as Electric UP, will allow accelerated adoption of solutions for power generation electricity from photovoltaic sources by small and medium-sized enterprises.
At the “Photovoltaic solutions for energy efficiency in industry” webinar, Enel X Romania experts presented energy efficiency solutions for industrial consumers, starting from electricity generation projects from photovoltaic sources already implemented in Romania to wood, vegetable oil and meat processing companies. The company’s representatives presented case studies, examples of good practice and answered the most frequently asked questions about the role and impact of photovoltaic systems in the energy consumption of industrial producers.
Briefly, the steps followed by the Enel X teams are as follows:
- Establishing the design theme
- Feasibility study and technical-economic offering
- Feasibility study and final offer
- Signing the contract
- Design, getting opinions and authorizations
- Construction, tests and functional tests
- Commissioning
Establishing the design theme First of all, the client must be aware of “the need to implement a photovoltaic system, not only in terms of cost reduction, but also because it can quantify many other elements related to CSR policy, alignment to group policies or alignment to the European directives”, specified Laurențiu Brumaru – Head of Sales & Marketing e-Industries, Enel X Romania.
Feasibility study and technical-economic offering “The next step is a discussion setting out the main elements of the design theme such as the technical requirements of the customer, the type and capacity of the PV system, the surfaces available for installation and the ways to integrate into the installation. Based on the design requirements, we propose to the customer an initial budget for the key implementation of the project”, explains Andrei Horhoianu, Head of Engineering & operations, Enel X Romania.
Feasibility study and final offer “If the initial budget is accepted by the customer, then we enter the stage where, in the first phase, all the necessary technical information is collected through on-the-spot mapping and/or by consulting the technical book of the existing construction. We then analyze the potential of the project to efficiently fulfill, in economic conditions, the agreed technical requirements on the design issue and propose the final technical-economic offer to the customer”, said Andrei Horoianu, Head of Engineering & Operations.
Design, getting opinions and authorizations After signing the contract, design activities start on all the subjects involved (such as civil and electrical) and obtain the necessary approvals and authorizations to implement the project. At the design stage (phase PT+DDE), the technical details of the execution are established, the quantities of works, materials and equipment that are required at the next stage of construction are extracted.
Construction, tests and functional tests “As soon as we have the technical approval for connection, we start the installation”, continued Andrei Horhoianu, “and once the works are completed, in order to connect the photovoltaic installation to the grid of the distribution operator, it is mandatory to meet all the requirements in the ATR. The Enel X team plans, together with the distribution operator, any further interventions (change of meter, for example), as well as the tests and trials required in the ATR.
“Enel X Romania’s portfolio of energy efficiency services includes a wide range of customized solutions for companies that intend to reduce their electricity costs”, said Laurențiu Brumaru – Head of Sales & Marketing e-Industries, Enel X Romania. “Many Romanian companies have already invested in photovoltaic systems, relying on our services, which allow them to track energy production and consumption,” he said.
The webinar “Photovoltaic solutions for energy efficiency in industry”, organized by Enel X Romania was attended by over 65 experts representing organizations such as Adrem, ALRO SA, Alum SA, Amiblu Romania, Auto Brand, Chimcomplex, Cluj Innovation Park SA, Control Point, CRH Ciment Romania, EEN-CCINA Constanta, Egger Romania, Elsaco Solutions, Eurobest, Expert Connection, Finder Romania, INCDTIM Cluj-Napoca, Liberty Steel Galati, MEN Industry Group, ProCredit Bank, Romcarbon, Sterk Plast, Termoficare Oradea SA, TIAB SA.
Companies that currently want to use an energy efficiency solution for their business can use the simulator for photovoltaic systems, available on the Enel X Romania website at https://www.enelx.com/ro/en/simulator. The simulator involves following a few simple steps. Interested companies must fill in the address where they want to install a photovoltaic system, then select, using satellite images provided by Google Maps, the specific area on which they want to place the photovoltaic panels, and then fill in the fields with information about their electricity consumption, based on time intervals.
Enel is a multinational power company and a leading integrated player in the global power, gas and renewables markets. Enel X is Enel’s global business line dedicated to the development of innovative products and digital solutions in sectors where energy is showing the greatest potential for transformation: cities, homes, industries and electric mobility.