Energy audit in an apartment complex in India – A case study

An energy audit study is conducted for a residential apartment complex in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. In the apartment complex two different tariff policy were applicable; slab rate-based charges for individual houses and ToD based charges for the common areas. Thus, cost reduction initiatives were done two ways; replacement with energy efficient appliances in houses and Demand response (DR) initiatives in common areas. The suggested energy saving initiatives is to replace the existing appliance with energy efficient alternatives. A house’s average energy consumption is reduced from 9.3 kWh to 4.143 kWh. The DR is completed for the lift and water pump. A mathematical model for the implementation of DR is developed. The annual savings from demand response are ₹6257.2. A study is also being carried out to replace the Diesel Generator (DG) set with a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). By replacing the DG set, the cost per kWh of BESS is reduced by half, from ₹35.94 to ₹15.82. As a result, the overall energy consumption of the building is reduced from 267.9 kWh to 168.5 kWh. This Energy Audit study can be applied to any apartment complex in India.