The Carolina Consulting Group’s approach to energy management surveys is somewhat different. We believe in not only providing a quality service in evaluating a customer’s energy requirements, but also in making sure that their personnel have a thorough understanding of the principles and practices recommended. This insures that when the survey is completed that expertise is available at the plant to continue efficient operation.

We have found it highly effective to have one (1) company representative (usually a member of engineering, maintenance, or management at the site) to be a contact person for the survey team. This person serves as a coordinator and interface between the plant and the survey team.

Pre-Survey Meeting:

Our procedure for conducting a survey begins with a pre-survey meeting at the site, where possible. This meeting serves several functions.

A pre-survey questionnaire is normally provided that requests data on energy consumption and information on specific end use applications. This information is helpful in determining personnel needed for the survey.

For complex sites piping diagrams for major systems (steam, compressed air, and cooling water) are requested, so that personnel can review them prior to the survey. Once the pre-survey meeting has been completed the survey team members are selected, a budget prepared and submitted, and schedules finalized.

Plant / Facility Survey:

Depending upon the size of the facility, site surveys typically require from two (2) to five (5) days. Included in the process are a mid-survey review session, to present progress to date and insure that no areas or systems are omitted, and an exit meeting at which preliminary survey findings are presented to plant management. At the customer’s request, night sessions have been held to review survey progress and conduct training classes on topics such as air compressors, boiler systems, and process cooling, etc.

For the actual survey, at least one person from the plant is required for each team member. That person should be someone familiar with the particular process or system under review. Participation by others is encouraged. In past surveys personnel from sister plants, neighboring industries, and local governmental agencies have participated. It is not uncommon for team members to have a group as large as 10 people accompanying them. These surveys are used as vehicles for educating people in energy management. It is critical that the plant personnel have an understanding of why measures are being recommended and agree, or they will not be implemented.

Survey Report:

Producing a final survey report involves several steps. The first is a draft report. Once the site survey is completed it typically takes four to five weeks to generate a draft report. The draft is then provided to the plant survey coordinator for distribution and comment. Once comments from plant personnel are received, final report preparation is concluded in one to two weeks. A copy of the final report is provided to the plant along with a Project Profile. The Project Profile is a one page executive summary that highlights such critical features as potential savings, cost, and environmental impact.