| Author | Siriwardhana, A. G. Manjula Taranganie |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.ET-09-04 |
| Subject(s) | Industries--Energy consumption--Sri Lanka
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| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the re quirements for the Degree of Master of Engineering in Energy |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | The energy management standard is designed to promote the organizational culture change needed for higher industrial energy efficiency to be both realized and sustained over time. Four countries already have standards for Energy Management and two others have standards under development. All these existing energy management guidelines show a vast range of similar features. Currently, ISO and UNIDO have initiated work on an international energy management standard. UNIDO is in the process of conducting surveys in industry to assess current understandings and practices of energy management systems in order to foster the ISO working group. In a similar way, this research was conducted to assess the energy management situation in Sri Lankan industry sector with reference to one selected industry, namely the tea industry. Sri Lanka produces 310 million kilograms of tea annually and about 95% entering the global market, making Sri Lanka the second largest exporter of black tea. Tea processing is an energy intensive process and energy cost constitutes more than 50% of the total production cost. Energy audits suggest that the potential for saving energy in a cost-effective manner is about 20% in individual plants. The objectives of the study are to appraise the current energy management practices, to introduce EMS to tea executives and to develop an energy management specification to suit Sri Lankan industries with the help of existing standards. Regardless of higher energy cost and better investments criteria, the response to energy conservation measures are lukewarm mainly due to the lack of energy policy, poor leadership and absence of dedicated energy coordinator within the tea factories. The absence of market for best available technologies, lack of technical know how and required human resources are among the major barriers for better implementation. The guidelines on the specification would promote the adoption of energy conservation measures without affecting the quality of tea. The policy makers and other governing bodies can corporate by introducing effective fuel prizes, energy manager certification and valuation programs, market development programs for technology and services etc. The concerned authorities can also introduce a national level standardization program or ranking system in order to ensure external recognition and hence allow the factory owners to harness the profit in the global market. The approach is more attractive at a time when everybody's attention would be drawn on the upcoming international energy management standards (ISO 50001). The proposed method is applicable to other industry sectors as well. |
| Year | 2009 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Energy and Climate Change (Former title: Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Change (DEECC)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Energy Technology (ET) |
| Chairperson(s) | Kumar, Sivanappan;Mohanty, Brahmanand; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Shrestha, Ram M.; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Norway; |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2009 |