VLAIO: your partner in your greening plans

Specialisation

Encon follows a multi-stage approach when supporting projects. Firstly, a concept analysis (in this specific case, a greening assessment) is carried out. The client then makes a decision based on this. Next, a tender document is drawn up to select the best supplier or installer. Subsequently, if the client so wishes, Encon can also oversee the implementation and provide project management.

The added value of these steps is consistently so significant that Encon’s costs can be recouped many times over from the project. This can be demonstrated at every stage. Encon’s references also confirm this. Wherever possible, the aim is always to link operational improvements within the company to an increase in energy efficiency. Thanks to its extensive experience in project support, Encon can offer added value in the following areas:

1. Selection of operating principles and technology
   The best technology or concept is selected on the basis of a technical-economic analysis and taking practical feasibility into account. For thermal systems, it is important that they are tailored to the required temperatures. For example, a steam system is not necessary for heating applications at lower temperatures. The right choices must be made in the initial phase to minimise hydraulic losses.
   
2. Correct sizing of the systems
   Sizing the heat output determines, amongst other things, the investment costs for the system. Encon takes the following points into account:

• • Correct sizing of the various components of the new system so that the full heat demand can be met
  • Correct sizing of the heat emitters so that the desired temperatures can always be guaranteed locally;
  • When sizing components, the reduction in operational costs is always weighed against the capital costs
  • Making optimal use of any existing systems
  • Designing the best control principles for the distribution and delivery of energy.
    

3. Focus on operating costs and selection based on total cost of ownership
   As energy consumption is a key parameter in the selection of new installations, sufficient attention must be paid to this. If costs are analysed over a 15-year period, the capital cost accounts for only a fraction of the total cost structure. Maintenance costs can amount to approximately 12 per cent and energy costs to approximately 81 per cent. When selecting new systems, energy consumption must therefore certainly be taken into account, and energy-saving technologies must be analysed.
   
4. Knowledge of legislation at European and local level
   Encon’s solutions take into account the required statutory comfort levels. Encon considers the future availability of products and the expected service life of the system when determining the choice of design.
   
5. Knowledge of the grant application process
   Encon takes potential grants into account when determining the investment cost. Encon has experience in submitting grant applications for (new) installations.

ETS2: why invest in decarbonisation now?

From the coming years onwards, ETS2 will have a significant impact on the energy costs of businesses that are currently still heavily reliant on fossil fuels such as natural gas. ETS2 (the European Emissions Trading System for buildings, transport and other sectors) will gradually increase the CO₂ cost of fossil fuels.

As a result, businesses will increasingly face:

• rising operational energy costs;
• additional CO₂-related levies;
• greater price volatility of fossil fuels;
• growing pressure to electrify and make production processes more sustainable.

During the greening scan, Encon takes this future ETS2 impact into account when analysing the business case and the Total Cost of Ownership of the various solutions. This gives your company insight not only into the current profitability of an investment, but also into the long-term financial benefits as ETS2 is rolled out further.

Specifically, we analyse, amongst other things:

• the impact of rising ETS2 costs on natural gas installations;
• the shift from fossil fuel to electric solutions;
• possible future tax shifts between gas and electricity;
• the robustness of the business case under various energy scenarios;
• opportunities relating to flexibility and energy markets.

In this way, the greening scan helps companies make strategic choices today that will protect them against future energy and CO₂ costs.