The ultimate argument in favour of energy efficiency investments is their ability to drastically decrease costs for electricity and fuel. This is not only a direct effect which can be seen on the company's income statement, but also a strategic measure for the company to secure its future competitiveness, especially in view of increasing energy prices.

The payback period for energy efficiency investments varies widely depending on the type of project. Typical energy efficiency projects show payback periods between 2 and 6 years, which is a short time compared to traditional capital investments. In the future, high energy prices may lead to even shorter payback periods.

Generally, the internal rate of return of energy efficiency investments is higher than the interest rate for debt financing. This means that any debt for energy efficiency investment can be repaid by the cost savings generated from the investment and the ultimate financial effects of energy efficiency investments are positive.

Technology Facts

Thermal Insulation, Window Replacement, Ventilation, Solar Heating

Reduce gas and electricity consumption by implementing the following project types!

• Thermal insulation of the outer shell of the building => save up to 50% of heating energy
• Replacement of single glacing or leaky windows => save up to 40% of heating energy
• Installation of a ventilation system to recover heat from waste air => save up to 25% of heating energy
• Installation of a solar heating system to produce hot water => save up to 75% of heating energy

Boiler Replacement, Insulation of Piping, Cogeneration

Use energy efficiency to increase your profitability!

• Replacing old boilers:
  • If only hot water is required, there is no need to generate steam. Replacement of the steam boiler => energy savings of up to 30%
  • If heat is required for heating purposes at lower temperature levels (about 60°C) then conventional boilers could be replaced by condensing boilers => energy savings about 15-25%
• Hot water or steam pipes should have a continuous thermal insulation to avoid partly significant energy losses. Rehabilitating steam and hot water pipes can save up to 20% of energy consumption
• The installation of a cogeneration plant, which produces heat and electricity in combination and avoids the waste of heat from power generation in condensing or cooling towers => an overall efficiency of up to 85% can be achieved and power purchase costs can be significantly reduced.

Biogas

Turn waste and organic residues from agriculture and food processing into revenues!

• Residuals like farm slurry, manure, food residuals and slaughterhouse wastes can be fermented in an anaerobic digester which produces biogas. Biogas consist of about 65 methane and 35% CO₂
• Biogas can be used:
  • In a boiler to produce heat
  • In a cogeneration plant to generate electricity and heat
• Advantages of Biogas:
  • Utilizing biogas cuts your energy bills and excess electricity can be sold to the public grid
  • The smell from manure is reduced when it is digested in a biogas plant
  • Biogas production reduces the risk of ground water pollution from manure because nitrogen emissions are reduced by sludge from biogas digesters compared to raw manure.
  • Sludge from biogas plants improves prospects for organic farming. Organic farmers can achieve independence from commercial fertilizers.
  • Biogas is a renewable energy form. Its use is CO2 neutral and reduces Moldova's gas imports

Biomass Combustion

Substitute gas, diesel and coal with biomass, save money and protect your environment!

• Which biomass fuels are suitable for combustion? 
  • Wood waste from forestry and wood processing
  • Husks, shells and dried residues from food processing
  • Residuals from fruit plantations
  • Straw
• How can they substitute fossil fuels?
  • Wood wastes and residuals need to be collected and burned in a biomass boiler
  • Biomass with a moisture content above 15% usually require a drying process 
  • The biomass boiler produces: hot water for heating or production process / steam for production process / steam and electricity in a combined heat and power plant

Downloads

See our Case Studies section for project examples.

If you have more questions about the programme, browse our Frequently Asked Questions section or contact the MoSEFF team.