Energy efficiency audit and enterprise energy audit

A company energy audit, also known as an EED audit, is an assessment that includes a detailed analysis of energy consumption across various areas of a company's operations. For large industrial companies that meet specific requirements (e.g., employing 250 people or having a turnover exceeding 50 million euros), this audit is mandatory and must be conducted every four years. The energy audit helps identify areas where energy savings can be achieved and recommends specific actions aimed at improving efficiency, referred to as Energy Efficiency Improvement Measures (EEIM).

The main goal of the energy audit is to identify actions that can lead to reduced energy consumption and increased energy efficiency within enterprises. The audit aims to detect areas where energy is wasted and implement changes that not only lower operational costs but also contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

An energy efficiency audit is often required as part of procedures related to obtaining white certificates, which serve as proof of energy efficiency. It may be recommended after conducting an enterprise energy audit. The results of the EED audit indicate Energy Efficiency Improvement Measures (EEIM), which enable the pursuit of additional financial support through the energy efficiency audit. Such support may include white certificates or ecological/technology loans. The energy efficiency audit is a more detailed document and should include an in-depth analysis of a specific measure in terms of energy and environmental impact, often supported by measurements.

Audit scope:

• An enterprise energy audit is a detailed analysis of the entire company's operations, including not only technologies and production processes, but also infrastructure, buildings, transmission networks, energy sources, and fleets. It is therefore a more complex study aimed at long-term energy optimization. Moreover, if an energy audit is required for a given company, it should be carried out every four years, enabling progress monitoring and systematic implementation of changes.
• An energy efficiency audit focuses primarily on assessing the potential for energy savings in the context of equipment, systems, and production processes. Its goal is to perform a detailed analysis of actions, often supported by measurements, that can be implemented to reduce energy consumption and obtain white certificates or other forms of support. The energy efficiency audit is typically conducted before the implementation of a measure (ex-ante audit), and in some cases also after its completion (ex-post audit) to confirm the achieved energy and environmental effects.

Legal regulations:

• An enterprise energy audit is mandatory for large companies under the Energy Efficiency Act and the EED Directive (2012/27/EU). Companies that do not comply with these requirements may face financial penalties, making the audit a key element of legal compliance with energy regulations.
• An energy efficiency audit is not obligatory. It is required only when companies want to apply for white certificates or other forms of support.

Cost and duration:

• An enterprise energy audit involves higher costs and takes more time, as it includes a detailed analysis of the entire company's operations. The final cost depends on the size of the enterprise and the number of facilities that need to be assessed.
• An energy efficiency audit can be less expensive and faster to perform. It focuses on analyzing specific systems or processes, which allows it to be completed in a relatively short time, depending on the installation under review. Although its scope is narrower, in some cases the energy efficiency audit may require significantly more precise measurements and analyses, which can increase both cost and duration.

Purpose and results:

• An enterprise energy audit focuses on achieving long-term savings and developing strategies that will enable the company to pursue zero-emission goals. The results of such an audit can serve as a foundation for creating a comprehensive investment plan.
• An energy efficiency audit usually focuses on a single specific measure and on obtaining white certificates that can be sold on the energy market. It is a tool that supports current investments in energy efficiency, focusing on a specific project rather than a long-term strategy.

Both the energy efficiency audit and the enterprise energy audit play a key role in the industrial sector, but they differ in terms of purpose and scope. The energy efficiency audit is a tool that allows for the quick identification of potential savings and access to various forms of support, which leads to financial benefits in a shorter period. Thanks to precise measurements, financial and technical risks related to the given action can be reduced. On the other hand, the enterprise energy audit is a mandatory and more comprehensive analysis that forms the foundation of a long-term energy efficiency strategy and the pursuit of zero emissions. Industrial companies that regularly conduct energy audits have the opportunity to achieve significant savings and increase their competitiveness in the market.