Energy efficiency audit vs. corporate energy audit

What is a Corporate Energy Audit?

A corporate energy audit, also known as an EED audit, involves a thorough analysis of energy consumption across various areas of a company's operations. For large industrial companies that meet certain criteria (e.g., employing 250 or more employees or having a turnover exceeding EUR 50 million), this audit is mandatory and must be conducted every four years. An energy audit helps identify areas where energy savings can be made and recommends specific actions to improve efficiency, referred to as Energy Efficiency Improvement Projects (EEIP).

The primary goal of a corporate energy audit is to suggest measures that can reduce energy consumption and increase energy efficiency within the company. The audit identifies where energy is being wasted and proposes changes that not only lower operating costs but also contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

What is an Energy Efficiency Audit?

An energy efficiency audit is often required as part of the procedures for obtaining white certificates, which certify energy efficiency. It may be recommended after completing a corporate energy audit. The results of the EED audit point to Energy Efficiency Improvement Projects (EEIP), enabling companies to apply for additional financial support through an energy efficiency audit. Such support may include white certificates or eco-friendly/technological credits. An energy efficiency audit is more detailed and should include a comprehensive analysis of a specific project in terms of energy and ecological impact, often supported by measurements.

Differences Between an Energy Efficiency Audit and a Corporate Energy Audit

Scope of the audit:

• A corporate energy audit is a detailed analysis of the entire company's operations, covering not only technologies and production processes but also infrastructure, buildings, transmission networks, energy sources, and fleets. It is a comprehensive study aimed at optimizing the company's energy use in the long term. Moreover, if an energy audit is required for a company, it must be conducted every four years, allowing for ongoing monitoring and systematic implementation of improvements.
• An energy efficiency audit focuses primarily on assessing the potential for energy savings within devices, systems, and production processes. Its objective is a thorough analysis, often supported by measurements, of activities that can reduce energy consumption and help obtain white certificates or other forms of financial support. This type of audit is typically conducted before the project begins (ex-ante audit) and, in some cases, after its completion (ex-post audit), to verify the energy and ecological results achieved.

Legal regulations:

• A corporate energy audit is mandatory for large companies in accordance with the Energy Efficiency Act and the EED Directive (2012/27/EU). Companies that fail to meet these requirements may face financial penalties, making the audit a crucial element for compliance with energy laws.
• An energy efficiency audit is not mandatory. It is required only when companies wish to apply for white certificates or other forms of support.

Cost and duration:

• A corporate energy audit is typically more costly and time-consuming, as it involves a detailed analysis of the entire company's operations. The final cost depends on the size of the company 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, allowing for completion in a relatively short time, depending on the installation being examined. While its scope is narrower, some projects may require more detailed measurements and analyses, which can increase the cost and duration of the audit.

Objectives and results:

A corporate energy audit focuses on achieving long-term savings and developing strategies that will help the company meet its zero-emission goals. The results of such an audit can serve as the foundation for creating a comprehensive investment plan.

An energy efficiency audit typically focuses on a specific project and obtaining white certificates, which can be traded on the energy market. It is a tool that supports ongoing investments in energy efficiency, concentrating on a particular project rather than a long-term strategy.

Both energy efficiency audits and corporate energy audits play key roles in the industrial sector, but they differ in their objectives and scope. An energy efficiency audit is a tool for quickly identifying potential savings and securing financial support, providing short-term financial benefits. Thanks to precise measurements, it helps reduce the financial and technical risks associated with a given project. In contrast, a corporate energy audit is a mandatory and more comprehensive analysis, forming the foundation of a long-term energy efficiency strategy and the drive toward zero emissions. Industrial companies that regularly conduct energy audits can achieve substantial savings and enhance their competitiveness in the marketplace.