Optimising the cold production system

Controlling the operation and running costs of your company’s cold production system

Cold production is used to cool a room or an element, preserve food products, control the temperature of a process, or activate air conditioning.

Optimising the performance of components and their use leads to significant reductions in electricity consumption. In addition to the cold production unit, this also includes the distribution system and the cooling system.

Definition of requirements with a view to optimising cold production

Analysis of current energy consumption

• Assess the energy consumption of the production unit(s) and the plant periphery.
• Monitor performance indicators and identify any malfunctions.

Identification of the building’s cooling requirements

• Inspection of cold production system(s)

Determination of the various current parameters of the installation, e.g. age, general condition, temperature level, consumption, and associated costs, etc.

• Analysis of heat consumption

• Check the technical limits of the production unit(s)

On the basis of the supplier’s specifications, identify the ideal temperature level and maximum power of the production unit(s)

• Check the set points and flow rates of the various outlets
• Cross-referencing consumption data with cold production indicators
• Visual analysis of the installation
• Visual inspection of the entire periphery of the installation, e.g. pipework, insulation, indoor and outdoor units, equipment room, leaks, etc.
• Check for frequent faults: starting intervals too long, permanent overload, cooling circuit overheating

Implementation of measures to adapt the cold production system

Cold production side

• Maintenance and periodic inspection of the installation by a qualified professional (refrigeration installer)

• Adjust setpoints to actual requirements, in accordance with supplier specifications

• During the cold season and if the production temperature level allows it, take advantage of the by-pass mode (“free-cooling”) which consists of direct cooling by the external cooling circuit

• Checking and, if necessary, adjusting the insulation of all refrigeration components, including the equipment room

• During the winter period, depending on actual requirements, it may be possible to professionally shut down the entire production system (or individual circuits)

Plant periphery

• Regular cleaning of outdoor condensers (cooling towers)

• Check and, if necessary, adjust the flow rate of the various pumps

• Replacement of old pump models with latest-generation pumps allowing flow rate adjustment

Subsidy application

Government subsidies

Fit 4 Sustainability programme

The Fit 4 Sustainability programme provides co-financing for environmental audits and action plans on one or more topics selected by the company (energy, GHG, waste, water, etc.).
Aid of up to 60%, 70% and 80%, depending on the size of the company, for the fees associated with carrying out an environmental study (energy audit and/or carbon footprint assessment) and a detailed, costed action plan to reduce its consumption/GHG emissions (medium- and long-term investments, ROI, etc.) – open to SMEs and large companies (except those that must carry out studies required by the environmental authorities, including mandatory energy audits)
For questions: Luxinnovation

SME Packages – Sustainability

• Financial Aid for small and medium-sized enterprises covering up to 70% of eligible costs for the implementation of a project aimed at reducing the environmental impact. The eligible project budget must be in a range from 3.000 € to 25.000 € excl. VAT.
• For more information:
  • Chambre des Métiers for craft companies
  • Chamber of Commerce for businesses in the non-craft sectors

N.B. State subsidies cannot be combined for the same project.

Application for subsidies from electricity and natural gas suppliers

Since 2015, natural gas and electricity suppliers have been required to make energy savings for consumers under the obligation scheme. Since then, energy suppliers have been offering support and advice, as well as subsidy programmes for consumers to implement energy efficiency measures.

The following suppliers offer this service for companies:

• Enoprimes Enovos + SUDenergie
• SUDenergie
• Sudstroum

N.B. Supplier subsidies can be combined with any state subsidies for the same project.

Tax relief for investment in an ecological and energy transition project

The tax relief is calculated based on the investments and operating expenses incurred as part of an ecological and energy transition project.
The tax relief rate is set at 18% and is applied directly to the amount of tax due.
This deduction can be combined with standard state subsidies.

For the project to be eligible, it must meet at least one of the following objectives:

• Improve the energy efficiency of a production process
• Improve the material efficiency of a production process
• Decarbonise a production process
• Reduce air pollution at the production site (excluding CO2 emissions)
• Produce or store renewable energy for self-consumption
• Promote the extended use of products through reuse

For certain objectives, minimum thresholds must be met.
To verify your eligibility and ensure that these thresholds are satisfied, it is recommended that the impact of the measure on one of the above conditions be certified by an expert or a design office.

Further details and conditions: Guichet.lu
For questions: Ministry of Economy – Bonus