Kempy Energetics evaluates how much fuel, electricity and other resources will be used in houses, commercial buildings or boats. Energy audits are often used by owners to save money, reduce emissions or apply for funding programs. For example, many fishermen have used the Rural Energy for America Program to support energy efficiency upgrades to non-propulsion systems on their vessels. The program provides a grant for 25% of the project cost and a low interest loan for the remaining capital. In Bristol Bay, Kempy Energetics has shown fuel savings for fishermen installing refrigeration systems that reduce transit requirements to purchase ice. In Southeast Alaska, Kempy Energetics has quantified the fuel savings due to installing new, appropriately sized auxiliary generators, redesigning hydraulic systems, insulating fish holds and upgrading refrigeration systems. In Whitehorse, Yukon Kempy Energetics provided energy assessments of single-family homes to help them apply for the territory’s energy efficiency programs.
The first step in an energy efficiency grant application is developing a model of the existing energy system. The requirements of the model depend on the complexity of the proposed energy efficiency improvement and the required precision. In some cases, a detailed description of the system and how it is used accompanied by photographs of equipment name plates can be sufficient. In more advanced applications data loggers must be installed on site for a period of time that captures all of the relevant operations. Recordings may include electricity consumption, mechanical torque and power, hydraulic loads and fuel consumption. Once the energy consumption of the existing system is quantified, a second version of the model is developed to simulate the proposed system. The difference between energy consumption measured and modeled for the existing system and predicted energy consumption is then reported to the funding agency for consideration in their funding decision.