11. Environmental aspects

Energy diagnostics form the basis of any action taken to reduce environmental impact, due to their results in reducing energy resource use and their consequences in reducing GHG emissions.

Any serious effort to reduce environmental impacts must therefore begin with an energy assessment to quantify the level of impact (energy balances, IPE, and associated emissions) and define the actions and means to reduce it.

Similarly, if a company is considering its energy choices, i.e., the type of energy to consume (fossil fuels, nuclear power, renewables), and in particular the implementation of renewable energies (hydropower, photovoltaic, solar, wind, for example), it is essential to carry out an energy assessment prior to any decision in order to quantify the actual energy requirement and optimize the use of different energy sources within the...