Avaliação e impacto das técnicas de eficiência energética aplicadas em consumidores do grupo A: atacado e varejo de alimentos

Abstract

The work presents the implementation and results of different energy efficiency methods in consumer units that are supplied with medium or high voltage and that belong to the wholesale and retail food segment. This work is based on a case study of a supermarket in Greater Natal, where technical visits were made, energy bills and company data were analyzed. Initially, a literature review was carried out on the fundamental concepts of energy efficiency, the regulatory context and its incentive policies, as well as the particularities of the food sector in terms of energy consumption. In addition, two sets of energy efficiency techniques were applied in the case study. The first set concerns the targeting of all medium- and high-voltage consumers, as it involves analyzing contracted demands, charging systems, reactive consumption and power factor. As with the first set, the second set is specific to large food wholesalers and retailers, as it discusses efficiency techniques aimed at the two most important sectors for these consumers: refrigeration and air conditioning. In this way, taking into account the high competitiveness of the food wholesale and retail sector, not only in Potiguar but also nationally, energy efficiency is of great importance in reducing the costs of these companies, being not only an economic differential, but also a social and environmental one.