Background 

Electricity bills for buildings include certain fixed costs which are based on a pre-agreed MIC (maximum import capacity). This basically relates to the maximum amount of power that the building may demand at any point in time and is an infrastructure charge that is set by ESB Networks. In reality, consumption in all buildings depends on lots of variables but the maximum demand (MD) is the highest consumption recorded at any time each month and is usually stated on the bills. Ideally the MD needs to fall just below the MIC to avoid penalties but not too much below it to avoid unnecessary fixed charges.  

Business Challenge 

While many MIC reports have the sole objective of cost savings on energy, our client is also very environmentally conscious and wanted to achieve ISO 50001 accreditation for energy management practices. Additionally, a reduction in numbers onsite due to COVID-19 restrictions meant that power consumption at many buildings has reduced while the MIC had yet to be altered to account for this change. 

How we Helped 

We carried out the MIC and MD analysis and confirmed the reduced MICs would still provide more than sufficient capacity based on demand and usage in a “normal situation”. The likelihood is the demand on the buildings will reduce further due to the introduction of new energy efficient solutions and potentially reduced occupancy in future due to the COVID-19 restrictions. 

Once we had completed the analysis, we contacted the electricity provider to run alternative numbers for the client which suggest annual savings of almost 20k per annum. 

We also put in place procedures should the MIC be exceeded and forecasted any penalties it may incur against the possible savings. This analysis concluded that savings would offset any potential penalties providing a guaranteed saving to the client, all helping towards achieving ISO 50001 accreditation.