**7. Endusers**

End-user is Saudi Arabia mainly belongs to two main energy sectors i.e., transportation and buildings, the transport sector is utilizing the majority of its usage from hydrocarbon (from refineries) while building sector depends mainly on electricity (from power plants).

#### **7.1 Energy efficiency gap in end-user**

The majority of demand from buildings is from HVAC, consequently, a closer look into the air conditioning is needed from an energy efficiency perspective. Data is not available on existing plant efficiencies in Saudi Arabia. But worldwide, it is common that without any efficiency improvement measure, air conditioning efficiency usually lies between 1 and 2 kW/ton. With that assumption, and based on the world's best efficiency practices, it is estimated that 40–70% efficiency improvement is possible across the air conditioning. Accordingly, more than 50% in energy savings is possible, by improving the existing old T8 and T12 lighting to LED lightings. A significant portion of the energy is lost in buildings, due to users' habits, and mainly results from a lack of knowledge about energy efficiency and improvement.

Energy efficiency in transport can be enhanced in three ways. First, by reducing transport demand through urban planning and information technology; then by shifting transport of passenger and goods away from more energy-intensive modes, such as road, to fewer intensive means, such as public transportation for passengers and rail and sea for goods; and finally, by improving the fuel economy of the vehicles used, be they road vehicles, aircraft, trains or ships.

#### **8. Building components and their efficiency**

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA) (2013), the residential sector accounted for more than a quarter of global electricity consumption in 2011.

#### **Figure 25.** *Existing energy supply from utilities plant to different sector [13].*

In Saudi Arabia, this share is almost double at around 50%, largely because of very high average ambient temperatures, and the use of power-hungry air coolers for HVAC systems (**Figure 25**).

All buildings, including residential, in Saudi Arabia, use 40–70% (average 59.4%) of their energy for air conditioning. The combination of heating and ventilation consumption with air-conditioning systems i.e., HVAC, systems consumes about 70% of the total energy (**Figures 26** and **27**) [13]. In addition, lighting electrical energy represents around 15% of the total used electrical energy in buildings all over the Kingdom (19% globally). The remaining 11% of energy is consumed by other appliances/equipment items.

**Figure 26.** *Energy flow for residential buildings in Riyadh, source [13].*

*Energy Efficiency: The Overlooked Energy Resource DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.101835*

**Figure 27.** *Energy flow for residential buildings in Dhahran, source [13].*

**Figure 28.** *Transport energy consumption per person [6].*

To provide an indicative benchmark of energy efficiency in the sector, transport energy consumption per capita for road transport can be compared across a range of countries (**Figure 28**) [6]. It will be noted that while per capita transport energy consumption is relatively high in Saudi Arabia, it is still lower than in Canada and the U.S. However, the major difference is that per capita transport energy consumption is stable or declining in most OECD countries, whereas in Saudi Arabia it has been growing strongly.

### **8.1 Applications in end-users**

There are several key areas, improvement of which can improve the end-user energy efficiency significantly. A few major energy savings opportunities are listed.

#### *8.1.1 Holistic system design approach*

Analysis revealed that changing the renovation design to a whole-systems approach could dramatically improve comfort, quadruple energy efficiency, and cost about the same as normal renovations. Super windows, deep daylighting, and efficient lights, and office equipment could reduce the cooling load (except that caused by the occupants) by 85%. This in turn could make the replacement cooling equipment three-fourths smaller than the original system, four times as efficient, and significantly cheaper to pay for the other improvements. The annual energy bill would then fall by 75%, which will result in a significant reduction in rent per square foot per year, and be at least 10 times the competitive rent difference in the local market. The fourfold energy efficiency improvement would cost essentially the same as the standard renovation that was about to be done anyway, with far better amenity, esthetics, and rentability.

#### *8.1.2 Optimizing the design by providing wider piping and laying it first*

Research shows that significant energy losses occur due to piping. In the study, it is found that the fatter pipes and cleaner layout yielded not only 92% lower pumping energy at a lower total capital cost, but also simpler and faster construction, less use of floor space, more reliable operation, easier maintenance, and better performance. As an added bonus, easier thermal insulation of the pipe.

#### *8.1.3 Measurement of existing air conditioning plant efficiency*

It is important that measurement of air conditioning plant efficiency including small residential split systems to large chiller plants should be conducted throughout the Saudi Arabian buildings and plants. Understanding the existing systems efficiency condition will help the building owner/operator to identify the savings potential and will raise interest to act. Proper understanding and retrofitting will make the system 15–25% more efficient.

#### *8.1.4 Building data analytics*

Buildings are loaded with a very large volume of data and information. Overall, there is a need for an automated solution to process this information. Building analytics can help turn data into action and savings. The overall building analytics services include: data monitoring and analyzing, automation and controlling, sustainability reporting and strategy development, metering and billing, asset management, measurement and verification, comfort management, carbon and waste reporting, energy and water reporting, demand analysis, etc. Utilizing the Advance Building Data Analytics can bring 5–10% savings from the existing operation.

#### *8.1.5 Implementation of low hanging fruits (e.g., lighting replacement/refurbishment)*

Buildings can easily save 5–10% of the consumption by installing easy solutions. There is technology, such as LED lighting that can be easily installed and bring more than 50% savings from its existing baseline. Simple set point adjustment will also help savings from air conditioning and other system operation savings.

In addition to that, as electric motors account for more than 30% of all electricity consumed in commercial buildings, more emphasis should be placed on motor efficiency. Finally, the system loss in the pumping and ducting, especially in all the throttling mechanisms, should be carefully reviewed. All of these are possible if the user and the building owner/operator work sincerely towards a sustainable building, living and working environment.
