Feasibility Study For Sustainability Project

Project Overview:

Project: Feasibility Study to Apply Heat Pumps for Zero Gas Consumption
Where: Venlo, The Netherlands
IntES Services: Feasibility Study & Cost Estimation

About our Client:

Our client is a global leader in consumer and professional imaging. Founded in Venlo, The Netherlands, they focus on developing, manufacturing, and selling printing and copying hardware and related software.

About the Project:

IntES is proud to be awarded this project of a feasibility study for the production facility of our client. The scope of this project is for a part of the facility that consists of two buildings. One which provides heating and cooling to the other. IntES’ role in this project was to develop a Feasibility Study & Cost Estimation related to replacing chillers with a more sustainable solution, with the target of reducing gas consumption to zero for the building delivering heating and cooling

IntES’ Scope of Work and Our Approach:

As the project was awarded to us with the scope of Feasibility Study and Cost Estimation, we proposed our approach based on our experience in several similar projects and the client’s requirements simultaneously. Understanding that operational efficiency is the top priority, our experts carefully performed a detailed assessment of the current situation to evaluate improvement options, with the target of maintaining the cooling and heating demand, optimizing electrical energy consumption and preferably bringing gas consumption to zero.

In an early stage of the study we found that the possible solutions for our client’s situation was dependent on what was available on the market and therefore limited to two main options:

  • One-on-one replacement of the chillers with more efficient chillers
  • Replacing one or both chillers with heatpumps

Based on this we conducted an appropriate data-driven process simulation and heat mass balance to provide real-time analysis of the current facility. Among others, there were four criteria that we focused on for this feasibility study: efficiency, environmental impact, redundancy, and constructability. Based on the results of the first study, our engineers used various software and calculation methodologies to implement simulations and investigations that illustrate various scenarios for replacing the chillers. For each scenario provided to the client, we designed a process flow diagram to indicate the flow of cooling and heating in the plant. Afterwards, we recommended to the client the best solution and how to implement it with the lowest capital budget.

This was based on financial evaluations of the different options conducted by calculating many indicators such as:

  • Consumption and running costs (OPEX)
  • Investment costs (CAPEX)
  • Net present value (NPV)
  • Return on Investment (ROI)

By illustrating and comparing the total costs of energy for each different scenario, our team recommended the most efficient scenario to our client, fulfilling the input requirements from both technical and economical perspectives.

Feasibility Study For Canon Sustainability Project 3

Challenges and Outcomes

Every project comes with its own set of challenges, and this feasibility study was no exception. During the first stage, we encountered a partial roadblock when required to use the scarce and untagged data from the client to simulate the current situation in our model. To overcome this effectively, we needed to perform benchmarking and calculations, make assumptions, ensuring that the baseline was established correctly to avoid problems in the next stages.

Another challenge was to select the appropriate equipment category and technology that could meet the process requirements, especially for cooling and heating capacities at certain temperature ranges. Compatibility was the key factor in this step to ensure the system’s optimal performance after the improvements.

The current heating and cooling installation consisting of a boiler, chillers and condensers, with the possibility to apply free cooling for processes in the winter, was already partly sustainable. It was a great challenge to find a better sustainable solution, so we simulated the current situation in our model using information from our client’s data in combination with information gained from the earlier stage. Although there was not a lot of data available, we were still able to simulate the current situation and select a reference year.

However, the most demanding challenge was probably how to evaluate the many possibilities and then select the most effective ones for the client. As mentioned earlier, we aimed with our solutions to ensure four criteria including efficiency, environmental impact, redundancy, and constructability. Several scenarios were provided, and we selected the most appropriate 5 that could be implemented. With a clear explanation in the report based on real assessment, the client was made aware of the advantages of our approach and approved our results. Finally, they selected an option that was not the most profitable, but that allowed the highest reduction in energy consumption. A testament to our client’s commitment to sustainability.


The IntES team in the Netherlands takes great pride in being the partner for Canon in the development of this project focused on sustainable solutions; one of our biggest commitments for the design work we deliver to our clients. If you are looking at making your operations more sustainable, our experts are here to help with their multidisciplinary experience and skills. We will support you to make your dream projects a reality and achieve your sustainability targets.