Calculating Total Energy Consumption

TFC & TPER explained

Your organisation's energy consumption can be expressed as total final consumption (TFC) or total primary energy requirement (TPER). You enter data into the M&R system in TFC but the system tracks your performance using an EnPI based on TPER.

Total final consumption (TFC)

TFC is the energy consumption recorded on meters and and bills.

Total primary energy requirement (TPER)

TPER is a measure of your energy consumption that also accounts for the energy that is consumed and/or lost beyond the boundary of your organisation, notably in generating and distributing the electricity that you use.

Why M&R uses TPER

A more complete measure of energy use

TPER gives a more complete measure than total final consumption of the impact of the individual public body and the public sector as a whole on energy use and on energy-related CO₂ emissions.

Aligned with policy & legislation

The targets set out in national and European policy and legislation are in primary energy.

Gives organisations credit

TPER implicitly gives organisations credit for reducing electricity system losses for ‘Ireland Inc.’ when they implement certain onsite electricity generation systems, e.g. CHP, auto-generating wind turbines, on-site solar PV.

Aligned to the relative costs & environmental impact of energy types

TPER accounts for the inherent higher value of electricity compared to other energy types and it is more closely aligned to the relative costs and environmental impact of electricity compared to other energy types.

For example, 1 kWh TFC of electricity typically costs over three times more than 1 kWh TFC of natural gas. In TFC terms, both are counted as 1 kWh. However, in TPER terms the 1 kWh of electricity is counted as 1.90 kWh and the 1 kWh of natural gas is counted as 1.1 kWh (based on 2019 conversion factors).

Projected primary energy factor for electricity

The conversion factors for electricity change from year to year as the efficiency of the electricity system changes.  SEAI prepares forecasts for the primary energy conversion factor for electricity in future years.  The latest forecast is based on SEAI’s most recent modelling work, which allows for the 70% RES-E target set out in the Climate Action Plan 2019.  The forecast values are based on the best information available to SEAI as of March 2020. They incorporate a large number of variables and assumptions, the most important of which are outlined below.  The forecast values for the primary energy conversion factor will be reviewed and updated periodically by SEAI.  Users of this data should carefully consider its appropriateness for use in their particular circumstances, particularly if using the forecast values for making investment decisions.

Assumptions:

• 2030 RES-E target of 70% will be achieved;
• Moneypoint will close by 2025;
• Peat station assumptions are aligned with the latest public notifications from ESB;
• Projections of electricity demand are informed by Eirgrid Generation Capacity Statement 2019-2028.

The Gap-to-target model available to public bodies via the M&R system incorporates SEAI forecasts for primary energy conversion factors and emission factors out to 2030.  The model was last updated with SEAI forecasts on 13 May 2020.