In ESCO projects, what does "energy recovery" typically refer to?

In the context of ESCO projects, "energy recovery" specifically refers to capturing and reusing waste energy. This process involves taking energy that would otherwise be lost—such as heat produced during industrial processes, exhaust gases, or other forms of excess energy—and repurposing it for useful applications. For example, waste heat from a manufacturing process could be captured and used to heat water or provide space heating, effectively increasing the overall energy efficiency of the system.

The concept is integral to improving energy performance because it not only reduces the overall demand for new energy sources but also minimizes waste, aligning with the goals of sustainability and resource conservation that underpin ESCO initiatives. By efficiently recovering energy that would otherwise go unused, projects can provide cost savings and contribute to overall energy sustainability.

Other choices, while relevant in the broader context of energy efficiency and sustainability, do not specifically capture the essence of energy recovery in this context. For instance, implementing renewable energy sources contributes to energy generation but does not focus on recovering energy from existing processes. Similarly, reducing energy consumption is an important goal, yet it does not specifically address the recovery of waste energy. Conducting energy audits is a necessary step in identifying energy use and potential savings but does not directly relate to the active process of