Effective implementation of energy efficiency is good management, like any resource that an organisation employs, energy will only be used efficiently if it is managed properly. Good energy management saves energy in itself, energy management can be broken down into a number of key areas:
• Policy
• Planning and organising
• Monitoring and control
• People
• Reporting and review
All are necessary for effective energy management, the level of detail and approach taken will depend on the nature and size of your organisation. Energy management is highly cost effective
Policy
This should be a formal statement of the organisation’s objectives, demonstrating senior management commitment to continuous improvement in the efficient use of energy. It should explain the key approaches that the organisation will take to achieve these objectives.
Planning and organising
To achieve the aims and objectives of the energy policy, there should be clear and formalised responsibilities, plans and procedures in place. These should include:
• Documented roles and responsibilities;
• Plans which set targets for energy savings, and supporting action plans
• Appropriate methods for communication, to ensure that policies and procedures are understood and that management commitment to them is visible
• Procedures for planned and emergency maintenance of equipment, and the procurement of new plant taking due account of opportunities for energy efficiency
• Procedures for assessing the cost-effectiveness of energy saving measures. These should take a view of savings over the lifetime of the measure.
Monitoring and Control
Energy waste can not be effectively controlled without a clear understanding of its use. There are two complementary activities that provide, and help maintain, this understanding:
• The physical energy survey
• On going monitoring and analysis of energy consumption information.
The energy survey is an investigation of the control and flow of energy in, for example, a building, a manufacturing unit, an item of equipment, or a whole site. A survey can range from a simple ‘walk-through’ to a comprehensive and detailed appraisal. In both cases, the aim of the survey is to gain understanding and identify cost-effective energy saving measures.
Monitoring & Targeting comprises four main elements:
- Data collection from a number of possible sources including energy bills, own meter readings, automatic meter readings, half-hourly data from utilities
- Analysis and interpretation to turn the data into useful information on which to act.
- Reporting of appropriate information, such as unexpected excess consumption
- Action, without which there is little, if any benefit
People
People are crucial to effective energy management. If the person tasked with energy management is working without the support of others in their organisation, their activities are likely to be discouraged. Every employee can make a contribution to saving energy, particularly through attention to ‘house-keeping’ issues, if they have awareness, motivation and empowerment.
Awareness can be raised through a variety of ways, including poster campaigns, e-mail bulletins and training sessions. For people to do the right thing, such as switching off unnecessary lights, knowing it’s the right thing to do is not enough: they also need to be motivated. Motivation comes from commitment to the reasons for saving energy, whether it be improving the organisation’s profitability or helping the environment.
Reporting and Review
Organisations should provide management reports on energy use in a way appropriate to the size and complexity of the company. They give the opportunity to stand back, consider whether the energy management system being employed remains appropriate, and to decide whether modifications are needed.
Further Information please contact the Carbon Trust: www.thecarbontrust.co.uk/energy