3M is recognised as a world leader in energy efficiency, hands down. Since 2008, the company has reduced energy use by 32%. This result by far exceeds the 20% reduction goal, aspired by many companies. How does 3M work with energy? What can other companies learn from their experience? I brought these questions to [...]
If you seek a list of low cost energy efficiency improvements in process energy management in manufacturing, then this post is for you. This post summarizes best practices for process energy management in selected industries as identified by Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters (CME) through an Energy Pathfinder Research Initiative. The goal of this project was to identify [...]
Managers and executives can benefit immensely from clarity about energy consumption and savings, as well as risk costly mistakes from its absence. Despite loud claims, most M&V systems create more confusion and delusion, than clarity. Here are recommendations on what to watch for in an M&V reports and software to avoid making costly investment mistakes. [...]
Energy audit requires metered data. At least if client expects results that can be presented in the boardroom, not just general considerations. On the other hand, installation of meters takes time and money. On the third hand, if I had one, incentives on installation of meters are only available within M&T framework, which can logically [...]
What is the value of saved kWh at our plant? This post continues the discussion about the $value of kWh, started in What is kWh worth at your plant. In that post we talked about effect of operational changes on cost of energy. Today we will talk about how value of energy efficiency projects shows [...]
A trivial question, which does not have a simple answer without the context. Consider a plant that in the last month used 1,000,000 kWh to produce 10,000 units and paid $15,000 for electricity. Does kWh cost $0.15? Is energy cost per unit $1.5? Yes, No and Maybe. Cost or value of a kWh depends on [...]
Energy accounting is key to success of energy projects Selling, buying and implementing energy projects costs too much effort at both sides of the client-vendor divide, despite the best effort of professionals involved in the process. It does not have to. Why so many projects are either not sold, or not approved, or [...]
As an energy manager you work hard to keep energy cost in check. But do you get due recognition of results? A typical energy manger has to master lots of skills: come up with energy efficiency ideas, evaluate dozens of offers on energy saving tools, products and services, manage contractors, oversee implementation of energy conservation [...]
More energy data is better, right? Data shows what's happening, so we should have lots of it to manager machines, right? Not necessarily. Although various meters are becoming cheaper by day, too many of them may hurt your business instead of helping to manage it. When driving, do you really need to know the exact [...]
If you are a plant manager I bet that scores of energy efficiency vendors call and email you daily. All of them want to sell their hardware and most promise extreme profitability. Will you choose a project based on salesman promise alone? If you want to quickly navigate the sea of energy efficiency offers without [...]
