A common objection to doing an energy audit is that 'Everything is fine'. This is rarely the case. Here are two examples when audit uncovered saving opportunities that clients did not know existed because they believed everything was in perfect state already. Efficient equipment does not equate to efficient operation. Sanitation staff turned [...]
A common belief is that if plant is equipped with efficient machines it runs efficiently. Unfortunately, this is not always true. Efficiency of components does not equate to efficiency of the whole plant. Common reason for utility waste by efficient machines: Misuse: compressed air used instead of blowers or for cooling, oversized motors, excessive [...]
We often hear: "Our plant runs at top energy efficiency because we use these procedures and settings and our efficient equipment is fully operational." Just how often is this true? With all due respect to maintenance and operational staff, recommendations of a proper energy audit are based on direct observation of operations and lots [...]
Complex energy audit does not look at energy alone. It considers how energy use affects core business - production, quality, scrap, employee productivity.
Companies with strong energy management demonstrate higher performance at the stock market. Do not take my word for it, here is a snapshot of stock performance of a well-known leader in energy management 3M USA (US:MMM, black) compared to Dow Jones US Chemicals Index (XX:DJUSCH, blue) over last 5 years as presented at Market Watch. [...]
In the view of growing electricity prices and time-sensitive tariffs numerous vendors around offer on-site electricity generation and storage. Should your company do it? Are you in business of electricity generation? Prior to going into technical and financial details of different power generation solutions, I suggest you ask yourself a strategic question: Are you [...]
We continue industrial refrigeration optimization project aimed at energy consumption reduction without compromise of refrigeration capacity. At first stage we study the system. Study through direct observation and through analysis of directly measured energy consumption data on all parts of the refrigeration system - from compressors to condenser fans and pumps. This data in combination [...]
Amnesty to prior energy waste unlocks immense energy cost reduction potential.
Simple payback period is routinely used as an ultimate ratio when it comes to selecting between energy projects. This practice may cost your company money in missed opportunities. Simple payback period (SPP) is the simplest way to assess profitability of an investment project. Simply divide first year cost by first year savings and you get [...]
Today I had the most pleasant meeting at owners office of our manufacturing client. I experienced deep satisfaction when plant manager bragged about results of projects to the owner - lighting, grants, utility audit, compressed air system audit, changes in water supply, upcoming refrigeration optimisation and monitoring. And a grey-haired owner said: "I am happy with [...]
