Energy saving opportunities

A number of different measures can be adopted to save energy (see Fig. K15).

• Reduce energy use

These measures try to achieve the same results by consuming less (e.g. installing highly energy-efficient lights which provide the same quality of light but consume less energy) or reduce energy consumption by taking care to use no more energy than is strictly necessary (e.g. another method would be to have fewer lights in a room which is too brightly lit).

• Save energy

These measures reduce costs per unit rather than reducing the total amount of energy used. For example, day-time activities could be performed at night to in order to take advantage of cheaper rates. : Similarly, work could be scheduled to avoid peak hours and demand response programmes.

• Energy reliability

They not only contribute to operational effectiveness by avoiding production downtime, but also avoid the energy losses associated with frequent restarts and the additional work associated with batches of spoiled products.

Fig. K15 – An overall strategy for energy management

Everyone immediately thinks of equipment for transforming energy (motors, lighting/heating devices) when considering areas where savings can be made. Less obvious, perhaps, are the potential savings offered by the various control devices and programmes associated with this type of equipment.