Energy Management Concepts

ENERGY MANAGEMENT

Energy costs are often treated as a fixed overhead by organizations. But, by taking the right approach to energy management it is possible to make considerable savings. Successful energy management must combine an effective strategy with the right practical interventions. Many organizations would like to save energy, but they need to make energy management an integral part of running the organization to ensure success.

Energy management is a continuous process that develops over time. You are unlikely to tackle everything at once, so it’s vital to priorities. Dealing with the fundamentals first will provide the

foundations for longer-term success:

1. Understand your organization’s energy use, costs, and legal obligations

2. Gain senior management support and allocation of resources

3. Develop an energy policy and initial strategy

4. Work to formalize energy management and integrate it throughout the organization.

What do we mean by energy management?

Energy efficiency

Energy efficiency aims to gain the maximum results or effects from each unit of energy used; it’s about achieving the same outcomes through less energy.

Renewable energy

Renewable energy refers to energy that occurs naturally and repeatedly in the environment. This can be energy from waves, wind, the sun and geothermal heat from the ground. Renewable energy can also be produced from plant sources such as wood or crops are grown specifically as a fuel. Renewable energy will not run out, unlike energy from fossil fuels.

Energy management

Energy management is the systematic use of management and technology to improve an organization’s energy performance. It needs to be integrated, proactive, and incorporate energy procurement, energy efficiency and renewable energy to be fully effective. Energy management is essential if you want to control costs, be fully compliant with legislation and enhance the organization’s reputation.

Energy Manager

The term Energy Manager is widely used, and we use it here as shorthand for the person responsible for implementing the organization’s energy programmed or

strategy. In practice, most organizations do not have or need a full-time Energy Manager; there are many part-time Energy Managers

Why is good energy management?

Saving energy makes business sense. A structured, coordinated and integrated approach to managing energy will maximize the benefits. Evidence shows that effective energy management works, and its techniques are easily available and applicable to all types of organization.

Source: Carbon Trust

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