Analyzing and reducing energy use

For the successful completion of this study it was of crucial importance to always remember who the commissioner of the study was. This is probably true for any study of this type. No matter if the commissioner is an authority, a corporate function or somebody else, the results must be presented so that the commissioner understands the results and receives answers to the questions that made him/her order the study in the first place. Keeping up an open and unbiased dialogue with the commissioner to make sure all are on the same track is necessary.

When proposing energy saving measures, it was important to recognize that many measures turned out to be of an investigate-further character. If data are not available and no monitoring routines exist for a certain part of a process, the measure could be to further investigate how monitoring may be carried out.

Since many different operational functions were involved, it was also important to present the results to these people at short intervals. This may be a very general piece of advice for project management, but it cannot be stressed enough. The quality of the facts and figures must be reviewed by those closest to the production. However, it was favorable to also involve some external resources in the project. Some issues may be put aside by tradition and it is often easier for someone from the outside to discover such issues.

On a practical level, it was favorable to write the report from the study in parallel to collecting information and interviewing people. This provided the writer with a better overview and it diminished the risk of missing important aspects.

Business value
Reducing energy consumptions leads to reduced costs. It is important to be aware of the energy consumption, which might not be obvious at first look. Analyzing the energy use is the first step towards receiving control over energy costs. 

In new investments, energy and also money can be saved by using the most energy efficient technology. Furthermore, discussions with nearby industries can lead to benefits in forms of cooperation and energy exchange. 

It is vital to a full view of the energy consumption within a site, since many different persons and business units with different interests are involved. Many times energy saving activities are run in different parts of the company. By coordinating the activities, money can be saved and the results of the activities can be higher.