The ENERGY STAR program, managed by the US Environmental Protection Agency, has been very effective in helping homes and businesses reduce their energy use and environmental footprint. Implementing energy efficiency in a large organization represents a significant management challenge, so the US EPA has provided guidelines to simplify the process, divided into seven steps.
- Commitment
- Evaluate performance
- Set goals
- Create action plan
- Implement action plan
- Evaluate progress
- Recognize achievements
Step 1: Commitment
In simple terms, commitment means taking energy efficiency seriously as a business priority. Companies must be aware that energy efficiency is an investment , requiring a commitment of resources in exchange for an even greater long-term benefit. When companies begin to implement an energy efficiency policy, two main contributions will generally be needed: personnel and financing.
The US EPA recommends the appointment of a chief energy officer, and depending on the size of the company, this may be a full-time position. The energy director should ideally be supported by an energy team, with members from all relevant organizational areas. The creation of an energy team and capital allocation complement the energy policy, which establishes objectives and responsibilities.
Step 2: Evaluate performance
Before implementing measures to improve energy performance, it is important to determine a company's current situation. This also provides a basis for evaluating the effectiveness of energy efficiency initiatives in the future. Furthermore, knowledge of current energy performance allows comparative assessment, both between facilities belonging to the same organization and in relation to similar buildings owned by other parties.
When collecting data, it is important to determine what level of detail is appropriate, considering that more detail provides additional insights but is also more demanding in terms of man hours and data processing needs. It is also important to consider all forms of energy use:
- Some companies make the mistake of only considering utility bills, ignoring energy sources such as renewable generation and heat recovery systems.
- In addition to the amount of energy consumed from each source, it is also important to have cost data.
- You'll also need supplemental information to assess overall energy performance, including building data such as square footage and operating schedules.
The initial performance assessment can be complemented with an energy tracking system. It can be as simple as a manually filled spreadsheet or as complex as a web platform with automated sensors and reports. Just keep in mind that it should be designed to be user-friendly and insightful; in other words, it must be a tool that adds value and not an obstacle.
Another key element of assessing energy performance is establishing useful metrics, considering that some may be better suited to specific types of companies. For example, an industrial company might measure kWh consumption per unit produced, while a financial institution might instead focus on annual kWh/foot. two .
Evaluating energy performance requires know-how, so not all companies will be able to do it with just their internal staff, especially if they operate outside of technical areas. However, this can be offset by simply engaging the services of third-party energy consultants. Even if a company has a large engineering department, working with specialist consultants can help develop in-house expertise if it is the department's first time dealing with energy efficiency.
3) Set goals
Once a company has a clear picture of where it stands in terms of energy efficiency, the next step is to determine where it wants to be. Benchmarking can be very useful here: by analyzing top performers, companies looking to improve their energy efficiency can set realistic targets. Without benchmarking, a company may inadvertently set goals that are technically or financially unfeasible.
Goals can be divided by scale or by deadline. For example, an energy efficiency improvement goal could target the organization as a whole, a specific building, or even a specific process or equipment. The time frame can also vary: some improvements can be made very quickly, while others require careful planning and gradual updates. For example, recommissioning typically generates energy savings of up to 10% with minimal expense and a quick payback; Conversely, upgrades to basic building systems can be capital and labor intensive while having a longer payback.
Energy performance goals can take many forms, but some of the most common ways to set them are:
- Achieve a specified percentage reduction in energy consumption.
- Achieve a specified percentage reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
- Certification in a program such as ENERGY STAR or LEED.
4) Create an Action Plan
The action plan is the roadmap to move from the current level of energy performance to the established target. Basically, this stage involves project management: the company must define a scope based on the results of previous analyzes and audits, prioritizing energy efficiency measures considered most effective. The action plan involves a scope of work, as well as timelines and allocated resources (cost and labor).
It is recommended to divide the action plan by department to optimize the work, and it should be reviewed and updated periodically, for example, once a year. Keep in mind that energy efficiency involves specialized knowledge and updates to building systems, so the action plan should also consider the role of external consultants, technology suppliers and contractors.
5) Implement the Action Plan
Best practices in project management are also effective in implementing energy efficiency. As with any project, Human Resources management is essential, which is why the US EPA suggests creating a communication plan to ensure that information always reaches its target. It is also important to raise awareness at an organizational level, to streamline collaboration once the proposed measures are being implemented. It may also be necessary to develop capabilities through training existing employees, while expanding staff temporarily or permanently with the right talent for the task.
The energy tracking system developed in step 2 can be very useful here to keep a record of the results achieved and match them with the corresponding energy efficiency measures.
6) Evaluate progress
Progress assessment is an ongoing process that involves two main activities:
- Comparison of results achieved with established goals.
- Review the action plan and adjust it as necessary toward energy efficiency goals.
Initiatives that have worked can be improved, while those that have proven less effective can be given lower priority. As time passes, the energy management procedures implemented by a company improve thanks to periodic evaluation and action plan revisions.
Best practices are a very useful product of progress assessment. As improving energy efficiency becomes an established business process, there will be a record of what worked best in the past.
7) Recognize achievements
An energy efficiency policy involves extra effort from your employees, so it makes sense to reward the results achieved. Two of the most effective methods are public recognition and salary bonuses. Public recognition at the organization level is also important to build momentum; for example, if the company achieves certification under a program such as LEED or ENERGY STAR, a press release may be published. This also helps to improve the public perception of the company as a corporate citizen committed to sustainability.
