Energy is necessary for our daily activities, and in industrial activities its use is also necessary, but are we aware of how much we can save?
That is why today we will tell you how you can reduce costs at industrial level and contribute to the environment with energy efficiency.
What is energy efficiency?
Energy efficiency is using as little energy as possible to maintain the energy processes carried out in your company and industry.
In other words, it is optimizing energy consumption through technologies and habit changes in order to use a lower than average amount of energy.
Why should you look for energy efficiency?
The traditional way of obtaining energy is through coal, natural gas and oil, which are non-renewable and create hazardous waste that pollute the environment and endanger human health. These resources have also increased in cost over the years and have become more necessary in daily life.
In the 70’s people began to look for ways that were less risky and were invited to take habits that would help reduce the excessive use of these resources. That is when energy efficiency arose, which seeks to reduce the use of fossil fuels to obtain energy.
This practice is essential to have a sustainable development within industries and companies in the country; which will allow social progress, economic growth and environmental balance.
How to save with energy efficiency?
The first step in making an energy savings plan is to know the specific amount of energy consumed in the facility at each stage of the processes. With that information you will be able to know in which areas you can be energy efficient.
To make the plan it is best to have an energy expert to review the current energy sources, analyze the information and tell you what are the best practices for your company.
Therefore, conducting an energy audit is essential, because through this study, you can know the energy consumption in the plant, which will allow you to analyze and establish tactics that add up to energy savings in the industry.
What are the economic and environmental benefits of investing in energy efficiency?
Establishing energy efficiency savings measures in the industrial sector will have a positive environmental, economic and even social impact:
- On the environmental side, available empirical evidence suggests that potential energy savings and CO2 emission reductions can be above 10% (and even 20%) in most industrial sectors.
- In the economic context, the available evidence (from academia and international institutions in the energy sector) suggests that the impact of investments in energy efficiency in terms of GDP and employment will be significant in the medium term (2030). This motivates the improvement of energy efficiency in industry to be one of the objectives and pillars of the European Green Pact and of the post-Covid 19 European Union (EU) economic recovery strategy.
- There is an impact on the productivity of industrial companies, especially in the most energy-intensive sectors, such as the iron and steel sector. Improvements in competitiveness are related to technological innovation, the implementation of digital solutions, the use of new materials in production processes and non-technological innovation.
- It will allow improvements in comfort and safety conditions at work, as well as positive implications on health or reputational benefits, and also lower legal and commercial risks for companies.
Measures to save energy and reduce environmental impact
- Verify that electrical devices are completely turned off at the end of the electric day; leaving them on can add up to 10% of the electric bill.
- The installation of LED lighting will allow energy savings.
- When buying new electrical equipment, check that the energy label classifies it as class A+ or higher.
- Use thermal insulating materials in your facilities to save on cooling or heating costs.
- Replace your windows with double glazing with thermal break frames.
- Substitute the use of fossil fuels, capture, storage and use of CO2 and reuse of high temperature waste heat are the most promising ways to reduce emissions in the most energy intensive sectors.
- Development of new materials (e.g., in the cement sector), the use of renewable hydrogen (in the chemical and petrochemical sector and in heavy industry), new electrical equipment (e.g., electric arc furnaces) or the use of biofuels (in all sectors).
- Combustion processes that give rise to process heat, specific industrial processes or other activities during the life cycle of industrial products (e.g. fugitive emissions of solvents, lubricants, etc.).
- Constant maintenance to its machinery and equipment to avoid energy leakage.
At Alher Sem the environmental, economic and social improvement is an important factor for us, therefore, we provide solutions through energy audits, as well as evaluate efficient technologies, monitor and measure the energy consumption, to provide low consumption measures at industrial level. To learn more about our energy efficiency section, click here.
Sources: Orkestra ISSN 2340-7638.
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