I pose the above question to start a discussion on the why’s and how’s of an enterprise energy management strategy.
With the recent unrest in the Middle East and northern Africa combined with the increasing energy demand from China and India, the price of oil is expected to continue to rise for the foreseeable future. In fact, trends in energy pricing indicate utility companies are raising rates and introducing more tiered structures that penalize large energy consumers. Combine increased energy cost pressures with the public and government focus on carbon footprint and possible cap and trade regulations, and energy management becomes an important place to look for financial savings and corporate sustainability alignment.
So where does one start the process?
Well, I rely on an old phrase that has stood the test of time:
“One can not manage what one can not measure.”
Enterprise needs to commence with an energy utilization data collection strategy to a corporate wide, single system of record for energy management. Manufacturing plants, institutions, commercial facilities all reporting total energy utilization that can be compared to energy KPI targets.
As defined by the various certification protocols, ISO 50001, Superior Energy Performance, DoE Save Energy Now Leader, etc, measurement and verification of energy use is the foundation on which the energy, strategy, user accountability and reduction initiatives are built on.
