Energy efficiency – what is it and how to achieve it?
Year by year, energy prices fluctuate, and sustainability requirements continue to grow. As a result, energy efficiency is becoming a key element in the strategy of large industrial enterprises. It’s not just about reducing energy costs – it’s also about ensuring optimal performance of the machinery and equipment fleet. In this article, we’ll explore what energy efficiency truly means and how comprehensive implementation of energy-saving investments can support its achievement.
What is energy efficiency?
Energy efficiency is the ratio between the energy used and the performance achieved in systems, processes, or devices. In the context of industrial production plants, it is a key indicator of operational efficiency. It includes the reduction of energy consumption and the optimization of energy resource usage in production processes.
Its goal is to reduce energy costs used for activities such as heating, cooling, or powering inefficient machines. As a result, the share of energy costs in the total product price decreases. Maximizing energy efficiency enables better performance at lower costs.
The International Energy Agency estimates that improving energy efficiency could reduce global energy demand by one-third. Optimizing industrial processes, transportation, and buildings can deliver this result by 2050. These actions will simultaneously reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including CO2.
How to achieve energy efficiency?
Implementing energy-saving investments is the most important step toward improving energy efficiency in industrial facilities. Below are several actions that can be included in a sample energy efficiency improvement plan:
Installation of cogeneration or trigeneration
Cogeneration allows for the simultaneous production of electricity and heat from the same energy source, increasing the overall system efficiency and reducing energy losses. Combined heat and power production, also known as cogeneration, involves the useful use of heat generated in the process of electricity production in a gas engine.
Trigeneration, on the other hand, additionally enables the production of cooling. With cogeneration and trigeneration, it is possible to achieve very high efficiency in the use of energy contained in the fuel and minimize losses compared to separate production of electricity and heat.
We’ve prepared an infographic with key information about cogeneration: DB Energy Infographic – how does cogeneration work?
See the infographicHeat recovery from various sources
Heat recovery allows for the reuse of waste energy emitted by compressors, welders, turbines, engines, pumps, furnaces, chimneys, sterilizers, and other production or energy-generating equipment.
The main methods of heat recovery include recuperation, recirculation, and regeneration. The recovered energy can be used to power domestic hot water installations, ventilation systems, and technological processes.
What is heat recovery? What are the technologies for heat recovery? Check out our article on the topic:
Read the articleUse of own energy sources
Industrial energy sources can be part of the infrastructure in large, energy-intensive enterprises. They provide control over energy costs and production, and also protect against power outages from the grid or regulatory actions that may temporarily halt supplies. In-house energy sources in industrial facilities are installations that allow for the independent production of electricity or heat for the plant’s needs. These can include gas cogeneration units, photovoltaic power plants, wind turbines, biomass boilers, trigeneration installations, or small hydroelectric plants. Modernizing in-house energy sources typically requires significant financial outlays but also delivers above-average savings.
Modernization of lighting in the facility
Using energy-efficient light sources, such as LED diodes, can significantly reduce energy consumption related to lighting in the facility. Outdated and inefficient lighting systems lead to high energy consumption, and thus – unnecessary costs, especially in larger enterprises.
Additionally, improperly used and poorly suited lighting reduces safety and work comfort. Such lighting systems are always worth modernizing. Typical savings in this area range from 45–85% of costs, and investments rarely exceed a 3-year payback period.
Modernization of industrial machinery
Old, inefficient machines are often the main source of energy waste in a plant. Modernizing or replacing them with more advanced and technologically efficient devices can significantly reduce energy consumption.
Energy-saving investments not only contribute to improved energy efficiency but also generate a number of benefits for industrial companies. Here are a few of them:
- reduction of operational costs – lower energy consumption means lower purchasing costs, which translates into increased company competitiveness;
- increased infrastructure reliability – modern, energy-efficient technological solutions often feature greater reliability and durability, minimizing the risk of infrastructure failure;
- improved image and sustainable development – investing in energy efficiency is an important part of CSR (corporate social responsibility) strategy, contributing to a positive image among external stakeholders;
Energy efficiency is a major challenge for modern industrial production facilities. Improving it requires the implementation of comprehensive energy-saving investments, including infrastructure modernization and process optimization. The benefits of such investments are multifaceted, covering economic, social, and environmental aspects. Therefore, for many companies, investing in energy efficiency is not only a way to reduce costs but also a key step toward sustainable development.
