Rising energy prices, global warming, economic crisis.... In recent months, a number of indicators seem to be encouraging industrial companies to consume less and better energy. Are you still hesitating to take the plunge? Find out in 5 points why your company should start implementing an energy optimization strategy.
1- Your energy bill exceeds €500k
Despite the increase in their energy consumption, some industry leaders still think that energy optimization is reserved for large, multi-site companies. Not so. Until a few years ago, industrial performance was mainly recommended for manufacturers with bills in excess of €1 million," explains Thierry D'Allancé, Energy Expert and Coach at Energiency. Today, this threshold is more like 500,000 euros. Over and above the savings achieved, the implementation of energy efficiency projects also enables SMIs to demonstrate a higher level of environmental awareness.
2- Your production rate is variable
Working in 2-shift, 3-shift or 5-shift mode? Seasonal peaks? Temporary shutdowns? The diversity of production rhythms on an industrial site is also a good reason to optimize energy consumption. "Sites with non-uniform production rhythms generally have considerable potential for savings. In particular, it's important to study whether variations in consumption are consistent with variations in production. As manufacturers are now encouraged to be ever more flexible when it comes to production, it's in their interest to become just as flexible when it comes to energy.
3- Your site is multi-energy
Do your plants use both electricity and natural gas? A better prediction of your consumption thanks to energy improvement software should help you buy these two energies more efficiently. What's more, this tool will also help you to activate a second lever for financial gains: leakage reduction. As Thierry D'Allancé points out: "As soon as an industrial site uses fluids, energy optimization becomes virtually inescapable. One example is compressed air, for which the volume of leakage in factories is generally between 20% and 40%". Thanks to an in-depth energy analysis, significant savings can be made not only in compressed air, but also in cooling and steam.
4- You are involved in the ISO 50001 process
ISO 50001 is a certification launched in 2011 and updated in 2018. It sets out practical procedures for reducing energy consumption at one or more sites, through continuous improvement and the implementation of an energy management system (EMS). "The point of such certification is to enable organizations to commit to a genuine energy-saving strategy, for which digital transformation is a powerful lever for action.". By the end of 2017, nearly 900 voluntary French companies had obtained this certification.
5- You want to improve your sustainability
In 2015, industry accounted for almost 19% of the energy consumed in France. The majority of French SMBs are now committed to reducing their environmental impact. Whether through energy audits, energy-saving solutions or the use of data, all these energy-efficiency initiatives enable manufacturers to take the road to more sustainable production. Better still, these new tools are also perfect vehicles for mobilizing employees around a more responsible corporate project. A visionary and unifying resolution.
Do you recognize yourself in one or more of these points? Then it's time to take the plunge!
