FACILITIES MANAGEMENT
WASTE NOT, WANT NOT: THE SMART GUIDE TO REDUCING ENERGY WASTE IN BUILDINGS
The heat and energy buildings produce accounts for nearly a third of global energy consumption and more than a quarter of carbon emissions. Unfortunately, lots of building energy is either lost or
wasted, which is why urgent steps need to be taken to implement more effective and efficient energy utilisation. David Pownall, vice president services at Schneider Electric UK and Ireland, comments
A
s we move away from fossil fuels, organisations are left with the task of trying to balance their
changing energy requirements with the need to act by decarbonising their operations and cutting
CO2 emissions. Unfortunately, volatility in the energy market and fluctuations in wholesale energy prices are impeding the ability to budget and plan properly for the future - and changes in energy bills can have a huge impact on the bottom line of many businesses. The following three steps will help to put organisations on the road to energy efficiency and help them turn sustainability goals into action.
STEP 1: TAKE STOCK OF YOUR ENERGY All but the most recently constructed or retrofitted buildings will lack efficient heating, ventilation, air conditioning and smart technology to manage energy use. An energy assessment, which involves monitoring metering data over the course of 12 months, can help to identify opportunities for improvement, such as reducing energy wastage, optimising the energy consumed, and digitising energy usage and monitoring for much better insights for decision making. Taking this a step further, a full efficiency audit
looks not only at electrical processes but also mechanical and thermal processes. This means machinery and insulation are considered, not just looking at electrical energy but preventing heat waste and ensuring machines are up to date and working optimally. The best way to get started is to have a clear
view of where energy is being wasted in a building by auditing electrical, thermal and mechanical processes as well as automations,
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schedules and individual pieces of equipment. Based on the findings from the analysis it’s then possible to design a customised solution to improve the site and support businesses with their energy efficiency journey.
STEP 2: DESIGN YOUR PRACTICAL ACTION PLAN Once facilities and buildings managers have the information and insights into how energy efficient the building is operating, they need to build a comprehensive plan for both the short-term, medium, and long-term. If the analysis has already been carried out, external experts can support with designing a practical action plan tailored to the building’s unique needs. By understanding exactly where energy is wasted, they can either choose to retrofit a building and update the heating and air-conditioning units, or they can simply identify opportunities to optimise energy usage using the existing equipment. Executing an effective energy efficiency strategy can sometimes involve electrifying operations, reducing energy usage, and optimising energy sources. The multi-faceted approach depends on various factors, including the necessity to change the PPE or switch to renewable energy sources such as microgrids, to achieve sustainability goals and ensure a greener future.
STEP 3: TRUST THE INSIGHT OF YOUR SUSTAINABILITY PARTNERS Instead of dedicating people and internal resources to monitoring certain processes, businesses can significantly improve energy efficiency by leveraging managed services. This proactive
approach involves third parties monitoring critical assets and/or energy consumption on behalf of the company. Using digital services, dedicated providers can continuously monitor and promptly flag inefficiencies and abnormalities as they arise. This streamlined approach empowers internal teams to concentrate on driving business growth, ultimately leading to a more sustainable and profitable future.
INVESTING IN A CLEANER AND MORE EFFICIENT FUTURE By taking these steps, businesses can not only reduce their carbon footprint but also optimise their operations, save resources and enhance their bottom line. However, our own research has shown that half of UK businesses are delaying planned investment in sustainability and decarbonisation strategies due to cost pressures. This is counterproductive when you consider the link between cutting emissions and energy usage. By meeting their emissions targets, businesses will inevitably lower their overall energy costs, providing them with a useful boost to the bottom line in challenging times. Every building, new and old, can be significantly
more efficient and sustainable with minimal disruption by harnessing smart devices, software, analytics and services. The sooner you’re able to embrace digital efficiency, the quicker you can harness business-changing benefits, improve long-term building efficiencies, and facilitate the journey towards Net Zero.
Schneider Electric UK and Ireland
www.se.com/uk/en/
ENERGY & SUSTAINABILITY SOLUTIONS - Spring 2024 36
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