by Ann Withanee — October 5, 2011—Facilities executives from global companies and institutions are focusing on energy management for two major reasons: one is protection of the environment; the other is the financial benefit derived from such programs. But not all organizations are actively engaged in developing environmental initiatives. In the United Kingdom, one organization is providing free advice to help facilities executives create action plans, tailored to their needs, and at no cost.
A newly launched guide by the Carbon Trust Advice Line states that energy management could result in 25 percent savings on bills. By putting in place the simple energy-saving measures outlined in the guide, organizations can begin cutting carbon emissions immediately, while generating financial savings and reducing operational costs.
Working with companies to promote good energy management and cost-savings, the Carbon Trust has witnessed savings of up to 25 percent, with typical payback periods of two years or less. As well as reduced costs, effective energy management can also help facilities executives reduce an organization’s carbon footprint, enhance green credentials, and ensure compliance with legal requirements.
The Carbon Trust can help facilities executives develop good energy management solutions for their companies through the Energy Saving Plan. This is a free service to develop a tailored action plan that includes simple and low-cost measures, along with opportunities to implement technology improvements, for example to lighting, heating or refrigeration equipment.
The guide, Energy Management, A Comprehensive Guide To Controlling Energy Use, is part of the Carbon Trust’s Expert in Energy series and can be downloaded from the organization’s Web site (requires registration). The site says good energy management practice should include:
- Energy being viewed as a strategic issue, with active involvement from senior management;
- Reliable and effective systems for monitoring and reporting energy performance;
- Adequate planning to meet upcoming regulation;
- High employee awareness maintained throughout the organization, measured by an employee questionnaire; and
- Measurement of the resulting energy and cost savings.
- Reliable and effective systems for monitoring and reporting energy performance;
An example of a company using good energy management practice is U.K. retail giant Sainsbury’s, which worked with the Carbon Trust to deliver a program that appointed “energy champions” across its stores. As part of the program, two particularly successful initiatives included identifying an easier way for colleagues to control back-of-store lighting, and developing a process for giving staff daily updates on energy usage. A review compiled by the Carbon Trust calculated that simply by appointing their energy champions, Sainsbury’s could save up to 5 percent on energy consumption.
The U.K.’s Carbon Trust is a not-for-profit company with the mission to accelerate the move to a low-carbon economy, providing specialist support to business and the public sector to help cut carbon emissions, save energy and commercialize low carbon technologies. By stimulating low-carbon action, the organization contributes to key U.K. goals of lower carbon emissions, the development of low-carbon businesses, increased energy security and associated jobs.
