Energy efficiency in the food and drink industry – the road to Benchmarks of Excellence

Panel: Panel 5. Energy efficiency in industry

Authors:
Hans Even Helgerud, New Energy Performance AS – NEPAS, Norway
Marit Sandbakk, ENOVA, Norway

Abstract

Although Norwegian food and drink industry in general has a good track record in implementing Best Practice energy efficiency measures, a new study on the energy efficiency situation in the sector identifies a 20% economic profitable energy saving potential. The food and drink association and the Norwegian Government's energy agency - ENOVA have now agreed to realise the most cost effective measures, taking the sector to Benchmarks of Excellence. Twelve sub-sectors of the food and drink industry have been analyzed with regard to their implementation of energy saving measures. A bottom-up approach with a web-based questionnaire was used to map the implementation of more than 200 different energy saving measures in 664 individual companies. The results quantify the accumulated energy saving potential corresponding to certain investment cost levels. Moreover, the questionnaire touched upon more managerial matters e.g. to what extent energy management has been successfully integrated in the general business operations. The replies clearly demonstrate that energy management contributes to the implementation of energy saving measures. Companies that have introduced energy management have to a larger extent implemented measures than those that have not. It is also evident that the smallest companies to a limited extent have introduced energy management. One conclusion is therefore that the SMEs accounts for a great, unrealised energy saving potential. Consequently, ENOVA and the industry from January 2009 have started a three year programme with four of the sub-sectors focusing on networking, energy management and benchmarking.