Energy efficiency in industry, a holistic and integrated strategy from policy to results

Panel: 3. Energy use in industry: The road from policy to action

This is a peer-reviewed paper.

Author:
John O'Sullivan, Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, Ireland

Abstract

This paper outlines an approach by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to a holistic and integrated strategy of achieving improvements in energy efficiency in Irish industry. 12% of organisations account for 90% of energy-related CO2 emissions from Irish industry (SEAI 2007). It therefore focuses on programmes for large businesses: the Large Industry Energy Network (LIEN) and the Energy Agreements Programme (EAP). These programmes are showing strong achievements; this paper provides insights into how these savings are achieved and also into the approach taken to continuously uncover new methodologies and opportunities in order to gain further savings.

The SEAI programmes are centred on the Energy Management Systems (EnMS) approach. To accelerate special investigation activity, stimuli is integrated through a range of proactive project initiatives. All project initiatives, resources, new tools and the derived methodologies are underpinned by the EnMS. A long-term strategy is to keep innovating in order to define new opportunities, to disseminate and replicate as widely as possible, and to standardise as new best practice.

The EnMS itself must also be continuously improved. SEAI has developed an Energy Management Maturity Model to facilitate this development. An organisation will mature in its use of an EnMS and learn how to be more effective; however, this progress can be cultivated through the guidance and roadmap developed by the Maturity Model.

New methods of energy diagnosis are introduced to improve the energy review process; new approaches to energy auditing are introduced; a new Energy-Efficient Design (EED) Methodology is introduced, and new testimony is provided on the synergy that can be achieved by application of Lean or Six Sigma processes. All these will not only be promoted for application by programme members, but will also be developed so they may be exploited as new business opportunities for the energy services market in Ireland.