Manufacturing is one of the most energy-intensive sectors, with high energy consumption from production processes and machinery.

Energy audits can uncover inefficiencies in equipment usage, heating, ventilation, and lighting, providing opportunities for manufacturers to significantly reduce their energy footprint.

Energy Audits for Manufacturing

Challenges in Manufacturing Energy Efficiency

Manufacturing plants rely heavily on a variety of utility services to maintain their operations, including steam, hot water, chilled water, glycol, ammonia refrigeration, compressed air, hydraulics, and lighting. Each of these services is crucial for the efficient running of the production processes. Often, a central process in the plant consumes the bulk of the energy, making it critical to ensure that this process operates efficiently without wastage.

Despite the significant energy consumption, many manufacturers fail to closely monitor how external factors—such as weather conditions, production volume changes, or equipment aging—affect energy usage. This lack of tracking can lead to inefficiencies and missed opportunities for energy conservation. Conducting regular energy audits helps manufacturers identify these external influences and optimize their energy management strategies.

Importantly, saving energy doesn’t necessarily require compromising on production speed or product quality. With the right technologies and processes in place, manufacturers can reduce energy consumption while maintaining the same output levels. Energy efficiency and productivity can go hand in hand when approached strategically.

Opportunities for Energy Efficiency

Manufacturing plants also have the option to supplement their energy needs with locally available bioenergy. As one of the few low-carbon alternatives to natural gas, bioenergy is a viable solution for meeting the high-temperature demands of industrial processes. It’s particularly valuable for manufacturers looking to reduce their carbon footprint while maintaining reliable energy sources.

Another under-utilized resource in manufacturing plants is heat recovery. By capturing waste heat generated during production processes and repurposing it, manufacturers can significantly cut their energy costs, particularly with the rising price of natural gas. Similarly, solar photovoltaic (PV) systems is fantastic for manufacturing. Integrating solar PV can further help manufacturers offset their energy use, especially in facilities with large roof spaces ideal for solar installations.

By addressing these areas—process monitoring, renewable energy, and efficiency technologies—manufacturers can substantially reduce their energy costs while minimizing their environmental impact.

Manufacturers have the potential to significantly reduce their energy costs through tailored energy audits and strategic upgrades. Our comprehensive services, from audits to system upgrades, provide measurable results while ensuring process integrity and product quality are maintained.