The benefits of energy optimization in industry
In the current context of rapid change towards a more sustainable future,energy efficiency has become a priority for many industries. To find out how best to exploit the benefits of energy efficiency, we interviewed Cyril Quemeneur, energy engineer at Dametis. With his extensive experience in carrying out energy audits and implementing energy efficiency measures, he shares with us valuable advice on how companies can optimize their energy consumption and transform their practices for a greener future. Discover the interview below.
As an energy audit expert, what are the main challenges you observe in industry when it comes to implementing audit recommendations?
One of the main challenges I encounter when implementing the recommendations of an energy audit concerns resources. Industrial employees often lack the time to address these recommendations, as they are totally absorbed by their daily production obligations. The machines have to keep running, and there’s usually no time for these other tasks.
“Two years ago, the issue of energy expenditure was not a priority because energy costs in France were relatively low. But today, in the current economic climate, energy costs have become a major concern. Manufacturers are therefore paying more attention to the way they produce.”
Another challenge is the lack of investment in the energy sector. This lack of investment is closely linked to the first point, as the human resources needed to implement the recommendations are often already assigned to other tasks crucial to production.
With energy costs on the rise, companies are starting to take a closer look at the energy costs of their finished products. They are seeking to understand and control the ancillary costs associated with production, in order to improve profitability.
Another challenge is the lack of on-site metering. Companies often know how much they consume overall each month, but don’t have enough data to understand variations in consumption. For example, they may not know whether an increase in plant consumption from one month to the next is normal or not, or whether the energy-saving actions they have implemented have been beneficial.
Theindustrial energy audit provides an overview of energy consumption. It provides a detailed breakdown of energy consumption and identifies the plant’s main consumption items. Once this information has been obtained, a more precise analysis can be made, identifying what’s working well and what needs to be improved, so that measures can be put in place to reduce energy consumption.
The final objective for the customer or manufacturer is to have a roadmap for improving the energy or environmental performance of their plant in the more or less short term, to help them prioritize these investments and identify the levers of investment aid, often unknown to manufacturers.
What do you think are the most common mistakes companies make when undertaking an energy audit?
In the context of regulatory energy audits, which have become an obligation for some large companies, we’ve noticed a common mistake. The perception of this obligation as a mere constraint has led some companies to rush to the first audit firm available online, often without checking the expertise of the auditors. Their main objective was simply to get the stamp of approval to comply with the regulations, without really expecting any concrete benefits from the energy optimization audit.
Because of this regulatory context, many companies did not take audit recommendations seriously, whether they were beneficial or not. That said, it should be stressed that we can’t entirely blame them for this, as these audits were introduced in an energy context that was different at the time.
Another common mistake companies make when undertaking an energy audit is a lack of preparation. An energy audit requires an upstream phase of input data collection, which is crucial to its success. Companies often don’t devote enough time to this preparation phase, which can affect the quality of the audit. To get the best possible audit, it’s important to devote time to data collection and preparation, and why not meet with various company contacts (CSR, Maintenance, Quality, etc.).
Finally, as energy is somewhat neglected in companies, this regulatory audit came as an additional burden for people in the company who were not really prepared or trained (maintenance, CSR, QSE, etc.).
What are the key factors to consider when implementing the recommended energy optimization measures?
First of all, it’s important to prioritize the recommendations and actions to be implemented according to the company’s objectives and expectations. This could include return on investment, maintenance criteria, as well as the time and skills available in-house.
Financial planning is another crucial factor. Some actions may require significant investments, ranging from hundreds to millions of euros. Such decisions cannot be taken lightly. You need to prepare a solid case, with the help of experts if necessary, to present to management. This file should highlight all the selection criteria, including investment costs, environmental impact, and equipment lifespan. Each company will assign a different weighting to these criteria when making its decision.
The audit will also enable us to identify any investment grants (CEE, ADEME, etc.).
“This is where the expertise of professionals like those at Dametis can be a great help. These experts can help prepare the case for management, and can also propose technical solutions for smaller-scale actions, bringing different scenarios to the discussion table.”
As part of an energy audit, Dametis experts identify a number of potential energy-saving actions and draw up an action plan. These actions can have different variants and scopes, depending on the level of investment. Dametis experts focus on proposing energy optimization actions tailored to each plant, taking into account its specific features, field of activity, operating mode and needs. Every plant is unique, and energy efficiency measures need to be tailored accordingly.
What are the long-term benefits for industries that invest in energy improvements based on a thorough audit?
Investing in energy optimization after a thorough audit has many long-term benefits for industries.
Firstly, it providesa roadmap or action plan to be implemented within a relatively short timeframe. This gives companies a clear vision of the measures they need to take to improve their energy efficiency, and helps them track their progress.
In addition, the energy audit provides initial guidance to manufacturers on how to improve their consumption monitoring by defining key indicators. These indicators enable the company’s energy performance to be measured and assessed on a regular basis, making it easier to take informed decisions and identify areas for improvement.
In terms of short-term benefits, an energy audit provides an overview of the company’s current energy consumption. This includes the identification of the main energy-consuming items, enabling areas where efficiency gains can be made quickly to be targeted. By optimizing these consumption items, companies can make immediate energy savings and reduce their operating costs.
“The energy audit gives us a better understanding of these main consumption items. Even more so, if the site has no meter, it enables us to move from a very macro view to a detailed breakdown of consumption by item.”
Finally, an energy audit enables companies to assess the efficiency of their production facilities in the short term. By identifying energy bottlenecks and inefficiencies in the production process, companies can take corrective action to improve their energy efficiency. This translates into a more efficient use of resources and a reduction in production costs, boosting the company’s competitiveness in the marketplace.
These measures enable them to improve their profitability, reduce their carbon footprint, strengthen their reputation and position themselves competitively in the marketplace.
When it comes to sustainability and the energy transition, what advice would you give to industries to adopt a proactive approach to energy efficiency?
To take a proactive approach to energy efficiency in the context of energy transition and sustainability, I would advise industries to focus on accurately measuring their energy consumption. Before implementing solutions to improve energy efficiency, it is essential to have clear and precise data on the equipment that will be affected by this work. This means measuring their energy consumption before and after implementing solutions.
In addition to this, I would recommend installing meters and using a tool like MyDametis (energy management software). This tool will make it possible to exploit this data more effectively, and to gain a detailed understanding of consumption items within the industry. This makes it easier to identify areas for improvement, and helps to establish more effective, targeted energy efficiency strategies.
MyDametis software helps you to understand operating modes, maintain the system and prevent any drifts that may occur.
Imagine having specialists working 24/7 to optimize your industrial sites. That’s what MyDametis offers you, the only platform designed 100% by experts in environmental performance.
How to set up an energy optimization audit?
What advice would you give to companies considering an energy audit for the first time?
For companies considering an energy audit for the first time, I’d recommend a few key steps to follow to optimize the process.
Choose your consultant carefully: Don’t just call on the first auditing firm you find. Take the time to look for consultants with relevant experience and specific skills in the field of energy efficiency.
Clearly define your objectives: Before starting the audit, it’s essential to clearly understand what you expect from the exercise. What are the expected deliverables? What are your objectives in terms of energy savings and efficiency?
Prepare well: It’s crucial to gather as much information as possible before the auditor arrives. This includes energy bills for the last three years, production data, the results of any energy efficiency-related studies, as well as your dashboards and monitoring reports.
Involve your whole team: Energy management shouldn’t be the responsibility of just one person. Involve different departments such as maintenance, quality, financial management and environment in the information gathering and auditing process. This will ensure a more holistic perspective of your energy practices.
Accompany the auditor on site: Your team knows your site better than anyone else. Help the auditor understand the different aspects of your plant and guide him to the relevant areas. This will enable the auditor to understand your specific issues more quickly and identify more effective solutions.
“Remember, an energy audit is an opportunity to learn and improve. Approach it with an open, proactive attitude, and you’ll get the most out of it.”
Why choose Dametis?
Dametis’ main strength lies in our global approach toenergy efficiency. While an energy audit is often the first step in any energy optimization process, our expertise extends far beyond that.
“Dametis masters the entire value chain. What’s more, we can commit to sustaining the gains and monitoring the operation of the installations over time.”
Our experts, with their extensive auditing experience, are able to propose a complete audit tailored to each site, according to its activity and specificities. Our ability to propose relevant improvement actions, based on our concrete experience, is a major asset. But what really sets us apart is that we are also able to implement these actions and commit to their long-term performance.
This is where our MyDametis tool comes in. When a customer decides to implement one or more of the actions identified during the audit, we start by taking measurements to fully understand how the current equipment works. Once the work has been carried out, we continue to take measurements to optimize the new installations and check that the projected energy optimizations and savings are actually achieved.
Last but not least, we have in-depth knowledge of the various forms of energy-related financial aid available. So we can help you maximize your investment by guiding you through the application process.
In short, when you choose Dametis, you choose a partner capable of supporting you from start to finish in your industrial energy optimization process, from audit to implementation of actions, including performance monitoring and optimization of financial aid.
