How would you prioritize energy efficiency projects when faced with limited funds?

MEP assets are main source of consuming energy. Take regular readings from the related MDBs of the assets analyzing energy consumption patterns, in a monthly report you can analyze and take corrective action on the root cause of high energy consumption. Chillers can be optimized by adding CPM for proper scheduling and equal compressor run hours, Pumps operated through VFDs, Common areas electrical lighting by adding motion sensors which will save on energy.

The first step is to ensure that you are able to measure and capture all the data on all your energy usage. This would require knowledge( measurement) of all energy sources and energy consumers. From this data you can now begin to analyze and understand your energy consumption patterns and start to address the quick wins by investigation alternative low energy equipment as well as looking at investing in alternative sources of energy or load shifting your energy usage if these opportunities make economic sense

You need to check the willing and capability for investors ( stakeholders ) to define the budget that would suit your solution As they always challenge the solution providers by low budget allocation - so proof of concept and basic installation would be a game changer to increase the investment if solutions is smartly selected/configured and well presented In that sense results will be the guide for them to prioritize their investment or not in Energy efficiency through ur solution

Prioritize implementing a low-cost energy monitoring system before considering heavy capital investments in equipment retrofits or replacements. A comprehensive energy monitoring system can continuously track equipment operations and identify inefficiencies such as unnecessary equipment running, idle times, or inefficiencies due to poor maintenance. Addressing these issues can lead to significant improvements in energy efficiency and cost savings. This approach helps maximize the impact of available resources and lays the groundwork for future investments.

After the evaluation of needs, planification is key. Allow experts to help you plan in which order the improvements have to be made. The technology evolving, some of the solutions might be in price decreasing while other increasing. Start with the once that will cost you too much later on if not done in time. Only investing in low value could not be enough to help you in long term and you would be "patching" all your life instead of obtaining significant changes.

Focus on projects with the fastest payback period and significant energy savings. Prioritize low-cost improvements that yield immediate results, such as upgrading lighting or optimizing HVAC systems.

Quick wins - low hanging fruits can be two methods Procedural - extremely good ROI: Often there is lack of good procedures or shop-floor lack of awareness. Correcting have been seen to give 2 digits percentage savings. A simple when do you turn off a heavy machine can be benificial Training in better procedures with both "How" - but more importantly "Why". Use relatable gains, like a better future for our kids due to climate effect. Automatization - longer ROI: Look at the energy mapping point 1 for quick gains Remember to celebrate - like icecream to the factory

Long term value mindset are required to sustain the energy saving project.. Help to Strive towards Saving the Earth with Reduce polluted Ozone initiative. Lesser electricity usage with solar power or alternative Green Energy.

The best way to take up energy efficient projects with limited funding would be to sign agreement with an ENERGY SHARING COMPANY(ESCOs),An ESCO is an energy service company that offers energy services, usually design, retrofitting and implementation of energy efficiency projects after identifying energy saving opportunities through energy audit of existing facilities and use to collect % of savings realized on a Year on Year basis for a mutually agreed period. Other priorities in such a scenario obviously would be to minimise the wastages viz, Air leakage, steam leakage and optimising the operational capacity of rotary equipments etc..

Having a long-term outlook can provide solutions to achieving energy efficiency with limited funding. For instance, instead of making small purchases to repair ducting, vents, thermostats, etc., the funds may be better spent on getting a more efficient HVAC unit which could have bigger impact on energy usage thus resulting to immediate and long-term energy efficiency.

Data validity is the key word here, because if you have that, you can calculate the ROI. But in reality you must accept working in a degree of uncertaincy as unless a pilot project can quantify, you do not have exact data. The exercise is to minimize uncertaincy and make it readable for senior management. KISS: Keep It Simple Stupid, but have data ready if asked. Remember to include marketing cases.

Energy is an opportunity where technology will pay for itself, so please explore few options before finalising your next energy strategy, without any CAPEX: 1. Energy as a Service model 2. Shared savings model 3. Bank financing through purchase of receivables 4. Blended financing 5. Sustainable Finance/ green link loan 6. Write off agreements with anchor 7. Multilateral funds 8. Public Institutions funding 9. Grants/ incentives scheme 10. Philanthropy funds/ CSR 11. Social entrepreneurship funds 12. Energy savings endowments 13. & many more way…. So next time , money is not at all a barrier for your ambitions of energy efficiency program

Subsidies are always moving around. It is a good practice to analyze what is best valued at the moment of start to try to optimize the investments. However This can also lead to blind you from the real necessity just by thinking you will "earn" more money. An analysis between subsidy/real benefit will be necessary to avoid losing track on the project.

Evaluate projects based on potential energy savings, cost-effectiveness, and return on investment. Prioritize those with the highest impact and quickest payback to maximize benefits within budget constraints.

Yes, there is a lot of funding options, but unless major projects, I would advise not to include them. The delay and complexity they imply simply also delays the ROI. Speed is paramount - do not rely on public funding.

When funds are limited, focusing on operational strategies is essential for measuring the impact of energy efficiency projects. Start by optimizing existing systems. For example, adjust HVAC schedules to match occupancy patterns, reducing energy use without significant costs. Implement robust monitoring systems, such as smart meters and energy management software, to track energy consumption before and after improvements. This real-time data helps identify and verify savings. Conduct regular energy audits to uncover inefficiencies and opportunities for low-cost operational changes. Lastly, prioritize projects that enhance system reliability and reduce maintenance costs, maximizing benefits within budget constraints.

Go Pareto! Pareto analysis is your roadmap for resource allocation wizardry. Focus on the 20% of efforts yielding 80% impact—room for flexibility! Need more bang for your buck? Try an extended Pareto dive and watch the horizon light up.

See point 1. With a good baseline model for major consumers, added together to a plant model, you can track both in detail and in holistic overview.

Tenho acompanhado projetos que sofrem por exposi??es negativas, provocadas por falta de uma avalia??o adequada, quanto a participa??o dos stakeholders, se avaliarmos toda a trajetória de alguns projetos, do conceito ao comissionamento, vamos perceber a falta de engajamento das partes interessadas, nas suas devidas medidas (informa??es , impactos e tempo de envolvimento), bem como em seu tempo de aplica??o. uma tabela de stakeholders é extremamente dinamica, considerando a cada avan?o do projeto, vejo gestores envolvendo-os em momentos inadequados provocando ambiguidade para o real resultado do produto do projeto. Exemplo: Fun??es e pessoas que deveriam participar com sua criticidade no conceito, s?o envolvidos na implanta??o.

Engage stakeholders by discussing potential projects and their benefits. Prioritize initiatives that align with both financial constraints and stakeholder interests, focusing on those with quick, visible results to gain support and momentum.

Prioritize energy efficiency projects by evaluating their return on investment and immediate cost savings potential. Focus on initiatives with the highest impact on reducing energy consumption and operational expenses.

It must be delivered/shown to stakeholders the importance of reliability of power supply, for short-term, for long-term. How it will affect the production process in case of failure? What extra costs may occur in case of failure? Show each cost for different types of power sources. Stakeholders must understand that they will pay for the "comfort" of reliable, uninterrupted, optimal cost (compare costs with other options) energy sources.

When talking about energy efficiency projects, must know has 4 categories. 1. Zero Cost 2. Low Cost 3. Medium Cost 4. High Cost. In terms of zero cost, there are lots of proposals such as creating procedures, awareness among workers, programming interlocking sequences, and managing the operation. Benefits from zero cost can be used to propose for next categories and so on.

Having a limited funding is not necessarily a big issue for achieving energy efficiency. Personal habits and having similar perspectives could play a major role in energy efficiency with zero to minimal funds needed. For example, providing appropriate regular training to stakeholders and/or strategically placing energy-saving reminders to all constituents does not cost that much but could provide a big impact.

To maximizes energy efficiency impact within limited funds. 1. Behavioral Changes: Encourage building occupants to adopt energy-saving habits. 2. Training and Awareness: Train staff on energy-efficient practices and proper equipment to keep energy efficiency in focus. 3. Maintenance: Ensure regular maintenance of equipment to prevent energy loss, such as cleaning HVAC filters to improve efficiency. 4. Benchmarking: Compare energy performance against similar facilities to identify savings opportunities. 5. Financial Incentives: Seek grants, rebates, and incentives to help offset project costs. 6. Phased Implementation: Break larger projects into smaller, more manageable phases to fit budget constraints.

The timing. In some countries, there are different rates for daytime and nighttime energy consumption. Organize day and night shifts accordingly. The seasonality. In some geographies there are harsh winters or very hot summers, which requires more consumption for heating or cooling. Adjust more production towards the lesser energy-consuming seasons. The taxation. Initially choose states with lower taxes or with other incentives from the state.