Over the last 12 months we've been spending time with manufacturers helping them to understand where their energy is being consumed and how. Most see energy savings as a opportunity to reduce costs. While saving money is obviously a fantastic outcome, we've been demonstrating how it can also be used to raise productivity and profitability.
A recent Australia Government Report entitled Barriers to Collaboration and Commercialisation highlighted that Australia is suffering the slowest productivity growth in 60 years. Clearly the need for focus on productivity has never been greater. However continually directing attention to your people maybe short sighted. Take a look at your operations through the energy lens to see a new perspective.
As industries strive for sustainability and operational excellence, the exploration of innovative strategies becomes imperative. Here are our 6 Top Tips for driving greater productivity by reducing energy consumption and costs.
- Employee Training for Energy Conservation: The human element is pivotal. Educating manufacturing teams on energy-saving practices not only cultivates a culture of sustainability but also translates into heightened productivity. Empowered employees contribute to an optimised and efficient manufacturing process. (QUICKEST WAY TO SAVE ENERGY AND RAISE PRODUCTIVITY)
- Variable Energy Costs Analysis: Fluctuating energy costs pose challenges, but they also present opportunities for strategic decision-making. Analysing their impact on manufacturing productivity enables businesses to adapt, ensuring resilience and cost-effectiveness. Variability kills businesses, conversely predictability creates the opportunity for profitability. (VARIABLE ENERGY COSTS HIGHLIGHT WASTE AND LOSSES, THESE ARE THE AREAS TO FOCUS)
- Energy Benchmarking Across Facilities: Benchmarking facilitates, learn from the best. Comparing manufacturing facilities based on energy productivity levels provides a roadmap for improvement. Facilities with higher energy productivity often demonstrate superior manufacturing productivity, showcasing a symbiotic relationship. (EFFECTIVE ENERGY MANAGEMENT SHINES THE SPOTLIGHT ON EFFECTIVE OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT)
- Energy Management System Implementation: Harnessing the power of advanced energy management systems optimises resource utilisation. The implementation of such systems fine-tunes energy consumption during manufacturing processes, resulting in heightened productivity and cost savings.
- The Power of Tiny Changes: Incrementally focusing on energy savings will direct attention to losses in productivity. Energy provides the means of measuring the economic impact of these losses, productivity gains are the happy by-product. (1% SAVINGS EVERY DAY FOR A YEAR CREATES A BUSINESS THAT IS 37 TIMES BETTER, START SMALL)
- Energy-Efficient Technology Implementation: Embracing cutting-edge technologies can revolutionise manufacturing. By implementing energy-efficient machinery, we not only reduce environmental impact but also witness a tangible boost in manufacturing productivity. Investing in innovation pays dividends. (MEASURING SAVINGS IN REALTIME PROVIDES THE FEEDBACK LOOP TO VALIDATE EFFICIENCY SAVINGS)
The marriage of energy innovation and manufacturing productivity is not just a concept but a tangible reality. These experiments serve as a compass, guiding industries toward a future where sustainability and efficiency coexist harmoniously. By embracing these ideas, businesses can unlock the potential for transformative growth, contributing not only to their bottom line but also to a greener, more sustainable tomorrow. The journey towards enhanced manufacturing productivity begins with a step into the realm of energy innovation.
If you are looking to drive greater productivity and profitability in your manufacturing business then we'd welcome the opportunity to introduce our L.E.A.P (Lean Energy And Productivity) Program. If you are looking for some quick wins, then ask our about 12 Week Energy Challenge for fast results. #ManufacturingExcellence #EnergyInnovation #SustainabilityInBusiness #RelyAbility #EnergyProductivity
This is great Brad. Australia has a long way to go to make energy management a key strategic advantage for business. Like you, unfortunately I think we are only at the beginning of energy price rises, likely to carry on upward over many years during the green transition. I am hopeful we can get some progressive buisnesses in the industries I work in to take up the challenge before energy costs become a real game changer!
Head of Business Development at NodeIT
1 年Is ESG reporting mandatory in Australia? It feels like at first ESG reports was seen as compliance task, until it dawned to companies that collected data can actually be used to improve the efficiency and reduce costs. In energy-intensive industries like oil & gas and mining, Energy Management is now one of the key drivers in OT/IT projects, alongside with CBM/PdM/RxM.