Plant Engineering 2014 Energy Management Study: Five energy monitoring trends

According to the data in this report, 33% of manufacturing facilities have energy reduction goals of at least 10% for the upcoming year, and another 40% are aiming to cut energy consumption by 5% to 10%.

By Amanda McLeman May 27, 2014

In February 2014, Plant Engineering surveyed members of their audience who have energy management responsibilities within their facilities. The 2014 Energy Management study asked key questions on energy management practices, including continuous energy monitoring, challenges to energy management, energy reduction goals, and alternative energy sources.

Plant Engineering sees the following as the 5 most important high-level findings impacting the manufacturing industries today:

1. Monitoring energy: 68% of plants monitor energy usage continually, but not necessarily through energy audits. However, 30% of respondents’ facilities conduct regular energy audits on an annual basis, and 10% perform then quarterly.

2. Alternative energy sources: Co-generation (21%), solar (15%), and nuclear (11%) energy are the top three alternative energy sources at respondents’ facilities, but more than half don’t have any alternative energy source.

3. Challenges: About one-third of respondents said the resource—or lack of—from corporate and management are a moderate-to-severe challenge in their energy management program. Another big issue is obtaining buy-in from management and employees.

4. Goals: 40% of plants are aiming to reduce energy consumption by 5% to 10% in the next 12 months, and another 11% have a goal of 15% to 20%. Only 36% of respondents believe their energy reduction goals are achievable, and more than three-quarters are not compensated on meeting or exceeding those goals.

5. Implementation: Nearly one-third of plant have had success with implementing their energy management programs, 27% are just starting to implement these programs, and 21% only view energy as a utility bill that is paid each month.

Access the full Plant Engineering 2014 Energy Management report with additional findings and insights.

Amanda McLeman is director of research at CFE Media, Plant Engineering.


Author Bio: Amanda McLeman is the research director and project manager of awards programs for CFE Media and Technology.