Improved data management reduces costly utility consumption and defines benchmarks for real manufacturing growth. Manufacturing and other plant operators—such as those who work in wastewater, water treatment and power generation—face the daily challenge of maintaining efficient operations. Manufacturing is the most energy-consuming market in the U.S. Recent data indicate a trend toward increasing energy prices…
All successful businesses have a set of goals and expectations for the future. Too often, the benchmark for success is rooted solely in the bottom line, or net income. As savvy leaders look for new paths of growth, a big picture mentality can help translate a regular expense into an opportunity for organizational efficiency. One way to…
Factoring energy management into a strategic business plan is an effective way to increase revenues, improve cash flow, and increase productivity. Business strategist Amory Lovins projects that a business can increase productivity as much as 16% by using better energy strategy. “Many CEOs,” says Lovins, “confuse their top and bottom lines.” Energy, in terms of strategy, has…
Compressed air consumes a large amount of electricity in manufacturing/industrial facilities. Unfortunately, many compressed air systems operate with little to no maintenance/oversight, leaving air lines vulnerable to leaks and inefficiencies. Furthermore, compressed air is often used unnecessarily. These failures ultimately result in higher utility bills. Low Cost/No Cost Approach One of the cheapest ways to…
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has recently released indoor air quality guidance for schools that are implementing energy efficient upgrades. Energy Savings Plus Health: Indoor Air Quality Guidelines for School Building Upgrades addresses potential issues and contaminates related to construction such as dust, contaminants, and inadequate ventilation. Tweet
From al.com A focus on sustainable energy practices is more than an environmental concern, it is a matter of smart management. Harvard Business School professors Michael Porter and Forest Reinhardt teach the importance of making energy management part of your business strategy. They believe the management level focus on energy consumption is a long term competitive advantage…
Believe it or not, quite a bit of science goes into selecting the correct lighting for any given space. Whether performing a building assessment or building commissioning, understanding the way the lighting works is critical to a productive environment. In order to select the correct luminaire — the combination of lamp, fixture type, and ballast/driver — one must…
Big Data has jumped from technology buzzword to practical application in a relatively short period of time. As the ability to collect and process large volumes of data has become a reality, businesses are beginning to look for ways to translate information from the spreadsheet to the balance sheet. Energy management is one promising application of…
Governments at all levels are making an effort to offer credits, rebates, and other incentives for energy efficient buildings. The U.S. Senate is in the midst of a battle to extend one very important provision, which offers up to $1.80 deduction per square foot for new construction and renovations. In a recent blog post for…