Keeping the energy management process alive

A common misconception in industry is to consider energy reduction as simply an energy conservation program. Energy is conserved by turning off equipment and shutting down processes. These measures, however, have a negative impact on plant production. Energy needs to be managed to produce a final product or service at the absolute minimum Btu consumption. Four goals mark a successful energy management process: Maximize producer efficiency; minimize consumer energy use; maintain high energy load factor; and use energy most economically. The first law of energy management states that plant utilities must always be adequate to meet production/process demands. In other words, it the output of the plant is threatened because energy supplies are inadequate, accommodations of one sort or another are made so that production/process targets are met until a new energy supply or source is developed. This paper discusses the use of a well-structured approach; assigning an energy coordinator; spelling out program specifics; applying control techniques; and staffing the effort adequately.