With rising electricity costs and increasing focus on sustainability, engineering firms must manage energy intelligently. The industry is crucial to society’s advancement, making efficient energy technologies essential. This blog will explore some beneficial energy techniques and how professional help can secure engineering businesses with low-cost energy.
Energy and the engineering sector
The engineering industry encompasses many fields, ranging from aerospace engineering that focuses on the planning and manufacturing of aircraft or space technologies, to civil engineering which is about the construction and maintenance of infrastructure. Therefore, energy levels and sources vary depending on the specific position. Here are a few sectors, and a closer look at their energy consumption or distribution:
Biomedical
Biomedical engineers create medical technologies, requiring significant energy for testing and construction. Many prioritise renewable energy as it lowers costs over time in this high-demand industry.
Civil
Many civil engineers are trained in energy or environmental engineering, which means they prioritise energy efficiency when constructing new infrastructure. This includes implementing:
Better insulation
Installation of renewable energy sources
Smart grids that monitor energy usage to prevent overcharging and save energy
Electrical
Electrical engineers design and maintain electrical systems, so they must prioritise energy efficiency. While the industry is shifting towards renewable resources for long-term sustainability, continuous improvements are also being made to non-renewable sources to maximise efficiency where renewables aren’t viable.
Why do renewable sources save energy?
Renewable energy, despite the high initial costs, offers unlimited and efficient power, leading to long-term savings.
Types of renewable energy
Wind power, in particular, is well-suited for industrial operations that need to respond to consistent demand. Wind produces clean energy at scale and can be sourced remotely from wind farms. Relying on wind has secure longevity, as it is not dependent on volatile fossil fuel markets. This consistency will save your company money and hassle in the long run.
Solar energy tends to be more popular in smaller industrial operations. For example, food manufacturing engineering requires electricity for cooling and packaging food and drink products.
Hydropower or hydroelectric energy are water generated powers. These are used mostly in computer engineering or electrical engineering fields as it is a constant source year-round and is potentially more consistent than solar or wind power.
How to access this energy
In order to prioritise, implement or consume these energy sources, engineering businesses will work with a trusted energy supplier that can provide them with the best deals and support their advancements.
Ways to reduce energy costs in manufacturing and engineering
Like with any business, engineers can benefit from some key basic tips:
Half-hourly electricity tariffs provide accurate cost tracking (and mean you won’t be overcharged due to inaccurate estimations).
A professional evaluation will establish suitable options.
Switching to renewable energy source will save you money in the long-run.
Securing a reliable business electricity suppliers for fitting tariffs and protection from price hikes.
Go with D-ENERGii
At D-ENERGi, we work closely with engineering and industrial firms to help reduce energy usage, optimise ideal contracts and/or help companies transition to cleaner and greener power.
We can provide 100% UK wind-farm energy so that you can reap the benefits of a lasting and renewable source. For those contemplating the best energy source, we can also offer expert advice and consider what’s best for your business.
Get a free energy quote today for your business and invest in the future of your industry.
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Energy consumption in manufacturing industries is always high, with some businesses spending over 10% of their production costs on energy. This is a concurrent truth with the fact that companies all over the world are looking for ways to be more environmentally conscious. With this in mind, the pursuit of energy-efficient manufacturing is becoming increasingly common.
This piece will explore how to reduce energy consumption in industry settings and generally increase efficiency, touching on everything from internal processes to switching business energy suppliers.
Being with regular business energy audits
Before you start making the changes that will create manufacturing energy efficiency, you need to get a proper understanding of where you stand in the present day. This is achieved by enacting regular energy audits. These will highlight patterns of your business energy consumption, making it clearer where efficiency can be enhanced. Audits should continue throughout the pursuit of energy-efficient manufacturing.
Important steps in energy audits include:
Defining all the energy-consuming items in the facility
Evaluating equipment performance
Checking energy bills for inconsistencies, spikes and drops
Comparing usage to other buildings or businesses (if possible)
These steps will make it much easier to make informed decisions and develop a clear action plan going forward.
Investing in more energy-efficient manufacturing equipment
Energy efficiency in industrial processes is largely dependent on the quality of the equipment being used. Older, less smoothly-running equipment will generally operate less effectively and cost just as much if not more than newer, more efficient alternatives. Replacing or refurbishing equipment might take a fairly significant up-front investment, however, it should save money and increase performance in the long run.
Typical changes can include:
Optimising HVAC systems
Using variable speed drives to optimise motor operations
Installing energy-efficient LED lighting
Replacing older motors
Again, this should be treated as an ongoing task – these replacements or improvements won’t last forever without proper maintenance.
Installing smart energy technologies
This one is short, sweet and simple – using a smart meter and other smart energy technologies offers a clear pathway to energy-efficient manufacturing. Smart meters as part of an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) will offer clear insights into energy uses, while automation systems will improve the control of energy-consuming technologies. Best of all, these things can be tracked and controlled by software, offering actionable data insights for you to base decisions on.
Switching business energy suppliers
Everything considered, you might just not be getting a very good rate. Choosing a better business energy provider can be a great way to improve your financial efficiency, while renewable sources like wind power are inherently more efficient for the environment. Electing to go renewable can also do wonders for a business reputation, helping to establish status as a company that cares.
For more insights into business energy topics, visit our blog today.
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