While operators recognize the need to invest more in energy efficiency, only a third plan to make improvements, according to new research*. Ben Fuller, US Sales Leader for ABB Building Solutions, explains why governments, energy-focused agencies and technology providers must do more to improve the economic and environmental value of these technologies. energy efficiency and how to implement it.
Investments in energy efficiency are increasing among US industrial companies; however, cost is the biggest driver and the biggest barrier to adopting new technologies that reduce energy consumption and emissions. The operators are also struggling to find the right advice, from governments or third parties, on how to make the improvements necessary to achieve large dollar savings, while also improving the quality of life. for the citizens of the surrounding communities.
The research, commissioned by ABB, conducted by Sapio Research and capturing the views of business leaders in manufacturing, transportation, energy and heavy and light industries across 13 countries, including the US, prompted of recent findings* on the importance of energy efficient technology to the green transition.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) says energy efficiency can drive more than 40 percent of emissions reductions over the next 20 years. Independent research points out that if the world’s 300 million industrial motor-driven systems are replaced with optimized, high-efficiency equipment, global electricity consumption could be reduced by 10 percent.
Cost: the biggest driver and biggest barrier to investment
Industry operators are clearly aware of the importance of accelerating investment in energy efficiency. The majority (97 percent) of companies that participated in the survey have already invested or plan to invest in improving the efficiency of their energy use. More than half (54 percent) of US industrial operators plan to focus this investment on facilities, including building management, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), and lighting. More than a third (34 percent) of companies intend to invest in improving the efficiency of their production and operations.
However, the respondents were also conflicted; 70 percent of US operators say that cost savings are the main reason for investing in making their energy use more efficient, but 54 percent admit the cost of implementation. is also their biggest obstacle to improving energy efficiency. Despite the global backdrop, only a third (34 percent) of US operators plan to make energy efficiency improvements in the next year.
Image courtesy ABB
The survey identified another important reason for some operators’ reluctance: they don’t know where to start. More than half of US respondents (56 percent) say they have access to support from the government and third parties, but they could use more information. This suggests that governments, energy-focused agencies and technology providers should do more to explain the economic and environmental value of energy-efficient technologies and how to implement them.
A collaborative approach
This information deficit is an issue that ABB faces on two fronts. Through the ‘Mission to Zero’ initiative, the company implements energy efficiency and energy storage technologies in its own facilities, providing a blueprint for customers to follow. In addition, ABB works with its customers to identify and implement the right solutions to reduce costs and emissions in their facilities, with an impact on the quality of life for employees and the surrounding communities. .
For example, the new Ability™ Energy and Asset Manager integrates sensors and analytics software to provide insights into energy consumption and the performance of multiple systems in a factory or plant.
In addition, energy optimization technologies, such as ABB’s Cylon® Smart Building Solutions, help operators of commercial and residential buildings to control many operations from lighting and shutter control to heating. , ventilation and security.
By responding to data collected by multiple sensors, these systems can provide energy savings of up to 30 percent compared to conventional non-automated solutions. ABB’s Cylon® Smart Building Solutions are also scalable, meaning that automation and energy control technologies can be easily implemented in buildings of any size.
At ABB, we believe that, by far, the biggest impact we can have is through the development and deployment of new technologies that reduce energy consumption and emissions for the three most major contributors to emissions worldwide – transport, industry and buildings. Reducing energy use in these sectors will help improve the quality of life for citizens around the world. We want to work with our customers to find and implement the right solutions to achieve their carbon emissions reduction targets in support of global targets, which we all have a part to play in achieving oh For us, we believe that real change only comes at the intersection of innovation and collaboration; the “Power Together.”
Image courtesy ABB
A positive example of collaboration in action is the University of California Irvine’s (UCI) Anteater Pavilion, a 65,000 square foot facility, which includes 15 smart classrooms, auditoriums and two large lecture halls. ABB’s accredited solutions supported the facility to achieve LEED Platinum certification as part of the government’s Better Building Challenge. The Cylon® Smart Energy Solution includes a unique HVAC system consisting of four custom air handling units, as well as an occupancy-based temperature setpoint reset and a BACnet® interface with the building’s lighting control system. This project forms an important part of UCI’s goal to be 20 percent more energy efficient by 2020.
According to the IEA’s 2021 Energy Efficiency report, annual investment in energy efficiency worldwide must triple by 2030 to meet the roadmap to reach Net Zero by 2050. While positive steps are being taken in many operators in the US, all stakeholders throughout the industry and around the world, must continue to work together and put effort into creating a deeper understanding of how high-efficiency solutions can benefit the bottom line and the environment, and provide practical examples and support, to create a cleaner, safer. industrial sector that can create a low carbon society.
To learn more about ABB’s approach and solutions for improving the energy efficiency of your business, visit this link: https://new.abb.com/about/our-businesses/electrification/power- of-together.
This article is sponsored by ABB.
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