Part One of a Two-part Series Don’t Even Say Energy Conservation— The Manufacturing Initiative

Abstract

The strategic energy related opportunities which sharply reduce
production costs in manufacturing are often never identified. Even
when identified, these low-risk investments, which provide very com-
pelling financial returns, are often rejected when non-energy related
investments are implemented which have a higher risk and less compel-
ling financial results.
Starting from the plant manager’s perspective, part one of this
article will explore why these opportunities are missed and provide a
different strategy, which has been proven to be more successful. Part
Two will provide the analysis methodology supporting this different
strategy.
The foundation of this approach is that industrial energy programs
would be far more effective if energy conservation were not the empha-
sis. Energy conservation doesn’t translate well in terms of manufactur-
ing initiatives. Further, it limits the field of opportunity. The energy
opportunities which will radically improve business results must be
built upon manufacturing initiatives, not conservation.
It’s not about energy savings. It is about optimizing energy as a
factor of production.