Targeting and cost drivers
Monitoring and targeting is used to set targets based on the PCL of the site. Simply assessing performance provides an incentive for improvement but setting targets provides a better incentive for improvement.
Targets can be set on the basis of simple charts, e.g. CUSUM charts are very sensitive to changes in performance and a ‘challenging but achievable’ performance target can be set from the data used to generate the PCL. This is based on the best possible historic
performance of the site.
Targeting energy use needs an understanding of what drives energy use. Energy use can be ‘activity’ driven (by production volume) or ‘condition’ driven (generally by the weather). Measuring and understanding the relevant cost drivers allows cost assignment to the relevant areas and ownership of the costs can be created.
Energy costs are not ‘somebody else’s problem’ and assigning ownership is often the quickest way to reduce costs.
Reporting
Energy management needs a formal reporting structure to ensure that targets are met and translated into real financial performance improvements.
To be effective, reporting must:
- Be regular - ideally part of the monthly management accounts for management purposes and posted on notice boards for all staff to see.
- Be concise and effective - reports should fit onto 1 A4 page at most.
- Be suitable for the audience - simple graphs are the key to attracting and retaining the audience’s attention.
- Be focused on real improvements in performance and the financial implications.
External targets (sites and machines)
Targets based on external benchmarking at the site level are possible using industry data but the results are only relevant for a specific process and production rate. Targets based on external benchmarking at the machine level are possible using industry data but the results are only relevant for a specific process and production rate.
Investment decisions
Investment in improving energy usage performance can change the rules of energy use and make energy cost reduction automatic. Investment in improving energy efficiency is often neglected because of the lack of a recognisable income stream from the investment. Investment in capital equipment should consider the whole life cycle of the equipment and particularly the energy costs over the life cycle.
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