Energy efficiency in industry: Key to a sustainable future

May 28, 2024

Awareness of corporate sustainability is on the rise, with nine out of ten large Spanish companies adopting sustainability as an integral part of their strategies, according to the eighth 'Multisectoral Study on the State of Corporate Responsibility of Large Companies in Spain', prepared by the Club de Excelencia.

Why is energy efficiency so crucial these days in industry? The answer is simple: it guarantees a positive economic result. We have faced a significant increase in energy costs since 2022, which represent a considerable portion of a company's total expenses, accounting for 60-70% of total costs in industrial companies, according to a report by KPMG.

The central objective of an energy efficiency strategy is to produce more with less energy, thus minimizing the environmental impact and associated costs.

However, beyond the economic benefits, the concern for improving energy efficiency is driven by regulations at both national and EU level.

It is essential that companies align themselves with these objectives given the European Union's ambition to achieve a climate-neutral economy by 2050, reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

✅ What does energy efficiency in an industrial environment really entail

It is a series of actions aimed at improving the relationship between the energy consumed and the products and services obtained from that energy.

This includes measures such as energy-efficient lighting, installation of photovoltaic panels, implementation of efficient air conditioning systems, and improvements in insulation and enclosures, all of which can significantly reduce energy costs and improve sustainability.

Strategies for improving energy efficiency in industry

If you want to effectively monitor and manage energy efficiency, you need to combine metering with specialized software that integrates metering equipment, records real-time data, stores historical data, and allows for data export and customized reporting.

This approach makes it possible to identify savings opportunities, detect deviations and evaluate the impact of implemented measures.

Benefits of energy efficiency for industrial companies

Cost savings. Optimize energy consumption, reducing expenses in energy resources.
Emissions reduction. By reducing energy consumption, we contribute to reducing our impact on greenhouse gases.
Operational Efficiency. Optimize the operation of equipment and systems.
Fostering innovation and digital transformation. Adopting innovative technology that fosters sustainability.
Centralized management. Enables centralized management and control of multiple systems and devices, simplifying energy management and optimization.
Decision making. Provides useful data and detailed analysis that helps us make strategic decisions in a more agile and reliable way.
Regulatory compliance. Allows us to align our processes with regulatory requirements related to energy efficiency and sustainability.

In short, energy efficiency will play a key role in the transformation to a more sustainable industrial sector. Both the government and administrations are providing support through various measures, from the promotion of renewable energies to the promotion of business digitalization.

New technologies, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, will be key tools in the future of energy efficiency.

Advanced technologies for energy management

At Telefónica Tech, through our company Geprom, we offer intelligent energy management solutions that monitor and optimize energy use. The result is increasing efficiency and competitiveness, as well as significant economic savings for industrial firms.

We can help you minimize downtime, reduce maintenance costs and extend the useful life of your electrical equipment with proactive equipment monitoring and predictive maintenance. Ensuring a safe environment by complying with electrical regulations and standards, and providing alerts and alarms to prevent electrical hazards.