By Business & Finance 
By Nicky Doran, head of Retail, Bord Gáis Energy
The energy landscape has undergone significant change over the past number of years with the introduction of cleaner fuels, an upturn in the world economy, and an increased awareness of the dangers of climate change.
An increased demand for energy efficiency technologies has led to lower technology costs and improved quality, particularly in sectors such as LED lighting and solar PV. There has also been growth in investor confidence within the clean tech sector and the emergence of innovative financing models for businesses that wish to invest in energy efficiency.
As well as providing benefits for individual businesses, investment in energy efficiency is helping to deliver Irish, EU and global energy efficiency targets. In the EU, the 2012 Energy Efficiency Directive sets an energy efficiency target of 20% by 2020. Under the Directive, all countries within the EU are required to use energy more efficiently at every stage of the energy chain, from production to final consumption.
At a national level, Ireland has very proactive policies, with the Energy Efficiency Action Plan to 2020 setting out our target to reduce energy consumption by up to 33% within the public sector by 2020. There’s also the Energy Efficiency Obligation Scheme (EEOS), which was introduced by the Department for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in January 2014. Under the scheme, energy suppliers work to help deliver energy efficiency savings, and this goes towards Ireland’s national target.
Bord Gáis Energy offers a range of initiatives to help householders and businesses improve their energy efficiency and drive costs down. As an energy provider, we must play a key role in educating business managers and consumers about smart energy management, and we’re always looking for new and innovative ways to help customers save energy and lower their bills.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY FUNDING
Bord Gáis Energy offers funding for commercial customers towards the capital cost of energy efficiency projects. To apply for this funding, companies make an initial enquiry and this is followed by a technical evaluation by one of our energy experts. The value of the financial support available for each project will be based on the total volume of energy savings in kilowatt-hours (kWh) made by each project.
In order to measure the success of the energy efficiency project, we help businesses verify the savings achieved. We provide detailed reports which outline the financial and energy benefits of each project and this helps businesses to quantify the financial savings and highlights the financial benefits of energy efficiency at all levels of an organisation.
The types of energy efficiency projects supported include lighting, boiler or chiller replacements, high efficiency pumps and drives, building management systems, process improvements and renewable energy technologies. Through active participation in these initiatives, companies could expect to save up to 20-30% off the capital cost of their energy efficiency project.
Organisations wishing to apply for the funding should contact us at energyservices@bordgais.ie for more information on this scheme.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Implementing smart energy practices takes a significant level of commitment, knowledge, business-wide support, and finance. While many businesses understand the benefits of energy efficiency projects and processes, the reality is that some are still falling behind.
Energy efficiency is often pushed off the business agenda, as managers don’t fully understand the positive impact which smarter energy management can have on the bottom line.
By implementing energy saving projects, operating expenses can actually be reduced and productivity increased. However, to ensure it stays on the business agenda, remember to set targets from the offset and develop a method of easily measuring the results.
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland offers energy management advice, mentoring, training as well as other services. You can also visit the Bord Gáis Energy website or email energyservices@bordgais.ie for more information.
Photo (above): James Jordan
Improve your business’ energy efficiency
There’s always something you can do to improve energy efficiency in your business, whether you’re ready to get serious or just looking for a few quick wins. Some measures don’t cost a thing and are quick to implement, while some require more consideration and investment. Whatever you opt for, it’s a good idea to appoint an energy efficiency champion in your business to drive the message internally.
Instant savings
- Review the temperature and timing settings of your heating and air conditioning equipment.
- Turn down the building’s heating thermostat especially when the building isn’t occupied. If you reduce the thermostat by 1 degree, you can save up to 10% off your heating bill.
- Don’t allow radiators and heaters to be blocked by furniture.
- Setting PCs, monitors and photocopiers to sleep mode when not in use can help cut energy costs by up to 50%.
Getting a little more serious
- Fit thermostatic valves on all radiators.
- Use diffuse water taps to use less hot water for processes/facilities while maintaining the required pressure.
Becoming fully committed
- Consider a Combined Heat and Power installation for your business. These units generate a significant amount of your electricity and heating requirements.
Investing in the future
- Installing motion sensors in conference rooms, toilets, break rooms and car parks can reduce lighting costs by up to 40 per cent in areas where lights are generally left on all the time and are not always necessary
- Install programmable thermostats. These inexpensive devices, most incorporating modern microprocessor-based electronics, can help optimise your building’s heating and air conditioning needs.
Lighting
- Many businesses don’t realise that the cost of lighting can equate to up to 40% of a business’ electricity costs. Using an LED lighting solution can help reduce these costs by as much as 70%. LED lighting offers a 50,000-hour running life, which translates to virtually maintenance-free lighting. It also offers improved luminance levels when compared to fluorescent lighting.
