Program experiences in the US, the United Kingdom, and China have demonstrated that energy savings opportunities are typically 20% or more for motor-driven systems across all industrial sectors. But both markets and policy makers tend to focus on system components, which have a typical improvement potential of 2-5%.  Determining how to optimize a system requires a high level of technical skill.  In addition, once an energy efficiency project is completed, the energy savings are often not sustained due to changes in personnel and production processes. Although training and educational programs to promote system optimization have proven effective, these resource-intensive efforts have only reached a small portion of the market.  

 

The same factors that make it so challenging to achieve and sustain energy efficiency in motor-driven systems (complexity, frequent changes) apply to the production processes that they support.  Yet production processes typically operate within a narrow band of acceptable performance.  These processes are frequently incorporated into ISO 9000/14000 quality and environmental management systems, which require regular, independent audits to maintain ISO certification, an attractive value for international trade.

 

The Industrial Standards Framework is a fully-developed approach based on years of experience in developing training programs and tools to encourage greater motor system energy efficiency.  At the core of the Framework are energy management standards, based on an American National Standards Institute Management System for Energy (ANSI/MSE 2000) developed by Georgia Institute of Technology. This standard provides an accessible and easily understood approach to industrial energy management, based on ISO continuous improvement principles and documentation requirements.  This standard is also compatible with Energy Star Guidelines for Energy Management.

In addition to the energy management standard, the Framework also provides for development of an Industrial Systems Optimization Library.  Through the use of Library, plant personnel or their consultants can develop system energy efficiency projects with accompanying ISO procedures and work instructions. These documents allow a plant to easily incorporate projects into their ISO Quality Environmental Manual.  The goal is to provide a plant-based mechanism that helps each company maintain their focus on energy efficiency commitments, provide visibility for its achievements, and provide verification of results for financial backers (including carbon traders) to help stimulate much greater industrial energy efficiency.

See UNDIO-SAC Prepatory Meeting news article.