JUNE 2019 ENERGY
Manufacturers are increasingly working towards
a zero CO2 target, says E.ON’s Annalisa Bell
this could include harnessing things like LED
lighting, building management systems and the
optimisation of existing assets. Longer-term they
can work towards producing their own energy
through on-site generation.
“What’s important is ensuring they meet
their on-site demand, combining renewable
generation through wind or solar with battery
storage for resilience purposes. One example of
the zero CO2 ideal is if a customer has a lowgrade
heat requirement, rather than going for a
typical gas boiler or CHP installation, they could
look to use a heat pump. The electricity needed
to power that pump can be bought through the
Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin (REGO)
scheme (see box), which will make it entirely
carbon neutral, and very cost-eff ective.”
Cost is also a factor when manufacturers
are investing in their plants. The rise of
the Fourth Industrial Revolution has seen
signifi cant investment in robotics and new
machinery, which, as Bell points out, “will
increase manufacturers’ energy demands
and power usage.” However, it also has the
potential to improve sustainability. “The Fourth
Industrial Revolution unlocks new sustainability
opportunities around waste,” explains Bell.
“With digital innovation and AI , manufacturers
can optimise their processes, meaning they are
able to produce more product for less outlay,
thereby reducing the carbon footprint per unit.
Technology will have an important role to play in
the drive towards zero CO2.”
Another limiting factor when developing a
sustainability strategy is the risk of interrupting
production. “Manufacturers have to fi nd an
energy strategy that works for them,” says Bell.
“All factories are diff erent so they will need to
develop a strategy tailored to their individual
processes as part of the drive to zero CO2. To
not do so will be a mistake. Companies that
don’t have an energy strategy will fall behind
the curve and risk losing out, both within their
supply chain and from customers. That’s a real
risk to their profi tability.”
JohanSwanepoel /stock.adobe.com
How E.ON can help
Sustainability is becoming more prevalent
and widely understood in industry than ever
before. As pressure grows from customers and
suppliers, manufacturers will soon discover the
fundamental need for them to change. To assist
with this, Bell advises partnering with an energy
specialist to develop an energy-saving strategy.
MM’s survey from last year demonstrated that
manufacturers are confused by who to turn to
for help. Respondents were almost equally split
between talking to their current supplier,
a facilities management specialist, a known
energy company and the public sector.
As Bell explains, E.ON is better-placed than
many to off er such guidance. “We are making
the transition towards 100% renewables, and
are now helping our customers do the same.
At E.ON, we take a holistic approach and create
a smart, sustainable and personalised solution
to help our customers, through the integration
of energy effi ciency, on-site generation and
optimisation to help create long-term selfsuffi
ciency. With a strategy designed by E.ON, we
are able to consider the short-, medium- and longterm
inputs into manufacturers’ energy, and help
them transition. We are trying to create a future
where our customers use less, and ensure that
what they do use comes from renewable sources
to guarantee a future for the next generation.”
Annalisa Bell develops sustainable energy
strategies for UK businesses within the
manufacturing sector. She joined E.ON in 2013
and has worked in a number of roles across
District Heating, Demand Side Response and
Battery Storage. Given Annalisa’s experience
across the various roles within E.ON she is well
placed to advise E.ON’s clients on how to manage
energy within their business, and help UK
manufacturing businesses remain competitive
in an increasingly challenging marketplace.
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