An approach to electricity monitoring and targeting (M&T) in Irish precision engineering SMEs

John Cosgrove, Frank Doyle, Frances Hardiman, Gerard O’Farrell

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Energy management in small to medium enterprises (SMEs) remains undeveloped due to competing priorities and a lack of specialist knowledge. However considerable savings can be demonstrated where companies take the time to investigate their energy use and the specific production drivers that influence it. Savings of over 20 % can be achieved through changes to operational and behavioural practice. Additional benefits, such as improved production tracking and improved maintenance, can been seen which add to the value in undertaking an energy monitoring and targeting (M&T) plan. The method described involve the analysis of overall energy use from utility bills and the visualisation of power profiles to aid in understanding the drivers of energy consumption. The monitoring of specific machines in production highlights the significant consumption of electricity during non-productive times. The development of specific energy performance indicators (EnPIs) are described for product variations which can be useful in tendering for business and selecting optimum production pathways. The approach is illustrated with data from a case study of a precision engineering SME based in Limerick, Ireland.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationSustainable Design and Manufacturing 2016
EditorsRossi Setchi, Ying Liu, Peter Theobald, Robert J. Howlett, Robert J. Howlett
PublisherSpringer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH
Pages157-168
Number of pages12
ISBN (Print)9783319320960
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2016
Event3rd International Conference on Sustainable Design and Manufacturing, SDM 2016 - Chania, Greece
Duration: 4 Apr 20166 Apr 2016

Publication series

NameSmart Innovation, Systems and Technologies
Volume52
ISSN (Print)2190-3018
ISSN (Electronic)2190-3026

Conference

Conference3rd International Conference on Sustainable Design and Manufacturing, SDM 2016
Country/TerritoryGreece
CityChania
Period4/04/166/04/16

Keywords

  • Energy efficiency in industry
  • Energy performance indicators
  • Production smes

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