A Study of Determination of Energy Performance Indicator for Applying Energy Management System in Industrial Sector

Abstract

Establishing an energy management system (EnMS) is a useful approach for improving energy efficiency. The International Energy Agency(IEA) recommended that the EnMS is a key policy for achieving energy performance, particularly in the industrial sector, which consumes large amounts of fossil fuels. Previous studies suggested numerous energy performance indicators (EnPIs), which are based mainly on two models: 1) energy intensity (i.e., kWh per ton) and 2) the statistical model (i.e., linear and nonlinear regression). The selection of appropriate EnPIs is context specific, with various factors involving organizational, industry, and energy source related characteristics affecting it. Although having the right EnPIs is essential for achieving effective energy management, few researchers have attempted to provide guidelines for their application. Therefore, the aim of this study was to present a framework for investigating alternative EnPIs and to choose the best one based on the application context. The Delphi method and the Analytic Hierarch Process were adopted to integrate relevant expert knowledge in a systematic manner. The research findings indicated that six factors data collection, the consideration of relative variables, the choice of analytic methodology, reliability, an understanding of the analysis results, and practice and training—are regarded as significant selection, criteria for EnPIs, and the two approaches of linear regression and energy intensity were preferred regardless of the context.