Managing Energy Efficiency in Industry: Theory and Practice

Abstract

In this chapter, we examine energy management and the need to work strategically on energy in a company. An internal energy management program is a key means by which an industrial company can overcome barriers and improve its energy efficiency. Energy management can be defined as the procedures by which a company works strategically on energy, while an energy management system is a tool for implementing these procedures; these two concepts are often mixed or used interchangeably. We discuss why industrial companies need to work on energy management while empowering the individuals within their organizations. An industrial company that takes a strategic approach to energy management may reduce its energy use by up to 40 %. Energy management concerns the ability to combine strong leadership with delegated authority as concerns energy issues. Energy management research can be developed by complementing existing questionnaire and interview studies with observational research.