What Factors Cause Weak Industrial Energy Management Practices?

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the ongoing energy management andenergy efficiency practices in the industries of Peshawar division of KhyberPakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The outcomes of this research shows that KhazanaSugar Mills, Caliph Pharmaceutical, Naguman Flour Mill have no or lowawareness of energy management practices (awareness level mainly includesbarriers to energy efficiency and drivers for energy efficiency) except FF steelmill. The major paces observed in lacking the awareness are (1) “understand-ing level of staff and workers about energy savings due to energy management practices” (2) “interest level of top managers for energy management imple-mentation” (3) “awareness level regarding energy efficiency” (4) “lack oftechnical competence” (5) “use of standardized procedures”. When theindustry managers were inquired about the relationship with energy serviceproviders it is found that there is absolute absence of energy engineers,relationship with energy consultancies and long-term energy strategy in allthe industries. It was also found that there is lack of using renewable energytechnologies in all industries as they were relying upon using the generatorsduring the blackout hours. In terms of percentage, the energy saving factor of36 kWh/day has also observed with the replacement of fluorescent tube lightswith light emitting diode (LED) tube lights. Proper maintenance and energymanagement practices in the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system(HVAC) would also save energy in a significant amount. The study shows thatthere is an overall improvement factor of 4% to 8% if the inclusion of energymanagement and energy efficiency practices would have been applied in allthe stated industries.