Encouraging energy compliance

Introduced to help the Government meet energy reduction targets, ESOS requires qualifying organisations (those with over 250 employees and a turnover of €50 million) to undertake energy audits every four years, to identify areas for improvement and recommend cost-effective measures to help save energy and money. The scheme requires organisations to review their total energy usage, from building energy right through to transportation and industrial processes, and it is expected that by undertaking the assessments, participating businesses could achieve combined annual energy cost savings of around £250 million.

One area in particular in which manufacturing and engineering organisations can minimise their energy consumption is through a reduction in compressed air usage. While the air itself is inexpensive, the energy required to produce the commodity is costly, and as experts in compressed air management, Brammer has identified that simply installing the correct components can help achieve significant cost savings and a reduction in energy usage.

Libby Peacock, product manager - pneumatics at Brammer, added: “ESOS was initially introduced to help the Government meet UK-wide energy reduction targets, however it could also encourage organisations to implement more carbon efficient operations and achieve significant costs savings as a result. The scheme is compulsory for larger organisations who fit the criteria, so those who missed the deadline to register or who don’t meet their obligations to improve their energy consumption, may receive civil sanctions including fines.

“For those who have received a notification of compliance, the next audits are due in four years but it’s important organisations continue to monitor their energy usage. Encouraging staff to undertake more energy efficient behaviour and to be more aware of machinery that is wasting energy, such as compressed air equipment, can help ensure organisations are not only prepared for the next audit but energy cost savings are continual.”