Benchmarking Energy Use
Benchmarking is a process traditionally used for equating your facility performance against another similar business. This suggests you desire to improve your operation to maintain a competitive advantage over other firms.
Ideally, this comparison process must be based on similar criteria. Attempting to compare different facts or data does not offer meaningful insight into the governing factors. This also needs to include the interdependency of these factors and a comprehensive review of the facility type and operation.
To provide a clear path for understanding the use of benchmarking it is necessary to develop a predefined process. This serves to set a focus on the expected results and common definitions for other interested parties that may be reviewing the results.
By defining a process for measuring energy utilization a decision model is developed. This purpose of this model is to create a uniform understanding of how energy conservation projects have merit. It is important for everyone involved to agree upon the methods and data requirement that are used. This serves to focus the attention on specific details rather than generalities.
The underlying concept of this process is to think in broad terms. What is the purpose of the refrigeration system? What other factors can be involved? Some of these factors may be product loading rates, processing rates, electric utility rates, and ambient conditions (internal or external). All of these contribute to the energy used by the refrigeration system.
Deciding which factors are important with the daily operation of your facility. This begins to prioritize critical factors and how they are used in the decision making process.
Defining a model and the various factors allows you to determine the importance of any one specific function and break it down into finite pieces. If a factor is important and properly defined by a relatively simple method, you begin to form a foundation for the overall benchmarking model.
The goal of this process is to have management involved from the beginning. This helps them to understand the importance of predefining these factors and other contributing criteria that affect costs. It also serves as a conduit for communicating the results achieved and contributes to sustainable energy savings. Once the benchmarking model is established you can begin to investigate the ideal solution for your facility.
