Managing energy is, in many ways, a balancing act. On a tightrope. Under a blazing-hot spotlight. Overtop a shark-infested pool. Okay, maybe not quite THAT bad – but still. Nobody wants to take on the task of measuring, monitoring and controlling something so crucial for every process. For companies without a dedicated energy manager, reducing energy consumption can feel almost counterproductive – as if you are holding back the rest of your team or business from doing its job.
This couldn’t be more backwards! Energy is the second biggest annual cost after manpower for most companies, no matter which sector you work in. So managing it intelligently can deliver some serious savings – but don’t take our word for it! Actions speak louder than words, so here are some real energy management examples that show how your company can cut energy costs while continuing to grow and scale.
The Great Balancing Act
So how do you balance business growth with saving money through energy management? All you need to do is choose some kind of magical energy management platform, right? Although it’s a good place to start, you might need to offer some kind of justification to your CFO first. Need some inspiration?
There are companies out there that have generated considerable energy savings in your sector – and don’t think it has to be energy-intensive, like heavy industry! These forward-thinking companies are not only achieving significant cost savings, but they are also strategically aligning themselves with the latest Energy Efficiency norms and directives. This dual focus not only translates into tangible financial benefits but also underscores a resolute commitment to fostering sustainability. By embracing energy-efficient practices, these organisations are not just reaping economic advantages but actively participating in the global movement towards a greener and more sustainable future.
From retail to public services to education and culture, by the end of this post reducing your company’s energy consumption won’t seem like such a monumental feat. Let’s dive into the details.
12 Stellar Energy Management Examples
1. Comansa
Sector: Manufacturing
Locations: 3
Total annual cost savings: € 200,000
Why we’re inspired: Energy costs represented a substantial share of Comansa’s total expenses. Seeking efficiency, the company aimed for a comprehensive understanding of energy consumption to identify and implement effective measures for savings.
Regular monitoring, centralization, and analysis of data pinpointed critical areas for energy-saving measures. As a result, Comansa achieved substantial savings, reducing energy consumption from approximately 10,834,580 kWh/year to 2,899,000 kWh. These consolidated savings of 74% equate to €2,276,934, translating into nearly €200,000/year since the start of energy consumption monitoring and optimization.
Explore Comansa’s case study to gain valuable insights and initiate efficiency measures within your organisation.
2. Caixabank
Sector: Banking
Locations: > 4.000
Savings: 170 energy savings measures
Why we’re inspired: Based in Valencia, CaixaBank is a prominent Spanish bank. With over 30,000 employees, it stands as a key player in the Spanish financial sector, catering to a customer base exceeding 13 million.
CaixaBank faced three key challenges: ensuring well-being for employees and customers, reducing energy consumption through efficiency measures, and striving for “zero complaints” by utilising IoT and Big Data for minimised maintenance incidents.
Is your organisation in the Banking industry? Draw inspiration from the CaixaBank Case Study to enhance energy efficiency across all your locations.
3. Spanish Ministry of Justice
Sector: Public Administration
Locations: 300
Total annual cost savings: €1,514,572
Why we’re inspired: The Spanish Ministry of Justice managed to save energy and cut costs in nearly 300 geographically dispersed locations – to the tune of 1.5 million euros – without compromising or interrupting service to citizens.
Are you a public servant looking to save more money by cutting costs for your department or administration? See how you can replicate the energy saving success of Spain’s Ministry of Justice by checking out the full case study.
4. Burger King
Sector: Retail
Locations: 1
Total annual cost savings: €5,500
Why we’re inspired: This Burger King franchise in Avila, Spain exceeded its owner’s expectations when they combined powerful energy management technology with employee engagement.
Educational sessions with employees helped implement new on and off times, which reduced consumption without incurring any extra investment.
Keen to explore the applicability of a similar approach to your franchise? Obtain the complete Burger King case study and commence your journey toward energy efficiency.
5. Radisson Blu – East Midlands Airport
Sector: Hospitality
Locations: 1
Overall energy savings (kWh): 30%
Why we’re inspired: A certified BREEAM Excellent Building with 218 rooms, conference facilities, a swimming pool and leisure facilities, the Radisson Blu Hotel (East Midlands Airport) is known as “the greenest hotel in the UK.”
Explore whether a comparable energy management program could be effective for your hotel. Access the complete Radisson Blu case study and implement an optimal energy management strategy tailored to your hotel’s needs.
6. Sant Gervasi School
Sector: Education
Locations: 1
Total annual cost savings: €12,000
Why we’re inspired: Sant Gervasi School in Barcelona, achieved 18% savings by involving the entire school community in efficient energy management of its facilities. We love how the idea of saving energy was integrated into the curriculum. If the kids can do it, so can you!
Why not try the same energy management approach at your school or university? For all the details, check out the full Sant Gervasi School case study.
7. GAMO Outdoor
Sector: Manufacturing
Locations: 1
Total annual cost savings: € 42,500
Why we’re inspired: Energy performance per unit manufactured fell by 28% within two years, with ROI payback period of less than 1 year.
Can your factory generate as much or more cost savings than GAMO Outdoor? Get the full GAMO Outdoor case study to see all the details.
8. Catania Più Supermarkets
Sector: Retail
Total annual cost savings: € 21,800
Why we’re inspired: Saving energy in supermarkets is not easy. This Italian supermarket chain faced a substantial challenge that demanded strategic resolution. Yet, Catania Più managed to find affordable ways to cut a pretty sizable chunk off their energy bill through an Energy Management Software. Moreover, The company successfully implemented HVAC enhancements.
Get the full Catania Più Supermarkets case study.
9. Berriak Supermercados
Sector: Retail
Locations: 4
Total annual cost savings: € 20,300
Why we’re inspired:
Berriak Supermarkets stands as a prominent entity in the food industry within the Basque Country, Spain. Going beyond simple energy monitoring and reduction, this supermarket chain in the Basque Country managed to transform its energy savings into a revenue stream.
Access Berriak Supermercados case study and learn how you can also decrease energy consumption without compromising the comfort conditions of your clients.
10. Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona
Sector: Culture
Locations: 1
Total annual cost savings: € 40,000
Why we’re inspired: Not only did the CCCB manage to surpass their initial savings goals by a long shot in the first few months of the project – they ended up achieving a record payback period of less than 5 months.
Curious to see if the same approach would work in your cultural centre or museum? Compare notes with the fully detailed Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona case study.
11. Francisco Godia Foundation
Sector: Culture
Locations: 1
Total annual cost savings: € 25,000
Why we’re inspired: For this cultural foundation housing one of the largest art collections in Spain, energy management was probably the last thing on their minds. Yet today, the Francisco Godia Foundation is continues to honour a commitment to maximise energy savings. After generating a ROI in less than 3 months, the foundation decided to reinvest in future energy improvement projects.
Eager to ascertain how your museum can replicate comparable outcomes? Access the comprehensive case study of the Francisco Godia Foundation to gain deeper insights.
12. Costa Coffee
Sector: Fast Food/Retail
Locations: 1200
Total annual energy savings: Nearly 40% reduction in energy use from a 2009 baseline
Why we’re inspired: By analysing everything from equipment development and energy usage to supplier relations and behaviour change approaches, Costa Coffee was able to exceed energy reduction targets set for 2017 two years ahead of schedule, in addition to achieving reduction 14% higher than their original goal.
The behaviour change aspect of Costa’s overarching energy goal was underpinned by the implementation of the ISO 50001 energy management system standard. Costa became one of the first companies in the food industry to achieve such a high standard.
While Costa Coffee’s initial driver was to cut energy use, the business benefits of energy efficiency proved strong enough for them to justify expanding their energy management process across the entire Whitbread organisation.
Is your company Energy Efficient?
Hopefully by now, taking your first steps toward energy efficiency in your organisation doesn’t seem like such a monumental task, no matter what sector you work in.
In fact, it’s something we would love to help you with! Joining the Spacewell Energy (Dexma) partner community means you’ll benefit from the kind of savings generated by the energy management examples we talked about in this post. Want to learn more? Get started below.
