RPR_FY2015_08

Another area for energy efficiency is replacing conventional boilers and
furnaces with advanced types that can operate at higher temperatures while
burning less fuel. Another option would be reducing the fuel used to produce steam
by insulating steam and condensate return lines, stopping steam leakage, and
maintaining steam traps. 9
Electric motors usually run at a constant speed, but a variable speed drive
allows the motor’s energy output to match the required load. This achieves energy
savings ranging from 3 to 60 percent, depending on how the motor is used. Motor
coils made of superconducting materials can also reduce energy losses. Motors may
also benefit from voltage optimisation. 8
Although many industries already implement energy efficiency practices,
achieving energy efficiency in this sector remains challenging due to the variety of
activities within the sector, the variety of relevant actors, and the importance of
industry for national economies. The Rocky Mountain Institute points out that in
industrial settings, ‘there are abundant opportunities to save 70–90 percent of the
energy and cost for lighting, fan, and pump systems; 50 percent for electric motors;
and 60 percent in areas such as heating, cooling, office equipment, and appliances.’
In general, up to 75 percent of the electricity used in the United States today could
be saved with efficiency measures that cost less than the electricity itself. 10
3.1 Energy Efficiency Indicator (EEI) for Industry
In principle, the EEI is the ratio of energy consumption per activity; in other words,
it is the amount of energy required to conduct an activity. In the industry sector,
activity is the process of producing an output. Thus, it can be measured in quantity
produced or its value.
According to the IEA manual on Energy Efficiency Indicators, 11 the indicator
for commodities production is the energy intensity calculated as the ratio of
production divided by energy use. This relates to the physical production of major
manufacturing sectors (energy-intensive industries) covering:
ISIC 21. Paper and paper products
ISIC 24. Chemicals and chemical products
ISIC 26. Other non-metallic mineral products
ISIC 27. Basic metals
The manual differentiates the aggregate indicators and the disaggregate
indicators. The aggregate indicators are sufficient to provide a high-level picture of
9
Wikipedia. Efficient Energy Use. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Efficient_energy_use (accessed
12 June 2016).
10
http://dictionary.sensagent.com/Efficient%20energy%20use/en-en/ (accessed 14 June 2016).
11
IEA (2014), Energy Efficiency Indicators: Fundamentals on Statistics. Paris.
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