Carrying out an energy audit is only the start of the process towards an efficient energy transition! To give it its full value, it is important to act once achieved.
With this audit in hand, you have drawn up the plan for the work necessary to optimize the energy of your building. Several steps still await you: detect opportunities to reduce energy consumption, select the types of renewable energy suitable for the company, implement the selected devices, adjust internal procedures and educate the team and share the promises made and the actions taken. Let's discover together all these steps to put in place after a business energy audit.
Step 1: Identify opportunities to reduce energy consumption
After having carried out the energy audit in business, it can identify sectors offering energy saving opportunities. Among the options:
- Strengthen the insulation of infrastructure to reduce dependence on heating and air conditioning;
- Opt for equipment that consumes less energy, such as the adoption of LEDs for lighting;
- Refine production methods and logistics to reduce energy consumption;
- Establish energy monitoring systems to observe and regulate consumption directly.
Step 2: Select the right types of renewable energy for the business
Once the energy audit in business is carried out, various renewable energy options are to be considered; whether it is hydroelectricity, photovoltaic solar, wind, biomass or geothermal energy.
To determine which source is most appropriate for a business, here are some criteria to evaluate:
- Dimensions and financial capabilities of the company: energy consumption differs depending on the size of the company and its financial resources. Some energies require a larger initial investment, but others can guarantee a better return in the long term.
- Area of Operation: The company's core business determines its energy needs and how it can incorporate renewable energy sources. For example, an entity in the agricultural sector could lean towards biomass, while another located in a region with lots of sunshine could favor solar.
- Location: The feasibility of different renewable energies is largely influenced by the geographical location of the company. A structure near a river might consider hydropower, while another in an area with strong winds might look to wind power.
- Green goals and legal standards: It is essential that businesses consider the environmental ambitions, current laws and tax benefits relating to renewable energy in their locality. These factors can weigh heavily in the choice of the preferred renewable energy source.
By taking these different elements into account, the company will be able to determine which source(s) of renewable energy is (are) most suited to its requirements, thereby strengthening its ecological footprint and its energy efficiency.
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Important Before deciding on a choice of renewable energy, it is important to carry out a detailed feasibility study. This will assess the costs, benefits, and technical and legal limitations. Through this study, the company will be able to identify the most relevant option based on its unique situation and needs. |
Step 3: Set up the selected devices
After choosing the appropriate renewable energy sources, the company can begin the required installations. This may include the installation of solar panels on roofs or car parks, the integration of a geothermal heating system, or the installation of a boiler running on biomass.
It is crucial to collaborate with suppliers and specialized technicians to ensure the excellence and efficiency of the installed equipment.
Step 4: Adjust internal procedures and educate the team
The approach towards energy transition does not stop at the simple production of green energy. It is equally vital to review internal company methods to reduce energy consumption and motivate employees to adopt environmentally conscious attitudes. Among the possible initiatives, we find:
- the adoption of a teleworking model to reduce travel and energy use of work spaces;
- training and educating employees on the importance of the energy transition and simple actions to reduce energy consumption (such as turning off the lights or shutting down your computer when leaving);
- promoting the use of public transport, vehicle sharing or the adoption of electric vehicles for work-related travel.
Step 5: Share promises made and actions taken
In order to improve the company's reputation and inspire other entities to follow suit, it is essential to highlight actions and successes related to the energy transition. Among the possible approaches:
- the dissemination of annual reports detailing energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions and progress obtained through the adoption of clean energy;
- initiating events or conferences intended to share effective strategies and lessons learned with other professionals;
- the pursuit of an ecological certification to validate and recognize the company's investment in the energy transition.
