Manufacturing energy savings

Energy is a significant cost for any business, even more so for the manufacturing sector due to processing and building stock. Warehouses and factories often rate poorly on energy efficiency with strip lighting, old inefficient boilers and heaters hanging from the ceiling. Keeping the building warm can be challenging when you have open roof spaces, corrugated walls, concrete floors and large open areas.

There are many energy saving opportunities in manufacturing. Popular projects in the sector are:

• Structural insulation to prevent heat loss.
• Upgrading space heating and hot water provision.
• Heat recovery.
• Installation of renewable technologies such as solar photovoltaic panels and biomass boilers.
• Improving the measuring and monitoring of energy use.
• Making use of compressed air.
• Lighting upgrades.

There is a wide range of other energy efficiency measures including; cleaning chiller condenser fins, dehumidification systems, desiccant rotor replacement, destratification fans for workshops, the development of a motor management policy and measures to improve motor efficiency, energy metering and so on.

• Guala Closures is a supplier of closures and stoppers for the whisky, spirits and wine industries. Improvements at the Kirkintilloch site were driven by a strong environmental commitment with positive results. Energy use has been cut by 17%, greenhouse gas emissions are down by  9.4% and hazardous waste has reduced by nearly 25%.
• Booksource capitalised on the latest lighting LED high bay lighting technology with sensors for its warehouse, substantially reduce its annual energy bill by £16,000 as well as its carbon footprint. And the savings keep on coming with maintenance and resulting costs reduced thanks to the longevity of LEDs.
• As WestRock Multi-Packaging Solutions operates large premises over several sites their lighting upgrade project identified over £92,000 identified potential energy savings. On lighting alone, they are poised to save 378 tonnes of Co2 emissions each year.
• Eyemouth Freezers installed LED lighting in cold stores and processing areas which on its own should reduce energy costs by around £7,500 each year. Industrial dehumidifiers were recommended to address the air exchange issue between the cold stores and packaging areas, in preference to an air curtain. Not only is this estimated to save the business £20,000 every year on energy bills, but it also improves the safety conditions for staff.
• Following a free site survey, Kelvinside Electronics made use of the interest-free SME Loan to install LED lighting and reduced energy costs by over £8,750. Participation in Green Champions training helps them to demonstrate their environmental commitment to customers.
• An on-site assessment of Pentland Precision Engineering’s facilities identified immediate opportunities to optimise energy use which included upgrading the business’s lighting system to high-efficiency and long-life LEDs. Upgrading factory lighting saves nearly £3,000 each year.
• Better lighting pointed the way to big annual energy cost savings of £12,000 for signage company, Merson.
• Robert Mackie of Scotland Ltd were supported to purchase new CNC knitting machine, creating savings of £96,760 and cutting carbon by 40.8 tonnes annually. The machines are not only energy efficient they also increase production and decrease waste. Win. Win. Win.
• When Nutscene, twine manufacturers, purchased their building it was an opportunity to improve its resource efficiency. An onsite audit found a number of things the company could do, with little or no cost, to make immediate savings.
• ACS Clothing are able to save 90% of their energy lighting by upgrading tungsten and compact fluorescent lamps to LEDs, with an associated cost saving of £20,000 per annum
• Houston Bottling & Co-pack used the SME Loan to upgrade to LED, replacing the inefficient halogen and halide lamps in its warehouse.

We have a number of free resources to help you save energy, and of course, our friendly team are here to assist you too:

• Advice on measuring and monitoring your energy usage;
• A handy guide on how to conduct an energy audit;
• Learn how to save energy by becoming savvier with your heating with help from this guide;
• Simple tips on how to save money and energy on lighting.

Business Energy Scotland is funded by the Scottish Government to provide free, impartial support and access to funding to help small and medium-sized enterprises save energy, carbon and money.

• We’ve already found over £200 million worth of savings for Scottish organisations.
• Typically, we find 24% energy saving per business.
• 9 out of 10 businesses that have received support would recommend us to other businesses.

Whether you are just starting out on your energy-saving journey and need some pointers or are looking for expertise and funding to support your current plans, our team of experienced business advisors and energy-saving consultants are here to help.

Contact us to today arrange free support for your business.