Input game plan elements
Direction of flow
Step 1 of effective noise reduction is to understand direction of flow from input through process to output. Understanding direction is critical. It is the path along which variables emerge, interact and may increase through the system. Variables have an effect and effects cannot precede their cause, so the approach is to follow this same direction.
The opportunity is to address leaks, losses and downtime related to inputs that obstruct efficiency. A quarter of utilities, 10% of labour and ingredient waste are noise that come from inputs. Table 4 lists skills, Best management practices (BMPs) and technology which are linked to input measurement and noise identification.
Input-related actions
| Input-related actions | Skill | BMP | Technology |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establish a champion, leader and team | No | Yes | No |
| Canadian Industry Program Energy Conservation (CIPEC) energy training | Yes | Yes | No |
| Culture of sanitation | Yes | Yes | No |
| Reliability centered maintenance | No | Yes | No |
| Leak detection/correction | No | Yes | Yes |
| Power factor correction | No | Yes | Yes |
| Power quality controls | No | Yes | Yes |
| Refrigerant replacement | No | Yes | Yes |
| Sub-metering | No | Yes | Yes |
| Air balance | No | Yes | No |
| Humidity control | No | Yes | Yes |
| Energy Management Information Systems (EMIS) | No | Yes | Yes |
| Digital mapping | No | Yes | No |
| Takt time analysis | Yes | Yes | No |
| Activity-based costing | Yes | Yes | No |
| Lean | Yes | Yes | No |
| Aerosolized duct sealing | No | Yes | Yes |
| Active air purification | No | Yes | Yes |
| Input cost correction | Yes | Yes | No |
Input actions are the low-hanging fruit of input costs and Scope 1 (direct) emissions. These actions avoid costs and up to as much as a quarter of a facility’s direct carbon footprint.
Energy audits and outside consulting services
Consulting engineers and other consulting services provide valuable support. Their outsider perspective can lead to valuable suggestions. When a facility is sub-metered and managers have an EMIS system that they use, the time it takes to do something like an energy audit takes less time and effort on the part of the consultant. This should be reflected in the cost of their service. Companies with comprehensive EMIS systems that are integrated with a digitized system will still hire a consultant to audit their system. It pays to make sure the system works at its optimum. Consultants may also be aware of things your own staff may not know.
One consulting firm, 360 Energy Inc. stands out amongst conventional energy efficiency consulting firms. Part of their service includes training your staff to use an EMIS system and integrate that information into your business. Other consulting companies are expected to follow their lead, as business operators begin to understand the value of this service.