Energy efficiency in industry can be defined as the pursuit of lower consumption and energy optimization. It consists of maintaining—or even increasing—production levels while simultaneously reducing energy consumption.
The topic has become more relevant over the years, and it's increasingly understood in the industrial sector. The Power Factor, for example, which affects the cost of electricity, is described in ANEEL Resolution No. 414 of September 9, 2010:
Doing more (or at least the same amount) with less, while maintaining comfort and quality. When discussing energy, energy efficiency means generating the same amount of energy with fewer natural resources or achieving the same service ("performing work") with less energy.
In Brazil, industrial energy consumption accounts for almost 40% of the country's total energy production. Currently, the Energy Research Company (EPE) estimates that the potential for energy efficiency in industries—that is, the amount of consumption that can be reduced while maintaining or increasing productivity—is 10.9% on average, with 11.1% for thermal energy consumption and 9.8% for electricity.
Barriers to implementation can arise from several factors, some of which include:
- Information asymmetry : When one sector has relevant information but does not share it with other sectors.
- Divergence of objectives : When the company prioritizes other objectives to the detriment of energy efficiency.
- Commitment to energy issues : When the company does not emphasize the energy efficiency improvement program created and does not invest in measures to improve it.
To overcome these barriers, it is necessary to improve internal communication between different departments, establish clear goals and objectives, and increase leadership commitment to adopting measures that achieve energy efficiency.
Electrical energy waste in a plant occurs in various ways. Identifying, understanding how it occurs, and preventing it is crucial for cost reduction and generates three outcomes. The first, and direct, is a reduction in electricity costs; the second is increased asset performance and durability; and finally, and as a consequence of the first, a reduction in maintenance costs.
Energy efficiency improvement planning can involve several actions, but in general, investing in equipment modernization and reducing excess reactive energy, combined with a monitoring system, can yield significant results in the medium or even short term.
Bridgemeter Contributing to Energy Efficiency
The flexibility of Bridgemeter's architecture adapts to various measurements fundamental to energy efficiency monitoring, enabling remote asset management with alarms, notifications, and predictive analytics.
To illustrate how Bridgemeter contributes to increased energy efficiency, we present a case study in which the platform is associated with an engine widely used in various segments.
Motor pump units monitored by Bridgemeter
By monitoring electrical current and temperature, and correlating the values obtained with other equipment parameters, Bridgemeter compares and provides analysis with operational history, identifying trends that may evolve into overheating unrelated to increased work demand, sending notifications to the customer's maintenance team.
By monitoring the engine's operating conditions, it's possible to intervene to eliminate waste, as some of the available energy is being lost as heat, which contributes to reduced work efficiency and premature wear of parts. This waste, if left unmonitored, increases costs and increases the risk of unexpected downtime.
Expanding the model described above, now applied to an industrial sanitation plant or a hospital with several motors, transformers and other electrical equipment that are part of the infrastructure, we see the importance of the topic of Energy Efficiency since the trend of electricity quotes in the country is upward.
According to a survey carried out in 2022 by the Brazilian Association of Large Consumers and presented during the Energy Congress held by the Federation of Industries of Minas Gerais, spending on electricity can represent up to around 40% of the production cost.
"Energy waste has always been a challenge for companies. Today, with Bridgemeter technology, it's possible to detect it and minimize its impact on both input costs and reduced maintenance costs, thus promoting increased efficiency in industries and other business units," highlights Flávio De Martin, business manager at Above-Net .
As you can see, Bridgemeter is a strategic tool that directly contributes to financial and operational issues, reducing losses, increasing energy efficiency and productivity in the industry.
1 https://www.legisweb.com.br/legislacao/?id=112868
2 https://www.epe.gov.br/pt/abcdenergia/eficiencia-energetica
3 https://www.hojeemdia.com.br/economiaefinancas/energia-eletrica-representa-40-dos-gastos-das-empresas- valor-reflete-no-bolso-do-consumidor-1.909819
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