Manufacturers are being forced to address their energy spend by opting for alternative ways to reduce energy consumption, according to a recent survey.
The Benchmark survey sponsored by ABB reveals that 52 per cent of manufacturers have experienced increases in the cost of energy in the past year, which has triggered an increase in the desire to find energy saving alternatives.

The survey also found that 36 per cent of survey respondents managed to reduce their electricity prices using energy saving tactics such as turning off lights, and stated that switching to motion sensor lighting was also a highly rated desirable. Tackling compressed air leakage was also seen as important, however investing in equipment that makes industrial processes more efficient came further down the list.

Steve Ruddell, energy spokesperson in the UK for ABB, said the results were encouraging, but only scratched the surface in terms of the savings that are achievable. He said: 'Reducing lighting costs is highly commendable, but the reality is that the real savings exist by reducing energy use within manufacturing processes.'

Mr Ruddell is keen for more companies to become aware of the money saving options by upgrading existing industrial processes, often at comparatively low cost.

He continued: 'It concerns me that the people tasked with allocating the resources in industry are not more aware of how electricity is used. If equipment is purchased on the basis of first cost alone but at the expense of high running costs, nothing is gained. Additionally, process efficiency in industry needs to be addressed in order to get CO₂ emissions down. 65 per cent of electricity in industry is used by electric motors, but approximately only 10 per cent of motors have efficient speed control.

'The potential energy savings in industry are staggering. Realising these savings could help to substantially reduce CO₂ emissions. However, our survey suggests people are looking for savings in the wrong places.'

More manufacturers are embracing the low carbon agenda with 78 per cent of those surveyed indicating they were measuring and monitoring carbon emissions. However, the survey found that 30 per cent of companies have no specific targets for annual energy reduction.

The adoption of carbon management strategies have also grown in popularity to 37 per cent. However, accessing information on low carbon energy alternatives is a struggle for many respondents. 41 per cent branded resources poor or very poor; this may be one reason why many have yet to move forward with carbon cutting initiatives.