The top 7 energy kpis in energy management
What are the relevant energy performance indicators for small and medium-sized enterprises and why are they so important for the ERP system?
Energy performance indicators (EnPIs) are becoming increasingly important as part of new requirements for an energy management system. Energy performance indicators form the foundation for demonstrating improved energy efficiency, as required by the new ISO 50000 series. ISO 50003 requires that an improvement in energy efficiency be part of the certification process. This improvement must be verifiable and thus measurable. This results in the challenge for companies to make their own improvement in energy efficiency measurable. The creation of key figures is therefore essential in order to meet this new requirement.
Energy indicators alone do not save energy. They serve as a starting point for the optimization of an energy system and create the objectification and visualization of energy-related goals. Typically, energy indicators are formed on the data basis of different systems. Depending on the key figure, energy data from the energy monitoring system, production data from the MES or business variables from the ERP system are necessary to form energy key figures. In practice, Excel tables are often used due to the lack of interfaces between the systems.
We present the energy indicators that are of most interest to our customers.
For this purpose, we asked 20 small and medium-sized manufacturing companies in various industries. The survey asked them to rate the importance of energy indicators for their own company.
Overall result of the survey: How important are the following energy indicators in your company?
Top 7:
#1 - Energy consumption per machine
#2 - Share of individual machines in total energy consumption
#3 - Energy costs in relation to manufacturing costs
#4 - Energy consumption per process
#5 - Energy costs as a percentage of total costs
#6 - Energy consumption per output
#7 - Energy consumption per unit produced
First, monetary metrics were deemed significant, such as energy costs relative to manufacturing costs and energy costs as a percentage of total costs. These energy indicators enable an economic evaluation and are important parameters for controlling.
On the other hand, production-related consumption indicators are of major importance, such as energy consumption per process, per output and per unit produced . In particular, they allow statements to be made about energy efficiency. For example, a short-term increase in consumption can be attributed to production peaks. Production-related consumption parameters also serve as input for controlling and at the same time help with internal resource planning (Enterprise Resource Planning - ERP). Here, linking the energy management system with the company's ERP system can prove useful in order to access the relevant production data.
What Should You Pay Attention to When Choosing Your Energy Management System?
„When you're introducing an energy management system nowadays you should check that it's compatible with your ERP system.“ (Pascal Benoit, CEO – ENIT)
Interfaces and integration
The survey result shows the companies' interest in energy indicators. Plant-specific energy consumption values are rated as the most important, while production-related and monetary statements are also highly relevant. It is precisely here that a bridge to other productivity tools in the company is important, because time-resolved and reliable energy indicators have far more than a purely informative character. Combined with controlling tools and integrated into internal resource planning (ERP systems), they offer additional added value.
Modular and flexible solutions
A further finding from the survey is the varying assessment of the key values and, in some cases, the strong scattering of the results. This shows the diversity of requirements, even among companies in the same industry. Flexibility is required, also because needs can change over time. Modular solutions usually offer the greatest adaptability here.
Outlook
The linking of energy recording with controlling and resource planning shows that energy is no longer only of interest to energy consultants and technicians, but is also increasingly finding its way into the economic and planning considerations in companies. ERP system providers should not miss this development.