Energy Consulting

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Introduction
Sustainability, or balancing people, planet and profit, has become a key boardroom issue. The energy footprint of an organisation is a highly visible and important component of sustainable operations. CO2 emissions, directly linked to energy consumption, are an immediate concern for organisations participating in the CO2 allocation system. Others are actively seeking energy and CO2 reductions to save cost and as a general contribution to the environment.

The energy industry as we know it will contribute to the solution, but is by no measure on track to fully solve the global issues surrounding availability, climate change and the cost of energy. Renewable energy will become more important over time, but adoption will be slow and absolute growth will not keep pace with global economic growth and energy demand, especially in emerging nations. A serious supply gap and a subsequent disruptive increase in the price of energy is imminent. Focusing on the energy supply side only is a dead end.

We see energy conservation and efficiency at the demand side as an essential strategy to keep our societies running. As a hard measuring point we need to reach a situation where global energy-productivity (volume output per energy input) improves at a pace that outperforms real global economic growth. Only when this condition is met,  we will see our energy demand being reduced in absolute terms. Only then can we work successfully to realise a sustainable future.

And energy conservation comes cheap! We "only" need to change our behaviour and some of our ingrained attitudes and routines. A huge proportion of energy that societies use today is wasted, rising to as much as 80% in transportation systems, mainly lost in heat that is generated but unused. A significant percentage of energy is simply wasted for the full 100%, in cases where lighting, climate installations, cooling equipment or machines run idle for extended periods of time. Also where energy is used effectively, efficiency can usually be raised significantly with some investment in new technology.
Opportunities for step-change in energy consumption and energy waste is what our energy consultants are looking for, from both a behavioural and technology perspective.

Focus
UCPartners focuses on energy use in buildings, industrial, commercial, domestic or otherwise, where 30% to 40% of total energy demand originates.
After a thorough analysis of energy consumption patterns in existing buildings and operations, our recommendations focus on:

  • Behavioural strategies, aimed directly at the occupants of the building and supported by performance metrics.
  • Managerial recommendations around purchasing, control and maintenance of systems and installations.
  • Technical recommendations for improving the intrinsic energy quality of the building or improving the efficiency of equipment deployed.

Implementation of decentralised power generation systems (e.g. combined heat and power, solar, bio fuel generators, wind) or innovative energy saving equipment (e.g. geothermal or fluorescent or led-based lighting systems) is considered when new build or major renovation merit the investment.
To develop and facilitate implementation of recommendations, UCPartners is building a network of specialised partner companies. UCPartners executes or supports analysis and design processes as well as implementation projects in project management roles.

Clients
We focus on organisations in the government, public and commercial domains that by virtue of their size can have a material impact on energy consumption and that already run professional facility management operations. Our approach is sector-independent and works wherever significant numbers of people come together in a building to work, live, learn, play or care. Our approach is compliant with the European EPBD (Energy Performance of Building Directive) and we work with certified energy analysts and advisers according to local rules.

Client benefits
By systematically implementing energy management best practices, clients:

» Mobilise their people around the topic of sustainability
» Add energy efficiency as a systematic component of continuous improvement
» Reduce energy consumption in the range of 20% to 30%
» Reduce corresponding CO2 emissions
» Optimise purchasing procedures
» Rightsize installations and optimise control and maintenance
» Save significant cost with moderate investment

Energy Consulting - Client case