Decarbonization: an integral building block to a climate positive future
By: Darren Cooper, P.Eng, President of Renteknik Group
Canada has become a globally recognized Green Recovery Leader with commitments to policies aimed at reducing carbon emissions. With rising energy costs and deregulation in the electricity and gas industry there is a new impetus for companies and organizations to adopt low-carbon policies. These policies will not only support energy and operational efficiency, lowering energy demand and promote the adoption of renewable energy, it will also enable Canadian companies to increase their global economic competitiveness while ensuring a smooth transition to net zero by 2050.
How does my organization build an effective carbon reduction strategy?
Many companies that recognize the reality of climate change and have a sustainability vision have started on the journey with mapping out first steps in a carbon reduction strategy. To ensure the vision becomes a success companies will require an Energy Management Information System (EMIS) included in a comprehensive Operational Efficiency and Energy Management Program (OEEMP).
The EMIS comprises several elements that are integrated to form a complete solution. These elements include real-time sensors and meters integrated into a cloud-based energy management software platform.
The EMIS is an essential tool to access influencing factors like equipment and energy use, operating and occupancy schedules etc., and provide data capture and the gap analysis needed to accurately gain insight into the organization and help form an action plan.
EMIS is built off monitored data-driven analytics. Sensors and instruments are used to measure electricity, gas, water, steam, CO2, HVAC, compressed air and much more. Using real-time sensors and meters integrated into a cloud-based energy management software platform that can also be integrated into the organization’s process monitoring, control and IT systems will turn analysis into an actionable sustainability and reduction plans.
It is important to recognize that the EMIS alone cannot reduce emissions, save energy, reduce waste, increase efficiency and productivity, or save money. This must involve organizational commitment on all levels and expert technical and professional support. Working with experts like Renteknik, identifying gaps, setting appropriate KPI targets and continuous monitoring and reporting will ensure long term efficiency goals for your organization together with ongoing improvement and sustainability are achieved.
With the right strategy and solutions in place, like the EMIS, organizations will be able to make informed decisions, improve productivity and efficiencies and begin building the path to decarbonization and a more climate positive future.