Using a Practical Approach to Energy Management to Get it Done

Abstract

The Wisconsin Focus on Energy program saw a need in 2002 to develop a template for energy management so that companies could easily implement a systematic and continual improvement approach to manage their energy. To meet this need the Focus program developed an approach called Practical Energy Management (PEM) that includes templates and tools for setting goals, establishing a long-term plan, uncovering project opportunities, and tracking progress toward projects and goals. Focus has trained over 900 companies in the PEM approach over the last six years. We have also used the approach to facilitate the energy teams for large industrial companies. This paper will discuss the PEM tool and the lessons learned on how to best use the tool.