Manufacturing Energy and Carbon Footprints

Abstract

Significant opportunities exist for improving energy efficiency in U.S. manufacturing. A first step in realizing these opportunities is to identify how industry is using energy. Where does it come from? What form is it in? Where is it used? How much is lost? Answering these questions is the focus of this paper and the analysis described herein. Manufacturing energy and carbon footprints map energy consumption and losses, as well as greenhouse gas emissions, for the fifteen most energy intensive manufacturing sectors, and for the entire U.S. manufacturing sector. Analysts and decision-makers utilize the footprints to better understand the distribution of energy use in energy-intensive industries and the accompanying energy losses. The footprints provide a benchmark from which to calculate the benefits of improving energy efficiency and for prioritizing opportunity analysis. A breakdown of energy consumption by energy type and end use allows for comparison both within and across sectors.