Monitoring and Targeting (M&T): A Low Investment, Low Risk Approach to Energy Cost Savings

Abstract

Monitoring and Targeting (M&T) is a disciplined approach to energy management that ensures that energy resources are used to their maximum economic advantage. M&T serves two principal functions: • Ongoing, day-to-day control of energy use • Planned improvements in energy efficiency Key elements of an M&T program include: • Measurement of utility (steam, fuel, power) consumption levels • The establishment of consumption targets that take variations in key variables (e.g., throughput, conversion, product quality...etc.) into account • Comparison of actual vs. target energy usage • "Exception reports" to highlight areas experiencing unusually good or unusually poor performance • An established protocol, involving both management and operating personnel, for reviewing and acting upon the energy information available. • Tracking and reporting of the savings achieved • Periodic review and reassessment of the energy targets. This paper briefly reviews key M&T concepts and their application in industrial settings. Practical aspects of program implementation -such as data entry, target setting, report generation, software requirements, and personnel orientation and training -are discussed. Representative savings produced by M&T in a variety of plant types also are presented. These savings typically are achieved with little or no capital investment.