Since 1st January 2018, thousands of organisations have begun the complex ESOS compliance process by starting to gather the required 12 months of business-wide energy consumption data, including buildings, processes and transport activities. This information must then be used to identify areas of significant energy consumption and energy saving opportunities.

Accelerate energy cost savings

There are many benefits to prompt action on ESOS, but the biggest is accelerating implementation of the recommended energy efficiency opportunities to drive cost and carbon savings. 

From more than 150 ESOS audits completed by Inprova Energy assessors in phase one, we identified opportunities to reduce total energy consumption by 5 to 20%. Implementing these recommended actions could, therefore, deliver up to £20 cash back on every hundred pounds spent on energy. At a time of rising energy costs, it is imperative that manufacturers exploit energy efficiency opportunities to tackle cost pressures. 

Avoid non-compliance risk

Another reason to act now on ESOS is to guarantee the availability of a Lead Assessor, who must verify the compliance process and can also provide expert support throughout. In phase one, limited availability of assessors caused last-minute bottlenecks and non-compliance issues for many participants. This can lead to substantial fines from the Environment Agency, as well as the reputational damage of breaching legislation. 

Data collection challenge

Businesses should start gathering data as soon as possible because it takes time to collate this complex information from the original sources, such as meter readings, delivery notes, mileage logs or supplier invoices. Timely action also means that any inevitable data gaps or inaccuracies can be remedied and all information verified. This will avoid any delays in the ESOS assessment and submission to the regulator by the final deadline of 5 December 2019. 

ESOS applies to large, mainly private sector organisations (with more than 250 employees, or a turnover of more than €50 million and a total balance sheet asset value of more than €43 million). Any business that qualified for ESOS Phase One is likely to qualify again, but  must use fresh data.   

Achieving ESOS accreditation

Manufacturers can gain ESOS accreditation under the international ISO 50001 Energy Management Standard if it covers their entire energy consumption data, across all activities. Other key routes include implementing ESOS compliant energy surveys; commissioning Display Energy Certificates (DECs) with accompanying advisory reports for the energy efficiency assessment of buildings; or Green Deal Assessments. 

Big energy saving opportunities

While every manufacturing site is different, some of the most effective energy saving opportunities we typically recommend from our ESOS audits include:  

• Lighting – making more of natural daylight coupled with a switch to LED lighting. 
• HVAC – improving control settings and regularly servicing equipment.  
• Energy control – use time switches for lighting and heating zones & prevent overheating. Consider using Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS). 

• Involve employees in cutting energy waste. 

• Switch off compressed air systems after use and reduce pressure to avoid energy losses from idling systems. Check for leaks.
• Drives and motors – idling, dirty motors cause energy waste. Consider upgrading to higher efficiency versions and fitting variable speed drives to pumps and fans. 
• Proactively maintain major plant and equipment to ensure peak performance and efficiency.
• Power factor correction and voltage optimisation can improve energy efficiency and reduce consumption.