The energy conservation potential and current energy management practises
The energy conservation potential of the tested scenarios was estimated as 10 to 20 kWh per m2 in office equipment and 10 kWh per m2 in lighting. The estimated potential equals some 40-50 per cent of savings in the energy consumption of assessed activities (Figure 1 [Figure omitted. See Article Image.]). When the estimated conservation potential is compared with the total electricity purchased by the case companies (including all their facilities and operations), the savings totals almost 20 per cent of their electricity purchases.
In addition to the energy conservation potential, the present status of electricity management in the organisations was assessed. The energy-management status was assessed in order to strengthen the credibility and feasibility of the presented energy conservation potential. It is assumed that if the present status of end-user-energy management is high, it is more likely that the current energy consumption is a result of a conscious choice based on the requirements of the core processes of the organisations, whereas if the present status of end-user-energy management is low, the current energy consumption is a result of unintentional incidents and that the estimated conservation potential is more likely to be realisable. The present status of electricity management was evaluated with an energy management matrix, presented in methods chapter, and included the following topics: energy policy, organising, skills and knowledge, information systems, marketing and communicating, and investment ([2] BRECSU, 2001).
The evaluation of present status of end-user-energy management in the organisations showed only rather a modest level of current energy management (Table I [Figure omitted. See Article Image.]). The average of all scores is some 1 (out of 4) ranging from 0.9 in case B to 1.5 in case A. Level 1 in the assessment matrix generally indicates that although there is no specific energy policy, some energy management activities are in place, albeit in a rudimentary or informal form. Reporting procedures and awareness matters are undertaken on an ad hoc basis. Some facilities and equipment will include energy-efficient features. The target levels for proper energy management are 3 for small organisations and 4 for large ones.
It is interesting to notice that the case organisations with slightly higher average scores in the energy management matrix, namely A and C, have the highest energy consumption and conservation potential. One could speculate that those companies have started to notice the economical significance of energy consumption and are organising their energy management but have not yet achieved tangible results.