ABB helps industry meet energy saving targets with updated plan

The plan shows users a route through six steps to achieving better energy efficiency and gives an understanding of the background to the legislation concerning climate change.

“Users often do not realise just how much can be saved through relatively simple measures in the way they run motors and drives,” says Steve Ruddell, general manager, drives and motors at ABB. “Two-thirds of electricity in industry is used by motors so it is vitally important that this energy is used wisely. However, we often see how large amounts of energy are wasted quite unnecessarily simply because no one has thought about how the application is set up.”

The six steps of the plan are:
1. The facts – a run-through of the background, such as climate change, the commitment the UK has made to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and how this affects UK industry.
2. The savings – shows the sizeable savings that can be made through intelligent use of the right motors and drives.
3. The finance– outlines the use of Enhanced Capital Allowances, looks into the government loans available for small and medium sized businesses and illustrates how energy efficient drives and motors can actually pay for themselves.
4. The products – shows the different ABB products available to fulfil needs for energy savings and outlines the applications where different products are suitable.
5. The proof – case studies outlining how other companies have made great energy savings.
6. The action – shows how users can move on and become great energy savers themselves.

“Our six-step plan gives end users a structured way to approach the often very complicated issue of energy savings,” says Ruddell. “Frequently, companies have nobody in overall charge of energy use. Financial directors are often reluctant to fund energy saving schemes, finding other more attractive investment options for the company’s capital. Yet, with the cost of energy clearly rising – by as much as 30% in some instances for electricity - cutting the energy bill is increasingly becoming a highly profitable option. In the right hands, our six-step plan will be a powerful tool for change.”

ABB’s Six Step Energy Saving Plan was first launched in 2001 and was the same year awarded the Electrical Industry Award for Marketing. Accumulated energy savings as a result of the plan are estimated to over 1 million kWh per year.

The climate change levy is a tax on the use of energy in industry, with offsetting cuts in National Insurance contributions. Its purpose is to encourage the efficient use of energy.

Some energy intensive industries are exempt from the levy but have instead entered into Climate Change Agreements with the government.

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