How to reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions?

Against a backdrop of growing awareness of environmental issues, France has introduced ambitious regulations to reduce the carbon footprint of buildings. On the other hand, manufacturers are subject to various obligations aimed at reducing the environmental impact of their equipment and production processes, in line with national and European efforts to achieve a more sustainable, less polluting economy.

For industrial sites, a whole range of regulations apply: setting up a CEE (Certificats d'Economies d'Energie) scheme, carrying out energy audits and following ISO 50001 regulations, which provide a framework for energy management systems. A whole system of obligations and certificates designed to optimize the energy efficiency of industrial sites and reduce their carbon footprint.

All these measures encourage the energy transition and aim to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, thereby helping to combat climate change and preserve our environment for future generations.

Bacs and Tertiary decrees for buildings, where do they come from ?

The Bacs decree, officially known as the “Bâtiments administratifs et commerciaux” (Bacs) decree, aims to reduce energy consumption. It came into force in France on January 1, 2012. Its aim is to regulate the energy consumption of existing office, educational and public buildings, in order to reduce their environmental impact.

Objective of the Bacs decree 

• Make the installation of Building Management Systems (BMS) compulsory for new buildings (with a cumulative rated power of equipment exceeding 70 kW) and existing buildings (with a cumulative rated power of equipment exceeding 290 kW).
  
  The tertiary decree, meanwhile, refers to a regulatory framework published on July 23, 2019. This decree, often referred to as the “tertiary decree” or “decree on obligations to reduce final energy consumption in tertiary buildings”, aims to reduce final energy consumption in tertiary buildings.
  
  Objective of the Tertiary Decree

• Reduce the energy consumption of commercial buildings by 40% by 2030, 50% by 2040 and 60% by 2050, compared with a reference year that may be 2010 or a later year justified by the owner.
  
  

Managing energy costs and decarbonizing companies: a dual challenge for manufacturers in all sectors

Source INSEE, June 8, 2023

The average megawatt-hour of electricity used in industry rose by 45% in 2022. For gas, it more than doubled, to +107%. In 2021, the increase was +21%.
Compared with 2014, this represents an increase of +70%.

Manufacturers in France are subject to various obligations aimed at reducing the environmental impact of their equipment and production processes, in line with national and European efforts for a more sustainable, less polluting economy. One of the main regulations is the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED), which is a key instrument of the European Union to prevent and reduce polluting emissions from industrial activities. Sectors covered by this directive include energy activities, metal production and processing, the mineral industry, chemicals, and the waste sector, among others.

At the same time, corporate carbon neutrality is another major objective, which involves reducing greenhouse gas emissions as much as possible and offsetting the remaining emissions, for example, by supporting projects to develop renewable energies or restore forest cover. This is part of the broader framework of commitments made by France and other nations to combat climate change. Companies must measure and publish their carbon footprint, which is a crucial step in controlling and reducing their impact on climate change.

The 50 industrial sites in France with the highest CO2 emissions (56% of total industrial emissions in France) have signed their roadmaps with the French government for decarbonization. The aim is to reduce CO2 emissions by 45% by 2030, compared with 2019 levels.

Depending on the industrial sector, energy costs represent
from 10% to +30 of total production costs

To help companies adopt more sustainable practices, French legislation encourages several approaches, such as eco-design, energy optimization, waste management and sustainable mobility. These include integrating environmental criteria into product design, improving energy efficiency, better waste management and promoting less polluting modes of transport.

How to commit the company to a plan to reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions...

...equipment, industrial processes...

Manufacturers can initiate a plan to reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions by adopting a proactive approach and relying on advanced technological solutions, such as those offered by AVEVA software.

1/ Measuring
With AVEVA solutions, manufacturers can precisely measure energy consumption data in real time (precise metering by zone, centralization of measurements in a single software platform, unified reading and analysis, alerting teams in the event of deviations or abnormal consumption...) by identifying the most energy-intensive equipment and processes. This initial stage is crucial for directing investments towards targeted modernization projects likely to improve energy efficiency. State aid and tax incentives are available to encourage such investments. We also remind you that the Sonepar group has a number of energy metering solutions available on the Spark platform.

2/ Contextualize
By contextualizing energy consumption data with production data, manufacturers can establish a direct link between the energy consumed and the number of units produced, enabling them to optimize their operations for lower-carbon production.

Contextualizing energy consumption with production data enables direct optimization of manufacturing processes (OEE, quality, planning/scheduling, etc.). Not only does this approach have a direct impact on product costs, but it also helps to optimize the company's carbon footprint.

3/ Decarbonizing
Data centralization plays a fundamental role, providing an overview that facilitates decision-making to achieve decarbonization objectives. For example, by using centralized data, a company can identify opportunities to integrate renewable energy sources, or to optimize production cycles in response to fluctuating energy prices.

At the same time, drawing up a carbon footprint in line with scopes 1, 2 and 3 is an essential step for any manufacturer. This assessment identifies and quantifies the direct and indirect CO2 emissions associated with all the company's activities, including the value chain. In addition to meeting regulatory requirements, this approach gives companies a better understanding of their environmental impact and guides them towards effective reduction strategies.

...and its buildings

The Building Management System (BMS) is an integral part of the tertiary sector decree because of its essential role in reducing energy consumption in tertiary sector buildings. By setting ambitious energy reduction targets, the tertiary sector decree requires effective solutions for monitoring, controlling and optimizing energy use in these buildings. In today's industrial landscape, where energy efficiency and process optimization are becoming major imperatives, the supervision of Building Management Systems (BMS) is of paramount importance. In this respect, AVEVA software offers advanced supervision and data reporting solutions such as AVEVA System Platform and AVEVA Reports for Operations.

1/ AVEVA System Platform, the basis for efficient BMS supervision
AVEVA System Platform is renowned for its robustness and flexibility, providing the basis for efficient BMS supervision. This integrated platform offers a unified environment for control and visualization, as well as data integration to facilitate consistent, centralized facility management.

Key features :

• Modular architecture: Enables scalability and customization to specific plant requirements.

• Provides intuitive interfaces for real-time monitoring of energy performance, enabling fast, informed decision-making.
  
  

AVEVA Reports for Operations complements BMS supervision by providing advanced analysis and reporting tools. This solution generates customized, automated reports, providing valuable information on plant performance and identifying opportunities for improving energy efficiency.

• Report customization: Tailor reports to specific business requirements for relevant, targeted analysis.
• Automation: Eliminates the need for manual data compilation, ensuring timely and efficient report generation.
• Key information: Provides key data on energy consumption and operational trends, facilitating the identification of corrective measures.
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By enabling centralized, automated management of systems, AVEVA software offers a more rational and efficient use of energy, reducing wastage. Thanks to real-time monitoring, anomalies can be detected immediately and any necessary adjustments made, contributing to continuous improvement in energy efficiency. What's more, the BMS's ability to precisely regulate the use of equipment according to the building's actual needs enables significant energy savings to be achieved.

With AVEVA software, building managers can benefit from a precise overview of the energy status of their facilities, while easily identifying potential areas for improvement. This proactive approach to management results in significant savings, both in terms of operating costs and environmental impact.

By focusing on integration, analysis and action, these tools play a crucial role in reducing operating costs, improving energy efficiency, and contributing to sustainable resource management. In the age of optimization and sustainable development, AVEVA has established itself as an essential technological platform for companies.