The Exploration of Energy Management and Its Practices in Pulp and Paper Industries

Abstract

Energy management is an integral part of industrial production, including the logistics and environmental management system. The cost reduction in operational management is the primary motivation to incorporate energy management into practice at the industries. Energy management can be characterized as the proceedings to work specifically on energy-related issues of industry and considered as one of the key in-house activities for cost-effectiveness and energy efficiency improvement. This paper examines energy management and the need to perform work strategically on energy in a company such as the pulp and paper industry (PPI). A large energy efficiency potential in an industry is still left unexploited. One of the most promising means of reducing energy consumption and related energy costs is implementing energy management.  An internal energy management program is a key means by which an industrial company can improve its energy efficiency and overcome barriers. By definition: “Energy management applies to resources as well as to the supply, conversion and utilization of energy. Essentially it involves monitoring, measuring, recording, analyzing, critically examining, controlling and redirecting energy and material flows through systems so that least power is expended to achieve worthwhile aims’’. Also, energy management can be defined as the procedures by which a company works strategically on energy, while an energy management system is a tool for implementing these procedures; these two concepts are often mixed or used interchangeably. Furthermore, the paper provides a discussion on why industrial companies need to work on energy management while empowering the individuals within their organizations. An industrial company that takes a strategic approach to energy management may reduce its energy use by up to 40 %. Energy management concerns the ability to combine strong leadership with delegated authority as concerns energy issues. Energy management research can be developed by complementing existing internal or external audits. This study conclusively highlights the critical role of Top Management Commitment as a mediator in the relationship between Energy Management Practices (Energy Awareness, Energy Efficiency, and Energy Knowledge) in pulp and paper industries.