Residuos Especiales: Subproductos de animales
3.4.3.4. Modelo de gestión
2.8.1 Energy efficiency overview in South Africa industry
Energy efficiency is a way of obtaining of the same energy goods and services with less energy input, better quality of life with less pollution at a price that is lower than the current one extending the life of those resources and with less conflict. The manufacturing sector globally provides 33% of the global energy demand and CO2 emissions. The heavy energy consuming industries are, for example, aluminum, iron and steel, cement, pulp and paper, and chemicals and petrochemicals. It is very important to understanding how energy is being used in the manufacturing sector, and what are the domestic and international trends from that it is possible to plan efficiency improvements (IEA, 2007). South Africa is among the fastest growing developing countries, with large energy consuming industrial sector. About 95% of the energy demand is provided from coal-fired power plants and therefore South Africa has a very high GHG emission factor (Eskom, 2012).
Energy efficiency is important for security of energy supply, economic effectiveness, reduction of global warming and environmental sustainability (R. P. Taylor, 2008). The main opportunity to reduce energy demand growth is to show that it is cost-effective which gives shareholders attractive returns. There are many opportunities for energy efficiency in industrial sectors around the world, with developing countries representing 80% of the whole savings opportunity (Farrell, Remes, Bressand, Laabs, & Sundaram, 2008). The industrial sector remains the main consumer of energy in many countries including in South Africa. In the past decade the South Africa government has introduced several policies and regulations to make sure that energy usage is efficient, mainly because of the economic needs and environmental concerns.
2.8.2 Energy efficiency in the South Africa cement industry
Energy is an important resource used in cement production plants. Primarily this energy is from fossil fuels (thermal energy), electricity (electrical energy) or the both forms of energy. Energy is an essential requirement in a cement plant and therefore it must be in continuous supply to avert breaks in the production process, for example in the manufacturing process which can ruin the total production and productivity. Therefore, it is very important for every company to addresses this issue of energy from a corporate point of view. During the burning process in a cement plant, thermal energy is used while electricity (electrical energy) is used for the cement grinding process (Madlool et al., 2011). Energy efficiency in production of cement has a direct effect on the whole cycle of energy consumption, emission of CO2 and the cost of energy. In this dissertation, the source of energy that will be considered is energy from coal (thermal energy) and electricity (electric energy) only.
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2.8.3 Energy efficiency and energy management in industry
‘Energy efficiency’ and ‘Energy management’ are two strategies for reducing the negative effects of energy consumption. Energy efficiency is defined as a ratio involving in an improved performance of systems, service or goods with less input of energy. Energy efficiency is a way of managing and restraining growth in energy consumption. Something is more energy efficient if it provides more services for the same energy input, or the same services for less energy input. Energy efficiency reduces the cost of production and increases environmental benefits by reducing emissions of GHGs and air pollution (Peña Blume, 2010)
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Energy efficiency management means regulating and improving energy by using systems and techniques in order to lower the energy requirements per unit of the production while maintaining continuous or reducing total costs of the output production from the systems (Chakarvarti, 2011).The issue of energy efficiency management in the manufacturing industries needs to be the central topic of discussions on cost reduction because it is a fundamental way to reduce the cost of operating and to maximize profits. The idea of the energy efficiency management has appeared as an important tool in realizing efficient energy utilization, it also reduces the demand for energy and helps reduce operational costs associated with energy use. Mohd (2011), defines energy efficiency management as a logical use of management and technologies in order to improve energy performance of an organization, while Bunse, Vodicka, Schönsleben, Brülhart, and Ernst (2011) describe energy as energy efficiency control, monitoring and improvement of performances.
It is extremely important for organizations around the world, many of whom are currently adopting energy management solutions to improve their energy consumption, to act in accordance with legislation and energy standards requirements, and in this way, improve their reputation with their customers. As defined by Kannan and Boie (2003), energy efficiency management is a sensible and efficient use of energy in order to maximize profits and improve an organization’s competitive position by organizing measures and optimizing energy efficiency in the process; profit and competitiveness are factors in determining business success. Through the implementation of energy efficiency management plans, organizations can save up to 20% of energy bills, thereby effectively reducing operating costs Mohd (2011).
Kok, McGraw, and Quigley (2011) report that there is a worldwide awakening regarding the need to apply energy efficiency measures in the wake of global warming and shortage of resources. Energy efficiency improvement is the best economic and most easily accessible method of increasing energy security and reduction in emissions of GHG. Energy efficiency is now a common policy goal of many
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nations around the world (Levin, Cashore, Bernstein, & Auld, 2008). Energy efficiency should be considered as an environmental objective in any industrial sector. Energy consumption may vary depending on the type of industry, the type of process, and the volume of production, among other factors. In this present day, the optimization of the energy resources to reduce costs and increase production in an environmentally friendly way is gaining great interest among industries. Industrial energy efficiency management can help countries like South Africa who are planning to increase industrialization in order to develop their economy. Industrial energy efficiency can help create additional energy capacity to further expand the country's economy.
Thus, as Ottermann (2011), proposes, competitiveness in the cement industry will depend on how adequately cement plants can oversee their energy. It is essential for industrial energy users to observe that energy efficiency management can lead to greater cost savings, better use of existing capital equipment, extend the life cycle of equipment and allow further expansion of the plant without new capital expenditure and by utilizing current equipment more effectively (Mahon, Kiss, & Leimer, 1983).
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