/ INDUSTRIAL SOLUTION 18

Energy Efficiency and Decarbonisation

Start with data. Improve efficiency on the plant floor.

Make production energy use visible and connect it with process control and production data. Explore Oskon’s engineering approach to identifying energy efficiency opportunities, implementing improvements and providing reliable data for industrial decarbonisation.

Explore the solution
Energy Efficiency and Decarbonisation solution
OSKONEnergy Efficiency and Decarbonisation
01 / START BY UNDERSTANDING YOUR PRODUCTION

Make energy visible.
Make improvement measurable.

Knowing a factory’s total consumption is the starting point. The real opportunity is to understand which line uses that energy, for which product and under which operating conditions, then use that insight to inform control decisions on the plant floor.

Industrial decarbonisation starts with production.

Decarbonisation means reducing the greenhouse gas emissions associated with an activity. In industry, this involves reducing energy demand, improving processes and, where appropriate, moving towards energy sources with lower emissions.

Oskon’s expertise in automation, process control and industrial data integration provides the foundation for an engineering approach that connects energy data with production. Measurement points, control scenarios and performance indicators are assessed together in the context of the facility’s existing infrastructure.

The aim is to reduce unnecessary consumption and track the effect of each improvement while respecting production capacity, product quality and safety requirements.

A useful question:

Alongside “How much energy did we use this month?”, ask “How much energy do we need to make the same product under the same quality conditions?”

02 / FROM THE PLANT TO THE DECISION

Connect every energy use
with its production context.

A measurement structure extending from the main meter to critical equipment brings electricity, fuel and utility data onto a common timeline. This helps distinguish losses and improvement opportunities within the overall total.

Energy measurement points in an industrial facilityThe main electricity meter connects to the production line and motor groups. Measurements from compressed air, thermal processes and cooling systems are collected in an industrial data layer together with production context. This conceptual diagram is adapted to each project. ENERGY INPUTMain electricity meter Facility total kWhProduction line kWMotor and drive Flow · pressureCompressed air Fuel · heat · waterThermal process / cooling Industrial data + production contextProduct · work order · shift · machine state · time CONCEPTUAL FACILITY DIAGRAM
Illustrative measurement architecture. Meters, communication links and the quantities to be measured are defined during the site assessment. This diagram does not represent an actual facility.
ELECTRICITY

Consumption and load profile

Energy consumption, active power and demand data are monitored alongside downtime, shift patterns and equipment operating information.

PLANT UTILITIES

Measurement suited to the source

Appropriate meters are selected for fuel, steam, compressed air and water. Thermal energy calculations use flow and the relevant temperature or pressure data.

DATA QUALITY

Reliable comparisons

Time synchronisation, units, missing records and measurement accuracy are checked. The boundaries of the main meter and submeter measurements are clearly defined.

01

Measurement

Meters, sensors and existing controllers.

02

Connectivity

Industrial communications suited to the existing infrastructure.

03

Context

Connections between SCADA, historical data and MES/MOM.

04

Action

Indicators, alarms, control and follow-up.

The data acquisition architecture is designed around the OT network’s access and security rules. Monitoring access and permission to control the process are assessed separately.

03 / IMPROVEMENT OPPORTUNITIES ON THE PLANT FLOOR

Turn data into value
through the right action.

A monitoring screen makes opportunities visible. Savings emerge when a measured opportunity is translated into a suitable control strategy, equipment improvement or operating practice.

01

Motor, pump and fan control

Fixed operation regardless of demand, unnecessarily high pressure or flow and unsuitable operating points are reviewed. Process-appropriate speed control and control-loop settings are assessed.

Data to monitor: power, speed, flow, pressure and operating time.
02

Compressed air systems

Air demand outside production hours, pressure levels and compressor loaded or idle running times are compared. Priorities are identified for leak repair and sequencing control.

Data to monitor: electricity consumption, air flow, pressure and load state.
03

Heating, furnaces and batch processes

Recipe steps, temperature profiles, hold times and rework requirements are considered together. Control improvements are designed to preserve validated process conditions for the product.

Data to monitor: fuel or energy, temperature, batch, cycle and quality results.
04

Cooling and plant utilities

Cooling demand, ambient conditions and equipment loads are assessed together. Pump and fan management, setpoints and start-up sequences are reviewed to identify unnecessary operation.

Data to monitor: electricity, inlet and outlet temperatures, flow and ambient conditions.
05

Production planning, downtime and quality

Idle lines, frequent stops and starts, scrap and repeat production are linked to energy data. Appropriate standby scenarios and opportunities to improve production flow are investigated.

Data to monitor: work order, machine state, good output, scrap and kWh per product.
06

Modernising existing facilities

Measurement gaps, ageing control hardware and software structures that are difficult to maintain are reviewed. Upgrades are planned in stages around maintainability, data access and energy performance objectives.

Data to review: equipment inventory, communications, shutdown windows and baseline performance.
Engineering requirements:

Safety functions, product quality, capacity, maintenance needs and acceptance criteria are considered together for each application. Improvement potential is established using site data.

04 / INTERPRET THE RESULTS CORRECTLY

Assess the savings
alongside production.

Consumption may fall when production decreases. Energy performance is assessed against a comparable baseline that takes account of output, product mix, operating hours and, where relevant, weather conditions.

ILLUSTRATIVE CALCULATION / NOT AN ACTUAL PROJECT RESULT OR A SAVINGS COMMITMENT.
Energy intensity comparison at the same production outputIn this illustrative example, producing 50,000 equivalent products initially requires 100,000 kilowatt-hours, compared with 85,000 after improvement. Unit consumption falls from 2.00 to 1.70 kilowatt-hours per product, a reduction of 15 per cent.ENERGY PER PRODUCT / kWh2.001.70BaselineAfter improvementSame product · same output · comparable conditions
This simplified example assumes constant production conditions. The reference period and adjustment method are defined separately for an actual facility.
15% lower consumption per product
Production output
50,000 products / period
Baseline consumption
100,000 kWh
After improvement
85,000 kWh
Illustrative energy difference
15,000 kWh / period

The financial value of the energy difference is calculated using the applicable tariff and relevant operating costs. Simple payback is assessed by dividing the investment by the annual net savings, with maintenance and operating-hour assumptions stated explicitly.

kWh / product or tonne

Production-related performance

Unit consumption is compared under similar product and process conditions.

kWh / downtime hour

Consumption outside production

Energy use that continues during standby and unplanned downtime is monitored.

kW / demand profile

How loads vary over time

Simultaneous loads and peak demand are assessed separately from energy consumption.

05 / FROM ENERGY TO CARBON DATA

Connect kWh with CO₂e
through a defined method.

Decarbonisation work tracks energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions using separate indicators. Emissions calculations specify the energy type, reporting boundary, period and appropriate emission factor.

ACTIVITY DATAEnergy consumptionFor example, electricity in kWh
CALCULATION INPUTEmission factorFor example, kg CO₂e / kWh
CALCULATED IMPACTGreenhouse gas emissionskg CO₂e
SCOPE 1

Direct emissions at the facility

Sources such as fuel use in a boiler or furnace controlled by the organisation. Fuel data provides input for the relevant calculations.

SCOPE 2

Emissions from purchased energy

Indirect emissions associated with purchased electricity, steam, heating or cooling. This is one of the areas directly informed by energy measurement.

SCOPE 3

Other value-chain emissions

Other indirect sources, such as purchased materials, transport and product use. A corporate inventory requires data beyond energy meters.

Location-based and market-based electricity accounting use different inputs. Broad reduction claims should be based on factors with a documented source and reporting period. Electrification is also assessed against the energy source and total emissions impact. Measurement infrastructure supports reporting; independent verification and certification remain separate processes.

06 / FROM TÜRKİYE TO THE GLOBAL CLIMATE AGENDA

COP31 and industrial
decarbonisation.

COP31 is scheduled to take place in Antalya, Türkiye, from 9 to 20 November 2026. Green industrialisation, the clean energy transition and electrification on the official agenda are closely connected with energy and process improvement work in industrial facilities.

What does this mean on the plant floor?

Turning industrial decarbonisation objectives into practical projects requires an understanding of where consumption occurs, what the process needs and how results will be tracked. This is where the agenda connects with Oskon’s engineering disciplines.

Conference information: UNFCCC / COP31 · Agenda: Official COP31 Türkiye website

07 / THE DIRECTION SET BY THE PARIS AGREEMENT

From global climate goals
to facility-level improvement.

Adopted at COP21 in 2015, the Paris Agreement provides an international framework for addressing climate change. It aims to keep the increase in global average temperature well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit the increase to 1.5°C.

A long-term framework for decarbonisation.

Under the Paris Agreement, countries set out their climate actions through nationally determined contributions (NDCs). Energy efficiency and emissions reduction work in industrial businesses are among the practical areas of this transition.

At facility level, the starting point is to establish a reliable baseline, monitor energy and emissions data, implement suitable improvements and assess progress. This connects decarbonisation objectives with everyday operating decisions.

Read about the Paris Agreement on the UNFCCC website
2°CKeep temperature rise
well below this level
1.5°CPursue efforts to limit
temperature rise to this level
The Paris Agreement’s global temperature goals refer to the increase above pre-industrial levels.
GLOBAL FRAMEWORKParis Agreement
COUNTRIES’ CLIMATE ACTIONSNationally determined contributions
FACILITY-LEVEL CONTRIBUTIONEnergy and process improvements
08 / A PHASED IMPLEMENTATION

The right starting point.
Progress you can track.

Every facility can start with a scope that fits its needs. A critical line or utility system can be selected first, with measurement and control expanded once the results have been assessed.

  1. 01

    Define the need and the boundary

    Energy sources, production structure, existing automation and operating constraints are reviewed. The line or process to be addressed is clearly identified.

    Output: priority areas and an initial scope.
  2. 02

    Establish measurement and the baseline

    The adequacy of existing data is assessed and metering or integration needs are identified. The reference period and performance indicators are defined.

    Output: measurement points, a data list and a comparison method.
  3. 03

    Rank technical and economic opportunities

    Control improvements and investment options are assessed against potential benefits, implementation cost, shutdown requirements and process risk.

    Output: implementation priorities with explicit assumptions.
  4. 04

    Commission the pilot application

    Integration and control changes are carried out within the planned operating window. Functions, safety requirements and acceptance criteria are checked.

    Output: a commissioned scope and operating documentation.
  5. 05

    Verify and sustain the results

    Performance is monitored under comparable conditions. Deviations are investigated, and responsibilities, alarm thresholds and periodic reviews are established.

    Output: a performance assessment and the next improvement steps.
10 / FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Before you start,
get the essentials clear.

The right scope is based on the facility’s existing data and production objectives.

What does industrial decarbonisation involve?

Industrial decarbonisation means reducing the greenhouse gas emissions associated with operations. It brings energy efficiency, process improvements and suitable energy options with lower emissions into one transition process.

Does installing energy monitoring automatically deliver savings?

Monitoring makes consumption and deviations visible. To achieve savings, that information needs to lead to a control change, maintenance action or operating practice. Its effect is measured after implementation.

Can existing machines and older facilities be integrated?

Existing communication interfaces, controllers and meters are reviewed. Where suitable data is unavailable, additional measurement or gateway options are assessed. Scope and feasibility are established through a site assessment.

Can the savings be predicted before an assessment?

A general savings percentage would be unreliable without sound baseline data. Potential is calculated after reviewing load profiles, operating hours, process conditions, the existing control structure and investment options.

How can this infrastructure support ISO 50001 work?

Measurement records, performance indicators and improvement tracking can support the data requirements of an energy management system. ISO 50001 also covers policy, responsibilities and continual improvement. Installing a monitoring system alone does not establish conformity or certification.

Does an energy saving mean the same percentage reduction in carbon emissions?

Energy and carbon indicators are assessed separately. Carbon impact depends on energy type, the appropriate emission factor, accounting method and reporting boundaries. A change in energy source or product mix can produce different emissions outcomes for the same consumption difference.

Will implementation require a production shutdown?

Reading existing data, installing a new meter and changing process control have different implementation requirements. Shutdown windows for electrical or mechanical work are planned around the facility’s safety and operating procedures.

What information is useful for an initial discussion?

A useful starting point is the previous 12 months of energy consumption and production output, shift patterns, major energy users and existing automation or meter lists. Available single-line diagrams, process flows and performance reports help inform the assessment.

FURTHER READING

Sources for concepts and methods

Reference information on energy management, energy intensity and greenhouse gas accounting.

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