Decarbonisation: the three step journey for up to 50% reduction

Great Britain has just recorded its ‘greenest ever summer’, with fossil fuels making up less than 20% of all electricity.

For a country plagued with headlines about irreversible climate damage, this statistic has received a warm welcome from governments and citizens alike. However, with wind and solar farms primarily responsible for this shift in energy generation, it has left many businesses wondering, “what action can we take to ensure we are running as efficiently as possible?”

Decarbonisation is a word too often thrown about in the boardroom as a ‘key objective’, without so much as a plan, or metrics in place. Business owners are constantly looking for ways to reduce their emissions without compromising the efficiency of their operation, or increasing costs.

The Green Energy Advice Bureau (GEAB) has devised a 3 step plan for decarbonisation: to help businesses reduce not only their consumption, but their energy costs, too.

Step 1: Install an Energy Monitoring System

An Energy Monitoring System (EMS) is market-leading technology, providing data and insight on energy consumption behind the meter.

In other words, it’s the greatest tool in the box for understanding how your business is using gas, electricity and water. This EMS is installed on various meters across the site of a business, and a sustainability consultant works with you to analyse the data captured on a real-time basis. This insight allows businesses to make data-driven decisions. GEAB stands by the statement: knowledge enables smarter, greener choices.

The first stage, therefore, is identifying wastage. Often, the most powerful action a business can take is to reduce unnecessary expenditure by making simple changes to daily routines. An EMS gives real time, unparalleled insight into the schedules and consumption of different areas of the business, enabling owners to compare a set of kiosks, for example, or various office spaces over the same time period. It’s common to find areas of unknown wastage, like leaving computers on standby over a weekend, or lights left on out of hours. However, a consultant will work with your business to address areas of improvement, and make suggestions based on your operation, requirements and business objectives. Efficiency isn’t always about simply cutting consumption, it’s about working smarter – the insight the EMS offers it the best way to make informed decisions.

The Green Energy Advice Bureau offers the EMS, including the consultation, capex free, to ensure that businesses can launch their journey to net zero without the barrier of upfront costs. What’s more, the installation of the EMS comes with a performance guarantee – an immediate carbon reduction of up to 10%. It’s worth noting, however, that many businesses surpass the 10% reduction in their first year – that’s not just energy they’re saving, it’s money too.

Step 2: Install Solar Panels

After the initial EMS consultation and results period, a consultant will advise on the secondary approach of solar generation.

Every business is different, and so is every solar contract GEAB puts in place. In line with the EMS installation, GEAB also has capex free options for solar, and aims to provide a tailored, combined approach for businesses based on the initial data readings.

With solar PV installation, your business can more accurately forecast energy costs. By combining solar and grid supply, GEAB has found businesses have experienced up to 30% savings on energy costs. Naturally, by increasing the solar energy generated, your business’s carbon emissions will reduce drastically, demonstrating your commitment to net zero and decarbonisation goals.

It’s important to note that solar solutions form part of a wider energy and sustainability consultancy. There is a common misconception that installing solar PV is the simplest and most logical approach to making your business ‘greener’. Some businesses make the reductions they need by simply installing an EMS, others need the 3 step approach to make the savings. That’s why GEAB offers a free, no obligation consultation on all aspects of your business energy before recommending a decarbonisation plan.

Step 3: Voltage Optimisation

The final stage in the decarbonisation journey as proposed by GEAB, is Voltage Optimisation.

The energy distribution network delivers the supply to each building at default voltages. That means that every plug socket is receiving a predetermined amount of electricity, regardless of the building, business or requirements.

In fact, there are many sites across the UK where the standard voltage is greater than 240V. If your site is being supplied with electricity at an inappropriate voltage level, you could end up with operational problems, or wasting money on excess energy. Not to mention, if you’re receiving a higher voltage than necessary, you could be responsible for greater carbon emissions. This is where a Voltage Optimiser can help.

The basic principle of all voltage management equipment is to change the incoming voltage level to match the requirements of your building and operation. In doing so, you never spend a penny more than you need to, nor use a kilowatt more than is necessary to run your appliances in each unit.

VO is the final stage in the 3 step journey. However GEAB’s consultancy doesn’t end at sustainability products.

Energy Procurement

The Green Energy Advice Bureau believes in streamlining all energy products and objectives, that’s why they also procure energy for businesses of all shapes and sizes as part of their decarbonisation consultancy.

Some businesses prefer to work with greener suppliers, while others opt for cheaper prices. Whichever approach suits you best, understanding your bill and energy contract is essential at the point of purchase. Depending on the size of your business, you might want a fixed unit rate, offering budget certainty, or a flex contract allowing you to adapt to market changes. Either way, GEAB will negotiate with suppliers directly to secure you a bespoke deal, at the right price.

Furthermore, just like with the sustainability account manager, you will have a procurement expert who manages your energy for the lifetime of the contract. Any question or query, be it procurement related or sustainability focused, will be taken care of by GEAB.