Cost-cutting, carbon-curbing: Energy solutions for business success

September 11, 2024

image: ©Khanchit Khirisutchalual | iStock

In today’s era of environmental consciousness, the push towards decarbonisation is not only a national goal but a vital objective for businesses. Sustainability has evolved from being a mere ethical concern to becoming a key strategic imperative for long-term success in every sector

For businesses, the path to decarbonisation is more than a commitment to reducing emissions – it’s a demonstration of responsible stewardship and operational excellence. Navigating the complexities of energy management can be challenging, and with growing pressure to adopt greener practices, it’s now more important than ever to future-proof operations.

Recognising this need, NFU Energy has developed a comprehensive guide aimed at helping businesses like yours reduce costs while driving decarbonisation across their operations. This guide offers practical insights and actionable strategies for achieving decarbonisation with confidence.

1. Understand your starting point

Reducing emissions begins with carbon accounting, which involves measuring all greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with your operations. This total is expressed in tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent and serves as a baseline to measure the impact of changes and improvements over time. NFU Energy provides expert carbon accounting services to help organisations establish their emissions profile, whether through off-the-shelf calculators or bespoke projects. This ensures that your business has a clear understanding of its environmental impact from the outset.

2. Assess your energy usage

Metering and monitoring play a vital role in understanding your energy consumption patterns and identifying areas for improvement. Businesses gain real-time insights into their energy usage, and can facilitate the detection of anomalies and inefficiencies, allowing them to address issues and minimise wastage promptly. Energy audits are also a great way to get an in-depth assessment of where, when and how you use energy – and potentially waste it – within your business.

NFU Energy’s on-site energy audits involve the use of specialist equipment, such as thermal imaging, to pinpoint energy leaks and can accurately monitor internal environmental conditions such as temperature, pressure, flow and humidity. This helps to uncover hidden opportunities for energy savings and improvements in efficiency. The improvements identified and savings made as a result generally cover the cost of the audit with the chance to reduce your annual energy spending significantly.

3. Identify the correct route for your business

Once you’ve got a handle on understanding your energy consumption patterns, you may be wondering what renewable energy solutions are best for your business. Different technologies and system setups each have their own advantages and are likely to perform differently in various situations. We recommend a feasibility study to identify the most viable renewable energy solutions for your operations. Our studies cover three key areas:

Technical analysis –
- Evaluating different technologies based on your operational requirements, site characteristics, and resource availability.
Economic assessment –
- Estimating costs, potential savings, and payback periods for renewable energy investments.
Logistical considerations –
- Addressing regulatory requirements, permits, and grid connection feasibility to ensure smooth implementation.

By assessing the feasibility of proposed renewable projects, NFU Energy enables businesses to make informed decisions that align with their business objectives and environmental goals.

4. Optimise your renewables journey

Transitioning to renewable energy is a critical step toward decarbonisation, but selecting the right installer and navigating the process can be complex. NFU Energy offers a full-service Renewable Energy Solutions package that connects businesses with trusted installers for solar, wind, battery storage, heat pumps, and more. Our service also helps secure finance and insurance, ensuring a smooth transition to renewable energy generation.

Already generate your energy? Then, have you considered Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin (REGOs)?

REGO certificates are issued to eligible generators of renewable electricity.
For each megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity businesses produce, they will receive one REGO certificate. These certificates provide evidence that the energy was generated from renewable sources like wind, hydrosolar or biomass.

REGOs play a vital role in supporting the growth of renewable energy and incentivising investment in clean power generation. You don’t need to be Feed-in-Tariff (FiT) or Renewable Obligation (RO)-accredited to benefit from REGOs. The chances are, if you have FiT or RO-accredited assets and aren’t claiming REGOs, you’re already well on the way to being able to. Our team are well-versed in the intricacies of REGOs. Talk to us today and enjoy the benefits that REGOs can offer.

Achieving decarbonisation is not just an aspirational goal for businesses – it is a crucial responsibility in the fight against climate change. By taking proactive steps to improve energy efficiency, reduce emissions, and adopt renewable energy solutions, businesses can future-proof their operations while contributing to national sustainability targets. NFU Energy is committed to supporting this transition, providing expert guidance, practical tools, and comprehensive services to help businesses navigate their journey toward a greener future.