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Combating energy waste, optimizing resource use, and investing in renewable energy reduce a company’s environmental impact while lowering operational costs.
Companies focused on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices view energy efficiency not only as a sustainability initiative but also as a business advantage. Better energy management delivers multiple benefits, including alignment with sustainable development practices, improved equipment lifespan, reduced risks from overloads, and, of course, lower expenses.
Efficiency and Energy Management
Efficiency — doing more while consuming fewer resources — naturally aligns with electricity use. Odilon Duarte, coordinator of the Renewable Energy Engineering undergraduate program at Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), notes that energy waste is common in businesses. In a recent project, his team visited nearly 2,000 small businesses in the Porto Alegre metropolitan area, observing numerous cases of energy inefficiency, which also translate into higher costs. Duarte emphasizes that there is always room for improvement.
Two main challenges were identified: technological gaps and lack of maintenance. Older equipment consumes more energy, and irregular maintenance contributes to inefficient energy use. “Often, these are simple fixes,” he says. Periodic cleaning of lighting systems or replacing refrigerator seals are practical examples.
Emerson Martim, chemical engineer and professor of the Postgraduate Program in Renewable Energy at Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná (PUCPR), highlights that energy efficiency assessments can reveal improvements, such as replacing outdated electric motors, which reduce energy consumption.
Financing and Support
Small businesses can explore financing programs offered by public banks. “The Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES), for example, has guarantee programs for small and micro-enterprises focused on energy efficiency. Companies that rely on refrigeration are ideal candidates for motor replacement programs,” adds Martim.
From Efficiency to Renewable Energy
Investing in renewable energy, such as solar, is feasible even for small businesses. Duarte explains that the payback period is approximately four and a half years, but it depends on each company’s size and project scope.
Economic feasibility must be evaluated case by case. By generating their own energy, companies join the distributed generation system and begin saving from the first month. Nevertheless, the initial investment can be significant. “It doesn’t always make sense purely in terms of upfront cost,” notes Martim.
Duarte recommends first implementing energy efficiency measures, and only afterward considering solar panels or other renewable sources. Optimizing energy consumption alone is a lower-cost investment with immediate results. “We often say the cleanest energy is the energy that was never generated,” he states.
By reducing energy consumption, companies can also lower the scale — and cost — of renewable energy investments. “For instance, if a business currently needs 30 solar modules, improving efficiency may reduce the number required, cutting the investment cost,” Duarte explains.
Expert Guidance
While many initiatives can be implemented internally, seeking specialized professional support is advisable. This ensures the most cost-effective solutions are considered, including alternative renewable energy sources or participation in the free energy market.
Source: Revista Conmax
