Whether it’s analysing complex energy data, struggling to make data-driven decisions, or dealing with high energy consumption, it can be difficult to know where to start with energy strategy.
This is where an Energy Roadmap comes in.
An Energy Roadmap provides a clear, actionable plan which enables you to make informed, strategic decisions that align with both your business objectives and environmental targets.
So, what does an Energy Roadmap involve?
An Energy Roadmap combines a company’s portfolio, energy data, and energy-related actions to create a comprehensive outline of current and future energy performance. It tracks energy usage to establish a baseline at both portfolio and site levels, using this data to assess areas of improvement over time. By mapping out all current and potential energy-saving projects, it provides a clear view of how businesses can minimise consumption and transition to cleaner energy sources.
Energy Roadmaps turn short-term goals into long-term action by modelling an organisation’s energy use through to 2050 and highlighting key milestones. By understanding your continued trajectory, you can make informed decisions that align with both strategic company goals and the UK’s energy targets.
Current trends in UK energy management
In the UK, buildings currently rely on a 60/40 split between gas and electricity. But by 2050, the goal is to achieve a 97% electric, 3% gas mix. This shift is vital for reducing our dependency on fossil fuels. While energy efficiency measures play a key role in reducing consumption, they can only go so far. A significant reduction in fossil fuel use, along with the adoption of renewable energy sources, is needed to meet these ambitious targets.
This could involve:
- Switching from gas to electric systems
- Entering into Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) to source renewable energy directly
Overcoming challenges of energy management
Transitioning to a more sustainable energy model is not without its challenges. Businesses often face:
- High costs: The initial investment for upgrading infrastructure can be significant.
- Outdated infrastructure: Many systems were not designed with modern efficiency standards in mind.
- Knowledge gaps: Understanding where to start and which actions will have the most impact can be difficult.
- Limited support: The need to secure project backing and long-term commitment from stakeholders.
The Energy Roadmap helps overcome these barriers by offering a structured approach with distinct, strategic outcomes. It provides a detailed overview of costs, savings, and payback periods, so you can present a clear, data-driven pathway to stakeholders and the board.
Key components of the roadmap include:
- Energy auditing and baseline creation: We assess current consumption and identify areas for improvement.
- Segmenting the energy portfolio: Whether it’s buildings, transport, or industrial processes, we tailor recommendations based on the specific energy needs of your business.
- Scenario modeling: By forecasting energy usage and costs up to 2050, we can set realistic targets and plan for energy-saving actions.
We also offer a separate energy auditing service that works alongside the roadmap to provide tailored recommendations. Together, these tools empower your business to reduce emissions, save costs, and improve overall operational efficiency.
The Energy Roadmap process
The foundation of any Energy Roadmap is data. We send a template to compile your energy consumption metrics, past and current projects, and any planned actions. This data is analysed to produce an energy report that outlines fuel split, energy savings, and cost-benefit analysis.
Following this, an Energy Roadmap Workshop is conducted to align your scenario model with your company’s goals. The final roadmap report is then delivered, along with a summary slide deck for easy presentation to stakeholders.
