Energy - The invisible giant

Energy is vital in today’s economy.  In Portugal, with the national strategy approved by RCM nº169/2005, in Europe, with the, “Energy Policy for Europe”, signed in 2007, several actions are being developed in order to turn Europe in a highly efficient energetic economy, where the integrated countries should reduce their energetic consumption in 20%, till 2020.

Finishing the Master in Electrics Engineering, with Major in energy, the opportunity to realize a traineeship in the ambit of the final semester project appeared, the enterprise is Sonae Industria P.C.D.M. SA, a company that takes the energy efficiency very seriously, and have already get some profits of it.

Organizations need to have a broader perspective, and take a holistic approach to energy management that goes beyond discrete projects at the equipment and plant level. Those that actively manage energy inputs and emissions on a daily basis and leverage automation and information technologies to address energy consumption in a systematic and consistent manner will have a competitive advantage going forward.

Companies that can accurately measure, monitor, predict, and control their energy usage usually find opportunities to lower their energy consumption, wastes, and costs. Many energy management strategies, functions, and solutions are available today. Energy efficiency begins with energy-efficient process and equipment design. To manage ongoing operations effectively, organizations must address energy management from the enterprise level down to field devices and motor controls.