--- title: "The Ingenuity Effect by BBA | Energy efficiency can generate substantial savings. So, where should we start?" date: 2023-03-15T11:22:00-04:00 author: jessica napert canonical_url: "https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-ca/publications/energy-efficiency-can-generate-substantial-savings-so-where-should-we-start" section: Publications --- 1. Among the various decarbonization solutions, energy efficiency is one of the few measures that can generate substantial savings for an organization. The State of Energy in Quebec 2023 report, produced by Chaire Énergie - HEC Montréal, reminded us last month that for each unit of useful energy used by industrial consumers, nearly two units of energy are wasted without adding economic value. In terms of improvement, energy-efficient measures have enormous potential for these stakeholders. ### So, where should we start? “The first step is being more reasonable in your energy usage. With minor investments, it’s possible to generate up to 5 or 10% in energy savings, on average, since neither the infrastructure nor processes change. This means fewer tonnes of CO2 emissions and real economic benefits worth considering,” says Nicholas Allen, Energy and Air Quality Engineer. The first tool involves performing an energy balance to identify your profile and main consumption items. With this information, a specialist can craft a custom plan that leverages the benefits and limitations of your various systems and equipment. This plan will aim to: - Reduce energy consumption at the source - Create inter-system synergies - Optimize existing infrastructure - Promote heat recovery principles - Modulate systems to optimally meet demand - Maximize available financial aid “Implementing energy-efficient measures is a good first step, but to get significant results, you need to maintain and properly manage them in the long term. For that, performance monitoring combined with digital technology is a huge help,” says Alexandre Rousseau, Energy and Air Quality Engineer and Certified Energy Manager (CEM®). Although it can be relatively easy to reach this first 10%, things become more difficult afterwards. As manufacturers face two challenges, meeting growing demand for strategic resources and pursuing their own decarbonization, it’s vital for them to go further with energy-efficient measures, and there are solutions to make that happen. 2. This content is for general information purposes only. All rights reserved ©BBA 1. ![Nicholas Allen](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/3313/Nicholas-Allen.webp) Nicholas Allen, P.Eng. Engineer - Energy and Air Quality [ ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-allen-a4843843/) 2. ![Ec employee men alexandre rousseau retouch web SQ LR BBA](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/204275/ec_employee_men_alexandre-rousseau_retouch_web_SQ_LR_BBA.webp) Alexandre Rousseau, P.Eng, CEM®, CIEP™ Director, Energy Efficiency Read bio [ ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandre-rousseau-b8361764/) **As a senior expert in energy solutions, Alexandre Rousseau leverages 10+ years of expertise** to design and deploy high-performance strategies and optimize industrial systems. **Key expertise** - Energy strategies and transition - ISO 50002 audits and ISO 50001 energy management systems - Optimization of prime movers and thermal systems - Certified CEM® and CIEP™ instructor OIQ member **Major achievements:** Provided strategic energy performance consulting for major industrial sites, generating significant cost savings and securing critical financial aid. **Approach and added value:** Alexandre takes a pragmatic and collaborative approach to convert energy data into strategic decisions, helping clients reduce risk, optimize investments and successfully navigate their energy transition. - [ 20 Jul 2023 Power and Renewables Ensuring sustainability by tackling the climate crisis - ![Dave Olsthoorn](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/146851/DaveOlsthoorn.webp) - ![Pr employee men mario cantin retouch web SQ LR BBA](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/204325/pr_employee_men_mario-cantin_retouch_web_SQ_LR_BBA.webp) - ![Frédéric Gauthier](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/152291/FredericGauthier.webp) ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-ca/publications/ensuring-sustainability-by-tackling-the-climate-crisis "Ensuring sustainability by tackling the climate crisis") - [ 10 Apr 2023 Power and Renewables The transition to renewable energy is more accessible than ever, and it’s not just about environmental benefits - ![Francois Vitez](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/184601/Francois_Vitez.webp) François Vitez, P.Eng. Vice-President, Power and Renewables Market ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-ca/publications/the-transition-to-renewable-energy-is-more-accessible-than-ever-and-its-not-just-about-environmental-benefits "The transition to renewable energy is more accessible than ever, and it’s not just about environmental benefits") - [ 16 Feb 2023 Power and Renewables Carbon neutrality: What if the first step to achieving it is closer than you think? - ![Dave Olsthoorn](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/146851/DaveOlsthoorn.webp) Dave Olsthoorn, P.Eng., M.A.Sc. Engineer, Energy and Air Quality ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-ca/publications/carbon-neutrality-what-if-the-first-step-to-achieving-it-is-closer-than-you-think "Carbon neutrality: What if the first step to achieving it is closer than you think?") - [ 11 Jan 2023 Power and Renewables Circular economy: Industry is revving things up. Here's how. - ![Jerome Pelletier](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/200714/Jerome-Pelletier_2025-03-27-191341_ikit.webp) Jérôme Pelletier, P.Eng., M.B.A. President and Chief Executive Officer ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-ca/publications/circular-economy-industry-is-reviving-things-up-heres-how "Circular economy: Industry is revving things up. Here's how.") [ See all ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-ca/insights) Let’s think it further together [ Contact us ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-ca/contact) 1. Among the various decarbonization solutions, energy efficiency is one of the few measures that can generate substantial savings for an organization. The State of Energy in Quebec 2023 report, produced by Chaire Énergie - HEC Montréal, reminded us last month that for each unit of useful energy used by industrial consumers, nearly two units of energy are wasted without adding economic value. In terms of improvement, energy-efficient measures have enormous potential for these stakeholders. ### So, where should we start? “The first step is being more reasonable in your energy usage. With minor investments, it’s possible to generate up to 5 or 10% in energy savings, on average, since neither the infrastructure nor processes change. This means fewer tonnes of CO2 emissions and real economic benefits worth considering,” says Nicholas Allen, Energy and Air Quality Engineer. The first tool involves performing an energy balance to identify your profile and main consumption items. With this information, a specialist can craft a custom plan that leverages the benefits and limitations of your various systems and equipment. This plan will aim to: - Reduce energy consumption at the source - Create inter-system synergies - Optimize existing infrastructure - Promote heat recovery principles - Modulate systems to optimally meet demand - Maximize available financial aid “Implementing energy-efficient measures is a good first step, but to get significant results, you need to maintain and properly manage them in the long term. For that, performance monitoring combined with digital technology is a huge help,” says Alexandre Rousseau, Energy and Air Quality Engineer and Certified Energy Manager (CEM®). Although it can be relatively easy to reach this first 10%, things become more difficult afterwards. As manufacturers face two challenges, meeting growing demand for strategic resources and pursuing their own decarbonization, it’s vital for them to go further with energy-efficient measures, and there are solutions to make that happen. 2. This content is for general information purposes only. All rights reserved ©BBA