Our more traditional focus on retail gas operations has expanded over the last decade. As our clients are increasingly focused on handling energy solutions, and ensuring their own business does not miss a step, we have evolved with them.
Today, we at Western Oil specialize in ensuring that the handling of our clients’ energy needs are met and monitored. With such rapid growth of hospitals, business and transportation sites, handling energy solutions have needed to pivot. That’s why we have evolved to provide customized solutions to support your business.
Here are the eight handling energy management practice categories that guide commercial and institutional buildings.
National Resources Canada outlines the following categories that help to guide handling energy for businesses.
1. Commitment
According to National Resources Canada, leadership in energy management needs to come from the top. A formal energy policy or vision statement that is approved and endorsed by senior leadership should be developed, and in alignment with your business goals.
2. Planning
In addition to the policy, an energy management plan should be in place. This plan should outline goals and objectives for energy management practices. In accordance with the Energy Management Best Practices Guide from Natural Resources Canada, it should address the following:
- What your organization is doing to manage energy
- What is the vision for overall improvement and optimization
- How your business plans to achieve your goals and objectives
3. Organization
The development of an energy management plan should be integrated within your organization and your organizational structure. As with any business, there needs to be a leader who is solely responsible for driving the goals and project plan forward. Without an individual taking clear ownership, the plan is at risk.
4. Projects
Energy management projects are large and vast, and they may require both capital and other measures to move forward. Questions to consider throughout the project process are:
- When did you last review how your facility is being maintained?
- Do you have equipment within your facility that is running and does not need to be?
- Are there areas that need to be retrofit?
5. Financing
Financing as it relates to handling energy management costs is essential, as a process does need to be created. As such, you must consider weighing the costs associated with new equipment and projects, so you can ensure your investment is spent appropriately.
Define your investment criteria that your organization will use, and ensure you have support from leadership.
6. Tracking
As with any project, you cannot manage it properly if you do not know what you are measuring. Tracking energy use data will allow you to properly assess your energy management activities, and understand if you need to invest in other energy storing solutions. Understand your metrics needed to measure positive ROI for your business.
7. Communication
With any business, communication is key. This involves overall awareness, celebrating successes and identifying actions that will impact handling energy and overall energy management.
Does your staff understand why energy management is important? Have you leveraged the full value of your energy management partner?
8. Training
With both your energy management partner and your own staff, training is an essential piece of building your organizations overall approach. Does your team understand the overall objectives and needs for your business? Is your energy management lead comfortable with the overall approach taken by your business?
By focusing on training for your business, you can identify any sort of gaps that could be human-caused.
At Western Oil Services, we are experts in energy management and handling energy solutions. Before you embark on a review of your current practice, consult with us so we can partner with your team to support you in the process. Click here to contact us today.