GM'S ENERGY SAVINGS PROJECT PROCESS: HOW TO GET MONEY FOR ENERGY PROJECTS

摘要

Energy use is a large, but mandatory, expense incurred by manufacturers or facility operators and contributes to Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. At General Motors (GM), although our expenditure for energy is not a large percentage of our total cost, we do spend in excess of $1 Billion USD annually. GHG emissions from energy use represent over 8 million metric tons per year of GM's carbon footprint, equivalent to the energy use for 730,000 homes. Hence, a robust process is needed for Energy Conservation Measures (ECM). Management of energy and carbon to reduce environmental impact has become important enough to be included in our business plan, similar to safety, people, quality, responsiveness, and cost. Following a model similar to EPA Energy Star's seven step approach, energy as an environmental element has been integrated into GM's business policy and model. Based on top level commitment and public goals to reduce energy and GHG by 20% from 2010 to 2020, GM uses its standardized Global Manufacturing System (GMS) to ensure that energy efficiency and conservation is properly managed through performance assessment, action plans, evaluating progress, and recognizing achievements. As conservation methods are part of our operating plan, energy savings projects become a key enabler for continuous improvement in energy and carbon reduction. Since energy projects compete with other spending, successful methods to secure funding is required. Beginning with the "Why" for annual funding of projects, having a strategic plan, managing the process with lots of data, and communicating the results are needed to ensure adequate funding for energy savings projects. Selling the need and benefit is critical gain ongoing support. Integrating energy project implementation into your business plan helps to sustain it for long term success.