The 7th Cultural Change in Energy Consumption, Has Been Held in Isfahan

United Nation Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in Iran held the 7^th Seminar on “Cultural Change in Energy Efficiency” in Isfahan.

This seminar was held with cooperation of “Industrial Property Support Office” and “Office of Isfahan” of Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade in Isfahan.

“Isfahan with 9200 industrial company like Iron and Steel, Cement and Brick, is one of the biggest industrial zones in Iran. So it is important to have projects in partnership with UNIDO in this province.” Mr. Esrafil Ahmadiyeh the Director General of Isfahan organization of Industry, Mine and Trade said.

Ahmadiyeh requested UNIDO and other related organizations to bring contribution of financial institutions in order to facilitate implementation of energy efficiency projects in industries.

Ms. Nasim Shekari the coordinator of project, “Industrial energy efficiency in key sectors” in Iran, was the next speaker of this seminar. She explained the general goals of UNIDO and introduced the project of “Industrial Energy Efficiency in 5 Key Sectors, to Isfahan industries.”

“ Industrial Energy Efficiency project (IEE) in Iran which launched since year 2012, funded by Global Environment Facility (GEF) and, implemented by UNIDO as implementing agency of the GEF in Iran and cooperation of Iranian Fuel Conservation Company (IFCO) as national executing partner.” Shekari said.

“The main goal of IEE-GEF project is to promote and improve energy efficiency in five key industrial sectors (Iran and Steel, Petrochemical, Oil Refinery, Cement and Brick).” Shekari said.

“Industrial energy efficiency project has been implemented in 35 developing countries including Iran and project information and best practices have been shared with the member states.” Shekari added.

Mr. William McLaughlin the other speaker of this seminar, focused on many opportunities of industrial energy efficiency, globally and in Iran. He mentioned “People”, “Information” and “Technology” as three important pillars of energy management should take into consideration in industries for having a successful Energy efficiency program.

He emphasized if energy management implements correctly and systematically, big investment is not required and there would be many energy and non-energy benefits with no cost and low cost investment in place.  

He presented that by implementing Energy management system (EnMS) based on ISO 50001 in 31 countries by UNIDO, the energy saving equal to 7000 GWh (gigawatt hour) per year has been achieved. This amount of energy is equivalent to 2000 MW energy generation of wind power plant.

“In regard with no and/or low capital cost measures in first and second year of project implementation, the energy efficiency achieved was between 4 to 15 percent and the total cost saving has been more than 100 million US dollar in 2015, without considering non-energy benefits.” He said.

“The greenhouse gas emission which has been reduced by implementation of this project was 4.3 million ton CO₂, which is a good result for environment.” McLaughlin added. 

“Implementing EnMS in Iran in 7 pilot industries, with 800,000 US dollar investment, leads to annual saving over 1.2 million GJ and more than 3 million US Doller cost saving based on local energy prices.” He explained.

“Implementation of EnMS is one of the best methods for energy efficiency and the results achieved in Iran shows that the costs will return to the company, only in 3 month.” he mentioned at the end of seminar.