Challenge
The industrial sector consumes over half of the world's total delivered energy and produces approximately 1.3 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) annually.i,ii Manufacturers can help manage their energy consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions and costs by improving the efficiency of both their facilities and production processes.
Panasonic Healthcare is a leading provider of diabetes monitoring systems, specialized laboratory equipment, and clinical healthcare IT systems in Japan and worldwide. Panasonic Healthcare is focused on improving the energy efficiency of its facilities and has been tracking the results of these efforts.
Response
In 2016, Panasonic Healthcare continued measuring and managing energy consumption in its Japanese facilities against a 2012 performance baseline. To improve energy efficiency, the company:
- Reduced power loss by concentrating its uninterruptible power supply units.
- Continued replacing power-receiving equipment with more energy efficient options.
- Replaced fluorescent lamps with LED lighting.
- Replaced a mounter, a type of production machine, with a high-efficiency option.
Resultsiii
In absolute terms, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from facilities decreased approximately 15 percent compared to a 2012 baseline, while efficiency has improved approximately 14 percent (GHG/revenue) during the same period. This efficiency improvement has helped Panasonic Healthcare to avoid more than $1.75 million in costs, or more than JPY 200 million, and almost 6,200 metric tons of GHG emissions since 2012.
GHG Efficiency (2011 Baseline) | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Estimated Results | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | Total |
Avoided GHGs (metric tons) | 840 | 250 | 2,500 | 2,600 | 6,200 |
Avoided costs | $296,000 | $83,000 | $674,000 | $700,000 | $1,750,000 |