What is energy optimisation?

‍Energy optimisation encompasses all measures that reduce the energy consumption of companies, buildings or technical systems without affecting performance or comfort. The aim is to use energy as efficiently as possible, minimise losses and achieve both economic and environmental benefits.

In industry, commerce and real estate management, energy optimisation is becoming increasingly important due to rising energy costs, stricter climate targets and growing regulatory requirements

How does energy optimisation differ from energy efficiency?

Although the two terms are often used interchangeably, they have distinct meanings:

• Energy efficiency describes how much energy is required to achieve a certain output – for example, a motor that consumes less electricity.
• Energy optimisation, by contrast, goes a step further: it involves the systematic control and adjustment of processes to minimise total energy use, often without the need for new technology.

In short: energy efficiency is the "what”, energy optimisation is the "how.”

What are the benefits of energy optimisation?

Targeted energy optimisation offers a wide range of economic and environmental advantages:

• Cost reduction: Avoiding peak loads, using electricity during low-price periods and switching off unnecessary equipment lowers energy costs significantly.
• CO₂ reduction: Lower consumption leads directly to lower emissions – a key contribution to climate protection.
• Improved supply security: An optimised energy system reacts flexibly to external fluctuations and helps stabilise the power grid.
• Regulatory compliance: Energy efficiency laws and funding programmes such as BAFA Module 3 increasingly require demonstrable optimisation measures.
• Competitive advantage: Companies that use resources efficiently strengthen their reputation and market position.

What role does digitalisation play in energy optimisation?

Digitalisation is a key enabler of modern energy optimisation. With digital platforms, sensors and automated controls, energy data can be captured, analysed and acted upon in real time.

Benefits of digital energy optimisation include:

• Full transparency over energy flows
• Automated consumption control
• Simulation of optimisation potential
• Integration of renewable energy and storage systems

Digital systems create the foundation for managing energy smartly, flexibly and sustainably, particularly in dynamic markets.

Why is energy optimisation especially important for industry?

Many industrial companies have high energy demand – and therefore significant potential for savings. At the same time, they face growing pressure to reduce CO₂ emissions and operate more sustainably. Energy optimisation offers an effective lever to achieve this: targeted load management helps avoid electricity peaks and reduce grid charges. By improving process efficiency, resource use can be significantly enhanced. Meanwhile, smart energy management systems make it possible to better balance the fluctuating feed-in from renewable energy sources. As a result, companies can not only lower their energy costs and meet climate targets but also strengthen their resilience against market volatility.

How is an energy system optimised?

Energy optimisation begins with a detailed analysis of consumption patterns. Based on this data, targeted measures can be implemented, such as:

• Load management: Controlling energy use in response to price and grid signals.
• Process optimisation: Improving production or facility operations through smart control of machinery or cooling systems.
• Energy monitoring: Continuously measuring and evaluating energy flows – ideally in real time.
• Flexibility utilisation: Dynamically adjusting consumption to match renewable availability.
• Digitalisation: Using data-driven tools and platforms for automated and systematic optimisation.

Example of an energy optimisation strategy

A practical example is load management : energy-intensive processes are shifted to times of low electricity prices or high renewable generation. This lowers costs and reduces CO₂ emissions.

Modern control platforms make this process automatic by linking electricity prices, grid utilisation and production data in real time – unlocking optimisation potential instantly. Smart energy management systems, such as flexOn, enable companies to turn these opportunities into measurable results from day one.