Energy awareness and knowledge on the subject tend to be higher in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), where energy consumption is often closely monitored—e.g., through the implementation of an energy management system, which serves as an ideal data analysis tool. Unfortunately, in larger plants, the situation is often quite different. Their focus is predominantly on production volume, while cost monitoring—both production and operational—often takes a back seat. However, tightening EU regulations and the looming prospect of rising energy prices (especially electricity) are compelling companies to seek cost-saving opportunities and invest in modernizing their facilities and production lines to minimize energy consumption as effectively as possible.
Energy efficiency certificates
To mitigate financial losses and encourage businesses to invest in energy efficiency improvements through the adoption of high-efficiency solutions, the Energy Regulatory Office (URE) has introduced the Energy Efficiency Certificates mechanism, also known as “White Certificates” for planned projects.
White Certificates serve as tangible support for investments aimed at enhancing energy efficiency while simultaneously reducing energy consumption. These certificates are official documents certifying that planned modernization efforts will lead to improved energy efficiency and reduced energy usage. They hold real financial value, as they represent property rights on the Polish Power Exchange (TGE).
Companies can utilize these certificates to fulfill their obligations under the Energy Efficiency Act (suppliers of natural gas, electricity, and heat are required to obtain and redeem a certain number of these certificates, improve energy efficiency at the consumer level, or pay a substitute fee). Alternatively, companies may sell these certificates on the Polish Power Exchange, partially offsetting the costs of energy-efficiency investments.
The White Certificate System is governed by the Energy Efficiency Act of May 20, 2016. According to this law, applications for Energy Efficiency Certificates must be submitted to the Energy Regulatory Office before modernization work begins. However, an energy efficiency audit must be conducted beforehand.
Procedure
First, the company receives a promissory note, and the actual White Certificates are issued after the modernization is completed. Almost any company planning an energy-saving investment can apply for these certificates. The minimum energy savings threshold required to qualify is 10 toe (tonnes of oil equivalent) per year (1 toe = 11.63 MWh).
Exceptions apply in cases where:
The unit value of Energy Efficiency Certificates is listed on the Polish Power Exchange.
Energy-intensive drives and improving plant efficiency
The rise in energy prices and the expectation of further electricity cost increases present a major challenge for the industrial sector, where energy-intensive technological processes dominate. Studies show that electric drives consume up to 65% of the electricity used in industry. Electric motors in the European Union are classified into efficiency categories: IE1, IE2, IE3, and IE4.
Each class corresponds to a specific efficiency range. The difference in efficiency between IE1 and IE4 motors can be as much as 10% for smaller-rated power motors. For larger motors, the efficiency gain is around 4-5%.
Additional factors affecting motor efficiency include:
This underscores the importance of energy efficiency improvements in electric drives, particularly through batch replacement of multiple motors rather than a piecemeal approach that only reacts to breakdowns. This strategy results in significant electricity savings and measurable financial benefits.
By combining high-efficiency motor investments with the White Certificate mechanism, companies can achieve a return on investment (ROI) within approximately 24 months.
Beyond financial benefits, high-efficiency electric drives also offer:
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Energy efficiency in industry
Manufacturing companies place a strong emphasis on improving energy efficiency because it is economically advantageous. Optimizing energy usage allows companies to:
Since energy costs constitute a significant portion of corporate budgets, many companies actively seek optimization strategies. In addition, they often outsource energy management to specialized firms that can handle most of the process on their behalf.
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