Energy intensity

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The energy intensity is an economic indicator for energy efficiency , which relates the primary energy consumption of an economy or an industry to the gross domestic product generated or the gross value added achieved .

National economy

It is defined as follows:

Depending on the question, the associated pollutant emissions can also be taken into account in the meter instead of the amount of primary energy used. In this case, the unit of energy intensity results in (emitted quantity) / (currency unit).

The energy intensity does not necessarily have to refer to the entire economy, but can also be calculated for a group of goods or an individual product.

A falling energy intensity, which is to be assessed positively from the standpoint of sustainability , can be achieved both through the use of modern manufacturing processes (which use energy more efficiently) and through the structural change of an economy, for example away from heavy industry towards services .

However, in purely mathematical terms, a falling energy intensity also results from inflation . When comparing the energy intensity of different years, the amounts of money should therefore be adjusted for inflation.

Business administration

Energy intensity is also an economic indicator . Energy-intensive companies are those companies where energy costs account for more than 15% of total output or sales . In terms of the share of sales in the manufacturing sector, these include the chemical industry (54%), the steel industry (18.2%), the non-ferrous metal industry (15.7%), the paper industry (8.5%), the glass industry (5%) and the building materials industry (3rd ,1 %). These include companies in the aluminum, copper and zinc processing, insulation and plastic manufacturers, basic chemicals, paper and cardboard, glass, fiberglass, cement, lime, gypsum and ceramic industries. In terms of total costs, energy costs in the paper and printing industry reached 19% of total costs in 2011, followed by chemicals / pharmaceuticals / plastics and minerals (16%), food and beverages / beverages (15%), building materials (13%) ) and iron / metal (12%).

The higher the energy intensity in the company due to increases in energy prices, the greater the profit risks. Energy-saving measures within an efficient energy management are therefore necessary in order to secure the return on sales .

meaning

Due to the rising energy prices, the importance of energy costs for companies and private households has increased considerably. Energy saving and energy efficiency have become important goals for energy consumers . In order to mitigate or even reduce the increase in energy costs, it is necessary to rationalize the use of energy by optimizing the energy-relevant production processes. When it comes to saving energy, private households must rely on the use of energy-saving devices or a shorter service life. Both sectors also have the option of generating their own energy.

The energy-intensive companies have moved into the focus of public discussion because they are partially exempt from the EEG surcharge . Electricity-intensive manufacturing companies and railways are partially exempt from the EEG surcharge due to the special equalization regulation in the EEG to protect their international and intermodal competitiveness ( Section 63 with associated regulations Sections 64 - 69 EEG 2014). Companies in the manufacturing sector with an electricity consumption of more than 1 GWh / a (until December 31, 2011: 10 GWh / a) and a ratio of electricity costs to gross value added of at least 14% are eligible to apply. If these requirements are met, the EEG surcharge for the company is limited. The compensation regulation therefore does not recognize the energy intensity in terms of the industry, but rather examines the individual case.

See also

Individual evidence

  1. Adrian Urzenitzok / Henning-Christian Durnio, the security of energy supply in Germany , 2007, p 57
  2. ^ Gerhard Neckermann, Hans Wessels: The glass industry - a picture of the industry . Duncker & Humblot, 1987, ISBN 978-3-428-06216-4 , p. 156.
  3. Ronald Gleich, Sustainability Controlling , 2012, p. 145