Foreword
In recent years, due to the company’s growth and consequent energy consumption, Pastificio Rey has embarked on a path aimed at sustainability and self-consumption of energy, first installing a photovoltaic system and, in 2017, implementing a trigeneration plant to support production needs and auxiliary services.
The company, which is registered with the Cassa dei Servizi Energetici Ambientali (CSEA), must fulfill its energy dia- gnosis obligation, which it does as it is ISO 50001 certified. Contextually, the certification entitles it to apply internally for TEEs (Energy Efficiency Certificates) for the new CAR (High Yield Cogeneration) plant.
The company relies on PRAXI for support in maintaining certification and, more generally, in optimizing the energy performance of the production plant both from an orga- nizational point of view (through waste containment interventions, process optimization, staff training) and continuous efficiency (optimization inherent in supplier choice, relamping, self-consumption systems) and cost reduction in the medium to long term.
The assignment is carried out by the PRAXI Energy business unit.
Project
Over the course of one year, the project took the form of the following activities:
- Project Management of the Energy Team (consisting of the Managers of the Production/Safety/Energy, Quality and Maintenance functions) for the analysis of consumption carried out, training of internal staff, preparation and drafting of document system procedures, drafting and updating energy analyses, compliance with current energy regulations, and adoption of best practices for reducing energy waste;
- Internal audit for thorough checking of all documentation, identification and correction of any points for improvement or not fully complying with the standard;*
- Assist in the external audit for ISO 50001 maintenance/re-certification, with advisory coaching and documentation management for external examination;
- Supporting management in managing any nonconformities and/or points for improvement that emerge in the external audit, investment plans, and action plans to be implemented with a view to continuous efficiency gains.
Results
PRAXI’s intervention enabled proper conduct and alignment of the Energy Management System with the new guidelines (outlined in the 2018 regulatory update) and the Agenda 2030 sustainable development goals.
The study and analysis of the data collected has enabled a significant con- trol of the company’s energy consumption, laying the foundation for economic savings, proper maintenance of machinery and more accurate supplier choices. This approach also made it possible to devise a plan for resolving observed nonconformities, as well as to implement an inspiring action plan consistent with the adopted efficiency drive.
Specifically, efficiency gains were made in three areas:
- training, in that annual training plans have been prepared with subsequent documentation and skill acquisition tests to be given to employees and referrers in the Energy Team;
- organizational, as it was possible to integrate the Quality Management System (ISO 9001) with the SGE (ISO 50001) and monitor and control business performance;
- collaborative, for the involvement of figures with different backgrounds, experiences and points of view.
Future
The need for maintenance audits, required by regulations on an annual basis, generates an ongoing Technical Advisory relationship between Pastificio Rey and PRAXI.
To date, the project is renewed annually, as described above, based on the continuous desire to improve and manage the energy model adopted.
The implementation of a new line in the immediate future will lead to greater requirements for primary energy carriers and new challenges to be faced in terms of energy savings and integration of its business strategy with ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) indicators.
