Strategic energy management in energy-intensive enterprises: a quantitative analysis of relevant factors in the Austrian paper and pulp industry

JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION

卷:90

Article

Posch, Alfred¹  Brudermann, Thomas¹  Braschel, Nina¹  Gabriel, Magdalena² 

[1] Graz Univ, Inst Syst Sci Innovat & Sustainabil Res, A-8010 Graz, Austria

[2] FH Joanneum Univ Appl Sci, Inst Ind Management, Graz, Austria

关键词: Analytic hierarchy process;    Energy costs;    Energy market volatilities;    Paper and pulp industry;    Strategic energy management;    SWOT analysis;   

DOI  :  10.1016/j.jclepro.2014.11.044

来源: Elsevier

【 摘 要 】

Increasing energy prices and market volatilities force energy intensive industries to implement energy management systems in order to ensure competitiveness. In this paper, we focus on the strategic level of energy management, specifically, on the analysis of the internal and external conditions that form the basis for strategic development. For this, we selected the case of the Austrian paper and pulp industry. We applied a hybrid method by combining an analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats with an analytic hierarchy process which was based on a survey of expert opinion. The results show that cost-related factors predominate. According to our analysis, the four most important factors are all directly linked to energy costs, energy efficiency, and the energy market. Experts pay little attention to environmental issues or to energy market volatilities. Apart from that, the combination of an analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats with an analytic hierarchy process promises to be a valuable tool for strategic energy management. This is especially true for energy intensive companies and/or sectors, since it enables decision makers to take strategic decisions based on a systematic understanding of the main issues. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

【 授权许可】

Free