Energy Efficiency Movement transforms into association

The Energy Efficiency Movement focussed on energy efficiency in industry has transformed into an independent non-profit association.

The ABB and Alfa Laval founded initiative, which was formed in 2021, is aimed to grow the Movement as a ‘voice’ in the industry and to advance the implementation of energy efficient practices.

In particular, the mission is to increase knowledge around energy efficiency and enable organisations to connect and share knowledge and solutions on energy efficiency.

To advance the Energy Efficiency Movement the members of the executive committee elected are Thomas Møller, president, Energy Division, executive vice president at Alfa Laval, Tarak Mehta, president Motion business area at ABB and Prof Johann Kolar, director, Power Electronics System Laboratory at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH).

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Mike Umiker, who joined the Movement in June 2023, will continue in his role as managing director of the new association.

Mehta describes the formation of the association as an important stepping stone for the Movement, which reports pledges of support from more than 500 companies around the world.

“We are very proud of the rapid success and momentum gained by the Energy Efficiency Movement. It is great to have witnessed the swift and growing mobilisation inside and outside our organisation, including commercial competitors, for a greater purpose.”

Møller highlights energy efficiency as crucial for meeting the Paris Agreement and the COP28 targets and the key role of industry with the IEA indicating that as much as half of today’s potential for saving comes from the sector and increased energy efficiency could account for more than 40% of emissions reductions in the next 20 years.

“Collaboration is vital and that is why the Energy Efficiency Movement is a highly important platform in which the entire value chain can get together to accelerate these actions. Together with partners, we can support in accelerating the transition even further.”

Kolar also comments on the potential of the Energy Efficiency Movement to become a relevant voice of the industry.

“I will contribute the academic viewpoint, which provides the intellectual foundation for transformative change.”

In an April 2024 survey the Energy Efficiency Movement found that 99% of businesses were already investing in, or are planning to invest in, energy efficiency practices – up 7% since 2022 – but half cited cost as the highest barrier to improving energy.

The most common energy efficient practices, cited by almost three-quarters, were identified as moving data to the cloud followed closely by performing energy efficiency audits.

The survey also found that rising energy costs and concerns over the lack of grid power were perceived as the main threats to businesses.